RIDE WORLD WIDE CHILE, PATAGONIA TORRES DEL PAINE 2020-2021
RIDE INFORMATION
These trips explore the spectacular terrain of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia. The scenery in this area is undoubtedly some of the wildest and most breath-taking in the world, with huge granite spires, blue glaciers flowing down from the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap, turquoise lakes and forests of southern beech trees. Due to its remoteness, accommodation in the area is fairly limited and access often necessitates long hours in a vehicle on bumpy and often dusty roads. Those participating in the rides need to be prepared for this and for the weather which is notoriously unstable and can change quickly! However, for most, the journey and vagaries of the weather are more than compensated for by the wonderful riding country. DATES Standard rides, offered from set dates between October and March, are for 9 nights and include 8 days riding. Shorter private and tailormade itineraries can be arranged on request for groups of 2 or more throughout the same season. Please see set departure dates overleaf and contact Ride World Wide to discuss your plans and availability.
HORSES The horses used for the rides are bred locally on the surrounding estancias for working with cattle and sheep. They are cross breeds, usually Chilean horse or Criollo mix, and are of a medium build. With some Percheron blood, most are a little taller than the local horses of northern Chile, ranging from about 14.2hh to 16hh. They are good-natured and a sensible, forward going and responsive ride. All the horses are used to neck reining. TACK Saddles are local Chilean ‘huaso’ style which have large comfortable sheepskins built in (although sometimes covered in leather) and bridles either with English style snaffle bits or traditional Chilean style, with a long shank.
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RIDING There is generally between 5 and 8 hours riding on each riding day on these trips, covering 20 to 40 kms. Riding is broken up with rest stops and a long break for lunch and there is also usually time for walks, photography and to admire the spectacular views. Standard 9 night itineraries usually include three changes of horse part way through, as you ride horses based at the different estancias you visit. Trips are run for a minimum of 2 and maximum of 10 riding guests. Due to the remoteness of the location and stamina required, riders are usually required to be over 12 yrs and under 70 yrs. Younger /older riders may be accepted by prior arrangement, as long as riding ability and fitness allow (older riders may require a medical certificate) - please contact us to discuss. All riders will be required to wear a hard hat when riding in the National Park (Park regulations require this). WEIGHT LIMIT 15 stone / 95 kgs but if you are close to this or a little over, please check with us as occasionally heavier, experienced riders can be taken by prior arrangement.
PACE The pace on the rides varies with the terrain but overall it is moderate and well balanced. The going in much of the National Park is grassy and soft and Patagonia's tremendous open spaces allow plenty of opportunities for fast riding - long exhilarating canters on open plains and along the flat bottomed valleys that run amongst the Paine Massif. At other times, the pace is slower as you weave through forests of southern beech, wade across glacial rivers, climb mountain passes to admire views over vast expanses of blue and white ice below and ride along the lake shores. RIDING EXPERIENCE The rides are best suited to reasonably competent riders who are secure in the saddle, fit and comfortable on a horse in open country at all paces. They are aimed at those with a reasonable amount of riding experience, although there is a good selection of well mannered, steady but forward going horses to suit riders of different abilities. It is important to be fit as riding hours are fairly long and the open space is ideal for long canters - every participant (particularly those with limited riding experience) should put in plenty of practice to get saddle fit before travel. TERRAIN The terrain in the area changes during every ride, varying from vast rolling grassy plains, to steep wooded valleys. High snow-clad mountains and huge glaciers sweep down through the beech forest and spill out into numerous blue-grey lakes and always, as a dramatic back drop, is the great Paine Massif which you will see from many different angles. WILDLIFE There are over one hundred bird species in the Paine area including the giant Condor, flamingos, ibis, black necked swans, rheas and austral parrots. Twenty five different species of mammal include guanaco (the wild version of the Llama) which you may see in large numbers, fox and, with the Paine Reserve the place in South America you are most likely to catch a glimpse of puma (although even here you have to be very lucky!), there is plenty for the wildlife enthusiast.
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ACCOMMODATION
The first night of set date Estancia Rides is in a small hotel in Puerto Natales, usually the Hostal El Establo which is modern, comfortable and built in the style of a stable. It has 5 double / twin rooms each with its own en-suite bathroom. Other nights are at small hotels or comfortable family run estancias (farms) in or adjacent to the National Park, either working estancias that offer family-style guest rooms or estancias that have been fully converted for guests. Most are beautifully located to make the most of the area’s dramatic scenery. Rooms are simple but comfortable, generally twin bedded with private bathroom, although occasionally bathrooms may be shared. Most of the hotels and estancias are used by other Park visitors and accommodation (especially in the centre of the Park) is often fairly busy, particularly in peak holiday times when there can be quite as lot of walkers and other visitors coming and going. Hotels & estancias within the National Park are also not used to catering for guests during the day so if you decide to take a day off from riding (which is possible) special arrangements for meals etc will need to be made.
