Glaciers of Paine on horseback
Are you hoping to travel before March 2023?
Patagonia's a big trip and we know how crucial it is to get it right. As you’re considering travelling in the next couple of months, we want to be upfront with you…
Finding available accommodation is proving almost impossible in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks. While not uncommon, the pandemic has exacerbated the situation this year.
Alongside this, Swoop are also currently focused on ensuring that all of the logistics are in place for our booked travellers who are due to head south shortly.
Swoop has therefore decided to no longer accept any new bookings departing before the beginning of March 2023.
As alternative options, here’s what we suggest:
Option A:
Push your trip back and choose to travel instead in early 2023. April onwards has more accommodation options still available. The Patagonian autumnal colours are stunning and trails less crowded.
Option B:
Defer your Patagonia adventure by 12 months, benefitting by getting exactly the trip you want without compromise, and lock in plans now while there’s still good availability.
If you are able to be flexible on your travel dates, the next step would then be for us to arrange a time to talk through the options.
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I want to travel before March 2023
Unfortunately we can’t currently help with short notice trips to Patagonia. Sign up to our newsletter to get some Patagonia travel advice and inspiration!
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I’m flexible and could travel later
Trip type
Guided Activity
Trip length
8 Days
From
$3,895
Location
Torres del Paine
Glaciers of Paine on horseback - 8 - $3,895
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Fly to Punta Arenas; Transfer to Puerto Natales
Day 2: Boat trip to Mt Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier; Lake Brush camp
Day 3: Ride to Serrano River; Serrano Camp
Day 4: Ride to Lake Grey lookout; Serrano Camp
Day 5: Ride to Estancia Tercera Barranca
Day 6: Ride to Salto Las Chinas waterfall; Estancia Tercera Barranca
Day 7: Ride to Estancia Lazo; Transfer to Puerto Natales
Day 8: Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport
Start from Punta Arenas and end at Punta Arenas
Landmarks visited on Glaciers of Paine on horseback
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Punta Arenas; Transfer to Puerto Natales
We recommend you take the early flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas, flying over the Andes and observing incredible views of the Patagonian Icefield. Upon your arrival in Punta Arenas a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Punta Arenas. As we leave the airport we can see the Straits of Magellan and the mystical Tierra del Fuego.
During our 3hr drive, we cross open pampas passing huge estancias and with luck we'll be able to see one of the most typical animals in this area, Darwin's rhea (ñandu), a rare South American ostrich.
We’ll then arrive at Puerto Natales, a small fishing town surrounded by mountains located on Last Hope Sound. We’ll check in to the hotel and join our guide for a trip briefing before enjoying dinner at the neighbouring restaurant.
Flight duration: 4hrs
Drive duration: 3hrs
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Vendeval, or similar, Puerto Natales
Day 2: Boat trip to Mt Balmaceda and Serrano Glacier; Lake Brush camp
We’ll begin with a short transfer to Puerto Bories from where we take a boat along the Last Hope Sound and approach the imposing Serrano Glacier at the foot of Mt Balmaceda (2,148m). Here we take a short easy walk up to the glacier viewpoint.
We’ll then take a boat across the Last Hope Sound to the Serrano River to meet our horses and local gauchos. From here we’ll ride for 4hrs, following the Serrano River through humid forests to Lake Brush where we’ll camp for the evening.
Length of transfer: 10mins
Length of walk: 45mins
Length of boat trip: 3hrs
Length of horse ride: 4hrs, 15km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Lake Brush camp
Day 3: Ride to Serrano River; Serrano Camp
After breakfast we'll get back in the saddle and head towards Torres del Paine National Park.
Our ride for the day will end at the Serrano River where we'll settle in to Serrano Camp and enjoy dinner together.
