This is a fabulous ride based in and around the Torres del Paine National Park with its unforgettable landscape. It combines challenging, exciting riding on responsive, fit horses combined with the opportunity to experience the life of Patagonia’s unique estancia culture.
The majority of the ride takes place within the park itself and offers plenty of diversity with rides across open pampas, rides to wild glaciers and iceberg-filled lakes and peaceful rides through valleys and ancient southern beech forests. Throughout these long, exciting days in the saddle, the snow capped mountains are never far away. Accommodation is very comfortable, authentic, cozy and welcoming - all of it having been chosen for its beautiful location, great view and cultural appeal. Here you can relax by the fireside each evening after a soothing bath with a famous pisco sour.
This trip suits experienced riders wishing to combine some local flavour and comfortable accommodation and a high level of service with their outdoor riding adventure.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2011 & 2012: £525/€639/$775
2012 - Horse Drive: £309/€375/$449
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ESTANCIA RIDE PATAGONIA
Day 1
Clients arrive in Punta Arenas in Patagonia. Taxi from airport to Hotel Rey Don Felipe.
Meet ride leader in the hotel lobby at 7.30 p.m. to be escorted to the restaurant for a lovely dinner. Trip briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2
Today we are going to be starting our drive across the wide open pampas and land belonging to some of the huge estancias in this area as we head towards the Torres del Paine National Park. After a short lunch stop in Puerto Natales, where clients can choose from a variety of restaurants and cafes, we will continue our drive north. The road takes us alongside the waters of Last Hope Sound with the bobbing heads of the black necked swans to our first estancia for the night. Estancia Tres Pasos, now a comfortable hosteria is situated at the head of a magical flower filled valley. A working estancia the wooden, chalet-style property consists of a number of ranch buildings, pretty gardens and lovely views down the valley. There will be a chance to unpack and relax a little before meeting our horses for an afternoon introductory ride in the vicinity of the estancia. Riders will get a chance to adjust to the style of riding and tack as we run through the paces and enjoy a relaxing afternoon’s ride. We will then return to the hotel for dinner in the lovely restaurant. Most of the food in this delightful family run establishment is home produced. Breakfast and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 3-4.
Day 3
Today after breakfast, riders will once again be saddling up for a full day’s ride. This time, we will be heading north west to the outpost town of Cerro Castillo. This is a beautiful open ride across grassy meadows and welcoming pampas. Riding towards the dramatic mountain range of Torres del Paine enables us to fully benefit from the incredible mountain and lake views. We will also have some opportunities for our first long canters on our responsive and comfortable horses. During late afternoon after a leisurely picnic lunch and an afternoon’s riding we will see the welcome site of Hosteria el Pionero come into view. Surrounded by the customary layer of trees, the villa has the look and feel of an English country home and was built by European settlers to Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century. Once home to one of the most important and influential estancieros in the region it offers comfortable accommodation and an excellent restaurant offering a variety of typical local foods and international cuisine. The fireside bar is an excellent place to enjoy a pisco sour whilst meeting your new friends and discussing the adventures to come. Comfortable en suite accommodation (some rooms with fireplaces). Dinner in the comfortable restaurant. All meals included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 6-7.
Day 4
After a breakfast of home baked bread and cakes served in the bright dining room, we will be saddling up for the long ride north east towards Estancia Tercera Barranca. This is a classic Patagonian ride with the soft, inviting pampas stretched out in front of us as we journey north towards the mountains of Torres del Paine and La Cumbre mountain range that makes up the natural barrier between Chile and Argentina. We will be crossing the land belonging to various local farmers and with luck may be invited to join a local for tea or mate. After 5 or 6 hours riding with lunch taken in one of the many picnic spots en route, we will be riding onto the land belonging to Estancia Tercera Barranca. Our destination is the comfortable ranch house belonging to this working estancia. Comfortable and cosy accommodation in this authentic country house with fabulous views of the Towers from its large west facing windows. Fireside living room/bar and traditional quincho (wooden dining room with outside BBQ area). En suite rooms. All meals included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-7
Day 5
After breakfast, we will once again be saddling up for our exciting ride west towards the Torres and Lago Paine. Just before Laguna Azul we head north towards Laguna Stokes where a large natural vega or pasture exists. This area attracts wild criollos from the surrounding hills to graze in the summer and with luck with will get to see them (the viewings are not guaranteed!). There will be many excellent photo opportunities on this route as we pass through forests, pastures and the lake where Lady Florence Dixie first camped having sighted the Towers. Afternoon return to Estancia Tercera Barranca. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 5-6.
