Torres del Paine, Chile
Reviews
“This ride was probably the best overall I have taken, and I have ridden in many countries! The horses were extremely well-mannered, healthy, and responsive. We had many gallops and races in appropriate terrain. The scenery was spectacular, the food and wine first-class, and the lodging unique. The owners and guides attended to every possible need or desire we could have. We had three lovely dinners with the owners, and their care for the horses and guests was extraordinary. One great part of the schedule was that we took a day and a half off from riding to hike in Torres Del Paine and ride on rivers in boats but then had a last ride on our horses to wrap up the trip. Knowing that we would see the horses again and have a last ride made the time we spent hiking and boating more enjoyable. Again, I cannot say enough about the quality of the horses, the spectacular scenery and wildlife, the high quality food and lodging, and the attentiveness of the owners to every detail of the trip. Thanks for organising the trip and for your help.”
Horses
Type of horses:
Chilean Criollo
Nature of horses:
Well schooled, strong, fit, willing and sure-footed.
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16hh
Weight limit:
105kg
Tack type:
The tack used on the horses will be determined by the rider’s level of experience or preference. A choice of either Chilean, Western or English tack is offered.
Weather
Current Conditions:
Mostly Cloudy/Windy, 10 C
Forecast:
Sun - Showers/Wind. High: 15 Low: 8
Mon - Mostly Sunny. High: 18 Low: 10
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Estancia Trail
2012 prices:
£3099 per person based on 2 clients
£3005 per person based on 3-4 clients
£2372 per person based on 5-7 clients
£1803 per person based on 8 clients
Single supplement £316
Please note: Tips of up to 15-20 GBPs pounds per day are expected for the guides and helpers.
The price of this ride is inclusive of nine nights accommodation including first night in Punta Arenas (based on twin share), all transfers starting from Punta Arenas airport, all meals, all equipment, bilingual guide and all entrance fees.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Getaway Ride
2012 prices:
£2910 per person based on 2 clients
£2878 per person based on 3-4 clients
£2214 per person based on 5-7 clients
£1676 per person based on 8 clients
Single supplement £221
Please note: Tips of up to 15-20 GBPs pounds per day are expected for the guides and helpers.
The price of this ride is inclusive of seven nights accommodation (based on twin share), all transfers starting from Punta Arenas airport, all meals, all equipment, bilingual guide and all entrance fees.
Price does not include flights or travel insurance.
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
In one of the most spectacular areas of southern Chile your hosts, both experienced horse enthusiasts, have combined their knowledge of Southern Chile and passion for horses to offer a truly memorable experience. Horse riding adventures have been running here since 2002.
There is the option of an eight day or ten day trip for the more adventurous rider but we can also arrange a based stay at the hosts' country house with daily riding, perfect for the less experienced rider. Depending on your level of experience each trip is carefully planned to allow you to get the utmost enjoyment from your holiday.
Exploring this amazing part of Chile on horseback, you have the time to observe the breathtaking natural beauty of the places you visit and become familiar with the abundance of wildlife you will meet along your journey.
Trails vary from vast open plains perfect for exhilarating gallops, to steep mountain descents and ancient wooded valleys. The Torres del Paine national park offers open pampas, wooded valleys and breathtaking views of the towering mountains, turquoise lakes and rolling glaciers.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation throughout your holiday will be in traditional estancias that have been respectfully and tastefully converted into hotels. These estancias all have their own individual history and charm. With the perfect blend of comfort and culture your hosts offer an experience that allows you to celebrate this culture and share with you the warmth and hospitality of the people who live and work within it.
Here you can be assured of delicious, wholesome cuisine as all meals are freshly prepared using organic produce. Local meat or fish complimented with a fresh salad or vegetables are the dishes most typically offered. Sumptuous local desserts, freshly ground coffee and herbal teas are always included with the evening meals. Good quality wines are available during meal times on the longer trips.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.
Activities
In addition to riding there are a number of packages available which offer horse riding in combination with other activities. These include hiking, orienteering and kayaking. Please contact the office for further details.
