Horseback Holidays in Chile

From north to south, Chile is so long that it seems to occupy an infinite territory. Its variety of landscapes allows riders to choose between different horseback routes, in impressive unspoiled nature.

Chile: A Land of Extremes at the End of the World

Chile is, above all, an Andean country. Stretching almost 4,270 km from north to south, its territory has an average width of about 200 km.

From east to west, there are 4 types of terrain:

• The Andes Mountains: a mountain range that runs almost the entire length of the country from north to south. Its snow-capped peaks reach over 6,000 meters in altitude.
• The Intermediate Depression: a narrow strip of plains between the Andes and the Coastal Range.
• The Coastal Range: lower than the Andes, it extends along the Pacific coast.
• The Coastal Plains: stretch between the sea and the Coastal Range.

Atacama Desert

If we study Chile from north to south, we will discover how the landscape changes radically, with deserts, mountains, lakes, and, in the south, glaciers.

From north to south, Chile has these 5 natural geographic zones:

• Norte Grande: the northernmost region, home to the Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world.
• Norte Chico: a semi-desert area with some fertile valleys.
• Central Zone: a very fertile region with a Mediterranean climate, where 75% of the population lives, especially in Santiago, the capital.
• Lakes Region: with a harsher climate, covered by forests and grasslands.
• Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego: the southernmost area. Its climate is extreme, especially at Cape Horn, where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet.

Cajón del Maipo (Andes)

Chile is characterized by numerous archipelagos and countless islands, channels, and fjords. Most of the islands are in the Magallanes and Chilean Patagonia region.

In the middle of the sea and of volcanic origin dating back to the planet’s ancient times, lies the Polynesian Easter Island. The gigantic moai, descendants of a mysterious culture, greet visitors.

Moai - Easter Island

In Chile, there is a desert that blooms, condors in the Andes, and blue whales that reign in the sea.

According to UNESCO, Chile has 10 world biosphere reserves. With more than 5,000 identified species of flora and fauna, over 2,500 are endemic.

Llamas

Penguin

Wildlife includes the rhea, guanaco, and the condor, the largest bird in the world, with a wingspan of almost 3.5 meters.

Equestrian Tourism in Chile

Riding in southern Chile will open your eyes to an incredibly beautiful country and a way of life very different from our own.

The terrain is often ideal for long gallops. Its Criollo horses, wonderfully resilient, satisfy even the most demanding rider.

During the horseback routes, you can camp or stay at local estancias.

Incredible valleys like the Melado Valley allow you to ride while enjoying that Stone Giant known worldwide as the Andes Mountains.

Discovering Chilean Patagonia on horseback will allow you to reach remote places, experiencing the immensity of its glaciers and dreamlike landscapes.

Explore different areas near Puerto Natales, such as the Antonio Varas Peninsula and the surroundings of Torres del Paine National Park, crossing rivers and forests to reach some glaciers.

Torres del Paine (Patagonia)

Many riders have enjoyed these trips, which are more rewarding for experienced riders who appreciate the thrill of traveling in a region where the wind can blow very hard and weather conditions can be changeable and extreme.

Do you want to be part of a group with an Equestrian Soul?

Suggestions for Your Horseback Holidays in Chile

There are many beautiful places to discover in Chile, impressive remote landscapes that can only be accessed on horseback.

The companies Chile Horse Riding and Horse Riding Patagonia offer various equestrian routes in this country that we suggest you discover.

Chile Horse Riding

Located in the Melado Valley, south of Santiago, it is a paradise for both riders and hikers. They have been offering guided horseback tours since 2002.

Danilo will be your guide and host. He is the driving force behind Chile Horse Riding. He loves to share his knowledge and stories of the beautiful Chilean mountains and the local people.

Lagoon Route

Their Horses

They have about 50 Criollo horses, a typical Chilean breed. They are very strong and powerful horses, even in the high Andes.

They breed their own horses. In winter, the foals and young horses are near their farm, in the forest and mountains.

Every year in December, during the Chilean spring, they take the horses to the summer pastures in the Andes, near the Argentine border. This journey is called “Arreo.”

In the Andes, they have a better life, with more freedom and larger pastures. There are no fences, and their horses remain free and wild, enjoying 5 months of freedom in this area during the summer.

Their Routes

They offer several programs and with them the unique opportunity to explore the high Andes on horseback:

• Lagoon Ride (8 days)
• Skiing & Riding Experience
• Cowboy Experience (8 days)
• Rari Discovery Ride (3.5 days) (Rari Hills)
• Rari Day Ride
• Moonshine Ride
• Tailored Tours

Find more information about these routes on their website: www.chile-horseriding.com.

Skiing & Riding Experience

Horse Riding Patagonia

This provider is located in Puerto Natales, in southern Chilean Patagonia. On their equestrian routes, you can discover the wildest places in the southern cone of America.

You will discover Patagonia firsthand, feeling part of the life and nature of the place, of the joys and difficulties that can arise in the daily routine of Chilean ranching.

They organize the best horseback routes in Torres del Paine National Park. In the summer months, between October and April, they work with two people in the Puerto Natales office, one in charge of logistics and the other of reservations.

Horseback route

Their horseback routes

Their routes offer great variety, with crossings of pampas, visits to glaciers and lakes with icebergs, as well as the option to ride through valleys and nothofagus forests.

Multi-day trips are supported by an expert “baqueano” and a bilingual guide who know the flora and fauna along the route.

Accommodation is carefully selected to offer you a good combination of authenticity and comfort. In some programs, you will stay in hotels or estancias, and in others, in campsites.

Horseback route

There will be days when you will ride for more than 8 hours. On the longest days, it is advised not to overwork the horses; they are a company that cares deeply about their well-being.

Find more information on their website: www.horseridingpatagonia.com.

Chilean landscape

From the far north with the driest desert in the world, to the far south with eternal ice and inverted waterfalls, Chile is an invitation for extraordinary horseback holidays. Its diversity of climates and terrains offers us the chance to discover fabulous endemic flora and fauna.