Horse Riding Holidays in South America

Why to visit South America on horseback?

The vast and heterogeneous territory of South America has a great climatic and geographic variety – the Amazon rainforest, the Andes Mountain Range, the Atacama Desert, remote islands such as Galapagos or Easter Island, and glaciers in Patagonia.

Surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, South America has idyllic beaches with different types of sand, perfect for horse riding.

Unlike other continents, South America will allow you to ride in a natural way and go through places where wild fauna and flora are plentiful.

Except for those roads and tracks where sign posts must be observed, the rest of the territory is not marked and you can go horse riding with your group with no obstacles and more fluently. That is why you will enjoy your horse riding holidays in South America much more.

We can even assert that few photos are able to reflect the feeling you get when you are in front of wonders like the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Peru, the Andes mountain range, the glaciers in Patagonia, the Pantanal or the Amazon rainforest.

For all these reasons, visiting South America is a good option, especially on horseback.

Some interesting facts about South America

Culture

One of the fundamental factors when selecting an equestrian route are the possibilities it offers us to know different cultures, since this allows us to enrich ourselves and expand as human beings.

South America always distinguished itself as a very attractive destination for those who want to know new cultures.

Nature

South America is famous for its natural attractions. Many of the Natural Wonders belong to the lower part of America.

Here are some of the wonders you cannot miss:

• The majestic Perito Moreno Glacier and the coloured mountains of La Quebrada de Humahuaca in Argentina
• The majestic Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil
• The striking Torres del Paine and the Atacama Desert in Chile
• The lavish Ruins of the Machu Pichu n Peru
• The endless Salt Flats of Uyuni in Bolivia, the largest continuous salt desert in the World
• The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador
• The Pantanal and the Beaches of Brazil
• The Andes Mountain Range and the Amazon River

Extension

Another distinguishing characteristic of South America is the vast expanse of land of each country. There are countries in South America where you can fit many countries of Europe.

This great extension and the distance between the destinations allow a better development of horse rides within this land.

What is the best country in South America for your horse riding holidays?

The criteria we take into account when choosing a horse riding destination may vary. When we think of horse riding holidays, we analyse the equestrian products offered in each region, as well as other factors such as the number of nights the program includes, the tourist attractions, the accommodation service and food, among many others.

Although in many of the countries of South America we will find very interesting proposals for our holidays on horseback, 5 of them are worldwide recognised for their equestrian activity – Peru, Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Ecuador.

Each of these countries offers a well-differentiated equestrian product due to its geographical conditions. Let's take a look at some of these proposals.

Horse Riding Holidays in Peru

With three very different geographical regions – the Pacific coast, the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest, Peru is the ultimate riding holiday destination.

From pre-Columbian civilizations to the mighty Inca Empire, Peru knows how to combine its archaeological heritage with the most stunning landscapes.

In Peru, you can ride the country’s landmark – the renowned Peruvian Paso. The extraordinary stamina and the smooth ride of this horse breed makes it perfect for long distance riding.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas: magic, beauty and culture

One of the most important horseback riding expeditions in Peru is the tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. When travelling around this valley on horseback youwill be able to enjoy an unparalleled view from the Peruvian Andes.

Observing the peaks of snow-capped mountains and the blue lagoons from above will allow you to enjoy a true natural spectacle.

In these rides you will also gather a great cultural wealth, since in the Sacred Valley of the Incas many indigenous peoples are settled and you will be able to learn about their customs.

Horse Riding Holidays in Argentina

At the southern end of the American continent is Argentina, one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world, where you can experience an amazing horseback riding vacation.

Besides, the country’s great horse culture offers a wide selection of equestrian centres and riding holiday operators.

Riding holiday destinations in Argentina

This beautiful country offers us a wide variety of landscapes to visit: valleys, flatlands, mountains, jungles, rivers, lakes and sea.

We highlight the following four regions:

• The North, with its Andean mountains and valleys, such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca in Jujuy, the Calchaquí Valleys and the Lerma Valley in Salta.
• The Centre, which features the imposing Traslasierra Valley and the Sierra de Los Gigantes in Córdoba.
• The South, with its famous Argentinian Patagonia, consisting of large blue lakes, forests, high mountains and valleys, with the permanent company of the Andes.
• The West, with the Andes Mountains, challenges us through this historic route: the Crossing of the Andes from Argentina to Chile.

Culture & Traditions

Argentina also offers us the possibility of knowing a great variety of typical traditions and characters, among which the Argentine gaucho stands out, which is the synthesis between rural men and horses.

In addition, this country is recognised for its important exponents of universal literature, such as Jorge Luis Borges and Julio Cortázar.

It also stands out for a very characteristic urban music – tango. Together with other musical folkloric expressions such as chacarera, zamba, vidalas or chamamé, tango paints the musical landscape of each region.

Foreign tourists who try the Mate (an infusion), a symbol that is part of the culture and DNA of Argentina, are often fascinated. The same happens with the various regional foods such as asado (Argentinian barbecue), locro (a kind of stew), humita (a corn-based dish) and tamales (a corn dough wrapped and steamed).

With this context of climates, landscapes and culture, Argentina turns out to be one of the most recommended countries for horse riding holidays.

Discover all the possibilities of a horse riding holiday in Argentina.

