We aim to travel the Inca Trail (Qhapaq Ñan) on horseback in northwestern Argentina, in order to explore, document, and promote its historical and cultural significance, in the remote, isolated, and naturally beautiful mountainous landscape of the Central Argentine Andes plateau.
We will ride 400 km along the Qhapaq Ñan, the Inca road system, crossing the Puna region of Jujuy and the Quebradas of Salta, following in the footsteps of Diego de Almagro in the 16th century during his conquest of Chile.
A mountain trek featuring passes over 4,000 meters high and the harsh climate typical of this region of the Andean highlands. An adventure featuring horses, campsites, Inca ruins, untamed wilderness, and a trail that has served as the backbone of the Andes mountain range for nearly 1,000 years.
30 days from March to April 2027
What we’re looking for:
A spirit of adventure
Adaptability and resilience.
Team spirit.
Experience in mountain hiking and camping, including multi-day trips.
We are looking for people with strong character, experience in demanding environments, and a spirit of adventure
Two missions, one expedition: Given the nature of the expedition, we need two different types of people, whose collaboration will be essential to its success.
Horseback Team
They will ride the entire planned route of the Qhapaq Ñan. They will care for their horses, endure long days in the saddle, and set the pace of the journey.
Support Team
They will support the group of riders with an off-road vehicle. They will handle the expedition’s logistics, including setting up and breaking down camps, managing supplies, and cooking. They will serve as the emergency response team if necessary. They will follow the group of riders and camp with them.
The expedition consists of the two teams. Neither is more important than the other.
The budget covers all direct operating costs of the expedition, starting from the city of Salta. The expedition will be self-funded by its participants. However, we will try to secure support from sponsors and find other sources of funding. This is not a commercial expedition. This budget is based on a horseback team of 6 riders (+1 mule driver) and a support team of 2 people. This is an estimated budget that will be adjusted once all the details have been finalized.
Estimated cost per person:
Horseback Team 3.700,00 €
Support Team 2.000,00 €
If you are interested in joining us, please contact Alvaro and Francisca on qhapaqnan2027@hotmail.com
Álvaro García Matéu
Forestry Engineer in SPAIN
• Horseback riding trails guide.
• Multi-day horseback rides in Spain,
Portugal, the United Kingdom, Romania,
Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Chile.
• Two horseback crossings of the Andes.
• Organizational and management skills.
• Expertise in cartography and GPS.
Francisca Guzmán Lobo
BSc in Environmental Science in SPAIN/MÉXICO
• Certified equestrian guide.
• Multi-day horseback rides in Spain, Romania, México, Argentina and Chile.
• One horseback crossing of the Andes.
• Proactive, collaborative, and consensus-driven team player.