Torres del Paine Riding Week, Chilean Patagonia

Highlights

• Ride native Patagonian horses near Torres del Paine, from Estancia Lucia
• Cross nire and lenga forest, rivers and pampas beneath the Paine massif
• Learn to work with calm, untiring horses before setting out
• Guided in English, French and Spanish
• A TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice operator

The riding

Rated medium difficulty, with no prior experience strictly required: you begin by learning to communicate with the horses, then ride out across varied Patagonian terrain. Some fitness and comfort at walk, trot and canter make longer days easier.

The horses

Native, hardy and untiring Patagonian horses, calm and sure-footed over the estancia's varied ground.

A typical day

From Estancia Lucia in the Tres Pasos sector, rides head out through forest, across rivers and over open pampas, with the Paine massif on the horizon on clear days. Charlotte and Enrique start you off learning to work with the horses, then guide you through the country in English, French or Spanish, at an unhurried Patagonian pace.

Accommodation & food

Estancia accommodation at Estancia Lucia, near Torres del Paine.

All meals included, in the estancia tradition.

When to go

Best months: November to March

The Patagonian summer, from November to March, is the riding season this far south.

Getting there

Nearest airport: Puerto Natales (PNT); Punta Arenas (PUQ) is the larger gateway

Transfers: The estancia is about 30 minutes from Puerto Natales; transfers arranged with the operator

Fly to Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas via Santiago, then a short transfer to the estancia.

What's included

Good to know

• Minimum age 12
• Rider weight limit 95 kg
• No prior riding experience strictly required, but some helps
• Saddles are limited and dates book up early