Chilean Patagonia Trails

Introduction
Patagonia / Torres del Paine Chile
Ride across the beautiful wilderness of the Chilean Patagonia!

This riding adventure lets you explore some of the most remote corners of Patagonia so that you can feel close to nature. During this tour, you will also learn more about the gaucho lifestyle and go on a beautiful boat excursion to see the Grey Glacier!

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
Accommodations include a mix of authentic estancias as well as comfortable and modern hotels.

10-day Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Baguales Glamping
Night 3 & 4: Estancia Cerro Guido
Night 5 & 6: Rio Serrano Hotel
Night 7: Hotel in Puerto Natales
Nights 8 & 9: La Barrosa

7-day Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Baguales Glamping
Night 3: Estancia Las Chinas
Night 4: Cabanas Laguna Azul
Night 5 & 6: Pampa Lodge


Baguales Glamping
You are accommodated in private domes with ensuite bathroom and central heating. The rooms are simple but comfortable and offer great views on the surrounding landscape.


Estancia Cerro Guido
On the slopes of Cerro Guido, you are accommodated in houses built by the pioneers in 1920. Here, you can truly disconnect and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes as well as the garden and orchard. Enjoy a tea, card game or a good book in one of the three cozy living rooms, where you can also find interesting information about Patagonia, its history and nature.
Each of the 12 rooms feature an English style décor. They have central heating, private bathroom, hairdryer, a safe, Wi-Fi connection and views of our gardens.


Cabanas Laguna Azul
You spend the night in a lovely cabin with private bedrooms.

Rio Serrano Hotel
This modern hotel offers cozy bedrooms with a view of the surrounding mountains. Each room features a phone, a safe and private facilities. Wi-Fi is available at this property.
Guests can also decide to go for a swim in the indoor pool.

Estancia Las Chinas
You spend the night in a cosy guest house recently converted from an old ranch house. The rooms have 2-4 bunk beds and shared bathrooms with hot water. There is also a small fireplace.


Pampa Lodge
This rural hotel puts great attention to details concerning the environment. The rooms are simply decorated and feature as much natural material as possible. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, heating and free Wi-Fi access.

Single Supplement
Solo travelers must pay a single supplement fee.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.

A beer or soft drink is included with your lunch.
At dinner, some wine is also included.


Dietary Restrictions
Special diets can be catered for on our trips with prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Horses
The horses are all Criollo Crosses, which vary in size with the majority being around 165cm tall. They are strong, fit, and sure-footed.

Tack
The tack is Chilean and comfortable and comprises metal framed saddles onto which are layered felt, sheepskin and leather. Rope, rawhide and leather form the bridles.

Riding Experience
Riders must be physically fit and capable of enduring long hours in the saddle. You should be comfortable riding at a trot and canter for extended periods of time.

Safety
The guides may give you specific instructions for dealing with horses and the environment and you must always follow their guidance. The guides retain the right to deny you the opportunity to ride or be around the horses if they feel it is unsafe or that you have misrepresented your horse riding ability. The guide does not owe you any compensation in this situation as you are responsible for sharing accurate information about the rider’s fitness and ability when booking so that the operator is able to accurately assess that the trip is appropriate for each rider.

Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you have or arrange adequate insurance cover for personal liability, medical and holiday cancellation. When obtaining travel insurance, you must ensure that the insurer is aware of the type and destination of travel and any activities which you plan to undertake. Horse riding holidays can be considered high risk and may not be included in the standard terms of your current travel insurance. Please ensure that you are fully covered, in particular with regard to the maximum cancellation amount, and that you provide details of your insurer and policy number for our records.
If you do not arrange the aforementioned cover, we may refuse your booking or cancel your holiday. In any event, we will not be held responsible for any expenses, loss or damage you incur as a result of your failure to comply with this clause or the requirements of your travel insurance policy. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs.

