--- Río Hurtado - Hurtado - Chile - Phone/Fax +56-53-691822 - Austrian/German management ---
Our Hacienda
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The Northwest Passage
Now, both have made a new dream com true in the sunny north of Chile: the Hacienda - 1000 acres nature reserve, gardens, 7 kilometres nature trail, 3 kilometres river, country, colonial style guest rooms and good trained horses. They roamed the wild mountain countryside along the historic paths of the Inca and gold diggers accompanied by herdsman. They know their way around! People who want to get in touch with nature, want to get to know typical Chile and want to experience something special will feel comfortable in company with Manuela, Clark and his team in the valley of Rio Hurtado.
(Volker Westedt, Hamburg) |
Manuela
Paradeiser, 
Haciendas
are a type of organisation for country farms of several hundred acres
and were introduced by the Spaniards in South America in the 16th century.
A lot of workers were needed to tend the livestock, till the ground and
bring in the harvest. In the past, the Hacienda was centre of life for
the people. Also for us is the Hacienda Los Andes the centre of life surrounded
by a marvellous nature. The 1000 acres Hacienda Los Andes reaches from
our river to the top of the Cerro Gigante mountain. 
Only a few acres are being cultivated. The remaining are nature reserves which can be discovered on foot or on horseback.
Two hiking trails (4 and 7 kilometres) lead through the original countryside passing cactuses, riverbanks, canyons and lush meadows. Surrounded by trees and gardens stand the buildings of the Hacienda: stables, barns, houses and guest house.
The
Rio Hurtado river rushes through the valley for ages and takes its
way through our Hacienda along three kilometres. Its water is the elixir
of life for nature and people. There are growing balm, laurel and mint;
fruit, vegetables and green grass; and the knotty, magnificent Algarobo
which are the ancient trees of the Sierra.
The Indians used its seeds to bake their flat bread. Their peaceful life was disturbed by the Inca who conquered the country for the gold and silver mines. They travelled to Argentina on the old cattle trail which still winds its way through the valley.
The Inca introduced the irrigation technology
which is the digging of irrigation channels down the valley. Today, the
people still profit from this antique irrigation system; as we do at the
Hacienda.
Criollos the Chilean horses are called.
They have a safe and calm character because there never was overbreeding.Our horses are trained without applying any force - No spurs and whips are used at the Hacienda - We ride the same Andean trails like the men in the saddles. Those are the Huasos in Chile and the Gauchos in Argentina.  Working at close hands with our horses
- a photostory:read » |
The
people here live in harmony with nature. They prepare gardens and
small fields in winter. Train horses and do handicrafts. In the mild
spring, magnificent seas of blossoms change the valley into a bright
scenery surrounded by the snow covered Andes.
Summer is awaited with anticipation because its fruit, whether
it is apricots or vine, the green grass, the well fed herd, determine
the earnings of a family. In the mild autumn, they repair channels and
work around houses and trails.
The Andes, nearly invincible, seem to have welded together the
people. Hospitality, unity, working together in the fields and traditional
celebrations are part of everyday life. And unlocked doors testify to
honesty and frankness.
Little has changed to date. There may lead an earthy road through the
lush valley of the Sierra of Rio Hurtado, but herds are still moving
along trails into the Andes.
"Tranquilo!",
the Caballeros (men in the saddles) still shout, and this word has some
more meanings than just: slow.
Tranquilo actually means:
calm, coolness,
freedom and peace.