MEALS Food on the ride is wholesome, generous and surprisingly varied bearing in mind the remoteness of the area and that all supplies have to be transported into the Park especially. Days start with an ample breakfast at your hotel or estancia - there might be a choice of cereal, toast or bread, ham and / or cheese and sometimes a cooked breakfast on offer. Lunches are carried in saddle bags to eat ‘picnic style’ en-route - bread, cheeses, ham or salami, sometimes homemade soup, with fruit and chocolate to finish. Dinner varies with the accommodation. On the first night in Puerto Natales, you will eat at a local restaurant where you may have a chance to sample locally caught ‘centolla’ (king crab) or other seafood; when staying at private estancias, your main dish might be chicken, lamb or fresh fish with a vegetarian option available; on other nights there may be a buffet style dinner with a few different dishes or a 'menu' - typically a choice of a soup or salad starter, a main course of fish, beef or chicken with a variety of salads and vegetables and a pudding / fruit. Drinks / wine are not included but you can buy wine, beer and other drinks at the estancias / hosterias. Food overall is good and varied and your guides will do their best to cater for any particular dietary requests as long as prior notice is given but you should be aware that because of the area’s remoteness, much depends on availability of supplies, which have to be brought in from the nearest town. Menus vary depending on what is on offer at the time locally and fresh fruit and vegetables can be hard to get or supplies limited.
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WEATHER The weather in Patagonia is notoriously variable and although it is often milder in the Park than in the surrounding regions, you need to be prepared for weather extremes and temperatures which can change rapidly, sometimes freezing at night, rising to about 20-25°C on a still, cloudless day, then dropping suddenly again. As well as this, the wind can be extremely strong, it is possible to experience all four seasons in a day and rain, generally in squally showers, is possible at any time. Come prepared! WHAT TO BRING We will send you a list when you book. ITINERARY The following is an example of the 10 day Estancia Ride itinerary although please note that that it is only an example and the route and day by day itinerary may be varied by your guide if weather, other local conditions or participants' riding experience requires.
Example itinerary - Estancia Ride Day 1 Own arrangements to arrive Puerto Natales or before 15.00 at Punta Arenas airport, where you will be met at 15.00 and driven about 2 ½ hours to the first night’s hotel, usually Hostal El Establo, in Puerto Natales. Time to settle in before meeting your guide and others in the group for dinner and a trip briefing. Night at Hostal El Establo. (D)
Day 2 Breakfast, then leaving your luggage and taking only enough for the next night (the main luggage will meet you at Rio Serrano), you will be taken to the port to board the boat which sails up Last Hope Sound, a stunning voyage taking you past the Balmaceda Glacier before docking at the Serrano Glacier and entering the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park, the largest National Park in Chile and, at over 3 million hectares, one of the largest in the world. Access to this area is only by water, over the mountains or through the Southern Patagonian ice field and this remote and pristine corner of the planet also contains the world’s third largest mass of ice after Antarctica and Greenland. Disembark and spend a moment taking in the contrasting views - forests of evergreen and deciduous southern beech, fire bushes and cypresses against glistening snow-capped peaks and glaciers. Then a 5 minute boat trip (usually by Zodiac) takes you across the bay to Hosteria Balmaceda where the night is spent. After a picnic lunch you meet the horses for a 2 hour ride to try them out. Return to Hosteria Balmaceda for dinner and the night. (B,L,D)
Day 3 After breakfast, your luggage will be loaded onto the pack horses before mounting up and setting off on a beautiful ride following a route through thick forest, past pristine rivers and streams in the shadow of the Chacabuco and Balmaceda mountain range. The ride today is fairly slow but a great chance to get used to the horses and comfortable with the Chilean riding style whilst enjoying the dazzling scenery as you head to Torres del Paine National Park. Towards the end of the day, ford the Nutria River emerging on pampas close to the Rio Serrano. The night is spent at Hotel del Paine (or similar) - a comfortable hotel with great views of the Paine Massif (around 6-7 hours riding). (B,L,D).
Day 4 For early risers, the hotel’s situation offers some of the best sunrises in all of Patagonia. After breakfast mount up and head off - today’s ride is often fast with plenty of good open going across the pampas and as you ride along Grey River heading towards Grey Lake and Grey Glacier, wonderful views ahead dominated cont.
