Horse riding holidays in Chile are as diverse as the geography and geology of this unique country. Surely Chile has the most absurd shape of any country in the world! It is shaped like a string bean. It is long - very long - approximately 4329 km (2706 miles) stetching from the tropics almost to the Antarctic. Yet it is on average only 180 km (112 miles) wide and at it's narrowest only 15 km (9miles)! The Andes form the backbone of South America and they divide Chile to the west from Argentina to the east. Chile's vast length results in dramatic differences of climate from the hot, arid Atacama desert in the north, to cold, snowy Patagonia in the south with sunny seasides, vinyards, a Lake District and fjords sandwiched between them. However there is a common element linking every region of Chile - spectacular scenery and, outside the cosmopolitan cities, a vast wilderness for the free spirited to discover on a horse riding holiday.
Horse riding and Chile are linked from the day the conquistadores brought in the first horses and there is no better way to experience this than on a Unicorn horseback holiday. We offer holidays in several areas.
Remote and spectacular Patagonia covers approximately the lower third of Chile and it's here you'll find sublime, magical National Parks. Patagonia has towering mountains and calving icy glaciers that were formed long before humans came. Riding here you will you experience that 'edge of the world' feeling. It's beauty is indescribable. Beware though as its climate can be hostile. Our horse back holidays here are The Glacier Ride - a camping trail best suited to the more adventurous - or for riders wanting the luxury of a real bed and hot shower an Estancia Stay with long daily rides out.
Another geological wonder is the Atacama Desert. Our riding holiday here combines oases, geysers, mountains, and the driest desert in the world. The rock formations defy belief and a must-do is to climb high in Moon Valley to watch the sunset which then turns the Andes to the east an eirie deep peek. The area has lots of history with wonderful archeological sites to visits and Inca forts to explore. To discover the Atacama on horseback is such a privilege.
Just south of central Chile lies the Lake District. Again an area of stunning beauty. Here you will find pristine deep blue lakes, glacier-tipped volcanoes, lava tubes, the ubiquitous monkey puzzle tree, lake-side beaches and a full range of outdoor sports activities. The weather here is less extreme. We have a horse back holiday that starts in Argentina and crosses over the Andes into this area.
Chile's capital Santiago is situated north of the centre of the country. Even here you will find natural beauty as the city is sandwiched between the Andes to the east and a smaller coastal mountain range to the west. Starting here we can offer you the horse riding holiday of a lifetime crossing from Chile to Argentina across the immense Andes. This historic route crosses the exact same spot San Martín crossed in 1817 to free the people of Chile. The wilderness is flanked by the highest mountains in America, the Aconcagua (20 900ft.) and the Mercedario (20 700 ft.). These are uninhabited places, accesible only on horseback, where huge herds of guanacos roam and the Andean condors nest.
Don't forget after your riding exertions you may like to explore some of these areas further,or perhaps relax on the beach in Chile's best seaside town of Valpraiso or even take a tour to Easter Island. We have plenty of suggestions for you.
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