offtravel OFF the beaten track experience

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1 offtravel OFF the beaten track experience mobile:

2 8 days on the horseback among the Argentinian Andes Crossing the legendary "Ruta 40" road Endless and harsh landscapes of Patagonia Breathtaking Perito Moreno glacier Dancing streets of Buenos Aires Delicious Argentinian steaks and excellent wine Patagonia is one of the most beautiful geographical regions on Earth. Located in Argentina and Chile, is the heart of the harsh and virgin areas of South America. Once inhabited by the native communities, today it has become an important region on the tourist map of the world. However, those who come here are looking not only for beautiful landscapes or rare species of flora and fauna. They are looking for a wild adventure, unusual challenges, strong sensations and a bit of craziness. All of this can still be found on the fiery Patagonian land. Favoured by vast, uninhabited spaces, beautiful raw landscapes and wonderful mounts, Patagonia seems to be a perfect place for the horse-riding. A horseback riding tour among the high peaks of the Andes, wide grassy valleys, post-glacial lakes and rushing streams is a unique adventure. Fantastic Criollo horses are resilient animals meant for long-distance escapades. Patagonia is a challenge for the true riders. GRINGO IN PATAGONIA 2 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA - 2 -

3 Day 1: Meeting in Buenos Aires and flight to Patagonia We meet in the early morning in front of the hotel or at the airport in Buenos Aires and head to the centre of the Argentinian capital to take a short walk along Florida Street and the Plaza de Mayo. In the afternoon we fly to El Calafate in southern Patagonia. We check in at a hostel in the centre of the city, and then we start exploring the town, picturesquely located on the shores of the Argentino lake. In the evening, we taste the first, traditional Argentinian dinner, which is a delicious steak, a baguette and some tomato and onion salad, accompanied by a bottle of Argentinian red wine. Overnight stay at the hostel. Day 2: Transfer through Patagonia to the estancia El Condor After breakfast, we do the shopping for the horseback tour. At noon, we leave El Calafate heading to the north via the famous Ruta 40 road. This part of Patagonia is characterised by the semi-arid landscape with the snow-capped peaks of the Patagonian Andes visible on the horizon. After reaching the village of Tres Lagos, we head towards the San Martin lake and after following a gravel road for another 160 km, we arrive at estancia El Condor. After lodging on the Argentinian "rancho" we enjoy dinner. Overnight stay in a climatic old house. Days 3-6: Horseback riding tour by the San Martin lake We have our first meeting with Argentinian horses. We have got the whole morning to preparing for the first ride, which will lead us along the San Martin lake to the village of La Nana and the Chilean border. We help our Argentinian guides during tacking up our horses and packing the equipment. We discuss the exact route of our tour. We walk along the mountainous shore of the lake, among the harsh but fabulously colourful landscapes of Patagonia. We are led by local guides and carried in comfortable, wide saddles by calm, well-groomed Creole horses. During the ride, we take the breaks in scenic locations and try to pick up canter if the terrain allows us to. We admire the rugged shores and turquoise waters of the San Martin lake, the rainbow-shining Patagonian shrubs, the miniature Patagonian beech wood and with a bit of luck, we also meet the herds of free-grazing wild horses. We spend the nights in the tents and in a wooden hut. Eagers can participate in the preparation of meals on a wood-fired kitchen, and those who are courageous enough can help in tacking up the horses. On the fourth day of the ride, we return to estancia El Condor and then we drive to a tourist village of El Chaltén, hidden among the high mountains. Overnight stay at the hostel. Day 7: Transfer to estancia Nibepo Aike After breakfast, we return to El Calafate and after a short break we go further to the estancia Nibepo Aike, located on the border of the Los Glaciares National Park. After arrival we check in and go for a walk around the estancia. We have the opportunity to observe the daily life of the estancia, including a process of shearing the sheep with traditional hand tools. Evening dinner and overnight stay at the estancia. Days 8-11: Horseback riding tour to the Hidden Glacier We set off for the second horseback ride to the most remote areas of the estancia Nibepo Aike bordering the Los Glaciares National Park and Chile. During the 4-day ride we will see the alpine lagoons inhabited by flamingos, blackened swans and geese. We will reach many GRINGO IN PATAGONIA 2 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA - 3 -

