The Glacier Ride

Highlights

• Let your hair down with this exhilarating ride across the mind freeing pampas of Patagonia
• Ride hardy Criollo horses on a mix of terrain as you tackle woodland, rivers, passes and valleys
• Enjoy astonishing views at every turn that literally take your breath away
• Bond with your smart, responsive, agile Criollo horse, your loyal companion for most of the ride
• Experience some of Torres del Paine’s most photographed views through the ears of your horse
• Witness three of Patagonia’s dramatic glaciers during your seven days of riding
• Take a private cruise across the fjords to a typical estancia in a remote island-like landscape
• Sleep under the stars in a riverside camp with a Bluegreen chef to prepare typical meals
• Ride frontier style on wild empty trails where you are unlikely to see other humans
• Live the life of a gaucho as you sleep in no less than four isolated estancias and ranch houses
• Eat some typical Patagonian food and meet some of the people who call this place home
• Sip pre-dinner Pisco sours and vino tinto as succulent lamb is roasted over an open fire

Day by day

1. Day 1: Arrive into Puerto Natales. Private transfer to the outpost village of Cerro Castillo. Night in the comfortable, country house-style Hosteria el Pionero in twin/double rooms with private bathrooms. Breakfast, lunch and welcome dinner included. Guide’s briefing.
2. After breakfast, you will be joining your horses in the nearby coral and saddling up for today’s long ride north across the wide open pampas that characterize this part of Patagonia passing a number of large estancias. The trails take you east of the lakes as you ride across the immense pampas, the views of the Paine Massif can be seen to the left throughout the day and there should be good opportunities to see wildlife. The ride will be supported by a vehicle so in the event of tiredness riders can travel the last part in the vehicle (the total distance is 64 km and there will be a chance to get into the vehicle at 47 km and 50 kms). Later in the afternoon we will arrive at the remote Casa Las Chinas located in the Las Chinas valley named after the river of the same name. Tonight will be spent in a pretty ranch house in this beautiful secluded valley decorated in the typical style with eating and living area with fireplace. The house will be occupied exclusively by your group and a chef will prepare meals. Night Casa Las Chinas in twin/double rooms, one with private bathroom, other rooms share bathrooms. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
3. Today’s ride of approximately 5-6 hours will take us north through canyons, ravines and valleys on the Park perimeters to the lovely Salto Las Chinas. After a picnic lunch we will return via a different route to the very pretty Laguna Azul with its captivating turquoise waters and dramatic views of the three Towers of Paine. The total distance is 35 km and there will be an opportunity to return in the vehicle if required. We will spend the night in mountain tents with hot showers and indoor dining in the nearby quincho (outdoor dining area). We will have time to explore the sandy lake beach and the resident wildlife while dinner is prepared. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (with wine at dinner).
4. Today you will be setting out on a long ride across the heart of the Park with iconic mountain and lake views as you head from east to west. The full distance is 48 km with 8-9 hours riding although the ride is vehicle supported enabling you to travel in the vehicle for the final part of the trail if you prefer (shortening the ride to 38 km although riders can jump in the van at any point, the ride ends at the Park administration centre). Our destination is the Serrano River with stunning views of the western face of the Paine Massif. Today’s ride is always a highlight of everybody’s itinerary with its iconic picture postcard views of the Paine Massif and the surrounding lakes from a southern perspective and a wealth of diverse wildlife. Night in a riverside camp with bathrooms and hot showers and a BlueGreen chef to prepare meals and all gear provided with sleeping bags, liners and mats included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included (with wine at dinner).
5. After your camp breakfast you will be saddling up and riding out to Grey Lake, a stunning pampas ride with mountain views throughout. Arrive at Grey Lake and take a walk on the sandy beach often packed with icebergs floating on its surface. Option to take a boat to the face of Grey Glacier (recommended) for an up close and personal encounter with a towering wall of ice. The ride distance is 35 km there and back although if you choose to take the Grey Boat you will return by vehicle making today’s ride 17 km. Return to the Serrano River for a second night camping as above.
   *Refer to cost of Grey Boat below
6. After a camp breakfast you will be riding on a 6-7 hour trail along the Serrano River out of Torres del Paine into the Bernardo OHiggins National Park. This is a remote area with forested trails interspersed with dramatic mountain and river views. Arrive at the Hosteria Monte Balmaceda located at the mouth of the Serrano River in front of the mountain of the same name and the Serrano Glacier in the beautiful and inaccessible Bernardo OHiggins National Park. Accommodation in twin/double rooms with private bathroom. Bid your horses goodbye. Night hosteria. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.* Note: riders will be provided with dry bags for today’s ride which will be carried on pack horses, they will pack two night’s clothing into these. Your main luggage will be driven to Puerto Natales and you will have access to that at the hotel in Puerto Natales.
7. After taking a short walk to the very pretty Serrano Glacier that tumbles down the hillside into an iceberg filled lagoon you will be meeting a private charter boat that will whisk you across Last Hope Sound to the Estancia La Peninsula located fjord-side. On arrival at the boat dock belonging to the estancia you will be meeting new horses. Ride out along the waterside trails lined with driftwood and dramatic views of the Paine and Balmaceda mountains, roughly 4-5 hours in the saddle. Arrive at a magical fjord-side cabin where you will be spending the night. Inside dining and bathrooms. Groups up to 4 will sleep in comfortable cabin with two twin/double rooms, two bathrooms and one living area. Groups of 5+ sleep in tents outside. Dedicated cook to prepare meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included with wine at dinner.*We should point out that tonight will be camping with meals taken in the cabin with use of indoor bathrooms and dining area. If the group remains small with 2-4 riders, you will sleep inside the cabin.
8. After breakfast you will be setting off on a 5-6 hour trail into the surrounding landscapes offering spectacular views and a unique landscape before heading back to the main house at La Peninsula where you will be boarding a catamaran to take you back to the boat dock in Puerto Natales. Take a transfer to the lovely waterfront Weskar Lodge, a short disance outside town. Farewell dinner included at the lovely waterside El Cormoran de las Rocas. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
9. Transfer to bus station or airport for onward travel.

