Estancias of Patagonia by Horseback Trip Highlights

  • Visit cute burrowing penguins at the Otway Sound Penguin Colony
  • Enjoy great pisco sours and fireside dining at the very comfortable Estancia Lazo
  • Ride on top of the world in the Sierra del Toro for awesome views of the park below
  • Canter your heart out across seemingly never-ending pampas and grassy valleys
  • Witness some of the best sunrises in the Park from the hote Cabanas del Paine at the Serrano River
  • Take a glimpse at authentic estancia life and ‘home stay’ accommodation at estancias Tercera Barranca and Tres Pasos
  • Enjoy a traditional mate tea with your host baqueanos
  • Marvel at the miracles of nature as you stand in front of Grey Lake with the huge wall of ice that is Glacier Grey
  • Enjoy an optional boat ride of to the face of this immense towering glacier
  • Visit the beautiful turquoise waters of Laguna Azul with stunning views to the Towers Mountains
  • Enjoy a slice of history in the colonial estancia house of the Hosteria el Pionero
  • Feast on local salmon and organic lamb while enjoying the local hospitality and warmth of the Chilean people
  • Ride up to a remote and rarely visited vega or pasture to attempt to spot herds of wild criollo horses

Itinerary Overview

The rugged natural beauty of the Patagonian landscape goes beyond words and expectations. Granite towers thrust some 6,000 feet from the expansive plains dotted with glacially formed turquoise lakes. Southern beech forests dot the land while enormous glaciers continue carving the landscape. This pristine beauty comes to its height in Chile’s Torres (Towers) Del Paine National Park, which contains vast networks of trails to access thousands of acres of wilderness and wildlife. Some say it is like Yosemite and the Grand Tetons rolled into one.

Torres Del Paine has long been home to large estancias and the culture of the gaucho – world-renowned horsemen. On this trip for experienced riders only you will gain an intimate window into this culture while enjoying thrilling rides in an area of unparalleled beauty.

Patagonia Estancias

DAY 1  Punta Arenas

Welcome dinner and trip briefing in Punta Arenas.

DAY 2 Torres Del Paine

After heading north to Puerto Natales and relaxing at theestancia (ranch house), meet your sturdy Chilean Criollo horses and set out for a ride in the most beautiful of Patagonian settings.

DAY 3 Cerro Castillo

Ride across grassy meadows towards the dramatic Torres Del Paine Mountains. Canter your heart out, enjoy a lakeside picnic and marvel at the views while riding responsive horses to yourestancia and a dinner of fresh, local fare.

DAY 4  La Cumbre

Ride over wide-open terrain towards the Torres. Stop in at a local farmer’s home for mate tea before arriving to the ranch house at Estancia Tercera Barranca.

DAY 5 Laguna Stokes

Ride to a natural pasture where wild criollo horses are often seen grazing. Continue through forests and lakes before returning to the estancia.

DAY 6 Paine Massif – Serrano River

Ride towards the heart of the park on a rarely trodden path. Pass turquoise lakes with granite peaks at their back and arrive to your cozy lodge alongside Rio Serrano as the sun sets.

DAY 7 Grey Glacier

Ride along the river to the massive Grey Glacier. Take photos by the glacier and iceberg-dotted lake. *Optional boat ride to the glacier’s face.

DAY 8 Sierra del Toro – Laguna Verde

Ride through more open pampas before ascending the mountains for magnificent views of the lakes, mountains and glaciers below.

DAY 9 Sierra del Toro

Cross the Sierra Del Toro, ride through the forest and have lunch at a gaucho (cowboy) outpost.

DAY 10 Puerto Natales – Punta Arenas

Visit a penguin colony, stop in town for souvenirs and head to Punta Arenas.

DAY 11 Departure

Depart from Punta Arenas.

Is It For Me?

For experienced riders, this trip combines challenging, exciting riding on responsive, fit horses with the opportunity to experience the life of Patagonia’s unique estancia and gaucho

Knowmad has vast knowledge and operations in Chile; this is a private trip and we are happy to modify excursions, accommodations, and the flow of the itinerary to perfectly suit your travel style and interests.

Have questions? Talk to an expert: 612-315-2894

Important Info

Estancia in Chile

COSTS

Listed prices are approximations. All Knowmad trips are custom and exact pricing is provided in your trip proposal.

  • From $7,145 per person

Additionally, internal airfare is not included in the trip price. If you would like Knowmad Adventures to book your internal airfare (Santiago/Punta Arenas, Punta Arenas/ Santiago). Fares range between $200 and $400 USD. If arranging domestic airfare independently, please consult us prior so we can verify the departure and arrival times.

