Experience the wondrous land of Patagonia, Chile! You will travel with your expert, gaucho guide, through little known forests, valleys and mountains that surround the Torres del Paine National Park. This trip is the perfect combination of wilderness camping and estancia stay, allowing riders to go deeper into areas known only by gauchos and landowners Canter across windswept pampas, watch the incredible condor soar overhead, and marvel at the untamed beauty that lies at the ends of the earth. Each day, after an exhilarating horse ride, relax by the fire at a working estancia, beautifully converted to attend to guests. Become educated on the natural and political history of the area, as well as its interesting  myths and legends as your guides relate the stories that unfolded here long ago.

ITINERARY

Day 1:
After a great rest in Puerto Natales, your transfer vehicle will meet you in the morning at your hotel, to begin the first day of riding. The adventure begins on the road curving north out of the city, on which we will travel for approximately 30 minutes, to reach a private secluded estancia called Laguna Sofía. The estancia is nestled back into a valley, on the banks of Lake Sofia. The lake is situated between mountains on three sides, and you may occasionally spot the intrepid fisherman, wading deep into the waters. The lodge is located on a quiet corner of the lake, at the base of a small waterfall. The guest accommodations are in the main house, which has been recently renovated in beautiful country style. After checking in, and organizing your belongings, it will be time to meet the horses and your guide for a ride around the estancia. The estancia has several hundred cows, which need constant maintenance and herding. This will be a good opportunity to test your skills as a gaucho, or throw a few lassos. At the end of the day, you will enjoy the delicacies prepared by the local chef, while dining beside the tumbling waterfall, seen from the dining room. 


Day 2:
You will head straight to the corrals, after an early breakfast of sweet breads, cheeses, hot and cold cereals and tea and coffee. After your guide fits you to your horse, we will load the saddlebags with much needed cameras and your personal items, before setting out to the Milodón Cave. You will need to prepare your clothes and personal items, for the first night of camping, and remember to pack light! You may pack your necessities in your large saddle bag, while your guide prepares the pack horse with the heavier items. Then, mount up and ride around the side of the lake, and up the forested mountainside, overlooking Laguna Sofía. The trail is fairly technical, but your
surefooted Criollo will have no trouble choosing the best places to tread. Once you reach the top of the hillside, you will be overlooking the Torres del Paine National Park, and the grand Siñoret grassland. From the place where your horse stands, all the way to the horizon, was once a massive estancia, reaching over 1 million acres! Now, the area has been split into estancias ranging from 16,000 to 500,000 acres. The ride will continue, across the grassland, until you reach the Siñoret puesto. A puesto is a small house, usually inhabited by a ranch worker, during certain seasons of the year. Puestos are situated about 3 or more hours riding distance from the main house, where the herdsman may maintain the animals and fences on that side of the estancia. Puesto living may seem solitary, but it is a life full of satisfaction in simple things such as caring for animals and being almost completely self reliant. You will enjoy the remoteness and simplicity of the puesto, and the spectacular views from high atop the mountain. Sit around the antique wood burning stove and sip máte, sharing stories with the group, before preparing the campsite and evening meal.

Day 3:
Arise early this morning to enjoy the crackle of the wood burning stove in the puesto, and sip coffee or máte. After breakfast, and breaking down the camp, we will once again load the pack horse and saddle bags for a beautiful backcountry ride. You now must descend Cerro Campana, passing through deep forests, and a special place called ¨The Window¨, which is a natural opening in the rocks, creating a beautiful window out to the green valley below and the adjacent mountain ranges. Once off of the mountain, we will ride through lush pastures, crossing herds of horses and cattle. Your guide will lead you carefully through the valley,
as occasionally a stallion will appear and try to sweep away the mares! Have no fear; your expert guide will be able to chase the stallion away. Between trots and gallops, we may need to cross deep, clear streams that carve their way through the grasses. Finally we will reach our campsite at Rio Tres Pasos. This is a place of three forks, which in decades past, was a meeting point for gauchos and travelers who
were traveling in three different directions. Much different from the previous night´s camp, Three Forks is a beautiful riverside camp, in an open, green valley. We´ll set up the tents and enjoy a delicious, hand prepared meal while sitting around an open fire (winds permitting).