Day 6
After a wholesome breakfast and packing up we will be starting our ride westwards towards the heart of the Park. We will now be riding directly towards the Paine Massif mountain range so the views are dramatic and beautiful. Our trail skirts the southern edge of the mountains on a rarely trodden path as we pass azure and turquoise lakes with the huge granite mountain peaks standing behind. After a picnic lunch taken in one of the pretty valleys we will continue west to the beautiful soft pampas beside the Serrano River. Here we will have a chance for a nice long canter as the light fades and the shadows lengthen and we arrive at our destination hotel, the Cabanas del Paine. Situated by the emerald green waters of the Serrano River with river and mountain views this is our base for the next two nights. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner in restaurant included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in saddle: 5-6 depending on photo stops.
Day 7 Today we saddle up for the fast ride to Mirador de los Hielos (iceberg lookout). Our view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as we ride out along the Grey River towards the largest Glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. We will eventually arrive at a lookout with dramatic views of the iceberg choked waters of Grey Lake with the immense Grey Glacier in the distance (the largest glacier in the Park). After plenty of time to rest, take photos and enjoy our incredible lunch perch we will rejoin our rested horses and head back to our comfortable hotel Cabanas del Paine at the Serrano River.
*For clients who are interested, there is an optional excursion available which includes round trip transfers back to Grey Lake and a boat trip out across this iceberg-choked lake towards the face of this spectacular Glacier. Note the boat trip is weather reliant and the excursion with transfer costs US$180 (potential volume discounts on the transfer element of this excursion depending on final number of clients wishing to join).
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: approx 5 -6.
Day 8
Today after breakfast, we will once again be joining our horses and the baqueanos who have now become our friends for another full day’s ride. This time, we will be heading south east to the Mirador del Toro and the beautiful Laguna Verde. The day starts with our final ride across the fabulous wide open pampas before crossing the much photographed Puente Weber and riding towards the Sierra del Toro. After stopping to tighten girths and check our tack, we will make a steep ascent of this mountain climbing high above the national park and surrounding areas. Eventually we will arrive at the dramatic and often very windy lookout (Mirador del Toro) with its incredible far reaching views of the lakes, mountains and glaciers below.
Depending on the weather, we will take a picnic lunch in this beautiful setting before continuing on through southern beech forests passing a myriad of pristine lakes and valleys as we approach the land belonging to Estancia Lazo. Our base for 2 nights, this very comfortable converted Estancia situated beside the tranquil green waters of Laguna Verde offers splendid views, great food and comfortable accommodation. The lake shore is a great place to stroll spotting the wild geese and ducks who inhabit these waters. Dinner will be in the restaurant offering an excellent variety of local foods and wine. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 4-5
Day 9
After breakfast, we will pack our saddle bags with cameras, waterproofs and our picnic lunch and set off around the shores of this pretty lake through ancient southern beech forests behind the estancia for our climb up and over the Sierra del Toro. We will be making another steep ascent through forests to climb right up on top of this mountain. The last section of the ride will often be through snow as we stop to marvel at the views of the entire Park below us. We will then wind down to a pretty authentic puesto (gaucho post) manned by one of the cattle ranchers from Estancia Lazo to take our lunch. After lunch, we will be riding back to our comfortable accommodation at Estancia Lazo where sadly we will be bidding our horses and baqueanos goodbye. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner in the restaurant (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 4-5
Day 10
After a leisurely breakfast of coffee and home made cakes/bread we will transfer to Punta Arenas via Puerto Natales. We will have time in Puerto Natales to shop for souvenirs or postcards before continuing on to the Magellanic penguin colony situated outside Punta Arenas. Late afternoon is a great time to visit these cute burrowing penguins before they return to their burrows. Time spent taking photos and wandering the trails which extend down to the beach where you can witness the penguins waterside. Arrive in Punta Arenas at about 6-7 pm depending on time spent at the penguin colony. Breakfast included. Driving time approx. 6 hours with penguins. Night Hotel Don Rey Felipe.