Extras

• Single supplement (for those who prefer not to share, see price note)
• Add boat trip to the face of Grey Glacier, US$140 per person

Is this trip for me?

• This 9-day exclusive BlueGreen itinerary is suited to lovers of riding and the outdoors. In the company of an experienced guide and Chilean horsemen you will ride into some remote areas where the only access is on foot or horse. Luggage is moved by vehicle or 4×4 and you are provided with saddle bags to carry water, suncream, lunch box etc.
• Accommodation is in a mix of lodgings including a country house hotel, a traditional ranch house (occupied exclusively), a remote hosteria, a fjordside-cabin (or camping, see notes), a waterfront lodge and three nights sleeping outside in tents. The accommodation is twin share and has been chosen in the best locations and to reach the best riding away from the main hiking trails. The ride is an authentic experience with as much contact with the local horse culture as possible. Accommodation is not luxury but the estancia owners/hosts ensure great care is taken to keep you warm and comfortable. All gear is provided when camping (two-man mountain tents, warm sleeping bags with liners and sleeping mats). A dedicated BlueGreen chef will be preparing your meals while camping at the Serrano River. An estancia chef will prepare the meals at the Casa Las Chinas.
• Riding experience required for this trip is intermediate to advanced. This is a fairly fast paced ride with some long riding days. Fitness and experience are important. The ride is not suitable for beginner riders.
• You will be riding with an experienced English speaking riding guide together with between one and three horsemen (baqueanos) depending on the size of the group. Where practical the riding is supported by a vehicle with a dedicated driver giving options for riders to rest or cut a ride short if required
• Age limit: 12 – 70 unless by prior arrangement. Young riders need to be experienced and accompanied by an experienced and capable adult. Alternatively, please ask about our custom family trips for riding options for very young riders. Older riders are welcome but may be asked to complete a medical suitability questionnaire
• The trip includes seven days riding with varying lengths according to how far you need to ride on a certain day. You will be riding two different horses during the ride
• This trip is available on two set departures in the main season:  7 December 2025 and 7 February 2026 with groups of 2+ riders. The maximum group size is an intimate 6 riders. Alternatively, we can arrange the trip on a custom basis for a family or group of riders, subject to availability.
• Solo riders are welcome and a single supplement is not charged if you are willing to share with another rider of the same gender (otherwise, the single supplement is US$675, limited single accommodation available in some areas, ask for details)
• Travel insurance is mandatory as is the wearing of suitable head gear (a full packing list is provided prior to departure).
• Prices start at US$8,515 per person (group of 6 riders, 25/26 season), contact us for prices of smaller groups. Prices are inclusive of private transfers in/out and vehicle support during the ride where practical; all accommodation and meals from dinner on Day 1 through to breakfast on Day 9 (with wine included in ranch stays and during camping); English speaking riding guide with Chilean baqueanos to care for the horses; truck to move horses in some areas; private chef to prepare meals while camping and at Las Chinas and La Barossa; all riding and activities as detailed; saddle bags; Park entrance fees; private boat charter from Puerto Toro to Estancia La Peninsula and catamaran from estancia to Puerto Natales; ground support provided by our experienced logistics team based in Puerto Natales
• Please contact us for more information on confirmed departures or to reserve your place.