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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX. |
| South America | Chile: Patagonia | ||
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General Description
Torres del Paine National Park is home to some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. The granite towers of the Paine Massif dominate the surrounding Patagonian plains and grey blue glaciers flow down from the southern ice cap, cutting their way through immense mountains before crumbling into turquoise lakes. Waterfalls tumble from granite cliffs and condors soar over the snow capped peaks as the haunting cry of guanaco echoes on the rolling hills. The open grassland and wild valleys that shelter between the craggy mountains are ideal for horses and make a superb setting for long canters against an extraordinary backdrop..
Set date trips are for 11 nights with two similar itineraries, either camping in the National Park or staying in local estancias, hosterias and farmsteads. Rides are run between November and March. 11 night itineraries include 7 days riding using camps or local estancia accommodation. Itineraries adapted for private family groups, trips that combine riding, walking and kayaking and one base stays can also be arranged on request.
Summary
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Riding: 4-7 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: locally bred Criollo and Chilean cross. | ||
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Pace: moderate and varied, with good open going for long canters. | ||
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Riding ability: suitable for intermediate to experienced riders. | ||
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Weight limit: 95kg (15 stone). | ||
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Accommodation: 3* camping or simple estancias and lodges (2 options). | ||
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Group size: maximum 12. |
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Dates 2008/2009:  |
Camping Rides: 5th to 16th November 2009 | |
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Estancia Rides: Special Endurance Race Ride - April / May 2009 23rd November to 4th December 2009 | ||
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Blue Ice Trail: Please enquire for rates & itinerary | ||
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Season: |
November to April | |
Horses and Riding
The horses are medium build cross breeds, generally Chilean Horse crosses or Criollo mix. Some have Percheron blood. They are bred locally on the surrounding Estancias for working cattle and sheep and most range from about 14.2hh to 16hh. They are good natured and a sensible, responsive and enjoyable ride. Saddles are Chilean style with a comfortable sheepskin on top. The horses are trained western style and are used to neck reining. Groups are normally limited to a maximum of 12 guests.
Hours: There is generally 4 to 6 hours riding a day, riding from camp to camp or estancia to estancia, with breaks for rests and lunch.
Pace and experience required: To take part in these rides you should have a reasonable amount of previous riding experience and a reasonably good level of general fitness. You should be comfortable and in control on a well schooled horse at a walk, trot and canter and used to riding in open country. Experienced riders will have fun, well paced riding over good terrain. The horses include sensible, steady schoolmasters so less experienced riders who are fit and adventurous, can also participate. The pace is varied with opportunities for good long canters most days.
Accommodation
Accommodation on the rides varies with the itinerary. The first and last night on camping rides is usually at the Hotel Terra Sur in Punta Arenas. Then most other nights are spent in tough, weather proof dome tents in private camps, moved ahead of riders. Sometimes camps are set up in or near one of the National Park's appointed camping areas where there may be showers (not always hot!). On Estancia Rides the first night is Hosteria Rio Verde, a lovely estancia on Skyring sound. The last night is at the Hotel Terra Sur in Punta Arenas and other nights are at family run estancias (farms), either working estancias in comfortable guest rooms, or at estancias that have been converted to small hotels. Rooms are generally twin bedded with private bathroom although bathrooms are shared on some nights.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008/2009: |
Rates 2008/2009 (valid to April 2009) |
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Camping Rides: - £1715 (if 2 riders); £1490 (3 to 6 riders); £1420 (7 or more riders) | |
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Estancia Rides: - £2240 (if 2 riders); £2175 (3 riders); £1995 (4 to 6 riders); £1925 (7 to 12 riders) | |
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Single supplement - £125 on Camping Rides; £275 on Estancia Rides although this will only guarantee a single room on 8 nights (singles cannot be guaranteed on other nights). | |
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Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, 11 nights twin/shared accommodation, most meals (see individual itineraries), some drinks/wine on Camping Rides, Park fees, vehicle transfers at set times with the group from Punta Arenas to the start of the ride and back. | |
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Rates exclude - flights to Chile/Punta Arenas, drinks, some meals (see individual itineraries), personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees and personal items such as tips etc. |
Travel
The meeting point for the rides is Punta Arenas at the southern tip of Chilean
Patagonia. You will need to fly to Santiago, Chile's capital, then take an internal flight to Punta Arenas. There are several flights from London to Santiago,
generally departing in the evening and arriving Santiago mid morning the next day (e.g. the Chilean airline Lan Chile flies via Madrid). There are 3 or 4
flights a day between Santiago and Punta Arenas. For flights from London budget around £850 economy return (varies with the airline, season and
availability)
Itinerary in Brief (Estancia Ride)
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Day 1 |
Arrive Punta Arenas and transfer to Hosteria Rio Verde on Skyring Sound, visiting a penguin colony on the way. Dinner and night. |
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Day 2 |
Breakfast and drive north to Torres Del Paine National Park, stopping en-route at the small town of Puerto Natales. In the late afternoon arrive at Estancia Las Chinas, close to the border with Argentina. Dinner and overnight. |
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Day 3 |
Meet the horses and 'baqueanos' and set off riding through canyons and glacial valleys in the shadows of granite and snow capped peaks. Picnic lunch at a shepherds hut then ride on to Estancia Tercera Barranca for dinner and the night. |
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Day 4 |
Breakfast and ride across wide open pampas heading towards the dramatic Paine massif. There are some rivers to cross and opportunities for long canters. Lunch by a shepherds hut at Lake Sarmiento then ride on to Estancia Lazo on the shores of Laguna Verde for dinner and the night. |
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Day 5 |
Set off on a day ride through southern beech forest and past lakes. Picnic lunch at a shepherds hut then ride back to Lazo Ranch for dinner and the night. |
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Day 6 |
Morning riding to the Sierra del Toro. Lunch at Park headquarters and ride on across the pampas to the Serrano river. Dinner and night in Hotel Rio Serrano or similar. |
Day 7 |
Breakfast and ride to Lago and Glacier Grey, the largest glacier in the park. Return to the Hotel Rio Serrano for dinner and the night. |
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Day 8 |
A long ride through the heart of the Park, then east to cross the Rio de las Chinas. A picnic en route with the horizon dominated by mountain peaks. Arrive at Estancia Tercera Barranca for dinner and night. |
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Day 9 |
Breakfast and a day ride west towards Lago Paine. It was from this area that Lady Florence Dixie first sighted the Torres and it is also home to wild criollo horses. Return to Estancia Tercera Barranca for dinner and night. |
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Day 10 |
A final ride across open pampas out of the Park to the small outpost town of Cerro Castillo. Lunch at an estancia en-route and overnight at a small hotel in Cerro Castillo. |
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Day 11 |
Transfer to Punta Arenas, visiting a penguin colony on the way and arriving late afternoon. Night at a hotel in Punta Arenas. |
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Day 12 |
Breakfast and depart. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and if you have any questions. |
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