Further Details
Languages: English & Chilean
Health requirements: It is strongly recommended that clients are up to date with the following vaccinations, typhoid; tetanus; hepatitis A & B; polio.
Age limit: Riders must be between the ages of 18 and 70 unless by prior arrangement
Tuition: No
Included: Full board accommodation, transfers, all equipment, bilingual guide and all entrance fees.
Not included: Flights and travel insurance.
Travel Information
Flights are to Punta Arenas airport. A number of airlines fly from the UK to Punta Arenas, please contact us if you would like help or advice regarding booking your flights. Transfers using a private chauffer driven vehicle are included with times being arranged to suit the requirements of the group.
Airport: Punta Arenas
Programmes
Estancia Trail
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This ten day trip starts in the historic town of Punta Arenas. The first evening, you will dine out and meet the rest of the group, the following day your adventure begins. During this holiday you will stay in and visit working estancia and converted houses that were lived in by the first pioneers. In most of the estancia, you will have the opportunity to meet the owners and talk to them about the area, farming in the region and their family history. Accompanied by a local baqueano, you will travel through pristine wilderness areas that eventually take you to the world renowned Torres del Paine National Park. Day 1 After you arrive in Punta Arenas, you will meet the guide and be taken to the first nights hotel - Rey Don Filipe, in the town centre. You will meet the rest of the group over dinner and be briefed on the weeks itinerary. Day 2 After breakfast you will set off to Puerto Natales a small fishing town on the banks of the Ultima Esperanza sound. During your transfer you will have time to observe the vast open plains typical to the region. As you come close to Puerto Natales the landscape will change and the mountains and fjords are a welcoming sight after the 3 hours journey. Lunch will be served on arrival at Bories House where you will be staying for the night. After a leisurely lunch you will meet your horses. Today you will take a 2 hour ride to the Estancia Puerto Consuelo, a beautiful estancia on the Eberhard fiord. This farm was the first to be founded in the Ultima Esperanza Province by Captain Hwemann Eberhard, whom sailed in a dingy to this breathtakingly beautiful corner of Patagonia in 1893 and subsequently settled here. This ride will give you the opportunity to adapt to your horse and Chilean saddles. The evening meal will be at Bories House. Day 3 You will take an early morning transfer to the estancia. Today you will set off across the pampa to the Milodon cave which Capt Eberhard discovered in 1895. You will continue the ride to Laguna Sofia, through ancient Lenga forests and open valleys stopping for lunch on the way. Once you reach Laguna Sofia you will climb to a ledge where you will be able to see condors flying close by. After the ride you will take a 5 minute transfer to your overnight stay which is a renovated travellers inn called Tres Pasos which used to be frequented by the Noble prize poet Gabriela Mistral. Day 4 Today you will set off from Tres Pasos and ride through beautiful countryside until you arrive at a small farming settlement Cerro Castillo. This ride will take you around lagoons, through woodland valleys and up to a lookout point to see the Torres del Paine National Park. Tonight you will stay at Hotel El Pionero. This house use to be the home of an English gentleman Mr Saunders whom was one of the managers who worked for the company “Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego 1893 – 1943”. Day 5 From the farming settlement Cerro Castillo, you will set off on a challenging days ride across the pampa to estancia Cerro Guido on the Eastern border of the Torres del Paine National Park. This is a long, but rewarding days ride. The evening will be spent at Cerro Guido at this beautifully restored farm house that offers privileged views of the Towers of Paine. Day 6 One of the most beautiful rides of the trip today as you head to Laguna Azul. With the towers of Paine as your constant back drop you will ride through diverse terrain of pampa and woodland until you reach the Las Chinas waterfall where you will stop for lunch.By early afternoon you will arrive at Laguna Azul. The afternoon ride will take you to estancia Tercera Barranca which lies to the east of Torres del Paine. Again you will spend the night at an estancia with spectacular views of the Towers. Day 7 Today you will have an option of riding from the estancia or just relaxing there or you can take a trip into the National Park Torres del Paine and walk the towers which is