Experience the wonderous land of Patagonia, Chile!
This trip is a perfect mix of explorative riding, while staying in comfortable lodges!
Canter across windswept pampas, watch the incredible condor soar overhead, and marvel at the untamed beauty that lies at the ends of the earth. Each day, after an exhilerating horse ride, relax by the fire at a working estancia, beautifully converted to attend to guests. Become educated on the natural and political history of the area, as well as its interesting myths and legends as your guides relate the stories that unfolded here long ago.
Day 1: 0830, Meet guide at hotel in Puerto Natales, transfer to Estancia Laguna Verde, via Cerro Castillo, Horse ride to Bull Lake Lookout, Accommodation Hosteria Mirador del Paine
After packing your things and breakfasting in the dining room, your guide will meet you at 0830, in the lobby of your hotel in Puerto Natales. From here we take a private transfer northward for 1.5 hours, toward Cerro Castillo, a sheep shearing outpost and small town between Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales. After a stop in Cerro Castillo for a short rest break, and to have a look around, the group will continue for another 1.5 hours to reach Estancia Laguna Verde.
Estancia Laguna Verde is an 8,000 hectare (16,000 acre) working ranch, nestled on the banks of Green Lagoon, below the looming mountains of the Torres del Paine. When we arrive at the estancia, you will instantly fall in love with its´charming architecture and red tin roofs.
Once at the estancia, we will waste no time in getting ready to ride. Each rider will be fitted to their mount and will be given a few minutes to get to know one another. After packing the saddle bags with your personal belongings and the picnic lunch, you will follow your gaucho guide, up the hillside of Bull Mountain towards the incredible lookout point, riding first along the edge of Green Lagoon, before entering thick forests. You will cross cross several fresh water mountain streams while riding through the knee-high grasses before emerging at the foot of the spectacular Torres del Paine. We will ride beneath its towering heights as we begin another ascent to an incredible lookout from which you may see the turquoise, emerald and milky blue glacier lakes that were carved out centuries ago by massive glaciers. From here you may see rivers that cruve serpent-like at the base of the mountains, connecting lakes and eventually flowing down to Last hope Sound. Search the open skies for the enormous condor as it glides noiselessly through the air. We will have lunch at the lookout, before continuing the rest of the ride, crossing between rolling hills and hidden ponds as we circle around Laguna Verde and head back towards the lovely estancia.
Once we arrive, enjoy a relaxing stroll on the beach or sip your beverage of choice and marvel at the view from the comfort of the front porch before meeting in the dining room for a delicious evening meal.
Time in the Saddle: 5 Hours
Day 2: Horse ride on Estancia Laguna Verde, Observation/ Participation in Estancia Chores, Accommodation Mirador del Paine
After a good night´s sleep in the estancia´s beautifully converted guest houses, we will have breakfast and pack the horses for a full day riding on this incredible ranch. Explore the quite forests with green, grassy glades and look for the charactaristic Magellanic Woodpecker, with its´bright red head. Ride through the hills, dotted with lakes, and arrive high above Lago Nordenskjöld, the large aquamarine lake named after the well-known Swedish explorer who led various expeditions to the South Pole region.
Depending on the time of year and daily duties, we may assist in some of the ranch chorse, including rounding up horses or observing the gauchos work with the cattle.
Back at the estancia, you can choose to enjoy an afternoon maté with the gauchos, listening to stories of famous horses, past and present, or head up to the hostería bar, to sit by the fireplace with a deliciously lethal pisco sour, before the evening meal.
Time in the Saddle: 5 Hours
Day 3: 0730 Breakfast, Ride from Estancia Laguna Verde to Estancia Laguna Amarga, Dinner and Accomodation Refugio Laguna Amarga
After an energizing breakfast in the hostería, you will prepare for a second day of riding. Today, the pace will be much faster (if you choose and depending on the group) as you say goodbye to Laguna Verde and begin the 6-7 hour ride to Estancia Laguna Amarga.
Passing once again through the forests of Green Lagoon, you will arrive at the banks of Lago Sarmiento. This is the deepest lake in the Torres del Paine National Park, and as it unfolds before us, you will notice its clear turquoise waters are surronded by a bank of hard white calcuim carbonate, that extends to form small beaches. Puma scat and prints have been spotted frequently in this area and we may even catch a glimpse of the elusive animal. In the distance you will see the unmistakable Torres (Towers) of grannite reaching high in tothe sky, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. We will follow the white banks of Sarmiento for approximately two hours before we arrive at a puesto nestled at the edge of the lake. Maybe if the puestero is home, you will be invited inside for a mate tea, before setting out the picnic lunch.
