Excursions from Estancia Cerro Guido

This excursion takes us along paths running through the Torres del Paine National Park. From views of the Southern Ice Field, to the pampas and its fauna, we’ll explore the diverse landscapes that this biosphere reserve offers us. From the estancia we’ll head towards Lago del Toro to the south of the National Park, from where we’ll have a great panoramic view of mountains, forests, lakes and glaciers. We’ll enter the park through the Serrano River entrance and continue towards the Pingo River area for a short walk to Lake Grey. From there we’ll continue to Lake Pehoé to have lunch, then visit Salto Grande. In the afternoon we’ll tour the eastern area of the park, passing the viewpoint of Lake Nördenskjold and Lake Sarmiento, to finish at Cascada Paine and start our return to Cerro Guido from Laguna Amarga.

Full-day | 8hrs | Difficulty: Low

The French Valley hike is considered one of the most beautiful trails in the national park. We’ll leave the hotel at 7:30am and drive to the dock at Pudeto where we’ll take the catamaran across Lake Pehoé to the Paine Grande Refuge. Here we start our hike, passing through diverse landscape to the Italian Camp. From here the path ascends more steeply as we continue further into the valley through a forest of lenga and coihue trees, overlooking a spectacular hanging glacier. We’ll reach the viewpoint, surrounded by walls of granite and stunning views of the national park.

Note: The cost of the catarmaran ticket is not included.

Full-day | 10hrs, 19km/11.8 miles | Difficulty: Low

We’ll leave from the hotel early in the morning and drive to into the national park for this classic hike.

The first 2km of the hike is on an ascending path into the Ascencio Valley. Our route through this valley passes by the Chilean Camp and climbing through a forest until we reach the foot of the glacial moraine that rises to the lookout point for the Towers. This last hour of steep climbing over rocky ground is probably the most challenging park of the hike, but the iconic view of the three Towers from the lookout point is truly stunning.

Note: Torres del Paine National Park entrance fee is included.

Full-day | 8hrs, 20km/12.4 miles | Difficulty: High

On this excursion we’ll hike up Cerro Guido, up to 1,275m for exceptional views of the surrounding landscapes. The chenque here is a typical funerary monument of the Aonikenk people, natives of Patagonia. They buried their dead under piles of stones on hill summits. This chenque is the highest in Patagonia and represents a valuable monument to a disappeared culture.

Half-day | 8hrs, 17km/10.6 miles | Difficulty: Medium

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This horse riding excursion takes us to a great place for birdwatching - Los Flamencos Lagoon. Here it’s common to see groups of Chilean flamingos and a wealth of ducks, geese and rheas. We’ll cross the typical landscapes of the Patagonian steppe on horseback, all the time enjoying the immense wide open views of the pampas with the Paine Massif and Sierra Baguales in the background.

Note: This excursion requires previous riding experience, including trotting and cantering.

Half-day | 3hrs, 14km/8.7 miles | Difficulty: Medium

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We’ll start the excursion by vehicle, heading towards the wild and little-explored Las Chinas Valley, located in the northeast area of the estancia.

The hike starts at the entrance to the valley where the old Las Chinas ranch is located. We’ll ascend towards a viewpoint along a steep slope. The climb is strenuous, through uneven terrain and without a marked path, but the effort is definitely worth it. At the viewpoint we’ll discover a stunning 360-degree view of the surrounding valleys and mountains – the Paine Massif and its granite towers, Azul Lagoon, Cerro Guido and the vast Las Chinas valley. We’ll follow the shoulder of the hill and later come across peculiar natural rock formations. The descent back to the starting point is through difficult and uneven terrain.

Full-day | 5hrs, 12km/7.5 miles | Difficulty: High

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On this excursion we’ll hike from the hotel, up to the Bosquecito viewpoint for fantastic views of the countryside surrounding the estancia. The path follows a beautiful tree-lined stream and climbs steadily until we reach the viewpoint which is located on the summit of a hill. From here we’ll have beautiful panoramas of the ranch, the Torres del Paine and Lake Sarmiento. During the excursion we could also spot the typical fauna of Patagonia such as guanacos, ñandús and foxes.

As this trail is marked with red stakes, it can be easily done on your own.

Half-day | 3hrs, 7.5km/4.7 miles | Difficulty: Medium

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This excursion by horseback is for experienced riders looking for excitement and natural beauty. It’s the longest and fastest horse riding trip that we offer.

