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

ITINERARY

Day 1
You will be collected from the airport and driven to the lovely Hosteria Rio Verde (about 40 minutes from the airport) via the Magellanic Penguin Colony. There will be plenty of time to wander amongst these cute burrowing animals before continuing onto this lovely authentic estancia, a fitting start to our Patagonia Estancia Ride. The Hosteria and estancia is owned and run by a charming family who have converted some of their historic estancia buildings into confortable guest accommodations. Much of the renovation uses imaginatively recycled or locally produced materials and the rooms are all beautifully decorated and distinctive. Food and service are excellent and you can wander around the small villa to see the buildings making up this working farm. Dinner (excluding drinks). Trip briefing over dinner.
Transfer time with penguins: approx. 3 hours

NB:if you arrive early (or spending extra time in Punta Arenas) will be collected from a pre-arranged meeting point in town at 3 p.m. Clients arriving late will need to cover their transfer cost to the estancia: $60 per vehicle which can be arranged in advance.

Day 2
Today you should dress in your riding clothes for their morning transfer to the Torres del Paine National Park. After a short lunch stop in Puerto Natales (free lunch but you have a lot of restaurant and cafes), we will continue to a small puesto or gaucho hut on the edge of Lago Sarmiento. Here we will meet our horses and baqueanos before continuing on with a short 'shake down' ride to Laguna Verde. This afternoon's ride will be at a leisurely pace giving us time to accustom to the local riding style and tack. The trail is a spectacular one as we skirt the shores of this turquoise lake with our first views of the awesome peaks that form the Paine Massif. Soon Laguna Verde will come into view normally inhabited by a multitude of birds, ducks and geese - then we will see our base for the night; the traditional red roofs of Estancia Lazo now housing a lovely hotel with fireside dining and warm cozy rooms. Dinner will be in the restaurant offering an excellent variety of local foods and wine. Dinner (except wine/drinks).
Hours in the saddle: 2 - 2.5. Transfer time: 4 - 4.5 hours.

Day 3
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 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 comfortable accommodation at the Lazo Ranch. Dinner in restauraunt (wine/drinks not included). 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 and take a few photographs 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 step up the pace for an exciting canter across the flat pampas towards the emerald green waters of the Serrano River. Our accommodation will be Cabanas del Paine or the newly built and very comfortable Hotel Rio Serrano (depending on availability) both accessed via a footbridge across the river. Dinner in restaurant (excluding drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 5
After breakfast, we will saddle up for the fast pampas ride to Grey Lake. Our view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as we ride out along the Grey River to the largest Glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. After crossing the swinging footbridge, we will take a walk down to Grey Beach for a memorable view of the Glacier and huge icebergs floating in the grey waters of this lake. 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 hotel at the Serrano River. Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 6
Today we will be setting off on one of the longest rides of the trip initially started as an experiment but now one of our most popular rides which none of our itineraries would be complete without. The Paine Massif will unfold in front of us as we cross widely diverse scenery on our journey across the heart of the park. Mountain peaks dominate the horizon and we pass numerous lakes of startling colours with rivers tumbling through tranquil green valleys. Herds of guanacos will be seen and flocks of birds accompany us on our rides through the forests. Wild flowers and orchids are nestled amongst the trees and line the trails. Truly a fantastic and memorable ride. Finally, our trail will take us eastwards to cross the Rio de las Chinas on our route out to the land belonging to Estancia Tercera Barranca situated on the eastern perimeters of the park. On arrival we will be greeted by the local baqueanos and settle into our comfortable 'homestay' accommodation. Time to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and snacks whilst our evening meal is prepared. Dinner included (wine/beer not included). Hours in the saddle: 7 - 8.

Day 7
After enjoying some fine home baked bread and cakes for breakfast we will set off on an exciting and unique adventure through the forests and hills of the Sierra Contreras to the Cascada Zamora (waterfall). We will also visit a working estancia and may even sight an elusive puma (frequently seen in these parts). The scenery in this area is amazingly wild and we will ride along winding trails crossing rivers and beech forests as, in the distance we see the sun rise over the Towers giving them their classic morning glow. A lovely day's ride. Evening asado (traditional gaucho lamb barbeque) under the stars. Dinner included (wine/beer not included). Hours in the saddle: 4-5.

Day 8
To continue our exploration of local estancias and the established 'estancia culture' in this area, today we will be riding out to Estancia Las Chinas. Leaving Barranca, we will be riding through some dramatic and untamed scenery as we pass the La Cumbre and Baguales mountain ranges and some spectacular glacial valleys. This area contains a number of estancias and puestos and its not unusual for our riders to be invited in for atraditional mate session (pronounced matay) or home baked bread and sopapillas (similar to donuts). After a picnic lunch we will continue on to Valley Las Chinas where our accommodation will be in a renovated Estancia House. Dinner (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 9
After enjoying a traditional campo breakfast with our host baqueanos we will be heading south to a new lodge 'Cerro Guido'. The ride will take us through beautiful valleys, across mountain passes and wide open pampas as we approach the beautifully converted Estancia Cerro Guido which will be our home for the night. The Estancia has 60,000 hectares and farms in the region of 50,000 sheep. It is one of the last remaining establishments that still retains many period features and characteristics from the days when the Sociedad Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego was functioning. The villa or village has a beautiful view of the Paine Massif and has preserved all of the typical buildings. These include the lodge, the main house, the administration office, workers' houses, kitchen, bakery, school, carpentry workshop and farm buildings. Our accommodation is in the lodge which has cozy bedrooms (some with fireplaces) all with modern en suite facilities. The lounge area consists of comfy couches and fireside dining. Dinner (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-6.

Day 10
Today we will riding south to the small outpost town of Cerro Castillo situated 40km from the entrance to the park and 60km from Puerto Natales. A fantastic ride across farmland and pampas with some unique and interesting stops on the way. Rivers will be crossed and there will be plenty of opportunity for long exhilerating canters on this prairie land just made for riding! Our lunch stop will be at one of the many estancias whose land we cross on the way to our destination. Hospitality is legendary in these parts and it is rare for passing riders not to be offered some form of hospitality by the estancieros. During late afternoon we will see a small hotel 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 our home for the night. 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 recounting the previous days adventures. Comfortable ensuite accommodation (some rooms with fireplaces). Dinner in the comfortable restaurant (meal included, except wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 6-7.

Day 11
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 Natales to shop for souvenirs or postcards and there is a wide choice of restaurants and cafes in which to enjoy lunch. We will arrive in Punta Arenas about 5 p.m. Night Hotel Terra Sur. Dinner not included. Transfer time: 4 hours.

Day 12
Taxi to airport or onward travel.

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.

Poids limite : 210 Pounds.

Age limite : 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. The refuges offer a range of different restaurant, the wine and beer are at good value prices (local production). 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

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

- single room supplement : + 520 € / pers
Supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation.

- supplement small group (3 riders) : + 290 €

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

PRATICAL 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..