After lunch the pace will pick up, with several long trots and canters, as you cross flat pampas, feeling the freedom and joy of horseback riding across country. Finally we will come to the crest of a small hill from which we may look down upon Laguna Amarga (Bitter Lagoon). This lagoon is especially striking as it is the only saltwater lake in the area, causing the salt to build up on the black sand beaches, giving the impression of eternal winter. It is also frequented by flocks of flamingo that group together like pink clusters of satin on the surface of the water. If it is a cloudless, calm moment, you may be lucky to see the perfect reflection of the Towers, hovering eternally in the backdrop. You will feel the wind rushing around your face as we enjoy one last gallop along the beaches of Laguna Amarga, on our way to the estancia´s guesthouses.
After settling into your quaint, cozy room, you may choose to take a short walk to the banks of the Paine River, or perhaps even to Paine Falls, a short distance from the Hotel.
*Optional hotel upgrade, to Hostería Las Torres
Time in the saddle: 6-7 Hours
Day 4: Horse ride Estancia Laguna Amarga, private transfer through Torres del Paine, Accommodation Cabañas Rio Serrano
After enjoying the fresh bread and country hospitality of the small dining room, we will head to the barn to get ready for the days´ride, spent high in the mountains of the estancia. First, heading up a steep incline, we will reach the top of an incredible lookout, where condor families like to perch. From here, you can see all the way across the the National Park, to Glacier Grey and Balmaceda, while below in the valley, the grey/ blue Paine River curves gracefully towards its´destination. In the distance, you can see endless masses of glaciers which help to make up the worlds´largest freshwater reserve, outside of the north and south pole.
Continuing onward, the horses will have a break as the terrain flattens out, at the base of the Cuernos. Guanacos are so abundant on the ranch, that you can observe herds of hundreds, bouncing back and forth in front of you, and calling to one another. Or perhaps they are observing you, as you´ll notice a lone guanaco on every hilltop! In the springtime, you may have the luck of seeing the mama guanacos giving birth, or helping their young to take their first steps.
After approximately one hour of riding, we will come across a surprising lake, high in a mountain valley. This lake looks much like Sarmiento Lake, and some theorize that the two lakes are connected underground, though they are miles apart. Here we will stop for our picnic and coffee or tea, and have a chance to find the ancient cave paintings that survived the fire of 2004.
After lunch, we will start to circle back towards the estancia, but not before crossing lush, green glades which are perfect for an invigorating gallop. Keep an eye out for large ñandu nests in the grass, as the delicate birds find the peaceful estancia a great place for their chicks to hatch. Puma and wild horses can also be spotted ocasionally on the ranch.
When back at the estancia, we will bid goodbye to the horses and leave them to graze in lush pastures, before beginning a 1.5 hour transfer to our hotel on the banks of the Serrano River.
After a hot shower and a change of clothes, enjoy the blissful views of the sunset across the Serrano River, with the Torres del Paine in the backdrop.
Dinner and accommodation in Rio Serrano.
Time in the Saddle: 6-7 Hours
Day 5: Privately guided tour of Torres del Paine, visit to Grey Glacier w/ optional boat ride, return to Puerto Natales with stop at the Milodón Cave, Celebratory Private Asado
Today you will officially pack away your riding clothes, as we climb into our private vehicle, to take a relaxing tour of the National Park. Kick back and listen to your guide relate the natural history of the area as you gaze at the enormous snow-capped peaks and glacier fields that stretch out to the horizon. We will surely spot herds of guanaco or a pair of shy ñandu. As we drive along together, keep watch for any of the 120 species of birds that live in this area including condors, flacons, hawks, geese, eagles, and a variety of other wildlife. After a visit to the Administration Center in the heart of hte park, we will continue to our lunch spot on the banks of Grey Lake. Standing on the black sand beach, you can see across the surface of the milky water, to the face of the immense glacier. For an up-close view of the glacier, take the optional 3 hour boat ride, traveling out onto the glassy lake, between massive, bobbing ice bergs.
After endless photo opportunitites and glorious views, we will depart from the National Park, driving 1.5 hours back to Puerto Natales, through a forested road. Before arriving to the city, we have an optional visit to the Milodon Cave. Whether or not you believe the tales of the ancient big foot creature, you will be impressed by the large cavern, overlooking the forests and valleys of Last Hope Sound.
After you settle in to the cozy and comfortable hotel in Puerto Natales, you will be met one last time by your guide, for a celebratory group dinner. The dinner will be a private asado, the traditional chilean meal, consisting of a patagonian lamb barbeque, potatoes, regional salads, wine, hand made bread and delicious dessert.
Laugh and be merry, as you recount your wonderful journey and favorite moments with friends new and old.
