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CHILE - PATAGONIA : HORSE RIDING TRAIL IN TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK, BIVOUAC ACCOMMODATION...

Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking

ITINERARY

Please read carefully our pratical information.

Day 1
Arrival in Punta Arenas. Taxi from airport to Hotel Terra Sur, Lib. You will meet the leader in hotel lobby at 7.30 p.m. to be escorted to restaurant for dinner.

Day 2
In the morning collection from Terra Sur to start the day's drive towards the penguin colony to see and photograph the cute burrowing Magellanic penguins. Continue in comfortable transfer vehicle across the Patagonian Steppe where you will have your first opportunity to see some of the unusual plant and animal life that exists in this area. After a short lunch stop in Puerto Natales we will continue on to our bivouac campsite situated close to a working estancia on the edges of the beautiful Laguna Verde. Chance to stroll down to the lakeside and enjoy the variety of bird life and spectacular views of the horns whilst dinner is prepared.No showers.

Day 3
Today we will be meeting our horses and the dedicated baqueanos who care for them. On the morning after assigning horses to riders, we will have a safety check and short familiarization with western riding before packing our saddle bags with cameras, waterproofs, and our picnic lunch and setting off around the shores of this pretty lake through ancient southern beech forests towards the Sierra del Toro. We will then make a steep ascent through forests to climb right up on top of this mountain. The last section of the ride will often be through snow as we stop to marvel at the views of the entire Park below us. We will then wind down to a pretty authentic puesto manned by one of the cattle ranchers from Estancia Lazo to take our lunch. Afternoon return to our stunning campsite at Laguna Verde. No showers. Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 4
After a wholesome breakfast and packing up we will be starting our ride eastwards towards the heart of the Park. The morning ride is fairly relaxing as we wind our way through this pretty valley passing a number of lakes and mountain views. Plenty of time to take photographs before we ascend to a lookout with fabulous views of the pampas and lakes below.
After stopping to let the horses rest we will start our steep descent of the Sierra del Toro to the pampas below. Lunch will be taken in the valley and we will have a chance to visit the Park Headquarters to look at their relief map of the park. We will then continue with some fast riding to the Serrano River where we will camp beside the emerald green waters of this beautiful river!Showers available. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 5
After breakfast we will pack up camp and make an early start across the pampas towards the huge and immense Grey Glacier and Lake. This is open pampas riding at its most exciting and there will be lots of opportunities for nice long canters as we ride towards the huge granite peaks of the Paine Massif. We will then reach the highlight of today's ride as we dismount and cross the wooden footbridge onto a small trail through the forest. This trail take us onto Grey Beach for a walk along the grey sands admiring the huge icebergs that have calved off the nearby glacier. For those who are interested there's an optional boat ride across this iceberg-choked lake towards the face of this spectacular Glacier (this boat is very weather reliant and costs $60 per person for the three hour boat ride). If the boat isn't running or for those clients who prefer to stay ashore, there's plenty of opportunities for hiking, taking pictures or walking the short distance to Hosteria Lago Grey to enjoy some fireside pisco sours. After this exciting day we'll rejoin our horses for a lovely long canter across the pampas to our campsite at Rio Serrano. Showers available. Hours in saddle: 5-6.

Day 6
Today we will be enjoying some beautiful trails which cross the heart of the Park . Known as the 'up and over' our trail cuts through some incredibly diverse scenery from verdant green valleys and beech forests to azure lakes and wide open plains. We will see magnificent condors hovering high above mountain peaks whilst down on the plains herds of guanaco scatter as we approach. We will be surprised at every turn of our path as we cross over 30 kilometres of this amazing riding country dominated by the Paine Horns and Towers after which the park is named. Finally, after a truly memorable ride we take a short vehicle transfer to our beautiful campsite nestled in a small valley with only a gaucho 'puesto' (small wooden hut) and awesome views of the Towers for company. No showers. Hours in the saddle: 7-8.

