Glaciers of Paine on horseback

Day 1: Fly to Punta Arenas; Transfer to Estancia Tercera Barranca

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 Estancia Tercera Barranca. As we leave the airport we can see the Straits of Magellan and the mystical Tierra del Fuego.

During our 5hr 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 pass by Puerto Natales, located on Last Hope Sound, a small fishing town surrounded by mountains.

Our final destination is Estancia Tercera Barranca. the border of Torres del Paine National Park, where you can settle in and enjoy dinner.

Flight duration: 4hrs

Drive duration: 5hrs

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Tercera Barranca

Day 2: 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 days of riding. We choose our horses and start our trip. Our baqueano leads 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: 5hrs, slow, trotting and cantering

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Estancia Tercera Barranca

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. When we reach Estancia Lazo, a working cattle ranch on the edge of the park, we'll follow Verde Lagoon through a dense forest and past small lake. This entire section has fantastic views of the Paine massif.

Our ride for the day will end at the River Serrano where we'll settle in to Serrano Camp and enjoy dinner together.

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

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Serrano Camp

Day 4: Ride to Lake Grey lookout; Serrano Camp

After a good breakfast at the campsite we will 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 the lake Pehoe 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. There is no shower at tomorrow night's camp, so make use of the facilities here.

Length of ride: 7hrs, walking, trotting and cantering

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Serrano Camp

Day 5: Ride to Lake Brush; Lake Brush camp

Today we head south, crossing the Serrano River to arrive at Aniceto Astorga’s farmhouse. At this traditional farmhouse we’ll choose our new horses to begin a ride to an unexplored valley at the border of Torres Del Paine National Park. We cross several rivers and ride through a landscape filled with lakes and wetlands, with constantly changing views of the Paine massif and the last glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Icefield.

When we arrive at Lake Brush we'll stop riding for the day and set up our wilderness camp. We'll enjoy a well-deserved Patagonian-style lamb barbecue.

Length of transfer: 10mins

Length of ride: 4hrs, walking and trotting

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Lake Brush camp

Day 6: Ride to Glacier Serrano; Hostería Balmaceda

After a good breakfast we continue to Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. This trail takes us through humid forests, similar to those of the austral canals, following the Serrano River until it empties into Last Hope Sound, where we spend the night at Hostería Balmaceda with an amazing view of Glacier Serrano.

Length of ride: 5hrs, walking

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hostería Balmaceda

Day 7: Boat trip to Puerto Natales; Hotel Vendaval

We’ll begin the day by crossing the river by zodiac into Last Hope Sound, facing the imposing Glacier Serrano at the foot of  Mt Balmaceda (2,148m). Here we take a short easy walk up to the glacier. We’ll then take a boat, a cutter, the '21 de Mayo' to navigate via glaciers and channels down to Puerto Natales. On the way, we'll stop at Estancia Perales for lunch before arriving in Puerto Natales at 6pm. We'll spend the night here and have a 'goodbye dinner' together.

Length of zodiac trip: 10mins

Length of walk: 45mins

Length of boat trip: 3hrs

Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Vendaval, or similar

Day 8: Transfer to Punta Arenas Airport

Today we'll take a private transfer to Punta Arenas Airport for your onward flight.

Length of transfer: 2.5hrs

Meals: Breakfast