Glaciers of Paine on horseback

Day 1: 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 Las Chinas. (Chile Nativo will offer a pick-up from the airport at 2:50 PM, corresponding with LAN airline, Flight # LA285, or at 02.30 PM from your hotel in town). (Flight numbers and times subject to change) 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 ñandu, (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 Las Chinas Valley. Our final destination is Estancia Las Chinas (a typical example of an estancia in the region), with an amazing view of the famous Towers del Paine granite peaks. (5 hours by private transfer) (D) (Night at Estancia Las Chinas)

Day 2: Early morning, and after a country style breakfast, we meet our baqueano (local cowboy), who is going to join us for the next days of riding. We choose our horses and start a round trip ride to the Sierra Contreras Mountain Range. Our baqueano leads us through a typical Patagonian landscape, a vast terrain call “Pampa”, at the foot of the Sierra Contreras mountain range. Here we have the chance to observe Guanaco herds, and maybe a few Rheas. Our trail becomes steep as we head to the top of the Sierra, with a magnificent view of the Las Chinas Valley with the famous Torres Del Paine granite peaks in the background. After enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch we return 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). (5 hours slow riding, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-D) (Night at Estancia Las Chinas).

Day 3: Today we will ride south from Estancia Las Chinas crossing the valley. 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 5 hours riding we will reach Laguna Azul, which is located at the limit of Torres del Paine National park and with spectacular view of the Towers. From here we take a private transfer all the way to the administration of the park, where we will camp for the next days at the shore of the Serrano River, with amazing views of “Los Cuernos”. (5 hours slow riding, trotting and cantering, 45 minutes by private transfer) (B-BL-D) (Night at Camping Serrano).

Day 4: After a good breakfast at the campsite we will start our day by riding to Grey Lake look at point. We cross huge pampas that give us the opportunity to canter as much as we want! Once we reach the Grey River, we follow a narrow path with incredible views of the mountains; until we arrive to a splendid view of the lake Pehoe with its particular turquoise colored waters. From here we follow a rugged trail leading to a look-out point of Lake Grey, often 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. We come back to our camp on the same trail, enjoying the opportunity for more cantering through the pampas. (7 hours walking, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-D) (Night at Camping Serrano).

Day 5: This day we pack up camp and head south, crossing the Serrano River to arrive at Aniceto Astorga’s farmhouse. At Anicento’s 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 go through a landscape filled with lakes and wetlands, constantly being surprised by the changing views of the Paine massif and the last glaciers of the Southern Ice Field. We’ll spend the night here after setting up camp on the shores of Lake Brush, and enjoy a well deserve lamb barbecue Patagonian style. (10 minutes transfer, 4 hours walking and trotting) (B-BL-BBQ) (Night at Lake Brush Campsite) (No showers available).

Day 6: 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 the Sound of Last Hope, where we spend the night in the Hostería Balmaceda with an amazing view of the Serrano glacier. (5 hours, walking) (B-BL-D) (Night at Hostería Balmaceda).

Day 7: We’ll begin the day by crossing the river into the Seno de Ultima Esperanza, facing the imposing Serrano glacier at the foot of the Balmaceda Mountain (2148m). Here we make a short easy walk up to the glacier. We’ll then take a boat, “the cutter, 21 de Mayo” navigating via glaciers and canals on our way down to Puerto Natales, to spend the night in a hotel after a goodbye dinner. (10 minutes by zodiac, 45 min walk, 3 hours by boat) (B-BL) (Night at Weskar Lodge or similar).

Day 8: We will take a private transfer to Punta Arenas. (Clients should take the flight at 01:45 PM, from LAN airline, flight LA#287 (Flight numbers and times subject to change), arriving to Santiago at 06:10 PM), if you decide to stay the night in Punta Arenas; we will drop you at your hotel. (2 ½ hours by transfer) (B)