Day 7
After enjoying breakfast in our stunning campsite we will set off on an exciting and unique adventure into the hills and forests of the Sierra Contreras. Our destination is the pretty waterfall known as Cascada Zamora. After lunch we will ride out to a remote puesto 'mercado' riding up high over the pampas with views off to the Las Chinas Valley and the Sierra Baguales in the distance. Return to our camp at puesto Tercera for night. No showers. Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 8
After packing up camp and loading up the pack horses we will set off on our exciting ride towards the Torres and Lago Paine. Just before Laguna Azul we head north towards Laguna Stokes where a large natural vega or pasture exists and which attracts wild criollos from the surrounding hills to graze in the summer. There will be many excellent photo opportunities on this route as we pass through forests, pastures and the lake where Lady Florence Dixie first camped having sighted the Towers. We will be camping riverside at Lago Paine. No showers. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 9
After breakfast, we will be riding out to Lake and Glacier Dickson. Dickson is one of the more remote and rarely visited glaciers in the Park due to its inaccessibility - in our opinion it is also one of the prettiest. Our rides takes us past the northerly peaks of the Paine chain where one of the peaks is topped by a black, craggy rock in the shape of a Tuhuelche Indian Face where the 'headband' is decorated with snowdrifts even in summer. The trail then heads north passing ancient southern beech forests and scattered lakes before reaching our solitary perch and viewpoint above this beautiful lake and glacier. This will be our picnic spot for lunch - a truly memorable destination. In the afternoon we ride back to Lago Paine. No showers. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 10
Today we will be continuing on to Laguna Azul via a different route. This is a beautiful ride through forests and flower filled meadows and southern beech forests. Lots of opportunities for long canters before we reach the edge of the aptly named Laguna Azul. On arrival at the campsite we will put the wine in the lake to chill and serve canapes before our dinner is served. During the evening we can enjoy our final view of the Towers across the lake whilst swapping tales of the adventure of the previous days. Hot showers and a quincho for inside dining. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 11
Pack up camp for our transfer back to Punta Arenas to arrive late afternoon. We will once again make a lunch stop in Puerto Natales and this will give clients an opportunity to purchase any souvenirs/books/postcards etc. Clients will be dropped off at the Hotel Terra Sur in Punta Arenas at around 6p.m. Transfer time: 5 hours.

Day 12
Departure after breakfast.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Travel Extension Santiago - Valparaiso : 4 days / 3 nights

We suggest you a short stop to Santiago del Chile to discover the beautiful capital of Chile located in the heart of the Andes.
Created in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, Santiago is crossed by the Rio Mapocho. Santiago is a very touristic city with lot of cultural monuments to visit : Palazio Real Audiencia, Santo Domingo church, palazio Real Casa de la Aduana....
We recommand you to stay 2 nights to Santiago and next drive to Valparaiso with a rental car to visit the famous house of Pablo Neruda or the beautiful precolombian arts museum.

See price details in our "rates & dates" chapter.

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
The horses are Criollo-cross and vary in size with the majority being between 14.0 and 15.2 hands. They are strong, fit, willing and sure-footed. We are able to provide good horses for both experienced riders and for riders who are more 'rusty'. The pace of the ride will be adjusted to suit the majority of riders but as we always travel with more than one riding guide, there is great deal of flexibility and riders soon find their own pace for the trip. Riders are not responsible for grooming or tack. Horses are constantly checked for injury and/or lameness and tiredness. Where necessary horses will be changed. Most clients will experience at least one horse change during the course of their riding days.

Tack
The tack is Chilean and comprises of metal framed saddles onto which is layered felt, sheepskin and leather. Rope, rawhide and leather form the bridles, girths, straps etc. The saddles provide adequate comfort for the long days riding and the stirrups consist of a leather cup through which the foot cannot pass. Most of the horses are ridden in simple snaffles. Halters are worn throughout the ride with rope tied around the horse's neck to tie up at lunch stops/rest stops etc.

Required riding level
On dedicated riding trips the pace is moderate - fast. On multi-activity and custom trips the pace is more flexible and can be slower if required. It is largely dictated by the terrain and the distance we need to travel on a certain day but where possible there is a lot of trotting and cantering. Distances vary between 20 and 40 kilometres in a day. Riders on riding trips need to be fairly experienced - able to control a horse on open ground at the canter.We prefer riders to be confident at walk, trot and canter.

Please read carefully our pratical information's page.

Weight limit on riding trips: 210 Pounds.