Day 11
Taxi to airport for onward flight.
Horse Round Up Sample Itinerary:
Day 1
Clients arrive in Punta Arenas in Patagonia. Taxi from airport to Hotel Rey Don Felipe.
Meet ride leader in the hotel lobby at 7.30 p.m. to be escorted to the restaurant for a lovely dinner. Trip briefing and welcome dinner.
Day 2 Today we are going to be starting our drive across the wide open pampas and land belonging to some of the huge estancias in this area as we head towards the Torres del Paine National Park. After a short lunch stop in Puerto Natales, where clients can choose from a variety of restaurants and cafes, we will continue our drive north. The road takes us alongside the waters of Last Hope Sound with the bobbing heads of the black necked swans to our first estancia for the night. Estancia Tres Pasos, now a comfortable hosteria is situated at the head of a magical flower filled valley. A working estancia the wooden, chalet-style property consists of a number of estancia buildings, pretty gardens and lovely views down the valley. There will be a chance to unpack and relax a little before meeting our horses for an afternoon introductory ride in the vicinity of the estancia. Riders will get a chance to adjust to the style of riding and tack as we run through the paces and enjoy a relaxing afternoon’s ride. We will then return to the hotel for dinner in the lovely restaurant. Most of the food in this delightful family run establishment is home produced. Breakfast and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 3-4.
Day 3 Today after breakfast, riders will once again be saddling up for a full day’s ride. This time, we will be heading north west to the outpost town of Cerro Castillo. This is a beautiful open ride across grassy meadows and welcoming pampas. Riding towards the dramatic mountain range of Torres del Paine enables us to fully benefit from the incredible mountain and lake views. We will also have some opportunities for our first long canters on our responsive and comfortable horses. During late afternoon after a leisurely picnic lunch and an afternoon’s riding we will see the welcome site of Hosteria el Pionero come into view. Surrounded by the customary layer of trees, the villa has the look and feel of an English country home and was built by European settlers to Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century. Once home to one of the most important and influential estancieros in the region it offers comfortable accommodation and an excellent restaurant offering a variety of typical local foods and international cuisine. The fireside bar is an excellent place to enjoy a pisco sour whilst meeting your new friends and discussing the adventures to come. Comfortable en suite accommodation (some rooms with fireplaces). Dinner in the comfortable restaurant. All meals included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: 6-7.
Day 4 After a breakfast of home baked bread and cakes served in the bright dining room, we will be saddling up for the long ride north east towards Estancia Tercera Barranca. Today is also the first day of moving horses where we will enjoy a unique experience of working with the local Chilean horsemen (baqueanos) in moving horses north to a remote estancia close to the border with Argentina. This is a classic Patagonian ride with the soft, inviting pampas stretched out in front of us as we journey north towards the mountains of Torres del Paine and La Cumbre mountain range that makes up the natural barrier between Chile and Argentina. We will be crossing the land belonging to various local farmers making sure our charges do not wander off the trail. With luck we may be invited to join a local for tea or mate. After 5 or 6 hours riding with lunch taken in one of the many picnic spots en route, we will be riding onto the land belonging to Estancia Tercera Barranca. Our destination is the comfortable and cosy ranch house belonging to this working estancia where we will drive the horses into their coral before retiring to the authentic casa patronal with fabulous views of the Towers from its large west facing windows. Fire side living room/bar and traditional quincho (wooden dining room.
Day 5
After a filling and wholesome breakfast we will be going out to the coral to prepare for another day's adventure. Once again we will be saddling up and preparing between 40 and 60 horses to be moved to their winter grazing. With the help of the local cowboys (baqueanos), we will be driving them forward over golden pampas and steep walled valleys. Our journey north takes us across some glacial rivers on beautiful and remote mountain trails. Because of the speed of this ride, we should have the opportunity to change horses during the day. To the accompanying chorus of whistles and shouts from the local horsemen, we will be riding towards the beautiful and remote La Cumbre mountain range keeping an eye on the horses and rounding up strays and wanderers. A hard day's ride but what a privilege! Watching loose horses canter across valleys or splash through rivers with the dramatic mountains behind is an incredible and unforgettable experience. After our long day's ride and a job well done we will be returning to our comfortable accommodation at Estancia Tercera. Night Estancia Tercera. Hours in the saddle: 4-5. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks).