Length of ride: 6-7hrs, slow, trotting and cantering, 49km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Serrano Camp
Day 4: Ride to Lake Grey lookout; Serrano Camp
After a good breakfast at Serrano Camp we’ll start our day by riding to Lake Grey lookout. We cross huge pampas that give us the opportunity to canter to our heart's content. When we reach the River Grey, we'll follow a narrow path with incredible views of the mountains until we arrive to a splendid view of Lake Pehoé with its turquoise-coloured waters.
From here we follow a rugged trail leading to Lake Grey lookout. The lake is often full of icebergs, which have broken off from Glacier Grey, part of the Southern Patagonian Icefield – the third largest reserve of fresh water in the world. We'll have lunch in front of this magnificent view.
We'll return to Serrano Camp on the same trail, enjoying the opportunity for more cantering through the pampas.
Length of ride: 7hrs, walking, trotting and cantering, 17km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Serrano Camp
Day 5: Ride to Estancia Tercera Barranca
After a good breakfast we’ll get back in the saddle and ride through Torres del Paine National Park. We’ll take it slowly as we pass numerous lakes and perfect views of the Paine Massif.
On arrival at Estancia Tercera Barranca, we’ll have plenty of time to settle in, relax and enjoy a traditional Chilean dinner together.
Length of ride: 6-7hr slow riding, trotting and cantering, 28km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Estancia Tercera Barranca
Day 6: Ride to Salto Las Chinas waterfall; Estancia Tercera Barranca
In the early morning, after a country style breakfast, we meet our baqueano who is going to join us for the next day of riding. We’ll choose our horses and start our trip. Our baqueano will lead us to the eastern side of the Torres del Paine National Park on a route taken by Lady Florence Dixie, whose 1880 account of journeying in Patagonia has taken on iconic status.
Riding across the pampas and plateaus we could see condors soaring in the skies above us. When we reach the Salto Las Chinas waterfall, we'll enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch before riding back on the same trail to the cozy Estancia Tercera Barranca.
In the evening we will gather in front of the fireplace with a Pisco sour in hand (Chilean brandy made from Muscatel grapes).
Length of ride: 6-7hrs, slow riding, trotting and cantering, 28km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Estancia Tercera Barranca
Day 7: Ride to Estancia Lazo; Transfer to Puerto Natales
After breakfast we’ll start our ride to Estancia Lazo. This is a working cattle ranch on the edge of the national park. We’ll set a moderate pace and gallop past magnificent views of Las Torres in the distance.
On arriving at the estancia we’ll say goodbye to our horses and take a private transfer to Puerto Natales where we’ll spend the night. We’ll enjoy a farewell dinner here together.
Length of ride: 6-7hrs, slow riding, trotting and cantering, 34km
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Vendeval, or similar, Puerto Natales
Day 8: Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport
Today you’ll take a private transfer to Punta Arenas Airport for your onward flight.
Length of transfer: 2.5hrs
Meals: Breakfast
Riding Torres del Paine Estancias
Prices, Departures and Inclusions
The 2022-23 trip price varies depending on group size:
4-8 riders: USD $3,895
2-3 riders: USD $4,795
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Please contact us to discuss your preferred departure date.
Additional Notes
Group size – 8 maximum, 2 minimum.
Single supplement – The single supplement is USD $550.
Includes
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 7 dinners
- Accommodation: 2 nights at Estancia Tercera Barranca; 2 nights at Serrano Camp; 1 night at Lake Brush camp; 2 nights at Hotel Vendaval, or similar
- All private transport indicated in the itinerary
- All horses, saddles and packhorses
- Helmets, leather chaps, leather gloves, dry bags
- Non-waterproof saddle-bags for small personal items and change of clothes
- Entrance fee to Torres del Paine National Park
- Entrance fee to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park
- English and Spanish speaking guide
- Baqueano (local cowboy)
- Navigation from Puerto Natales to Mt Balmaceda
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Drinks during lunch or dinner
- Accommodation on any additional nights
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Sleeping bag and mat (needed at Lake Brush camp) – can be rented locally if required
- Gratuities/tips
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses
