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

ITINERARY

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

Day 2
Today we are going to be starting our drive across the wide open pampas and land belonging to some of the huge estancias in this area as we head towards the Torres del Paine National Park. After a short lunch stop in Puerto Natales, where clients can choose from a variety of restaurants and cafes, we will continue our drive north. The road takes us alongside the waters of Last Hope Sound and the bobbing heads of the black necked swans to our first estancia for the night. Estancia Tres Pasos, now a comfortable hosteria is situated at the head of a magical flower filled valley. A still working estancia the wooden, chalet-style property consists of a number of estancia buildings, pretty gardens and lovely views down the valley. There will be a chance to unpack and relax a little before meeting our horses for an afternoon introductory ride in the vicinity of the estancia. Riders will be get a chance to adjust to the style of riding and tack as we run through the paces and enjoy a relaxing afternoon’s ride. We will then return to the hotel for dinner in the lovely restaurant. Most of the food in this delightful family run establishment is home produced.
Hours in the saddle: 3-4.

Day 3
Today after breakfast, riders will once again be saddling up for a full day’s ride. This time, we will be heading north west to the outpost town of Cerro Castillo. This is a beautiful open ride across grassy meadows and welcoming pampas. Riding towards the dramatic mountain range of Torres del Paine enables us to fully benefit from the incredible mountain and lake views. We will also have some opportunities for our first long canters on our responsive and comfortable horses. During late afternoon after a leisurely picnic lunch and an afternoon’s riding we will see the welcome site of Hosteria el Pionero come into view. Surrounded by the customary layer of trees, the villa has the look and feel of an English country home and was built by European settlers to Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century. Once home to one of the most important and influential estancieros in the region it offers comfortable accommodation 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 whilst meeting your new friends and discussing the adventures to come. Comfortable en suite accommodation (some rooms with fireplaces). Dinner in the comfortable restaurant. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 4
After a breakfast of home baked bread and cakes served in the bright dining room, we will be saddling up for the long ride north east towards Estancia Tercera Barranca. This is a classic Patagonian ride with the soft, inviting pampas stretched out in front of us as we journey north towards the mountains of Torres del Paine and La Cumbre mountain range that makes up the natural barrier between Chile and Argentina. We will be crossing the land belonging to various local farmers and with luck may be invited to join a local for tea or mate. After 5 or 6 hours riding with lunch taken in one of the many picnic spots en route, we will be riding onto the land belonging to Estancia Tercera Barranca. Our destination is the comfortable ranch house belonging to this still working estancia. Comfortable and cosy accommodation in this authentic country house with fabulous views of the Towers from its large west facing windows. Fireside living room/bar and traditional quincho (wooden dining room with outside BBQ area). En suite rooms.
Hours in the saddle: 5-7.

Day 5
After breakfast, we will once again be saddling up for our exciting ride west towards the Torres and Lago Paine. Just before Laguna Azul we head north towards Laguna Stokes where a large natural vega or pasture exists. This area attracts wild criollos from the surrounding hills to graze in the summer and with luck with will get to see them (the viewings are not guaranteed!). 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. Afternoon return to Estancia Tercera Barranca.
Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 6
After a wholesome breakfast and packing up we will be starting our ride westwards towards the heart of the Park. We will now be riding directly towards the Paine Massif mountain range so the views are dramatic and beautiful. Our trail then skirts the southern edge of the mountains on a rarely trodden path as we pass azure and turquoise lakes with the huge granite mountain peaks standing behind. After a picnic lunch taken in one of the pretty valleys we will continue west to the beautiful soft pampas beside the Serrano River. Here we will have a chance for a nice long canter as the light fades and the shadows lengthen and we arrive at our destination hotel, the Cabanas del Paine. Situated by the emerald green waters of the Serrano River with river and mountain views this is our base for the next two nights.
Hours in saddle: 5-6 depending on photo stops.

Day 7
Today we saddle up for the fast ride to Mirador de los Hielos (iceberg lookout). Our view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as we ride out along the Grey River towards the largest Glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. We will eventually arrive at a lookout with dramatic views of the iceberg choked waters of Grey Lake with the immense Grey Glacier in the distance (the largest glacier in the Park). After plenty of time to rest, take photos and enjoy our incredible lunch perch we will rejoin our rested horses and head back to our comfortable hotel Cabanas del Paine at the Serrano River.
Hours in the saddle: approx 5 -6.