Horseback Holidays in Chile

Extending over 4,000 kilometres from north to south along the Andes, Chile offers a variety of landscapes for an epic horseback adventure, including lakes, mountains, deserts and Patagonian forests.

In Chile, you can ride the sturdy Criollo horse and gallop through remote wilderness terrain.

Horse riding in the Chilean Patagonia

The Chilean Patagonia presents several majestic natural parks to travel around on horseback.

One of them is the Torres del Paine National Park, which is located in the southern extreme of Chile.

This park has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco and is considered the most important national park in Chile. Its main attractions lie in the spectacular nature of its landscape, mountains, glaciers, green and blue lakes, and its flora and fauna.

Riding in the Atacama Desert

Horse riding in the Atacama Desert is another favourite option for those lovers of equestrian tourism who visit Chile.

This place represents the most arid region of the planet and is located in the north of Chile. There, tourists are amazed with the clear sky and all the stars that can be seen. In fact, it is considered the best place for astronomy.

If you like astronomy and contemplating celestial bodies, you will also have your reward. You will be able to observe the stars from different telescopes.

The equestrian programs in the Atacama Desert usually include stays in tents, from which you can appreciate the deep blue sky.

One of the advantages of this destination is that, having so much space and little human intervention, distances are extensive and you can ride at full speed.

Horse Riding Holidays in Brazil

Brazil is best known for its white sandy beaches. However, beyond these natural paradises, this beautiful country has other incredible tourist attractions that are also highly recommended for those who love horse riding holidays.

A ride on the beach in Bahia, a riding expedition in the Amazon or a horseback trek around coffee plantations in the highlands are some of the options that riding holiday operators have to offer in Brazil.

Pantanal of Brazil

The Pantanal of Brazil is one of the most popular riding holiday destinations among horse and nature lovers.

This alluvial flatland that covers the most western part of Brazil offers a rich selection of flora and fauna, a wide collection of ecosystems that include the largest wetlands in America.

The Pantanal is Brazil’s main destination for wildlife observation. There you can observe beautiful animals, such as jaguar, capybara, tapir and caiman. It is estimated that in this place there are more than 600 species of birds, 240 of fish, 80 of mammals and 50 of reptiles.

In most of this area, horses are still essential due to the difficulties to travel both in the rainy season and in the dry months.

If you like to explore nature at its finest, Brazil's Pantanal should be your next riding destination.

Although it’s not the only one, discover all that Brazil has to offer for an unforgettable Horse riding holiday.

Horse Riding Holidays in Ecuador

Ecuador is an Andean country with very diverse landscapes such as the Amazon rainforest, the Andean highlands, the Pacific coast and the Galapagos Islands.

Ecuador has two types of seasons – the rainy season (from December to May), in which the climate is warm and sometimes rainy. And the dry season, in which the temperatures are a little cooler.

However, for those who like to ride without too many clothes, Ecuador is an ideal destination, since it does not get as cold as other South American countries.

Besides, in Ecuador we can discover the country’s rich culture, which combines the Inca legacy and the influence of the Spanish colonialism.

We could say that, despite being rather small, Ecuador has everything you want in a perfect horse riding holiday.

Horse Riding Holidays in Venezuela

Venezuela, a country full of extraordinary equestrian adventures.

Here you can find permanent snow in the Andes, 2,500 kilometres from the Caribbean coast, vast meadows in tropical plains, tropical rainforests, the Amazon, authentic indigenous communities, small colonial villages and bustling cities.

In Venezuela, there are many things to do and many options to choose from, and everything can be done on excellent Venezuelan horses.

Crossing the Andes from the rainforest to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada on horseback is undoubtedly a fantastic way to discover the secrets of this mountain range.

Horse Riding Holidays in Colombia

Explore the landscapes and natural gems of Colombia on horseback, and discover why the only risk there is wanting to stay.

Visit its extensive plains and lush mountains, brimming with wildlife and vegetation, immerse yourself in impressive jungles, where trees seem to touch the sky, or see its majestic oceans, rich in species, colours and magic.

In Colombia, you can visit the archaeological sites of ancient civilizations and marvel at colonial architecture in Cartagena de Indias or Barichara.

Since Colombia is the third largest coffee producer in the world, coffee plantations are a must visit. A horseback tour of the Cócora Valley allows you to discover the entire process of coffee production.

If you are looking for pristine nature during your next horse riding holidays, then Colombia is definitely your destination.

Horse Riding Holidays in Uruguay

Uruguay is a perfect place for a memorable horseback riding vacation.

Although the country is mainly flat with rolling hills, its green pampas are crisscrossed with multiple waterways, which you will surely enjoy while riding an amazing Criollo horse.

With nearly 500 km of coastline, Uruguay offers exhilarating rides on the beach, especially at sunset.

Horseback riding is an integral part of the Uruguayan culture because cattle farming is a great business and, to a large extend, the gauchos still depend on horses to handle their livestock.

Discover the undeniable importance of the gaucho, explore its extraordinary landscapes and experience the warmth of its people. And don’t miss the delicious Uruguayan cuisine and excellent wines.

South America is home to an astonishing variety of living and ancient cultures; experiencing them firsthand is as easy as introducing yourself and saying hello. Riding there is an incredible adventure unlike anything you might have done before.

Do you also love the idea of exploring South America on horseback?

Download our free eBook on equestrian tourism in South America andenjoy its rainforests, deserts, mountains and all the wilderness of this beautiful continent.