  • $880 single supplement – if you request single accommodations you are required to pay the single supplement. If you are a single traveler and would like to be paired with a traveler of the same gender, Knowmad Adventures will try to accommodate this and, if we are able, will refund the single supplement following the trip.

TYPE Flexible Date Private Departures & Fixed Date Group Departures

VIGOROUS TRIP Intermediate to advanced riders only. Activities include horseback riding, wildlife viewing and cultural opportunities. *Optional boat trip to glacier.

DEPARTURES Flexible Date Private Trips: Oct – AprilFixed Date Group Trips: 2010 – Nov 1, Nov 23, Dec 7, Dec 23; 2011 – Jan 29, Feb 24, Mar 29

LENGTH 11 days               BEGIN / END Punta Arenas, Chile

Air Travel

INTERNATIONAL Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. You may arrange your international airfare independently, or we are happy to offer our feedback and assistance in helping you book it.

REGIONAL If booked by Knowmad Adventures, internal airfare for this trip (Santiago/Punta Arenas & Punta Arenas/Santiago) averages $300, however this is an approximation and the airfare is subject to change upon booking. If you would like to arrange your own regional flights, please consult us prior so we can verify the departure and arrival times.

What's Next?

Ready for the trip of a lifetime? Signing up is easy. Call us at 612-315-2894 or email travel@knowmadadventures.com and reserve your spot. Or simply download our registration form, fill it out, and send it back to us along with your trip deposit. Please refer to registration form for terms & conditions.

Weather & When to Go to Chile

Please note that some of the activities are weather dependent. Patagonian weather is unpredictable. Expect sunshine as well as some rainy, windy South Atlantic weather.

Prior to your departure, you are provided a detailed pre-trip information packet including a recommended pack list, information about the regions you’ll be visiting, suggested readings, up-to-date health information including any recommended vaccinations and more.

Accommodations

Our trips feature comfortable accommodations that complement their surroundings. We seek out intimacy and character, but never sacrifice cleanliness and security. We also find the best value for quality. In general, our physically moderate to vigorous trips feature hotels classified as 3+ to 4 stars, while less physically demanding trips feature 4+ to 5 star hotels.

As South American travel specialists, we’re experts and have inspected hundreds of properties. Knowmad is happy to suggest upgrades and alternative hotels based on your preferences to ensure your trip is perfect for you. Photos below are from this itinerary’s preferred accommodations. For more specifics, call or write to request more info, or download the detailed trip itinerary.

Where to Stay in Chile

Accommodations featured in this itinerary are the following:

  • Hotel Rey Don Felipe located in Punta Arenas, Chile.
  • Estancia Tres Pasos located in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
  • Hosteria el Pionero located in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
  • Estancia Tercera Barranca in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
  • Cabanas del Paine in Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
  • Estancia Lazo located in Sierra del Toro, Chile

Detailed Itinerary

Extend Your Adventure

Wine Country

Bike from vineyard to vineyard on gentle country roads, tour the cellars, taste fine wines, eat gourmet cuisine and stay in charming boutique hotels. With premier wine growing valleys just an hour from Santiago, a few days in wine country is an ideal extension to your adventure and a good example of the diversity of landscapes and lifestyles within Chile.

Atacama Desert

Looking for unique? Earth’s closest thing to Mars, Atacama will not disappoint. Your trip to this surreal landscape offers countless cultural and adventure excursions to choose from during the day, while spending nights in a true oasis, the Tierra Atacama boutique hotel and spa. Return for a dip in the pool and enjoy a local cabernet with gourmet cuisine. Don’t forget to take advantage of the world’s best moonscape and stargazing. 

Easter Island

A tropical paradise with history, culture and mystery at every beautiful turn, a visit to Easter Island – the world’s most isolated speck of land – will captivate any traveler. Meander through the picturesque countryside dotted with volcanoes, and learn about the mysterious Moai statues erected by the original Polynesian tribes who inhabited the island. Still today little is known about the statues or their creators. While circumnavigating the island on visits to the diverse Moai sites, you’ll have opportunities to relax on deserted, white-sand beaches, explore volcanic caves with petroglyphs and walk the rim of a seaside volcano. 

Let The Journey Begin

Let the Journey Begin - Knowmad Adventures

Planning a trip to South America might seem a little overwhelming at first. Knowmad offers door-to-door trip planning: first, we listen, and then we help you navigate the seasonal differences and itinerary options, resulting in a holistic, seamless, and custom-crafted experience, all at a guaranteed best value.

The simplest way to get started is to give us a call at 612-315-2894or to fill out this short form so we can learn more about your travel preferences.