*For clients who are interested, there is an optional excursion available which includes round trip transfers back to Grey Lake and a boat trip out across this iceberg-choked lake towards the face of this spectacular Glacier. Note the boat trip is weather reliant and the excursion with transfer costs US$180 (potential volume discounts on the transfer element of this excursion depending on final number of clients wishing to join).

Day 8
Today after breakfast, we will once again be joining our horses and the baqueanos who have now become our friends for another full day’s ride. This time, we will be heading south east to the Mirador del Toro and the beautiful Laguna Verde. The day starts with our final ride across the fabulous wide open pampas before crossing the much photographed Puente Weber and riding towards the Sierra del Toro. After stopping to tighten girths and check our tack, we will make a steep ascent of this mountain climbing high above the national park and surrounding areas. Eventually we will arrive at the dramatic and often very windy lookout (Mirador del Toro) with its incredible far reaching views of the lakes, mountains and glaciers below.
Depending on the weather, we will take a picnic lunch in this beautiful setting before continuing on through southern beech forests passing a myriad of pristine lakes and valleys as we approach the land belonging to Estancia Lazo. Our base for 2 nights, this very comfortable converted Estancia situated beside this tranquil green waters of Laguna Verde offers splendid views, great food and comfortable accommodation. The lake shore is a great place to stroll spotting the wild geese and ducks bobbing in the water. Dinner will be in the restaurant offering an excellent variety of local foods and wine.
Hours in the saddle: 4-5.

Day 9
After breakfast, we will pack our saddle bags with cameras, waterproofs and our picnic lunch and set off around the shores of this pretty lake through ancient southern beech forests behind the estancia for our climb up and over the Sierra del Toro. We will be making another 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 (gaucho post) manned by one of the cattle ranchers from Estancia Lazo to take our lunch. After lunch, we will be riding back to our comfortable accommodation at Estancia Lazo where sadly we will be bidding our horses and baqueanos goodbye.
Hours in the saddle 4-5.

Day 10
After a leisurely breakfast of coffee and home made cakes/bread we will transfer to Punta Arenas via Puerto Natales. We will have time in Puerto Natales to shop for souvenirs or postcards before continuing on to the Magellanic penguin colony situated outside Punta Arenas. Late afternoon is a great time to visit these cute burrowing penguins before they return to their burrows. Time spent taking photos and wandering the trails which
extend down to the beach where you can witness the penguins waterside. Arrive in Punta Arenas at around 6 p.m depending on time spent with the penguins.
Driving time approx. 6 hours with penguins.

Day 11
Taxi to airport or onward travel.

Special Horse Moving Ride departure from March 29 to April 7 2012

On the same basis of the above detailed itinerary but the unique experience of cattle (horses) driving as a bonus ! A exalting trail during austral fall. > detailled programm of this trail

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. There are staff to take care of the horses but of course if you want to help them you will be very welcome.

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 abilities
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 page.

Limit weight : 210 Pounds.

Limit age : 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.

YOUR GUIDES

The horses are owned by only one person, who doesn't plan byhimself 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. 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 For this trekking you will be accommodated in well equiped estancias, hostel and refuges. They are all clean, comfortable with breathtaking views. In some fra away area, the accommodation can be sometimes modest in the refuges set in the Park. The diner will be friendly and it could happened that you will have to share you room with other people. You can ask for a single room (with supplement) but we can not make sure that you will have a single room because there are only few single room. Pack horses carry the luggage. Food 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. The restaurant of the refuges offer a vibrant atmosphere and solids meals. Breakfast is normally hot and cold cereals, toast, jams, marmalade, coffee, tea and juice. Packed lunches are prepared 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. The water of streams and lakes are drinking water, but you can take pastilles to clean the water.

Please read carefully our pratical information page.

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

DATES AND RATES

*To operate the tour with a minimum of 2 riders we ask a small group supplement that might be refunded partially or totally depending on the final number of riders in the group: + 430 € for 2- 3 riders
Horse Moving Ride : +680 € for 2 riders group, + 350 € for 3 riders group.

**special horse Moving Ride departure: includes 2 full day horse moving ride. 1 day in the saddle less than in the standard program.

- Single room supplement : + 620 €
- Single room supplement Horse Moving Ride : + 340 €
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...

Please read carefully our pratical information.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

English, Spanish.

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..