Tack – The tack is Chilean and comprises metal framed saddles onto which are layered felt, sheepskin and leather. Rope, rawhide and leather form the bridles, girths, straps etc. The saddles provide adequate comfort for the long riding days and the stirrups consist of a leather cup through which the foot cannot pass. Most of the horses are ridden in simple snaffles. Halters are worn throughout the ride with a rope tied around the horse’s neck to enable you to tie up at lunch stops/rest stops.

Day 1
Arrive into Puerto Natales. Transfer to historic Puerto Bories located on the Senoret Channel a few miles outside Puerto Natales. Sleep in Bories House, an English style villa with traditional Patagonian architecture and comfortable en suite rooms a short walk from Last Hope Sound. Dinner and guide’s briefing at Afrigonia in Puerto Natales offering a fusion of African and Patagonian cuisine.

Day 2
Morning collection for a private transfer to Estancia 3R located in a wild and dramatic location close to the border with Argentina. Settle into the comfortable home-stay ranch house which will be occupied exclusively by your group with a dedicated chef to prepare meals. Meet horses and enjoy a 3-4 hour evening ride into the surrounding landscapes heading east towards the mountainous frontier with Argentina, a chance to get used to the style of riding as you venture into this otherworldly landscape to the aptly named Cerro Ciudadela (Citadel) with its jagged granite peaks piercing the huge skies. Night Estancia 3R/Sierra Baguales in twin/double rooms, some with private bathrooms, some share bathrooms. Private chef to prepare meals.

Day 3
After a home cooked breakfast you will be saddling up for a morning ride into some hidden valleys where wild horses (baguales) roam the plains. With luck you will witness a herd of these horses as you ride towards the Paine mountain range, a stunning backdrop for the morning’s ride. After a picnic lunch in this isolated and dramatic location you will be riding south west through arid valleys flanked by the Baguales mountains and Cerro Donoso as you enter the Las Chinas valley named after the river of the same name. Tonight will be spent in another pretty ranch house in this beautiful secluded valley decorated in the typical style with an eating and living area with a fireplace. The house will be occupied exclusively by your group and a chef will prepare meals. Night Casa Las Chinas in twin/double rooms, one with a private bathroom, other rooms share bathrooms. Distance depends on the route taken, 5-6 hours in the saddle.

Day 4
After breakfast you will be leaving the drama of these wild frontier lands and heading south in a private transfer to Estancia Tercera, a typical working estancia located on the eastern borders of Torres del Paine with views of the famous Towers. After settling into the accommodation you will be meeting your new horses who will be with you for the next four days. Today’s ride will take you out through the canyons, ravines and valleys on the park perimeters heading north to the azure waters of Laguna Azul. After a picnic lunch there will be time to explore the sandy lake shores, enjoy the amazing views and look for wildlife before heading back to Estancia Tercera, an authentic estancia located on the park’s eastern borders with a large living room with fireplace and views of the Towers. You will spend the night in comfortable twin/double rooms, most with en suite bathrooms. Distance depends on the route taken, 5-6 hours in the saddle.

Day 5
Today you will be setting out on a long ride across the heart of the Park with iconic mountain and lake views as you head from east to west. The full distance is 48 km with 8-9 hours riding although the ride is vehicle supported enabling you to travel in the vehicle for the final part of the trail if you prefer (shortening the ride to 38 km although riders can jump in the van at any point, the ride ends at the Park administration centre). Our destination is the Serrano River with stunning views of the western face of the Paine Massif. Today’s ride is always a highlight of everybody’s itinerary with its iconic Paine views of the mountains from a southern perspective and diverse wildlife. Night in a riverside camp with bathrooms and hot showers and a BlueGreen chef to prepare meals and all gear provided with sleeping bags, liners and mats included.

Day 6
After your camp breakfast you will be saddling up and riding out to Grey Lake, a stunning pampas ride with mountain views throughout. Arrive at Grey Lake and take a walk on the sandy beach often packed with icebergs floating on its surface. Option to take a boat to the face of Grey Glacier (recommended) for an up close and personal encounter with a towering wall of ice. The ride distance is 35 km there and back although if you choose to take the Grey Boat you will return by vehicle making today’s ride 17 km. Return to the Serrano River for a second night camping.

Day 7
After a camp breakfast you will be riding on a 6-7 hour trail along the Serrano River out of Torres del Paine into the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. This is a remote area with forested trails interspersed with dramatic mountain and river views. Arrive at the Hosteria Monte Balmaceda located at the mouth of the Serrano River in front of the mountain of the same name in the beautiful and inaccessible Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Accommodation in twin/double rooms with private bathroom. Bid your horses goodbye. Night hosteria.

Day 8
After taking a short walk to the very pretty Serrano Glacier that tumbles down the hillside into an iceberg filled lagoon you will be meeting a private charter boat that will whisk you across Last Hope Sound to the Estancia La Peninsula located fjord-side. On arrival at the boat dock you will be meeting new horses belonging to the estancia. Ride out along the waterside trails lined with driftwood and dramatic views of the Paine and Balmaceda mountains, roughly 4-5 hours in the saddle. Arrive at a magical fjord-side cabin where you will be spending the night. Inside dining & bathrooms. Groups up to 4 will sleep in a comfortable cabin with two twin/double rooms, two bathrooms and one living area. Groups of 5+ sleep in tents outside. Dedicated cook to prepare meals.

Day 9
After breakfast you will be setting off on a 5-6 hour trail into the surrounding landscapes offering spectacular views and a unique landscape before heading back to the main house at La Peninsula where you will be boarding a catamaran to take you back to the boat dock in Puerto Natales. From here it is a short walk to Bories House where you will spend the night. Farewell dinner included at the lovely waterside El Cormoran de las Rocas.

Day 10
Transfer to bus station or airport for onward travel.