Age limit: 18 - 70 years unless on a custom or private departure. Younger riders need to be with an experienced/capable adult. They too need to be experienced riders (on riding trips) and have the stamina and attitude to complete a trip of this nature. We will request riders over 70 to complete a medical/suitability questionnaire before their booking is confirmed.

Please read carefully our pratical information.

YOUR GUIDES

The horses are owned by only one person, who doesn't plan himself the horse trekking. This concession systeme is organised by the Parc for all the activites to control the crowds in the parc. Our Partner on site deal with directly with the owner of the horses, since more than 10 years, he is the only specialist on horse trekking in this region ( usually, a lot of horse trekking specialist organise the trekking on the same itineray as the hikers with a rythm less sustained than our horse trekking, and with guide who are not formed for the horse trekking). Set in Puerto Natales, he is directly in the heart of the region, since 10 years now, he knows each path and each horse by heart. Either him or his wife are going with you for the horse trekking, helped by the Baqueanos who are friends for ages. There are staff to take care of the horses but of course if you want to help them you will be very welcome.

If for you "horse trekking" is not synonyme of stroll and you are a demanding person, we promise you, you will never forget this trek!

ACCOMMODATION

Accomodation
We use comfortable 3-man tents which are roomy, comfortable and able to withstand the sometimes high winds in the area. Accommodation is based on twin-share. If clients require single accommodation, we will make an extra charge per person

Some of the camping will be true "wilderness" style camping with the only washing facilities being in a river or lake. Showers are available during four out of the nine nights on the Glacier Ride.

Guests typically set up their own tents.

Food
Meals are varied and wholesome and include fresh salmon and local fish, pasta, chicken, beef, lamb and some local Chilean meals. Fresh salad is served every night. Local wine is served with dinner and all meals are prepared for guests. Packed lunches are prepared by the clients at breakfast and are carried with us. These consist of sandwiches (e.g. tuna, cheese, ham, peanut butter, salami), fresh fruit, trail mix, chocolate, biscuits, snacks etc. Clients are responsible for looking after their lunch boxes.
Breakfast is normally hot and cold cereals, toast, jams, marmalade, coffee, tea and juice. At times a cooked breakfast is served.
Vegetarians can be well catered for and clients should indicate their requirements at the time of booking.
A dining tent is carried for eating meals and cooking although sometimes we choose to eat in a camp 'shelter' or around the campfire (weather obviously permitting)!
Where possible, vehicle support is arranged. Supplies of bread, salad and fresh fruit are replenished.
On arrival at the campsite, wine and canapes are served giving clients ample time to relax while the evening meal is being prepared.
All meals are included. Wine is also included (generous though necessarily limited supplies!). Meals in Punta Arenas and lunches in Natales on transfer days are not included.

Please read carefully our pratical information.

Please see as well our trekking in estancias in the Torres del Paine Park.

DATES AND RATES

- Single tent/single room supplement: + 290 €
Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation.

Options (price per person)

Included:
- 2 nights in a 3 or 4 star hotel in Santigao city centre
- 1 night in a 3* hotel to Valparaiso or Vina del MAr
- breaksfasts
- 3 days rental car (cat B), based on 2 people sharing.

To add:
- Personal expenses: meals, drinks, oil...

RATE INCLUDING

- The horse trekking as mentionned above in bivouac accomodation and full board basis (chilean wine for diner ) from diner of day 2 to the breakfast of day 12,
- Group equipement (excluding sleeping bags and inflatable mastresses which can be rent on site),
- english and spanish speaker guide,
- assistance of "baqueanos" who take care of horses, pack horses carry the luggage, waterproof bags to protec your luggage,
- Entrance fees to go to the Park, and to see the penguins,

RATE NOT INCLUDING

- flights to Punta Arenas. Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.
- Return transfer Airport hotel in Punta Arenas (15$ for the outward and return and per taxi),
- The lunch of day 1, 2 and 11, the diner of day 1 and 11,
- any other services not mentioned in the program.
- The tips (usually between 50$ and 60 $ for the whole staff),
- Optional insurance: more information .

Please read carefully our pratical information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

COUNTRY

LENGTH

LANGUAGE

GROUP SIZE

ACCESS

Punta Arenas, connected with Santiago.

CLIMATE

Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.

Vaccins - Health
No need of vaccin or any treatement.
It is necessary to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.

REFERENCE :CH82-patagonia_bivouac-en