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ITINERARY cont. Day 4 cont. by the jagged, granite peaks of the Paine massif. There will be time to stop for a picnic lunch before arriving at Grey Lake, tying up the horses and - if you wish - walking out across the swinging footbridge through the forest to Grey Beach, where the lake’s pebble shore forms a stunning contrast to blue icebergs that have sheared off the nearby glacier. Grey Glacier is quite simply, a wonder of nature. 28 km in length with a total surface area of 270 square km, its frozen walls of crystalline ice tower almost 35 metres high. Those taking the cruise across the lake (see below) will meet the boat here. For others, after a walk along the beach, its time to return to the horses and ride back to Hotel del Paine (or similar) for dinner and night (about 6 hours riding). (B,L,D). *Note: The Glacier itself is 17 km from Grey beach, so for those who would like a close up view of the glacier face, it is possible to arrange a trip out onto the lake in the Grey II boat. This is an optional excursion taking about 3 hours; cost is approximately US$140 per person. Riders wishing to do this will return to the hotel by vehicle not by horse (so the day will include about 3 hours riding). Please ask if you would like to do this.
Day 5 Head out again after breakfast, riding east towards the heart of the Park and Paine Massif mountain range. The views are dramatic and beautiful as you skirt the southern edge of the mountains on a rarely trodden path, passing azure and turquoise lakes against a backdrop of granite mountain peaks. A picnic lunch in one of the pretty valleys, before continuing east riding on the soft pampas of the Patagonian steppe. A chance for some wonderful long canters as the light fades and shadows lengthen until you arrive at Porteria Amarga. The night is spent in charming, newly built “tiny houses” at Laguna Amarga (about 7 hours riding) (B,L,D).
Day 6 The ride today takes you north, skirting the lake Laguna Amarga, where hopefully you will see the flamingos that reside here. Ride on, with good chances to canter, to Las Chinas waterful where you stop for a picnic. In the afternoon continue towards an authentic working ranch that is typical of the area, Estancia Tercera Barranca. Set in an enviable position on the Park border, with fantastic views of the granite mountains of the Paine Massif, Tercera Barranca is a working sheep ranch of around 6,454 hectares and with only 7 guest rooms in the ranch house (all with private bathroom) it has an intimate, homely feel. Time to relax around the log fire in the comfortable living area before dinner, usually served in the adjacent wooden "quincho" (about 7- 8 hours riding). (B,L,D).
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ITINERARY cont.
Day 7 Breakfast and the day starts with a drive of about 20 mins to Estancia Cerro Guido, a large working estancia of over 110,000 hectares, home to around 37,000 sheep as well as plenty of cattle and horses! After being shown to your rooms, make your way to the stables to meet the new horses you will use for the next few days. Saddle up and set off into the surrounding hills. There are numerous guanaco here and wonderful views of the Sierra Baguales (“bagual” translates as “feral”, usually referring to horses or cattle which have gone wild), a mountain range in stark contrast to the rolling landscape of the pampas below. Break for lunch, then continue riding to an Indian burial site. Although no artefacts remain at the site itself, back at the estancia you will be able to see photos and learn about the dinosaur fossils that have recently been found close-by. Ride back to the estancia for a cosy evening and welcome dinner (about 5 to 6 hours riding) (B,L,D)
Day 8 Breakfast and another full day’s riding, today heading south to Estancia Entre Lagos. This is beautiful open country, grassy meadows and wild pampas that are ideal for long canters - fabulous going to put a smile on your face and with the impressive Paine mountains as a backdrop, time to experience the sheer joy that is riding in Patagonia! After breaking for a leisurely picnic lunch, continue riding, stopping to photograph the blue waters of Lake Sarmiento and the Paine Massif behind it as you climb to a lovely viewpoint and then finally head back to Estancia Cerro Guido for a second night. Hot showers and perhaps a pisco sour next to a roaring fire, as you reflect on the ride so far (about 7 to 8 hours riding - with a shorter day possible if the group prefers) (B,L,D)
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ITINERARY cont. Day 9 After breakfast saddle up for the final day’s ride. Set off into the hills, traversing the “Guido” mountain itself along a track called ‘Paso Guitarra’, heading towards the point where the Sierra Baguales form the border with Argentina. The route passes the lovely, but now deserted, Estancia Las Flores with the only original adobe building left in the area, before you stop for a picnic lunch, letting the horses graze as you look out for Condors soaring above. In the afternoon continue riding to Vega Nash, a wide expanse of open pampa and a wonderful opportunity for some last long canters before completing the circuit to arrive back at Estancia Cerro Guido. A traditional and always delicious Patagonian ‘asado’ to celebrate and then your last night at Estancia Cerro Guido (about 7 to 8 hours riding - with a shorter day possible if the group prefers). (B,L,D)
Day 10 Breakfast before the transfer back to Puerto Natales, arriving at about 10.00, then onward transfer to Punta Arenas airport to arrive 12.30. Own arrangements for onward journey. (B)
DATES & RATES 2020-2021 Please note that due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, ride rates are quoted in USD. The sterling price will be the equivalent sterling rate using the USD / sterling exchange rate in force when you book/pay. (Rates valid to April 2021) Please enquire for autumn dates.
