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, the most southern city on the continent, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to Estancia Tercera Barranca. 

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

From there we will follow an unpaved road to Estancia Tercera Barranca, a typical example of an estancia in the region, with an amazing view of the famous Towers del Paine granite peaks.

Length of excursion: 5 hours by private transfer

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Tercera Barranca

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Day 2: Round trip ride to Salto Las Chinas Waterfall

Today we 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 riding will reach a waterfall "Salto Las Chinas", where we have lunch before we start our ride back to our cozy ranch house. In the evening we will gather in front of the fireplace, with a Pisco sour in hand (Chilean brandy made from Muscatel grapes) to enjoy a Lamb barbecue Patagonian style.

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

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, BBQ

Meals: Estancia Tercera Barranca

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Day 3: One way ride to Estancia Lazo

We will start early in the morning, going down through a trail all the way to the border of Torres del Paine National park. We get to a look at point of the famous Torres, at the Sarmiento Lake, which is located at the limit of Torres del Paine National park. 

We will have lunch on the shores of Lake Sarmiento whilst observing its strange calcium formations and then continue on through forests and small lakes with wonderful views of the Paine Massif, to arrive at Hosteria Lazo, located just outside the park.

The Hosteria is part of the Estancia Lazo, a large cattle ranch dating from the last century, which has magnificent views of the Paine Massive and Laguna Verde. The rooms are very comfortable; the estancia's main house has been remodeled into a cozy, country-style dining room-bar. 

Length of ride: 7-8 hours walking, trotting and galloping

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Lazo

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Day 4: One way ride to Rio Serrano Area

We will begin our ride through native Nothofagus forests, going around small lagoons, with incredible views of the Paine Massif and surrounding areas. We reach the highest peak of our day with excellent picture taking opportunities of the Paine River emptying into Toro Lake (the largest in the region). From this viewpoint we will begin our descent to the park's visitor center, where we will spend the first of two nights on the shore of the Serrano River with amazing views of the "Cuernos" Del Paine.

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

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Rio Serrano

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

We will start our day by riding to Grey Lake. We will be crossing huge pampas and a bridge over the Grey River to reach a superb viewpoint of 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. Our lunch will be in front of this magnificent view.  

After lunch, we will take a boat ride to view the glacier up-close. In order to get to the boat we will walk through a mature beech forest where we might observe woodpeckers and Austral parakeets. We will navigate about one hour through icebergs of different tones of blue up to the Grey glacier, where we will stay for a while in front of the glacier in the hope of seeing icebergs calve. Our return journey offers views of Paine Grande with its impressive ice mushrooms. We will return in the transfer to spend a second night at the hotel.

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

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Rio Serrano

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Day 6: Transfer to Punta Arenas airport

We will take a private transfer to Punta Arenas. (Clients should take the flight at 02.00 PM or later), if you decide to stay the night in Punta Arenas; we will drop you at your hotel.