Day by day:
Description below is an example of the program. The itinerary can be different during your travel week. We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location, accommodation and difficulty of terrain. In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding. This is a sporty and adventurous vacation!
Day 1 : Pick up Puerto Natales, transfer to Hotel. Night in Puerto Natales.
Arrival in Puerto Natales - Hotel Vendaval or similar (briefing).
Located north of the Magellan region and located between the Pacific Ocean and Argentine territory, Puerto Natales has a wonderful geography of uneven reliefs, valleys, fjords, archipelagos and the mysterious white of the ice fields. Its irregular climatic conditions allow tourist activities that are enhanced by incredible architecture and natural landscapes. This day, all participants will be picked up by private transportation from the Puerto Natales airport and taken to the hotel located in the same city. At 7:00 p.m., your guide will meet you at the hotel to offer you an informative talk about the trip. During this session, the considerations, recommendations and precautions necessary to carry out the activity safely will be addressed. After the briefing, the guide will be happy to take you out for dinner. (dinner not included)
Day 2 : Puerto Natales - Estancia El Lazo (full board)
After an early breakfast at your hotel in Puerto Natales, a private van will pick you up at 7 am to take you to the first overnight location during this expedition: the livestock ranch El Lazo located 110 km from Puerto Natales. The natural beauty of Estancia Lazo leaves its visitors breathless. A few meters away, the majestic peaks of Torres del Paine rise above the horizon, creating an unforgettable setting. We will arrive at approximately 09:00 AM, where we will organize the distribution of the horses, give you your saddlebags and lunchbox for the day. Ready for the riding adventure at 10:00 AM, we will ride the horses from the center of the ranch, from where we will enter through the Lenga forests. During the horseback excursion, you will be able to appreciate the rich biodiversity of the region, spot fauna such as foxes, hares, guanacos, among others, and who knows a Puma if you are lucky. You can also observe birds such as the Magellanic woodpecker and enjoy the serenity and tranquility that only this part of Patagonia can offer. (6 to 8 hours in the saddle)
Night in tents at camp of the El Lazo ranch (sleeping bags & mattresses included).
Day 3 : Estancia El Lasso– Weber – Rio Serrano (full board)
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will get ready to embark on the journey between hills, mountains and canyons. We will organize our luggage in the van that will take all our stuff to our overnight place. We will take only what is necessary for approximately a 6 to 8 hours ride.. The pace of this day will be slower, as we will follow a descending mountain path. During the journey, we will pass through several small lagoons before reaching our final destination: the corrals of the Torres del Paine National Park administration. There, the herd will spend the night, while you will be picked up by our private van that will take you to your accommodation in Río Serrano, about 15 minutes away. Our accommodation will consist of cabins that recreate the authenticity of the lodges, designed to be shared by 2 people in single beds. (6 to 8 hours in the saddle).
Night in cabins at Rio Serrano.
Day 4 : Rio Serrano - the Carretas trail - Mirador Pehoé – Rio Serrano (full board)
(optional half day ride + navigation to the front of the wall glacier Grey) (B-BL-D)
This morning we will meet in the dining room next to the Serrano River to coordinate the details of the day in the saddle. A large expanse of pampas marks the beginning of our journey to the Lago Pehoé viewpoint and panoramic view of the Paine Massif, giving us the opportunity to gallop. Once we reach the Gray River, we will start on a narrow trail with incredible views of the mountains. We will make a stop at the Pehoé Lake viewpoint to enjoy its famous turquoise waters for a moment. We will return riding the same trail and re-energize ourselves with a sunset gallop through the pampas before returning to our accommodation, where we will share a delicious dinner and a good Chilean wine. (6 hours in the saddle)
Night in cabins at Rio Serrano
We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location and difficulty of terrain In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding. This is a sporty and adventurous vacation!
Day 5 : Serrano River - Estancia Tercera Barranca (full board)
This morning, after breakfast, we will meet to discuss the long and challenging day ahead. We must take all necessary precautions, since this will be the longest and most dangerous section of our trip. We will head all the way to Tercera Barranca. This day will be particularly arduous, lasting approximately 12 hours in the saddle! At the beginning of our ride, you will be captivated by the stunning views of the imposing Paine River. After crossing the Weber Bridge, we will continue along the "Laguna Amarga" trail, crossing various rivers and the typical Patagonian pampas. At all times, we will have the majestic view of the Paine Massif in front of us, giving us numerous opportunities, weather permitting, to capture magnificent photographs in this unique setting in the world. It will be a truly unique and challenging experience, requiring considerable effort. Our stopping point will be at the Nordenskjöld viewpoint, where, depending on the weather, we can stop to regain strength. However, if someone does not feel capable of completing this exhausting day, they will have the option of descending and taking the van to reach the final destination: Estancia Tercera Barranca, which offers a dazzling view of the peaks of Las Torres. (12 hours in the saddle). Night at Estancia Tercera Barranca.
Day 6 : Estancia Tercera Barranca - Salto las Chinas – Estancia Tercera Barranca (full board)
At the corrals, our faithful horses will eagerly wait for us this morning. We will begin our journey by riding on the grounds of the estancia/ranch next to the Las Chinas River until we reach the majestic waterfall known as Salto las Chinas. During the ride, in addition to delighting in the exuberant local flora and fauna, we will enjoy the impressive views of the Blue Lagoon and contemplate the Torres del Paine from various angles, appreciating its imposing faces from the northeast to the north. With this ride, we will relive the legendary journey of Lady Florence Dixie. The ride today will have us approximately 6 hours in the saddle. Upon returning from this exciting adventure, we will relax at the comfortable rooms of the estancia, taking the opportunity to rest and recharge our batteries before completing our last riding expedition tomorrow. (6 hours in the saddle). Night at Estancia Tercera Barranca.
Day 7 : Estancia Tercera Barranca – Estancia El Lazo – Puerto Natales (full board).
Today we leave from Estancia Tercera Barranca heading south, crossing the valley. During the first hours, we will ride through the Patagonian pampa, enjoying its vast plains. Then, we will reach the limit of the Torres del Paine National Park, where we will begin to border the picturesque Sarmiento Lake, recognized for its turquoise waters and the calcium carbonate formations on its shores, called thrombolites. After approximately 5-6 hours of riding, alternating between walking, trotting and galloping, we will reach the exciting end of this formidable adventure. At this point, you will have two options to dismount your horse: the first at a location several kms before the estancia, this in case you need al rest a bit sooner, or directly at the estancia itself. We will have a drink and a toast before we step into the private van for our transfer back to Puerto Natales. (5 to 6 hours in the saddle). Night at a hotel in Puerto Natales.
Day 8 : Puerto Natales – End of the trip.(breakfast)
After breakfast we say goodbye to our travel companions and guides. Transfer from the hotel in Puerto Natales to the Airport of Puerto Natales. There is one groups transfer only to the airport. In case you want to leave later you van take a taxi or uber. It is only a 10min drive.
End of the trip.
A Little bit of history
When navigator explorer Magellan in 1520 sailed as the first European along the coast of southern Argentina and Chile and went ashore, he and his crew discovered huge "Patones" or footprints on the beach. Moments later they saw real giants; 2 meter tall Indians! These were indeed giants in comparison with the then small Spaniards (average 1,55m). Patones which means big feet, immediately became the name for the region. Later it was given the name Patagonia or "land of big feet.
Staying longer in Chile after the trail ride:
Talk to us to see how you could extend your holiday.