a good 5 hours round trip. In the evening you will enjoy a traditional Patagonian barbeque at the estancia. Day 8 Today you will have a spectacular ride across the awesome National Park Torres del Paine, navigating winding mountain passes, with incredible views of the turquoise lakes and lagoons and the magnificent Horns of the park, this is one of highlights of the trip. The evening will be spent at hotel Rio Serrano which has breathtaking views of the horns! Day 9 The morning ride will take you across flat open “pampa” with the spectacular horns as your backdrop. You will arrive at glacier Grey by lunch time and will have lunch on the beach. After the afternoon ride you will be transferred back to Bories House for the night. Day 10 Early morning transfer to Punta Arenas airport. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 8 days riding as per itinerary |
| Departure dates: | Flexible dates throughout November, January and February. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Getaway Ride
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This eight day horse ride combines excellent riding opportunities on well schooled horses with comfortable accommodation full of history. The magnificent Torres del Paine National Park offers pampa, wooded valleys and breathtaking views of the towering mountains, the turquoise lakes and the rolling glaciers. Day 1 On arrival at Punta Arenas airport you will be met by your guide who will accompany you during the transfer to Puerto Bories and Bories House, situated on the banks of the Ultima Esperanza sound. In the afternoon you will take a slow ride to the estancia Puerto Consuelo on the banks of the Eberhard fiord. This ride will give you the opportunity to get used to your horse and make sure the tack is comfortable for your trip. In the evening you will enjoy a home cooked meal at Bories House. Day 2 In the morning you will take a ten minute transfer back to the estancia Puerto Consuelo and set off riding across the pampa to the Milodon cave which Captain Eberhard discovered in 1895. The name "Milodon" was given after the remains of a giant sloth dating back 10,000 years ago were found there by Eberhard. You will continue the ride to Laguna Sofia, through ancient Lenga forests and open valleys until you reach a Condor lookout point on the cliffs of Laguna Sofia.After lunch you will take a transfer to your overnight stay at the travellers inn Tres Pasos which used to be frequented by the Noble prize poet Gabriela Mistral. Day 3 Today you will set off from Tres Pasos and ride through beautiful countryside until you arrive at a small farming settlement Cerro Castillo. This ride will take you around lagoons, through woodland valleys and up to a lookout point to see the Torres del Paine National Park. Tonight you will stay at Hotel El Pionero. This house use to be the home of an English gentleman Mr Saunders whom was one of the managers who worked for the company “Explotadora de Tierra del Fuego 1893 – 1943”. Day 4 From the farming settlement Cerro Castillo, you will set off on a challenging days ride across the pampa to estancia Cerro Guido on the Eastern border of the Torres del Paine National Park. This is a long, but rewarding days ride. The evening will be spent at Cerro Guido at this beautifully restored farm house that offers privileged views of the Towers of Paine. Day 5 One of the most beautiful rides of the trip today as you head to Laguna Azul. With the towers of Paine as your constant back drop you will ride through diverse terrain of pampa and woodland until you reach the Las Chinas waterfall where you will stop for lunch.By early afternoon you will arrive at Laguna Azul. The afternoon ride will take you to estancia Tercera Barranca which lies to the east of Torres del Paine. Again you will spend the night at an estancia with spectacular views of the Towers. Day 6 Today you will have a spectacular ride across the awesome National Park Torres del Paine, navigating winding mountain passes, with incredible views of the turquoise lakes and lagoons and the magnificent Horns of the park, this is one of highlights of the trip. The evening will be spent at hotel Rio Serrano which has breathtaking views of the horns! Day 7 The morning ride will take you across flat open “pampa” with the spectacular horns as your backdrop. You will arrive at glacier Grey by lunch time and will have lunch on the beach. The afternoon ride will take you back to hotel Rio Serrano for the night. Day 8 Early morning transfer to Punta Arenas airport. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate and above |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 7 days riding as per itinerary |
| Departure dates: | Flexible dates available |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |