South America

Horse riding options in South America are as wild and varied as the countries themselves.
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The Andes mountains stretch almost the full length of the continent and many of the rides incorporate the mountains in some form. Glorious landscapes are guaranteed, as are fabulous horses, courtesy of the Spanish Conquistadors who brought horses over with them from Europe, and these bred with the local breeds and created the Criollo for which the continent is famed.
Horses are an integral part of South American culture, from the gauchos of Argentina to the baqueanos of Chile and vaqueros of Brazil.
Estancia stays are hugely popular as riding holidays, catering for all abilities and offering a similar experience as a ranch stay in North America. Under-stated luxury, world class horses, cattle work and often even a little Polo thrown in for good measure.
Argentina is world-renowned for the quality of its Polo players and where better to learn or improve your skills than on a dedicated Polo holiday near Buenos Aires.
Both Argentina and Chile offer some stunning trail rides through remote landscapes where you’ll rarely see another soul. Pack horses carry your belongings and the accommodation will be rustic and/or camping depending on the riding trail itinerary chosen. These horseback trails are available from the dry far North such as Atacama desert in Chile or Salta in Argentina, down to the remote south of Patagonia, with riding in Torres del Paine national park or on the incredible Tierra del Fuego - the very bottom of the world.
For those who prefer a more comfortable bed after a day of riding, there are also horseback trails journeying from estancia to estancia in both Chile and Argentina, as well as further north in Uruguay, Peru and Ecuador.
Both Peru and Ecuador offer spectacular mountain settings for riders who love to ride high. The glorious avenue of volcanoes in Ecuador has to be seen to be believed and there are different itineraries depending on whether you dream of riding to Cotopaxi volcano, or of venturing off the beaten track into the wild Andes. Peru has the added value of its Inca heritage and riding through the sacred valley, culminating with a visit to Machu Picchu is a dream for many.
The vastness of Brazil also offers a wide variety of riding trails within one country, from glorious beach rides, to exotic jungle rides and the incredible Pantanal where horseback riders can discover the extraordinary wetlands and wildlife of this fascinating region.
In the far north of South America, there are riding trails exploring the Latin American flavour and coffee culture of Colombia as well as ranches both inland and along the coast of Costa Rica, famed for it’s wealth of wildlife. For lovers of beach rides, there’s also the stunning island of Dominican Republic where you can explore inland trails as well as the glorious beaches.
Whatever your horse riding dream, South America has a holiday to help you live it.
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Across the AndesArgentina1 matching itineraryRide across the mythical Andes mountains from Argentine to Chile, surrounded by some of the highest mountains in South America.View Ride
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Canyons and WaterfallsBrazil1 matching itineraryRide through the huge canyons of Rio Grande do Sul whilst experiencing the typical gaucho lifestyle of this region.View Ride
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Chilean PatagoniaChile2 matching itinerariesUnique horseback trails through the wild and remote Patagonian landscape of southern Chile and into Torres del Paine national park.View Ride
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Coconut TrailBrazil1 matching itineraryExplore this tropical paradise, with palm-lined, white sand beaches, clear lagoons and coral reefs from the back of a beautiful Mangalarga horse.View Ride
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Coffee Culture TrailColombia1 matching itineraryTrail ride through the famous Colombian "coffee triangle" region.View Ride
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Coffee HighlandsBrazil2 matching itinerariesDiscover the coffee-growing regions of Sao Paulo, visiting historical plantation homes and riding through well-preserved natural landscapes.View Ride
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Colombian AdventuresColombia1 matching itinerarySome of the most unique and fascinating experiences of Colombia for those looking for a truly Latin American flavour and culture on horseback.View Ride
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Costa Rica Ranch & BeachCosta Rica1 matching itineraryCosta Rica is a haven for wildlife and this ranch offers riding in search of monkeys and tropical birds as well as along the white sandy beachesView Ride
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Delta and DunesBrazil1 matching itineraryRide over spectacular white sands, past crystal clear ponds, river islands and fresh and salt water beaches on this breathtaking new ride in BrazilView Ride
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Dominican BeachesDominican Republic1 matching itineraryDiscover the crystal clear waterfalls, ancient forests, farmland and stunning beaches of the Dominican Republic on this fantastic centre based rideView Ride
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El Venado Polo SchoolArgentina1 matching itineraryThis beautiful working estancia is just 2 hours from Buenos Aires and the perfect place to learn or perfect your polo skills with real professionals.View Ride
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Estancia Don JoaquinArgentina2 matching itinerariesThis welcoming estancia in the Corrientes province of Argentina, famed for its wetlands and lagoons, is the perfect location to explore on horsebackView Ride
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Estancia Los PotrerosArgentina2 matching itinerariesEstancia Los Potreros is a renowned riding holiday destination, set in the Cordoba hills in the middle of Argentina.View Ride
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Gaucho ExperienceBrazil1 matching itinerarySample the real gaucho world - make no mistake, this trail offers the ultimate in authentic gaucho experiences.View Ride
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Hacienda La AlegriaEcuador4 matching itinerariesHacienda La Alegria specialises in horseback riding in the beautiful surroundings of the Ecuadorian Andes.View Ride
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Hacienda ZuletaEcuador1 matching itineraryThis exclusive stables in Ecuador is located only two hours north of Quito in the spectacular Andean mountain range.View Ride
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Lagoa do Peixe National ParkBrazil2 matching itinerariesLagoa do Peixe national park; a wetland mix of salt marshes, lagoons, sand dunes and ocean. A haven for migrating birds, best explored on horseback,View Ride
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Machu Picchu MountainsPeru1 matching itineraryThis breathtaking riding holiday takes you through stunning, varied scenery along the foothills of the Salkantay Glacier, ending near Machu Picchu.View Ride
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Montes de Oro HaciendaCosta Rica4 matching itinerariesBe enchanted by the golden beaches and tropical rainforests of Costa Rica from this new hacienda in the Punta Arenas area west of the capital San JoseView Ride
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Pantanal SafariBrazil1 matching itineraryExplore the diverse flora and fauna of the Pantanal on a safari like you have not experienced before.View Ride
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Pipa BeachBrazil1 matching itineraryA fabulous beach ride along the north-eastern coast of Brazil on gaited Mangalarga Marchador horses.View Ride
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Sacred ValleyPeru1 matching itineraryThis ride in the Andean Highlands offers exceptional trails for experienced riders. Discover the smoothness and spirit of the Peruvian Paso horse.View Ride
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Salta TrailsArgentina4 matching itinerariesExplore on horseback the province of Salta in northern Argentina with its amazing landscape of mountains, rivers and valleys.View Ride
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The Painted BirdsUruguay1 matching itineraryThis riding trail takes you through traditional Uruguayan estancias, a biosphere wetlands reserve and along the beaches of the Atlantic ocean.View Ride
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Tierra del FuegoArgentina1 matching itineraryAn adventurous pack horse trail to the End of the World, with only Antarctica further south.View Ride