4 glaciers and post-glacial lakes. During the tour we will also take a short trekking trip and we will sail through the Argentino lake. We spend the evenings on short walks in a deserted area or by the wood-burning stoves with some yerba mate warming our hands. Overnights stay in wooden huts. On the last day of the tour, we return to the estancia Nibepo Aike and drive back to El Calafate. Overnight stay at the hostel. Day 12: Unforgettable views of the Perito Moreno glacier On this day we go on a trip to the foot of the Perito Moreno glacier, Argentina's largest nature attraction. The giant blocks of ice regularly coming off the 40 meters high forehead and falling into the Argentino lake make an unforgettable impression. A few hours walk over the metal footbridges with a view of the glacier, snow-capped Patagonian peaks and a huge lake will be a great opportunity to stretch your legs after eight days spent in the saddle. In the afternoon we return to El Calafate and go shopping to find some fine souvenirs and to have a steak and some wine for dinner. Overnight stay at the hostel. Day 13: Tasting the charms of divine Buenos Last day in Argentina we spend on exploring Buenos Aires one of the most interesting cities of South America. After the morning flight to Buenos Aires, we start the tour in the centre of the city, visiting Plaza de Mayo, the cathedral and the district of San Telmo. Next, we move to La Boca a suburban, full of atmosphere and a bit kitschy district, famous for its colourful houses and the stadium of the Boca Juniors football team. In the evening, we go to the Palermo district for a farewell dinner and we finish the tour. Overnight stay at the hostel. GRINGO IN PATAGONIA 2 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA - 4 -

5 The participant should be familiar with current passport, visa and sanitary regulations as well as health requirements including recommended vaccinations, available on the website of the embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of his / her country of residence. The participant should have at least a basic level of horseback riding skills (walk and trot, recreational trail trips). The expedition is not available to people with reduced mobility. The participant should have at least a basic knowledge of English or Spanish. Large backpack or travel bag (60-80l) Small hand-luggage backpack (to the airplane, for sightseeing, etc.) Warm sleeping bag (optimum about minus 5 degrees) Double-layer sleeping mat or a sleeping mat plus a space blanket Obligatory riding helmet, riding boots and another pair of light shoes Riding pants or comfortable long trousers Gaiters, riding gloves, optionally safety vest for horse riding Small saddle bags for necessary items during horse riding (water, snacks, cape, camera) Warm fleece or wool sweater, down jacket or Primaloft Light sweatshirt or shirt, light long pants Wind protection hooded jacket (e.g. softshell), cape or poncho Warm gloves and hat Underwear (preferably thermoactive, including leggins and a long-sleeved shirt), socks and additional warm socks Thin headgear (bandana of buff), optionally light shorts Sandals or flip-flops, swimsuit, quick-drying towel Flashlight and spare batteries Large plastic bags (3) Mess-tin, cup and cutlery (including touristic knife), vacuum flask Mobile phone, charger, powerbank Hygiene utensils, wet wipes, optionally dry shampoo Sunscreen and sunglasses, additionally mosquito and tick repellent Effervescent tablets dissolving in water (e.g. Isostar) Passport and money (protected against moisture) + photocopy of passport (pages with photo and data) Basic personal medications and dressings (aspirin, painkillers, stomach medication, bandaids, elastic bandage, alcohol gauze pads, sterile gauze pads) GRINGO IN PATAGONIA 2 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA - 5 -

6 Country: Argentina Date: 2 14 February 2019 Duration: 13 days Number of participants: 4-8 people (minimum number of participants: 4 people) Expedition Cost: 1700 EUR Advance payment: 200 EUR (payable within 3 days from receiving an Agreement) Main payment: 1500 EUR (payable within 3 days from confirmation of the Expedition) Includes: organization of the Expedition and support of the Leader flights: Buenos Aires El Calafate and El Calafate Buenos Aires, on a commercial flight, economic class (1 piece of checked baggage + hand baggage) hire of the tourist equipment (transportation bags, camping gear) medical insurance and personal accident insurance Touristic Guarantee Found fee Additional Costs: 2900 USD Include: transfers in rented 4wd cars in Patagonia and in taxis in Buenos Aires rental of horses and pack horses with the necessary equipment hire of local guides full board from day 1 till 13 of the Expedition (breakfast, lunch and dinner based on local gastronomy; during the horseback riding trips meals prepared together in camping conditions) accommodation (13 nights) in huts (dormitory), houses at estancia and hostels (double, triple or dorm rooms) according to the Itinerary entrance fees to national parks and visited places Self-organized flight to Buenos Aires. Tour Operator: Offtravel s.c. Jana Pawła II St Łowicz, Poland Leader: Wojciech Marzec Traveler. Studied geography and also marketing and management. Fascinated by traveling since forever. Professionally organizes expeditions for 10 years as founder and coordinator of Chate.pl Expedition Group. Cofounder of Południk Zero, traveler s cafe in Warsaw, where guests eagerly share their traveling experience with others. High, severe mountains and uninhabited regions attract him like a magnet. He traveled to Patagonia, Australia, Alaska, Kamchatka and countries of Central Asia many times. He went to Mongolia by an old Lada Niva car traveling kilometres through roadless wilderness of Asia. Other countries that he visited are New Zealand, Morocco and Afghanistan. He always eagerly returns to Romanian and Ukrainian Carpathians, but what he loves the most apart from his family are the Polish Bieszczady mountains. He dreams to go there to stay one day. Contact: mobile: wyprawy@offtravel.pl GRINGO IN PATAGONIA 2 14 FEBRUARY 2019 ARGENTINA - 6 -