- Four-hour horse ride on a local estanzia through wonderful countryside
- Take a relaxing afternoon
Quite tired from the exertions of the last few days, another highlight is already waiting for us. At 9 o'clock we are picked up at the hostel by a French WWOOF and drive north on the gravel road. There is one here authentic patagonian estanzia in the middle of a natural river valley. At Niki's request we go horse riding today. Different from the Pantanal here robust thoroughbred horses used, which are able to deal better with the harsh conditions. So we're sitting a lot higher and mine 500 kilo chunks is significantly wider.
A strong wind blows to match the landscape and a few drops of rain fall every now and then. The Mane blows in the wind as we trot out into the vast farmland. After a while the path leads us up steeply fairytale forest full of old Lenga beeches in the most bizarre shapes. It's hanging from a tree skinned carcass of a dead puma cubwhich was shot by the farmers. On the steep descent we have to press our feet quite a bit into the stirrups. Niki's horse is on strike when we do Cross the river want. After almost two hours we stop in a simple hut where we have a warming tea to get. We are really lucky today, yesterday a group of 12 took part in the ride, today only the two of us are on the road.
We ride on and reach a fenced in pasture surrounded by rugged rock walls, where many cows and some horses graze. In between, ducks and geese bathe, a wonderful picture. We become like that when trotting and galloping properly shakenwhich is only moderately comfortable for us beginners.
Back in El Chalten let's just enjoy the afternoon. After all, the diary, blog, pictures and travel planning have been neglected in the last few days.