Initially, we’ll ride towards the lower part of the ranch, through plains and meadows. Then, we’ll make our way towards the Las Flores area, with the Sierra Baguales looking more magnificent as we progress. After stopping for a picnic lunch, we’ll return through the upper part of the ranch, this time with the Paine Massif in view. Throughout the route, there are extensive stretches for trotting and galloping.

Note: This excursion is for expert riders only.

Full-day | 6hrs, 33km/20.5 miles | Difficulty: Advanced

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This excursion by 4x4 ranges across the 100,000 hectares of the estancia. Our tour starts at the Los Flamencos Lagoon and we’ll head through the papa to Palique - one the the estancia outposts and a recent archaeological site. We’ll then drive to one of the milestones on the Chile-Argentina border before following the Baguales River to the Las Flores area where there is an old ranch. Our route then enters the remote Las Chinas Valley with its wild nature and cattle outposts.

Full-day | 10hrs | Difficulty: Low

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This horse riding excursion takes in varied landscapes and terrain, starting from our stables and heading to the upper part of the Sierra Contreras. From here we'll then head to the Second Canyon area - an old ranch that today is part of Cerro Guido. Continuing west, we’ll slowly enter a native Nothofagus forest. After a picnic lunch, we’ll return through an area of open pampas with the Torres del Paine as a backdrop.

Note: This excursion is for expert riders only.

Full-day | 6hrs, 25km/15.5 miles | Difficulty: Advanced

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On this excursion, we'll visit the estancia farmhouse, then head towards the Condoreras area in 4x4s to follow the Conservation Project trackers in their daily work, identifying movements of animals and reviewing camera traps. We’ll then visit the sheep dogs to learn about their work on the ranch.

At noon we’ll have lunch at the hotel before continuing with a tour of the Estancia, visiting the stables, the vegetable gardens, the chicken coop and the shearing shed.

Note: For safety regarding the pumas, this excursion is for people over 12 years old.

Full-day | 2.5hrs | Difficulty: Low

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On this excursion we’ll get to know the vast territory of Estancia Cerro Guido by horseback - no previous experience is necessary. After riding through the spectacular landscapes of the estancia, we’ll tuck into an ‘asado’ (roast lamb) lunch. The afternoon begins with a visit to the administration house, followed by the stables to learn more about the horses and their care. We’ll also visit the organic garden to harvest vegetables and collect eggs from the free-range chickens.

Full-day | 7-8hrs | Difficulty: Low

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This excursion by horseback is a relaxed and easy introduction for new riders, or for those who simply want to experience the estancia in the saddle. The ride allows us to enjoy magnificent views of the Torres del Paine and the deep blue Lake Sarmiento. We’ll also have an opportunity to spot Patagonian fauna such as guanacos, ñandus and foxes.

Half-day | 2.5hrs, 13km/8 miles | Difficulty: Low

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The pristine, crystal-clear rivers around the estancia are a destination for anglers from all over the world. Our specialised fishing guides constantly monitor the best sport fishing spots in the rivers and streams to give you the best opportunities. Expect to find both brown and rainbow trout, as well as Atlantic and Chinook salmon.

Note: This excursion is not included in the all-inclusive package and costs USD $500 per person for two people, or USD $670 if you’re on your own. Fishing equipment is included. Minimum age for this excursion is 10 years old.

Full-day | 8hrs | Difficulty: Low

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Lake Sarmiento is the largest of the lakes in Torres del Paine National Park with Estancia Cerro Guido to its west. Our hike is near the base of Sierra del Toro, from where we’ll slowly descend through the steppe to reach the lake’s southeast shore. From here we’ll have a fantastic panoramic view of the Paine Massif. We’ll also be able to see thrombolites - calcium carbonate deposits on the lake, before returning by a short and sometimes steep route.

Half-day | 1.5hrs, 5km/3.1 miles | Difficulty: Low

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We’ll leave Cerro Guido at dawn by vehicle and accompany our professional trackers on their daily routine, beginning with the puma research work on the ranch. The tour includes short, easy walks. Next we’ll discover the work of the sheep protection dogs.

After lunch we’ll head to the ‘Casa Puma’, the operations centre of the Cerro Guido Conservation Foundation.

Note: This excursion is not included in the all-inclusive package and costs USD $200 per person. Minimum age for this excursion is 12 years old.

Full-day | 10hrs | Difficulty: Low

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