Footloose Travel Guides

    Chile Tours

Sample Itinerary

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 Torres del Paine National Park. (pick-up from the airport at 3:35 PM, corresponding with LAN airline, Flight # 285, or at 3 PM from your hotel in town).
As we leave the airport we can see the Straits of Magellan and the mystical Tierra del Fuego. During the first two hours we drive across 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 head north to 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 Torres Del Paine.
(6 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 only Tehuelche Indian cemetery in the region, at the top of Cerro Marcu. 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 Marcu hill, 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

The ride starts from the stables of the estancia. After crossing the Baguales River, we will head northwards following the western bank of the river. The path rises gradually and we will be able to see Las Chinas Valley behind us. The vegetation here is pre-Andean shrubland, with the dominant species being the Black Bush (Juniellia tridens). We will also be able to see Lenga forests (Nothofagus Pumilio) on some of the slopes.
We will continue our ascent riding along the river shore and the lower slopes. We will see herds of guanaco (lama guanicoe) and may occasionally see a Hare (Lepus capensis): this animal was introduced from Europe at the end of the 19th century. After 4 hours we will arrive at Las Chinas puesto (post) where we will set up our camp. During the afternoon we ride to a look out point of the valley as well as a good opportunity to find fossils.
(4-5 hours slow riding, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-D) (Night at Puesto Las Chinas Camping) (No showers available)

Day 4

This horse-ride is one of the few trips that mixes a beautiful ride with an in-depth exploration of the most hidden and unexplored valleys in the area. We will follow Las Chinas River along its eastern bank, riding uphill for about an hour and a half until we reach a pass in the foothills, which will lead us to our eventual destination on the plains of the Zamora Valley. From this pass and throughout the rest of the trip we will be able to see groups of guanacos and birds such as the condor (Vultur gryphus), the white throated caracara (Phalcoboenus albogularis) and the red backed hawk (Buteo polysoma). We will leave behind us Las Chinas valley with its incredible view of the Sierra Baguales. We descend from the pass following the source of the Zamora River. We have to weave in and around a dense Lenga forest, which borders the river, much of the time creating our own path. Once past the forest we will enter a long, raised plateau, with plenty of up hills and down hills until we will reach the border with Argentina. This is located near the puesto La Rosada which is situated in an idyllic spot surrounded by meadows and very close to the Argentinean border.
(6-7 hours walking, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-D) (Night at Puesto La Rosada Camping) (No showers available)

Day 5

The ride begins from La Rosada on the bank of the Zamora River. This river is named after a legendary “Baqueano” of the area, his name was Santiago Zamora and he was one of the first adventurers in the region. We will be surrounded by many sierras and magnificent native forests of Lenga and Ñirre (Nothofagus Antartica) as we follow the river, passing through “vegas”; humid grassy areas where an impermeable layer has formed which retains the water allowing for the development of rich pasture land. After about 2 and a half hours riding we will reach the entrance of Vega del Chancho. From here we follow the river that joins the Baguales River. This path follows an exuberant beech forest and the clear water that flows down from the slopes giving this place its very unique characteristics. Initially the path is quite tricky due to some steep descents but afterwards we ride through open terrain good for a strong gallop. After a couple of hours we will arrive at the Vega del Chancho puesto, built using native wood. We are close to the river where we may spot a Torrent duck (Merganetta armata). Two waterfalls on either side create an idyllic Patagonian setting.
(6 hours slow riding, trotting and galloping) (B-BL-D) (Night at Vega Del Chancho) (No showers available)

Day 6

Today we will explore the area climbing a hill to get an impressive view of the Southern Ice Field and some of its many glaciers. We will head to the Argentine border, before descending along a different path through beech forests to our camp, where we enjoy a well deserve dinner around a bonfire, weather permitting.
(6 hours, slow riding, trotting and galloping) (B-BL-D) (Camping at Vega Del Chancho) (No showers available)

Day 7

The ride will mostly follow a path rarely used by vehicles. The scenery reminds one of the writings of Lady Florence Dixie, the first female tourist to the area; in her majestic book Across Patagonia, where she describes seeing this incredible geography after having (presumably) crossed from Argentina.
During the summer season, the valley is full of cattle driven by the baqueanos from Estancia Cerro Guido. This round up, called the “arreo”, lasts several days at the beginning and end of the season and is a spectacular sight to observe. The path we follow runs through the valley for almost 4 hours before arriving at La Porfiada puesto. After a good lunch we ride to Laguna Azul area, one of the entrances to Torres del Paine National Park. Finally we have the opportunity to take a well deserved hot shower.
(6-7 hours walking, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-D) (Night at Camping Laguna Azul)

Day 8

After 3 ½ to 4 hours riding we will reach Estancia Segunda Barranca, which is located at the base of Sierra Contreras with a splendid view of Torres Del Paine National Park. Here is where we will have our lunch before we ride to Estancia Cerro Guido. This Estancia is one of the last remaining establishments still retaining many of the typical characteristics of the period when The Sociedad Explotadora of Tierra del Fuego was functioning. The Estancia has 60.000 hectares and about 50.000 sheep. The village has a beautiful view of the Paine Massif and has preserved all the typical buildings including the lodge, main house, administration office, workers' houses, kitchen, bakery, school, carpentry workshop, forge, dairy, stables and sheep-shearing shed. We share a farewell dinner enjoying a typical Patagonian style lamb barbecue.
(6-7 hours walking, trotting and cantering) (B-BL-BBQ) (Night at Lodge Cerro Guido)

Day 9

We will take a private transfer to Punta Arenas. (Clients should take the flight at 4:25 PM, from LAN airline, flight #284, arriving to Santiago at 8:40 PM), if you decide to stay the night in Punta Arenas; we will drop you at your hotel.
(5 hours by transfer) (B)

REGARDING THE SCHEDULE The schedules indicated above are subject to change due to weather conditions or unexpected circumstances beyond our control, but we will try our best to keep them unaltered.