Day 4:
Pack up camp once more, after a hearty breakfast, and prepare for a beautiful riverside ride. Today we will pick up the pace, as we trot and canter along
the winding Las Chinas River. The River has its ‘origins high in the Wild Mountains (Sierra Baguales) which divide Chile and Argentina to our East.
You may set the pace on this day, as there are plenty of flat, grassy areas to trot and gallop. We will most probably cross paths with other gauchos,
traveling along the river, perhaps to their puesto, or herding animals to a fresh pasture.
Finally, the river takes us to Estancia Dos Elianas, which is an 8,000 hectare (16,000 acre) working sheep ranch, in the Torres del Paine Region. In recent
years, the estancia has developed an agro tourism program, demonstrating the joys and hardships of ranch life, to visitors from all over the world.
We will feel welcomed as we ride directly to the stables to untack our horses and give them well-deserved grain. The owners of the estancia Christian and Lorena will help to make you comfortable in the estancia´s main house, before preparing an exquisite, Chilean meal. You may choose to wander through the large barns and paddocks, or relax in the wonderful quincho (barbeque/ dining room), investigating the
photos, and artisan tack that decorate the walls.

Day 5:
Say goodbye to the horses this morning, after a great breakfast, and load into a private vehicle, for a full day exploring the Torres del Paine National Park. Photo opportunities abound as you travel through the gorgeous, world famous Park and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The Park is dotted with hundreds of lakes, each with its ‘own unique color. Above, the incredible mountain range unfolds before us, as each curve in the road reveals a new perspective on the hanging glaciers, granite monoliths, snaking rivers, and glacial valleys. We will stop at the parks
Administration Center, to read about the interesting formation of the mountain range, before crossing a long, flat pampa to reach Glacier Grey. To get a better glimpse of the glacier, you will cross a swinging bridge to reach the long, black sand beach that lies at the base of Grey Lake. Marvel at the icebergs that rest on the shore, and peer across the milky water, to the massive ice face at the end of the lake. If you so wish, you make take a boat ride to the face of the glacier, with advance reservation. After lunch, you will take the winding, forested drive back to Puerto Natales. On the way, you will pass the Milodón Cave, and will be able to see the Sierra Contreras that we crossed on horseback! Once back in Puerto Natales, you will enjoy relaxing in your hotel before heading out to explore the city. There are a variety of great restaurants, fresh seafood, and locally brewed beer.

Day 6:
Transfer to the Punta Arenas Airport

DETAILS:
Dates:  January 16-20, February 6-10, February 20-24, March 5-9, March 19-23, April 9-13, April 23-27, May 7-11, October 8-12, October 22-26, November 5-9, November 19-23, December 3-7, December 17-21
Airport: Punta Arenas
Meeting Place: Puerto Natales
Riding days: 4
Daily Riding Hours: 6
Riding ability: Advanced, navigate steep hillsides and rivers, jump across small banks
Group size: 2-12
Horses: Criollo
Saddles: Chilean with sheepskin covers
Hotel/s: Camping, Estancia. Hotel upgrade possible
Non-riding activities: hiking, fishing, bird watching
Price: $1,775 per person. Add $195 for 2 rider group. Upgrade to hotel room: $95 per person, per night
**$140 Entrance visa for U.S. Citizens required at first airport of landing

Includes: 5 nights’ lodging, all meals, horse, guide, park entrance fees.
Not included: airfare, transfer to and from airport, (Bus -$35 p.p round trip, taxi – $200 per car roundtrip). lodging in Puerto Natales on the evening before Day 1, alcoholic beverages.