Estancia Ride 2020-2021 2nd to 11th October 2020 2nd to 11th January 2021 2nd to 11th November 2020 2nd to 11th February 2021 2nd to 11th December 2020 2nd to 11th March 2021
Rates per person 6-10 riders USD 5999, 4-5 riders USD 6499, 2-3 riders USD 6999 Single supplement USD 990
Rates INCLUDE - All riding, guiding and equipment, 9 nights twin accommodation, all meals (excluding wine/ drinks) from dinner Day 1 to breakfast Day 10, Park fees, the services of an English speaking guide and baqueanos who care for the horses, use of saddle bags, boat trip from Puerto Natales to Balmeceda, transfers by vehicle with the group at set times from Punta Arenas airport to Puerto Natales on first and last day.
Rates EXCLUDE - International flights to Chile and onward travel to Puerto Natales / Punta Arenas, airport taxes, airport transfers outside set times, your bar bill / drinks throughout, personal medical / travel insurance (which you must have), any visa fees, the boat trip to Glacier Grey, personal extras as hotels / estancias (eg shopping, phone calls, laundry etc) and tips and gratuities (see note on tipping below).
Single room Rates assume twin shared accommodation and if you wish to guarantee a single room, the single supplement (see above) is payable. If you would like a single room, please check with us before you book as there are only limited rooms and this is not always possible. If you are travelling alone, you will be asked to share with another (same sex) single traveller unless a single is available and you pay the supplement.
Tipping A tip for the Chilean staff who ride with you, whilst not compulsory is usual and will be appreciated. Amounts are discretionary but as a guide the average per rider is usually US$ 60 to $100, divided amongst the staff. WWW.RIDEWORLDWIDE.COM
FLIGHTS & TRAVEL INFORMATION The meeting point for these rides is the beautifully situated town of Puerto Natales, a fishing port on Last Hope Sound. To get to Puerto Natales, you will need to fly to Santiago, the capital of Chile, and then take an internal flight south, either direct to Puerto Natales (flights are only once or twice a week), or to Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chilean Patagonia and transfer from there.
British Airways have direct [daily] flights from London to Santiago, and Iberia, Latam and Aerolineas Argentinas all fly from London to Santiago via Madrid. You can also fly with a combination of British Airways and Latam to Santiago, via Sao Paolo or Miami.
Internal flights between Santiago and Puerto Natales currently only operate twice a week. These do not always co-incide with ride start dates so as an alternative, there are 3 or 4 flights daily between Santiago and Punta Arenas and from here, there will be one pre-arranged private mini-bus transfer to Puerto Natales, departing Punta Arenas 15.00 on the first day of each ride programme, and a set transfer back to Punta Arenas on the last day of each program, to arrive approximately 12.30. These transfers are included in the ride price. If you need a transfer outside these times, there is a public bus, running regularly from Punta Arenas airport between 08.00 and 20.00 - or you can take a taxi. The transfer takes 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours. We can book buses (or taxis) in advance on request (bus ticket price approx.. USD 15 each way; taxi fare on request, approx. USD 240 per car each way).
For International flights to Punta Arena / Puerto Natales from London budget around £900 to £1200 Economy return, depending on the airline and season. Please call us for more flight information or if you would like a fare quote. Our ATOL number for flight bookings is 6213. GENERAL VISA & HEALTH INFORMATION NB this is a brief outline - further information will be sent to you if you make a confirmed booking)
Visas If you hold a full British Passport and are visiting Chile for less than three months you do not need to arrange a visa in advance BUT you should always check up to date requirements.
Health No jabs are required as a condition of entry to Chile from the UK and Europe but the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London recommend you ensure you are up to date with innoculation against Tetanus. If you are not you should visit your GP or a travel clinic about 4 weeks before departure. If you plan a long trip or to visit other rural areas before or after the ride you should take further advice as other innoculations may be recommended. (DRAFT 25/05/2020)
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