Horseback Riding in Chile
GLACIER ESTANCIA RIDE |
Here is a chance to visit on horseback the extreme southern tip of Patagonia near the Straits of Magellan. The ride traverses the amazing Torres del Paine National Park, known as one of the wildest and most rugged places in the world. The bizarre landscape holds spiny mountains as impressive as the Tetons or the Alps, with huge glaciers dropping great chunks of ice from time to time into azure lakes. The birds and animals such as penguins and guanacos are unique.
The Glacier Estancia Ride features accommodations each night in mountain lodges and historic estancias.
Their horses were wonderful, possibly made of iron. The diversity of the riding and scenery makes this ride the gold standard of trips, I think. We will definitely return to South America, but his trip will be hard to beat!
- Ann de Matteo
|
| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Plan to arrive in Punta Arenas no later than 3:30 PM, which is the scheduled meeting time at the airport. Then transfer to the lovely Hosteria Rio Verde, via the Magellanic Penguin Colony, about 40 min from the airport. There will be plenty of time to wander amongst these cute burrowing animals before continuing on to the authentic estancia. Dinner is included, wine and drinks are on your own. Ride briefing over dinner.
Note: Riders arriving early, or spending extra time in Punta Arenas, will be collected at 3 PM from a pre-arranged meeting point in Punta Arenas. Those arriving later will need to pay their own transfer cost to the estancia: $60 per vehicle, which can be arranged in advance.
|
| Day 2: | Morning transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park. Stop for lunch in Puerto Natales where you can choose from a variety of restaurants and cafes. Continue on towards Torres del Paine National Park where your destination for the night is the estancia and hosteria Tres Pasos. A working estancia, the property consists of a number of estancia buildings, pretty gardens and lovely views. Unpack and relax a little before meeting the horses for an afternoon introductory ride in the vicinity of the estancia. This will give you a chance to adjust to the style of riding and the tack. Lunch at your own expense, dinner included. Driving time about 4 hours. |
| Day 3: | After breakfast saddle up for the first full day’s ride heading northwest to the outpost town of Cerro Castillo. This is a beautiful ride across open grassy meadows and welcoming pampas while you enjoy the dramatic mountain and lake views. There will be opportunities for long canters on the responsive and comfortable horses. A picnic lunch will be taken in one of the pretty valleys before continuing on to the lovely converted estancia house, Hosteria el Pionero. Surrounded by the customary layer of trees offering protection from the wind, this villa was built by settlers to Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century and will be your home for the night. Once home to one of the most important and influential estancieros in the region, it has comfortable ensuite accommodations and an excellent restaurant offering a variety of typical local foods and international cuisine. The fireside bar is an excellent place to enjoy a pisco sour while getting to know the group. Riding time 6-7 hours. |
| Day 4: | Set off on a ride across wide open pampas and river crossings, heading towards the mountains of Paine Massif. There will be lots of opportunities for long canters as you ride towards the famous Torres and the southwestern section of the park. Meet the support vehicle at a small puesto (mountain hut) situated on the shores of Lake Sarmiento. Continue along the stunning route skirting the rocky shores of the lake and through Southern Beech forest until you see the traditional red roofs of Estancia Lazo. This estancia situated beside Laguna Verde, will be your base for the next two nights. Riding 6-7 hours. |
| Day 5: | After breakfast set off around the lake through ancient Southern Beech forests towards Sierra del Toro which you will climb up with the horses. The last section of the ride will often be through snow. Marvel at the views of the park below before you wind down to lunch at an authentic puesto of Estancia Lazo. In the afternoon return to your accommodations at Lazo Ranch. Riding 4-5 hours. |
