Tschiffely's Ride

Aimé Tschiffely had been teaching in an English-American school in Argentina for almost a decade when he conceived his astounding plan: to travel from Buenos Aires to New York—10,000 miles—on horseback. In April 1925, Tschiffely set out with two native Argentine horses, Mancho and Gato, and with rugged determination, the trio traversed the Pampas, scaled the Bolivian Andes, struggled through Peruvian sands, swam the crocodile-infested rivers of Columbia, and fought their way through the jungles of Panama. They crossed Central America through countries devastated by years of war to finally reach Washington D.C., followed by a reception in New York. The three had been together, exclusively, for more than two years; during that time, Tschiffely developed a remarkable relationship with his horses—an affinity that has seldom been equaled. This colorful account is a true classic of travel literature and perhaps one of the greatest animal stories ever written.

Aimé Tschiffely (1895–1954) was a Swiss-born teacher, writer, and travel enthusiast. After a brief stint in professional football and boxing in England during his early twenties, he moved to Argentina to teach and eventually serve as the temporary headmaster of the Buenos Aires English High School. His schedule allowed time for treks throughout the surrounding Pampas. He is the author of A Tale of Two Horses, Coricancha, and This Way Southward.