PATAGONIA HIGHLIGHTS - CHILE

more photos | enquiry | availability check

This seven day horse riding holiday combines excellent riding opportunities on well schooled horses with comfortable accommodation full of history. Accompanied by local baqueanos we travel through pristine wilderness areas and to to the world renowned Torres del Paine National Park. The magnificent Torres del Paine national park offers open pampas, wooded valleys and breathtaking views of the towering mountains, the turquoise lakes and the rolling glaciers.

Trip length 7 days/ 6 nights Ride only price 2008: £1,269 A small group supplement of £135 may be payable if fewer than 5 passengers are confirmed at the time of booking. This will be refunded when 4 riders are confirmed. Departure dates 2008 : 16-22 February Other departure dates on requests for groups of 2 or more. Approximate riding time per day 4 to 6 hours Riding ability required Riders should be able to walk, trot and canter comfortably. Departure dates for beginners or mixed ability groups can be arranged on request. Min age 18. Group size 2 to 8 Meeting point Punta Arenas, Chile Transfer Included from Punta Arenas Flight guide London - Punta Arenas return £700 - £900. See below for flight info. Single supplement £170 only charged if not willing to share

SAMPLE ITINERARY - PATAGONIA HIGHLIGHTS

Morning collection from Punta Arenas airport and transfer to Puerto Bories, situated on the banks of the Ultima Esperanza sound, Bories once the largest exporting plant for wool in the world has now been transformed into a quiet hamlet that has spectacular views of the sea, surrounding mountains and Balmaceda glacier. Lunch will be taken at the traditional traveller inn Ruben’s on route. Throughout the transfer we will be able to appreciate the vast open pampas and wildlife. During the evening you’ll have the opportunity to go for a short horse ride or view the local museum before enjoying a traditional Patagonia barbecue at the guest house.

Day 2
Early morning take a short transfer to Estancia Puerto Consuelo the first estancia in the Ultima Esperanza region, situated on the banks of fjord Eberhard. After meeting our horse that will be carrying us for the next couple of days we set off across the estancia to the Milodon cave. After stopping to view the cave we carry on our ride to Laguna Sofia, through ancient Lenga forests and open valleys stopping for lunch on the way. From Laguna Sofia we continue through wood and farm land until we reach the traveller’s inn Tres Pasos where we’ll spend the night (Tres Pasos was made famous by the noble prize winner Gabriela Mistral whom wrote prize winning poetry from this special retreat).

Day 3
From Tres Pasos we ride to the small farming settlement Cerro Castillo. We will riding through lush valleys and around lagoons, if the wind is low we shall ride up the mountain path to where we will have breathtaking views of the National Park, Torres del Paine. We arrive early afternoon in Cerro Castillo where we will lunch at the estancia “Cerro Castillo”, now converted into a comfortable hotel. After a short tour of the small town and its rodeo ring we will travel by jeep to Estancia Cerro Guido, situated on the borders of the park. We shall spend the evening in this beautifully converted estancia that offers view of the famous granite towers.

Day 4
Today the ride will take us from Laguna Amarga across the park to Rio Serrano. The days ride will be long, but we’ll have some of the most spectacular views of the trip. We will enter at Laguna Amarga and from here cross diverse terrains from open pampa to wooded lenga valleys, through streams and along steep mountain paths. The wildlife will be in abundance Guanaco herds will be easy to photograph, foxes will follow our path, Ñandu will greet us and the array of birds will make it a bird lover’s paradise. We arrive at the parks administration centre late afternoon where we will be able to view on the map the vast expanse of the park. After this short break we will take the jeep (5 mins) to our destination for the night the Cabañas del Paine by the Serrano river. These cabañas have a privilege view of the horns.

Day 5
From the cabañas we will head across the open pampa to grey glacier arriving there for lunch which will be taken on the beach over looking grey lake and the glacier. The evening will be spent back at the cabañas after an exhilarating days ride.

Day 6
We return to Puerto Natales by boat down the Ultima Esperanza fjord, first taking a zodiac boat to view several beautiful waterfalls before stopping to view Serrano glacier. Lunch will be taken at Estancia Perales on the bank side of the Ultima Esperanza. On arrival in Puerto Natales you’ll be transferred (5 mins) to Puerto Bories for your farewell evening meal.

Day 7 In the morning you’ll have a chance to view Puerto Natales, before transferring to Punta Arenas at the end of your horse riding holiday.

NOTES - PATAGONIA HIGHLIGHTS

GETTING TO Punta Airport

As a fully ATOL bonded and registered agency we would be delighted to book your flights for you. Should you wish to book your own flights please see our flight page for some options.

The weight limit for this ride is 17 st/231 lb/105 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
10 nights accommodation including first night in Punta Arenas (based on twin share), all transfers starting from Punta Arenas airport, all meals and drinks including wine, all equipment, bilingual guide, the boat trip on last day and all entrance fees.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights, last days lunch, items of a personal nature and local gratuities.

more photos | enquiry | availability check