Explore the backcountry of the Torres del Paine region of Patagonia!
Each day, you will travel with your expert, gaucho guide, through little known forests, valleys and mountains that surround the Torres del Paine National Park. This trip is the perfect combination of wilderness camping and estancia stay, allowing riders to go deeper into areas known only by gauchos and landowners.
Day 1: Airport pick-up and transfer to Estancia Laguna Sofia, via Puerto Natales, approximtely 5 hours driving
Sleep in Lodge
After arriving at the airport in Punta Arenas, your guide will meet you at the designated time, to begin the three hour transfer to Puerto Natales. Rest, and enjoy the drive across the wind swept plains, just above the Straight of Magellan. Horses and ranches dot the vast landscape, as well as clusters of eery Nothofagus trees that curl and twist from the strength of the wind.
Once we reach Puerto Natales, you will have the opportunity to pick up any last minute necessities, and stretch your legs, with a short walk around the town.
Then, we are off again, on the road curving north out of the city, to reach a private secluded estancia called Laguna Sofía.
The estancia is nestled back into a valley, on the banks of Lake Sofia. The lake is situated between mountains on three sides, and you may ocasionally spot the intreped fisherman, wading deep into the waters.
The lodge is located on a quiet corner of the lake, at the base of a small waterfall. The guest accommodations are in the main house, which has been recently renovated in beautiful country style.
You may choose to explore the estancia by foot, or time allowing, may meet the horses and possibly have a short ride before enjoying a delicious hand prepared meal.
The estancia has several hundred cows, which need constant maintenance and herding. This will be a good opportunity to test your skills as a gaucho, or throw a few lassos.
At the end of the day, we will oenjoy the delicacies prepared by the local chef, while dining beside the tumbling waterfall, seen from the dining room.
Day 2: Horse Ride to Milodón Cave, Lunch, Horse Ride to Siñoret Valley
Sleep in camp at Puesto Siñoret
We´ll head straight to the corrals, after an early breakfast of sweet breads, cheeses, hot and cold cereals and tea and coffee. After your guide fits you to a horse, we will load the saddlebags with much needed camaras and your personal items, before setting out to the Milodón Cave.
Starting out around the lake, we´ll slowly make our way up an ancient volcanic hillside. As the cave comes into view, you can appreciate gorgeous views of Last Hope Sound and the rolling hills and great glaciers that surround it.
We will leave the horses in the forest, while we visit the immense cave, complete with a life-sized Milodón. Take your time in the small visitors center, to learn about the natural history of the area. Whether or not you believe the story of the big-foot creature, you will certainly be impressed by the large cavern, and the views from within.
After lunch, you will need to prepare your clothes and personal items, for the first night of camping. You may pack your necessitites in your large saddle bag, while your guide prepares the pack horse with the heavier items.
Then, mount up and ride around the side of the lake, and up the forested mountainside, overlooking Laguna Sofía. The trail is fairly technical, but your surefooted Criollo will have no trouble choosing the best places to tread. Once you reach the top of the hillside, you will be overlooking the Torres del Paine National Park, and the grand Siñoret grassland. From the place where your horse stands, all the way to the horizon, was once a massive estancia, reaching over 1 million acres! Now, the area has been split into estancias ranging from 16,000 to 500,000 acres.
The ride will continue, across the grassland, untill you reach the Siñoret puesto. A puesto is a small house, usually inhabited by a ranch worker, during certain seasons of the year. Puestos are situated about 3 or more hours riding distance from the main house, where the herdsman may maintain the animals and fences on that side of the estancia. Puesto living may seem solitary, but it is a life full of satisfaction in simple things such as caring for animals and being almost completely self reliant.
You will enjoy the remoteness and simplicity of the puesto, and the spectacular views from high atop the mountain. Sit around the antique wood burning stove and sip máte, sharing stories with the group, before preparing the campsite and evening meal.
Time in the Saddle: 6 Hours
Day 3: Ride from Siñoret Valley, to Three Forks River
Camping at Rio Tres Pasos
Arise early this morning to enjoy the crackle of the wood burning stove in the puesto, and sip coffee or máte. After breakfast, and breaking down the camp, we will once again load the pack horse and saddle bags for a beautiful backcountry ride.
We now must descend Cerro Campana, passing through deep forests, and a special place called ¨The Window¨, which is a natural opening in the rocks, creating a beautiful window out to the green valley below and the adjacent mountain ranges.
Once off of the mountain, we will ride through lush pastures, crossing herds of horses and cattle. Your guide will lead you carefully through the valley, as occasionally a stallion will apear and try to sweep away the mares! Have no fear, your expert guide will be able to chase the stallion away. Between trots and gallops, we may need to cross deep, clear streams that carve their way through the grasses.
Finally we will reach our campsite at Rio Tres Pasos. This is a place of three forks, which in decades past, was a meeting point for gauchos and travelers who were traveling in three different directions.
Much different from the previous night´s camp, Three Forks is a beautiful riverside camp, in an open, green valley.
We´ll set up the tents and enjoy a delicious, hand prepared meal while sitting around an open fire (winds permitting).
Time in the Saddle: 6 Hours
Day 4: Ride from Three Forks to Estancia Dos Elianas
Sleep Guest House
Pack up camp once more, after a hearty breakfast, and prepare for a beautiful riverside ride. Today we will pick up the pace, as we trot and canter along the winding Las Chinas River. The River has its´origins high in the Wild Mountains (Sierra Baguales) which divide Chile and Argentina to our East.