Day 6 Today we will be resting after our long riding days enjoying the comfort of the estancia. We can choose to relax in the comfortable living room in front of the fire with a good book or take a walk into the surrounding hills close to the estancia. Alternatively just sit and chat with the estancia staff or enjoy the peaceful garden with its magnificent views of the Towers and look out for resident skunks, guanacos, condors, armadillos or even pumas that sometimes pay a visit. Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Night Estancia Tercera. No riding today.
Day 7 Today we will be enjoying some beautiful trails which cross the heart of the Park. Known as the 'up and over' our trail cuts through some incredibly diverse scenery from verdant green valleys and beech forests to azure lakes and wide open plains. We will see magnificent condors hovering high above mountain peaks while down on the plains herds of guanaco scatter as we approach. We will be surprised at every turn of our path as we cross over 30 kilometres of this amazing Patagonia riding country dominated by the Paine Horns and Towers after which the park is named. Finally, after a truly memorable ride we will arrive at the emerald green, salmon stocked waters of the Serrano River. Night in comfortable cabins close to the river / Hotel Cabanas del Paine. Hours in the saddle: 7-8. All meals included (wine/drinks available at extra cost).
Day 8 Today we saddle up for the fast ride to Mirador de los Hielos (iceberg lookout). Our view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as we ride out along the Grey River towards the largest Glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. We will eventually arrive at a lookout with dramatic views of the iceberg choked waters of Grey Lake with the immense Grey Glacier in the distance (the largest glacier in the Park). After plenty of time to rest, take photos and enjoy our incredible lunch perch we will rejoin our rested horses and head back to our comfortable hotel Cabanas del Paine at the Serrano River.
*For clients who are interested, there is an optional excursion available which includes round trip transfers back to Grey Lake and a boat trip out across this iceberg-choked lake towards the face of this spectacular Glacier. Note the boat trip is weather reliant and the excursion with transfer costs US$180 (potential volume discounts on the transfer element of this excursion depending on final number of clients wishing to join).
Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner included (excluding wine/drinks). Hours in the saddle: approx 5 -6.
Day 9 Today after breakfast, we will once again be joining our horses and the baqueanos who have now become our friends for another beautiful ride. This time, we will be heading south east to the Mirador del Toro and the beautiful Laguna Verde. The day starts with our final ride across the fabulous wide open pampas before crossing the much photographed Puente Weber and riding towards the Sierra del Toro. After stopping to tighten girths and check our tack, we will make a steep ascent of this mountain climbing high above the national park and surrounding areas. Eventually we will arrive at the dramatic and often very windy lookout (Mirador del Toro) with its incredible far reaching views of the lakes, mountains and glaciers below.
After some time photographing and enjoying the beautiful views, we will continue on through southern beech forests passing a myriad of pristine lakes and valleys as we approach the land belonging to Estancia Lazo. Arriving at around lunchtime, we will meet our transfer vehicle here and head out on the pretty road that skirts Lago Sarmiento towards Puerto Natales and on to Punta Arenas. Tonight we will be staying in the Hotel Rey Don Felipe. Dinner will be at leisure in town. Breakfast, packed lunch included. Hours in the saddle: 4-5.
Day 10 After breakfast in the hotel, take a taxi to the airport or continue with onward travel. Breakfast only.
Please note: These itineraries are given for your guidance only and may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
NOTES - ESTANCIA RIDE PATAGONIA
This ride can still be confirmed in the unlikely event less than 4 are booked one month before departure for a supplement - see detailed pricing for smaller group rates.
In addition to this itinerary we can arrange a number of four day trip extensions which can be easily tagged on. They include hiking, kayaking, yoga/ multisport, whale watching and more... Please contact us for details.
The weight limit for this ride is 15st /210 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Estancia Ride: all accommodation based on twin share throughout; all riding; all transfers to and from Punta Arenas and whilst in park; all meals as per itinerary; English speaking and local guides; entrance fees to park and penguin colony.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights; airport transfers; some meals as per itinerary; drinks; local gratuities ($50 recommended). Wine, beer and spirits are available to buy at the estancias.
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Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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