| Day 6: | Today head eastwards toward the heart of the park and wind your way through valleys passing a number of lakes and lookouts. Take a short break and then continue the dramatic descent of the Sierra del Toro to the pampas below. After lunch visit the park headquarters. Step up the pace in the afternoon and enjoy an exciting canter across the flat pampas towards the emerald green waters of the Serrano river. Accommodations tonight will be in one of the hotels beside the river. Riding time 3-4 hours. |
| Day 7: | After breakfast saddle up for a fast pampas ride to Grey Lake. The view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as you ride along Grey River to the largest glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. After leaving the horses, cross the swinging footbridge and walk down to Grey Beach for a memorable view of the glacier and the icebergs floating in the waters of this lake. (For those who are interested there is an optional boat ride across the iceberg-choked lake towards the walls of this spectacular Glacier (weather permitting, cost $75 per person for the 3 hour boat ride). There is plenty of opportunity for hiking, taking pictures or walking the short distance to Hosteria Lago Grey to enjoy some fireside pisco sours for those who prefer to stay ashore. Afterwards mount up for an exciting ride across the pampas back to the hotel at the Serrano River. 6-7 hours in the saddle. |
| Day 8: | Today set off on one of the longest rides towards the Paine Massif which will unfold in front of you as you ride through widely diverse scenery across the heart of the park. Mountain peaks dominate the horizon and you pass numerous lakes of startling colors with rivers tumbling through tranquil green valleys. Herds of guanacos and flocks of birds accompany you through the forests with wild flowers and orchids nestled amongst the trees and lining the trails. Cross the Rio de las Chinas enroute to the Estancia Tercera Barranca situated on the eastern perimeter of the park. On arrival you will be greeted by the local baqueanos. Settle into your comfortable “homestay” accommodations. There will be time to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and snacks while the evening meal is prepared. 7-8 hours riding. |
| Day 9: | Saddle up after breakfast for an exciting ride west towards the Torres and Lago Paine. Before reaching Laguna Azul head north towards Laguna Stokes where a large natural vega (valley) exists. This area attracts wild criollos from the surrounding area to graze in the summer. There will be many excellent photo opportunities on this ride as you pass through forests, pastures and the lake where Lady Florence Dixie, a travel writer from England who explored the area in 1879, first camped having sighted the Towers. Afternoon return to Estancia Tercera. Riding time 5-6 hours. |
| Day 10: | Today ride south of the park across farmland and open pampas back to the small outpost town of Cerro Castillo. There are rivers to be crossed and plenty of opportunities for long exhilarating canters on the prairies. Stop for lunch at one of the many estancias along the way. Hospitality is legendary in these parts and hopefully some local baqueanos will invite riders to share their traditional yerba mate with them. In the late afternoon arrive at Hosteria El Pionero for overnight. Riding 6-7 hours. |
| Day 11: | After a breakfast of coffee and home made cakes and bread, a transfer is provided to Punta Arenas via Puerto Natales, where you will have time to shop for souvenirs. You will be returned to the Hotel Terra Sur in Punta Arenas about 5:00 PM. |
| Day 12: | Taxi (at your own expense) to the airport in time for your departing flight or onward journey. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
|
|
|
| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Punta Arenas |
| Length of Ride | 12 days, 11 nights and 8 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Strong Intermediate Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-12 |
| Riding Per Day | 5-7 hours |
| Pace | moderate |
| Tack | Chilean |
| Horses | Criollo cross |
| Weight Limit | 210 lbs |
| 2008 Dates | Jan 6-17, Jan 29 - Feb 09, Feb 24 - Mar 6, 29 March - 07 April (*horse drive), Nov 23-Dec 4, Dec 6-17, Dec 22 - Jan 2, 2009 |
| 2008 Price | $ 4,390 for 2 riders
$ 4,265 for 3 riders
$ 3,915 for 4-6 riders
$ 3,765 for 7-12 riders |
| Single Supplement | $625 |
| 2009 Dates | Jan 29 - Feb 09; Feb 24 - Mar 7; Mar 29 - April 7 (*horse drive); Nov 23 - Dec 4; Dec 6-17; Dec 22 - Jan 2, 2010 |
| 2009 Price | $ 4,390 for 2 riders
$ 4,265 for 3 riders
$ 3,915 for 4-6 riders
$ 3,765 for 7-12 riders |
| Single Supplement | $625 |
|
|
|
|