Itinerary

Please note that the program can be modified by the lead guide due to force majeure, weather or logistics. This ensures maximum safety and comfort for all clients. The guides always take into account the best interests of the whole group and do everything in their power to ensure that all clients have a unique experience. The guide’s decision is final. The success of this tour depends on the collaboration of all riders.

Sample Itinerary: 7-day program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
The program starts with a 130-kilometer transfer from Puerto Natales to the Sierra Baguales. From here, we'll do another 30-minutes UTV drive to get to our comfortable domes. You can finally immerse yourselves in the rugged beauty of Patagonia. We will prepare our luggage for the forthcoming adventure.
A warm and gracious welcome awaits, with a dinner prepared by a Chilean chef and complemented by some Chilean wines, all served by the comforting glow of a fireplace.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Baguales Glamping 

Day 2: Sierra Baguales Ride
Today, we will have our initial encounter with the horses. Your guide and gaucho, will assign a horse to each guest. The primary objective of the first day is to facilitate acclimatization, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.
We will ride through picturesque rolling hills adorned with lush green grass. Our destination will be an old Puesto, where we will stop for lunch. Finally, we will return to the domes for dinner and spend another night there.
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Baguales Glamping 

Day 3: Ride to Estancia Las Chinas
Once we've fueled up with a hearty breakfast, we'll embark on an epic journey to the awe-inspiring Las Chinas. As we venture forth, the signs of civilization will fade away, and the untamed essence of Sierra Baguales and Patagonia will reveal itself in all its glory.
Get ready to encounter some fascinating fauna, from curious foxes to graceful guanacos, bustling beavers, and a delightful array of bird species. And who knows, if the stars align, we might even catch a glimpse of those elusive pumas later in our expedition!
The trail will lead us downhill, offering mesmerizing views of the renowned Torres del Paine on the horizon. The excitement won't end there, as we'll eventually arrive at our cozy Estancia, where we'll spend the night, sharing stories of our thrilling day amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia.
Riding approx. 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Estancia Las Chinas

Day 4: Laguna Azul Ride 
Get ready for an exhilarating full-day horseback ride to Laguna Azul, with a delightful lunchbox to keep us energized along the way. On the way, we might even catch a glimpse of some untamed wild horses!
As the sun sets, we'll treat ourselves to a true Patagonian delight: a mouth-watering asado decordero, where succulent lamb will be barbecued to perfection over the fire. Your taste buds are in for a treat! We'll also get to savor the famous Patagonian drink called "pisco sour" – it's an absolute must-try!
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cabanas Laguna Azul

Day 5: Riding from Laguna Azul to Rio Serrano
Today's the day we conquer the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park! Get ready for a thrilling 9-hour horse riding, covering about 50 kilometers of pure adventure.
Ride from Laguna Azul to Rio Serrano, soaking in the breathtaking sights along the way – think crystal-clear lagoons nestled amidst lush forests and majestic mountains, all topped off with views of glaciers!
We'll continue to revel in the natural splendor of one of the most beautiful national parks in Patagonia! Once we bid farewell to our trusty steeds in a cozy paddock, we'll catch a ride to Pampa Lodge where we'll spend the next two nights.
Tonight, we go on a 15-minute walk to reach a delightful dining spot.
Riding approx. 9 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pampa Lodge

Day 6: Ride to Lago Grey & Boat Ride
After riding from Rio Serrano to Lago Grey (4 hours) we untack the horse and say a final goodbye to our beautiful and brave horses. Then, we’ll have the opportunity to embark on a boat to Grey Glacier (3 hours) to admire the Glacier from the Southern Patagonia ice field and taste some calafate/pisco sour.
Our picnic location will depend on our arrival time. We will enjoy a scenic 45 minutes hike to get to the boat. Then, transfer back to Pampa Lodge for the last night of the trip.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Pampa Lodge

Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the Airport.
Breakfast included



