Multi-sport | Horseback riding | Sea Kayaking | Skiing | Trekking |
Suggested itinerary:
Horseback-riding Patagonia 7 days
Day 1 Travel to Puerto Natales
Arrive Punta Arenas, early morning flight from Santiago. Transfer (256km/160 miles/ 3hrs) to Puerto Natales in domestic bus with box-lunch en route. Overnight sharing Hotel Francis Drake or similar(L-);
Day 2 To Paine National Park
Private transfer (246 km/153 miles) to Paine National Park stopping at Cueva del Milodón for a short sight. Drive across the park with excellent views and frequent spotting of guanaco herds aside the road. Arrive in the park headquarters (La Administración) and gain a general insight of the park´s geographical features. Later, we meet the "baqueanos" (local horsemen who specializes in running cattle herds) and start riding the Esmeralda Circuit (4-5hrs). This stretch which is very little known features many attractions including: wetlands or turbas, unique Canelo and Cypress forests, lookout over river Serrano and a splendid view over the Paine massif. This will be an excellent chance to warm up, to get accustom to the local saddles, to canter and to gain an impression of everyone riding skills. Once back at the starting point we board the vehicle onwards Pudeto and sail lake Pehoé reaching our overnight camp. (B, L-, D)
* If the group is experienced and physically fit we can ride 2more hours, over rather flat and grassy terrain, to our camp instead of travelling by vehicle and boat. This has to be planned ahead *
Day 3 In Paine National Park (Valle Francés
Today the ride will go over 8 kms (2,5-3,0hrs) to Camp Italiano where we cross a wild river and enter a beautiful Lenga forest where the horses are left for resting. Hereafter we hike (2hrs round trip) following the river upstream until reaching Mirador Francés at a magnificent setting surrounded by high peaks on all sides. Especially spectacular are the Cuernos del Paine. Once we are back at Camp Italiano we mount the horses again and ride back to Camp. Dinner and camping at Pehoe. (B,L-,D)
Day 4 In Paine National Park (Glaciar Grey and Salto Grande
In the morning, we ride 3 hrs over the ism that divides lakes Nordenskjold and Pehoe until reaching the spectacular waterfalls of Salto Grande. After circling the peninsula we catch the trail back to Camp Pehoé where we enjoy lunch. During the evening we take a short ride northwards by lake Grey until reaching Mirador Grey (6km, 2-3hrs round trip). At this point we gain a distant view over the glacier and spend some time observing giant icebergs drifting across the waters. Return to camp Pehoé to overnight in the camp (B,L-,D);
Day 5 In Paine National Park (Estancia Torres)
First thing in the morning we board the catamaran that navigates lake Pehoe until Pudeto(30min). From here we board a vehicle that drive us south some 10km to paso La Feria where the horses await for us. From this point we start riding the longest stretch of the trip and the less visited of all (25km aprox). The trail features a constant broad view over the Paine massif with frequent spotting of condors and Puma tracks. The Puma (Chilean cougar) hides ashore of lake Sarmiento where shelters are normally carved in the calcium-carbonate soil that surrounds the lake. The ride ends at the vehicle road from where we are picked up and driven into Estancia Torres where we enjoy dinner and overnight in Camp (B,L-,D);
Day 6 In Paine National Park (Valle Ascencio)
Today the trail takes us towards the foot of the impressive granite massif of El Paine. From here we admire the most typical view of the Paine Towers (weather permitting).
The Torres del Paine (2.900 m) stand just north of the Cuernos peaks and consist of three gigantic granite monoliths, remains of a great cirque that has been sheared away by the forces of glacial ice. Horses will take us up to a certain point and from there we shall hike up to reach this lookout point. Ride down to the camp at Las Torres for dinner and overnight (B,L-,D);
Day 7 Travel to Punta Arenas
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