Tierra del Fuego - Argentina

David who has been on 5 In The Saddle rides. A ride that is not for the faint hearted | It is the environmental conditions that makes this ride hard. The weather varies from all day rain, strong winds, cold temperature, to beautiful sunny windless days. This ride covers terrain that covers cobble stone beaches, rocky headlands, swampy land, mud, river crossings, steep up and down sections, to wonderful flat sandy beaches ideal for galloping.

But it is also those environmental conditions that makes the ride so satisfying. With Adolfo and Laura being excellent guides/leaders in this testing terrain.

Even the snow on the main road on the bus trip back to Ushuaia

Do you have any comments about the accommodation and food?

As expected the bunk houses were basic but comfortable - good fireplaces with drying racks to get all that wet gear dry for the next morning.

The food was good - Adolfo and Laura worked wonders in a basic kitchen, with the scrambled egg every morning first class.

How could we improve the quality of pre-holiday information that we send?

Although the advice was generaly good, there should have been stronger emphasis on what is needed on a cold wet windy day, where it rains most of the day - even good quality waterproof gear has limits in those conditions. On our trip there was a group from Poland (not with In The Saddle) and their guide had advised them on the requirments for plastic bags over feet to keep socks dry, using surgical gloves underneath the water proof gloves to keep hands dry (and warm) and similar helpful hints.

[ITS replies: The surgical glove idea was new to the ride operator also - we have reviewed our packing list and added this item to it. Thank you for your constructive feedback. We are pleased that overall you enjoyed this tough, expedition ride at the End of the World.]

Do you have any other feedback for us?

I would recommend this ride for those that expect basic conditions - it is not for everyone, especially those that want fine dining and luxury accomodation. Also because of the environmental conditions there is limited cantering/galloping - so it is not for those that just want to go fast.