You may set the pace on this day, as there are plenty of flat, grassy areas to trot and gallop. We will most probably cross paths with other gauchos, traveling along the river, perhaps to their puesto, or herding animals to a fresh pasture.
Finally, the river takes us to Estancia Dos Elianas, which is an 8,000 hectare (16,000 acre) working sheep ranch, in the Torres del Paine Region. In recent years, the estancia has developed an agrotourism program, demonstrating the joys and hardships of ranch life, to visitors from all over the world.
We will feel welcomed as we ride directly to the stables to untack our horses and give them well-deserved grain.
The owners of the estancia Christian and Lorena, will help to make you comfortable in the estancia´s main house, before preparing a exquisite, Chilean meal.
You may choose to wander through the large barns and paddocks, or relax in the wonderful quincho (bbq room), investigating the photos, and artesan tack that decorate the walls.
Time in the Saddle: 6 Hours
Day 5: Ride from Estancia Dos Elianas to Estancia Cerro Guido
Sleep Lodge Cerro Guido
After a great nights´sleep, we will enjoy the most delicious breakfast in the region: handmade sopapillas, jams, and dulce de leche, farm fresh eggs, bread and coffee, tea and máte. After storing up some energy, we´ll tack up and head out towards the East, along the Chinese River.
Crossing the river, we will follow it as it snakes through the large valley at the foot of the Sierra Baguales. As you look into the distance you will see across the flat pampas into Argentina!
Riding along the river, we will pass through several estancias, having the opportunity to meet the local workers and possibly stop for a rejuvinating tea, before continuing to Estancia Cerro Guido.
The Estancia is the largest in the region, boasting 250,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of grazing land for hundreds of thousands of sheep and cattle. Because of its´size, and the antiguity of the holding, the main buildings create a small town, with a school for workers´ children, housing for families, housing for the owners, large barns and shearing sheds, and a very elegant lodge, with first class amenities.
This is where we will hang our hats for the evening, enjoying a delicious glass of wine while we await dinner in the luxurious dinning room, and contemplating the enormity of the estancia.
Time in the Saddle: 6 Hours
Day 6: Ride from Estancia Cerro Guido, to Estancia Las Chinas
Sleep Lodge
Today we will enjoy a very different ride, high into the mouth of the Sierra Baguales Mountains. Riding along the Chinas River and to mountain lookouts that boast incredible views of this spectacular, mysterious mountain range. We will see into Argentina, less than an hours ride away, and the Torres del Paine mountain range and glacial ice fields beyond.
Though the distance between these two estancias is very short (as the condor flies) we will travel a more interesting route, exploring this fascinating and little known area.
The Sierra Baguales draw the dividing line between Chile and Argentina, with their jagged, craggly mountain tops, jutting straight into the sky. These mountains are much older than the Torres del Paine range, and within their deep valleys, and high mountain passes, hold secrets of centuries past. Anthropologists believe that this mountain range was crossed, during the first human migrations into the region. The mountains became a safe haven for several indigenous cultures, and later harbored the feral horses, which escaped from Spanish explorers, over 500 years ago. The descendants of these horses still run free in the mountains today. Many important archeological discoveries have been made in the mountain range, which remains mostly a wilderness area, with the exception of a string of ranches at the mouth of the mountains. This area is one of the most inhospitable of the region, with rapidly changing weather, extreme heat in the summer followed by deep snows in the winter.
After a very unique, final day of riding, we will return on horesback, to Estancia Las Chinas (also part of Estancia Cerro Guido). Here we will enjoy the comforts of a cozy lodge, in the center of a wide and colorful valley.
Time in the Saddle: 6 Hours
Day 7: Private tour of Torres del Paine National Park, Optinonal Boat Ride, Transfer to Puerto Natales, Private celebratory Asado dinner
Sleep Hotel, Puerto Natales
Say goodbye to the horses this morning, after a great breakfast, and load into a private vehicle, for a full day exploring the Torres del Paine National Park.
Photo opportunities abound as we travel through the gorgeous, world famous Park and UNESCO Wold Biosphere Reserve.
The Park is dotted with hundreds of lakes, each with its´own unique color. Above, the incredible mountain range unfolds before us, as each curve in the road reveals a new perspective on the hanging glaciers, granite monoliths, snaking rivers, and glacial valleys. We will stop at the parks Administration Center, to read about the interesting formation of the mountain range, before crossing a long, flat pampa to reach Glacier Grey. To get a better glimpse of the glacier, we will cross a swinging bridge to reach the long, black sand beach that lies at the base of Grey Lake. Marvel at the icebergs that rest on the shore, and peer across the milky water, to the massive ice face at the end of the lake. If you so wish, you make take a boat ride to the face of the glacier, with advance reservation.
After lunch, we will take the winding, forested drive back to Puerto Natales. On the way, we will pass the Milodón Cave, having completed a huge circuit on horseback!
Once back in Natales, you´ll have the opportunity to shower and change before re-uniting for one last group dinner. We will delight in a traditional patagonian asado of roasted lamb, potatoes, regional salads, breads, wine and delicious dessert.
Day 8: Morning transfer to airport in Punta Arenas
