Riding Torres del Paine Estancias

Day 1: Transfer from Punta Arenas airport 

We recommend you take the early flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas (4 hours), flying over the Andes and observing incredible views of the Patagonian Ice Fields. Upon your arrival in Punta Arenas a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Estancia Tercera Barranca. 

As you leave the airport you can see the Straits of Magellan and the mystical Tierra del Fuego. During the five-hour drive, you'll cross open pampas passing huge ranches (estancias) and with luck be able to see one of the most typical animals in this area, the ñandu (a rare South American ostrich). Then pass by Puerto Natales, located on the Sound of Last Hope, a small fishing town surrounded by mountains. 

From there you will follow an unpaved road to Cerro Castillo, a village at the head of the Torres del Paine commune. Spend the night at Hosteria Pioneros.

Length of excursion: 5 hours by private transfer

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hosteria Pioneros

Day 2: One way ride to Estancia Tercera Barranca

After a hearty breakfast, set out on a full-day ride to Tercera Barranca. Over 7 hours you'll slow ride, trot and canter across the diverse Patagonian landscapes, with views of the Towers in the distance and encounters with guanacos and ñandus.

You'll spend a quiet evening at the beautiful Estancia Tercera Barranca. This is a family-run working estancia just outside of the Torres del Paine National Park. You can enjoy the fantastic views looking out from the huge windows and further unwind in front of the fireplace.

Length of ride: 7 hours slow riding, trotting and cantering

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, BBQ

Meals: Estancia Tercera Barranca

Day 3: Round trip ride to Salto Las Chinas Waterfall

Today you will ride to the east of Torres del Paine National park. The first couple of hours will be across the Patagonian steppe, which is found on flatlands and plateaus with semi-arid, cold climates and an annual precipitation of up to 400 mm.

After 3 hours of riding you'll reach the Salto Las Chinas waterfall, an amazing lunch setting as you marvel at the force of the elements. Then you'll begin your return ride, heading back to the estancia. In the evening, gather in front of the fireplace with a Pisco sour in hand (Chilean brandy made from Muscatel grapes) and enjoy a Lamb barbecue Patagonian style.

Length of ride: 6-7 hours slow riding, trotting and cantering

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, BBQ

Meals: Estancia Tercera Barranca

Day 4: One way ride to Rio Serrano Area

Begin the day's ride through native Nothofagus forests, navigating around small lagoons with incredible views of the Paine Massif and surrounding areas. Reach the highest peak of the day, again with an astonishing vista of the Paine River emptying into Toro Lake, the largest in the region. You'll want your camera for this.

From the viewpoint, begin your descent headed towards your shore-side home for the next two nights – the Riverside Campsite. Sleep in cosy domes on the shore of the Serrano River, beneath a view of the formidable twin black granite peaks.

Length of ride: 4-5 hours, slow riding, trotting and cantering

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Riverside Campsite

Day 5: One way ride to Lake Grey - Navigation in front of Glacier Grey

A morning ride across huge pampas and a bridge over the Grey River will take you to Grey Lake's superb viewpoint. You'll see the lake full of icebergs which have broken off from the Grey Glacier, part of the southern ice field which is the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world.

After a picnic lunch in front of this magnificent view, you will set off on a short hike through a beech forest to the pier, listening for woodpeckers and Austral parakeets as you walk. You'll then take a one hour boat ride to view the glacier up-close, weaving through icebergs of different tones of blue up to the Grey glacier. You'll spend a while here, taking in the complexities of this ice formation and hopefully seeing some icebergs calve.

As you make your way back, look out for impressive ice mushrooms atop Paine Grande. You will return by transfer and stay at the campsite a second night.

Length of excursion: 4-5 hours slow riding, 30 minutes walking, 3 hours by boat and 30 minutes by transfer

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Riverside Campsite

Day 6: Transfer to Punta Arenas airport

The end of the trip. You can either take a private transfer to Punta Arenas or if you decide to stay the night in Punta Arenas, you can be dropped at your hotel. If flying from Punta Arenas, your flight should be after 14:00 in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast