South America ~ Chile ~ Patagonia

Riding: 4-7 hours a day.

Horses: locally bred Criollo and Chilean cross.

Pace: moderate and varied, with good open going for long canters.

Riding ability: suitable for intermediate to experienced riders.

Weight limit: 95kg (15 stone).

Accommodation: 3* camping or simple estancias and lodges (2 options).

Group size: maximum 12.

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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 on the rides varies with the itinerary. The first and last night on both camping and estancia rides is usually at the Hotel Rey Don Felipe in Punta Arenas. Then most other nights on camping rides 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 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.

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 £1100 economy return (varies with the airline, season and availability).

Estancia Ride