Sample Itinerary: 10-day program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Transfer (approximately 2 hours) from Puerto Natales airport to Estancia Cerro Guido, where you will learn more about the gaucho lifestyle. Then, transfer to your accommodation, in the Sierra Baguales, a place surrounded by rolling hills and towering mountains located in the Northern side of Torres del Paine, right next to the border with Argentina.
A Calafate sour, (typical Patagonian drink) will be waiting for us at our arrival. 
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Baguales Glamping 

Day 2: Sierra Baguales Ride
After breakfast, we go on our first ride in Sierra Baguales, exploring the untamed, breathtaking landscape. We will stop for lunch in an old Puesto, a place where the gauchos (Patagonian cowboys) live.
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Baguales Glamping 

Day 3: Ride to Estancia Cerro Guido
Today, we ride to Estancia Cerro Guido. We take our lunch and enjoy a siesta in an authentic working estancia, close to the famous Torres del Paine National Park.
Riding approx. 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Estancia Cerro Guido 

Day 4: Waterfall Ride 
This morning, we ride to the waterfall Salto Las Chinas, where we will have lunch before heading to Laguna Azul. On the way to our accommodation, we will cross the Rio Las Chinas.
Tonight, we enjoy a typical Asado de cordero (lamb barbecue).
Riding approx. 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Estancia Cerro Guido 

Day 5: Riding from Laguna Azul to Rio Serrano
This is one of our longest day! We ride from Laguna Azul to Rio Serrano, covering about 50km passing along the Lago Sarmiento. After leaving our horses in a paddock, we are transferred to a hotel for dinner and overnight.
Riding approx. 9 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Rio Serrano Hotel

Day 6: Ride to Lago Grey & Boat Ride
Our destination for the day is Lago Grey where we’ll have the opportunity to take a boat to Grey Glacier (3 hours) to admire the ice field. We will also enjoy a scenic 45 minute hike to get to the boat.
After our boat excursion, transfer back to the hotel.
Riding approx. 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Rio Serrano Hotel

Day 7: Puerto Natales
This morning, we are transferred to Puerto Natales. After checking into our hotel, we have some free time to go shopping and discover this little town.
The most adventurous can choose to go on a stand up paddle tour (extra fee).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hotel

Day 8: Pampa Ride
We go by boat to Estancia La Peninsula. After some coffee we go for a ride! We will be riding through the native forests and the pampa, chasing amazing views and riding along beaches.
We will spend the night at a nice house in the middle of nowhere.
Riding approx. hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at La Barrosa 

Day 9: Nature & History Ride
We spend the entire day riding and exploring. We will also have the opportunity to explore some fascinating archaeological sites.
Riding approx. hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at La Barrosa 

Day 10: Departure
We ride back to Estancia La Peninsula where the boat is waiting for us to go back to Puerto Natales.
Then, transfer to the Airport.
Breakfast included

Rates and Dates for Chilean Patagonia Trails

Dates Note: These tours need to be booked at least 3 months in advance

Other Info
Meeting: Sierra Baguales
Airport: Puerto Natales
Transfer: Puerto Natales Airport

Climate:
                                        Puerto Natales area

• Footwear: Two pairs of shoes are ideal. Waterproof leather boots or trekking shoes are essential for both riding and walking. For evening relaxation, lightweight sneakers are perfect.
• Thermal underwear (tops and leggings) in two sets. Avoid cotton as it absorbs moisture and takes longer to dry.
• Waterproof/lightweight
• Trekking trousers for ease of movement.
• A waterproof/windproof hooded jacket to shield against the elements.
• Additional warm layers, like soft-shell or fleece jackets, are advised. Lightweight jackets for camping are ideal.
• Don't forget at least two pairs of gloves, preferably waterproof, and a warm cap for chilly moments.
• Ensure your safety with a riding helmet and protect your eyes with sunglasses.
• A thermal neck scarf (Buff) for added comfort.
• A headlamp to navigate in low-light situations.
• Carry cosmetics, including sunblock and wet tissues, to stay fresh.
• Use nylon or waterproof bags to secure your personal items from moisture.
• Keep yourself hydrated with a small thermos (0.5L – 1L) or water flask for personal use.