Wild Horse Experience

This recently launched 3-day Wild Horse Experience takes place at a remote ranch engulfed by the Sierra Baguales mountains that form a natural barrier with Argentina. During your stay here you will head out on foot or 4×4 with a conservation team to track baguales (wild horses), observe their behaviour and learn how they are managed and protected. Opportunies for hiking, fossil hunting and exploring this other worldly landscape or head out on horseback (experienced riders only).

Highlights

• Take part in a unique conservation project and learn the fascinating story of Patagonia’s wild horses
• Search for marine fossils dating back to the cretaceous period 70 million years ago
• Sleep in a typical Patagonian ranch house, eat the local food and meet the local people
• Hike out into remote glacial valleys with nothing but guanaco calls for company
• Escape beeping phones in one of the world’s truly remote places
• Saddle up and ride out into these mesmerizing landscapes on fit responsible Criollos
• Get up close to the wild horses in the company of an expert team of conservationists
• Observe local wildlife; condors, armadillos, skunks, hares and guanacos
• Explore this arid and unique landscape that rivals its neighbour, Torres del Paine
• Curl up with a book on one of the ranch’s expansive terraces with some of the best views in the world

Day by day

1. Collection for this trip can be from Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine or Cerro Castillo (where the bus arrives from el Calafate). 

   With your English speaking guide and driver you will be taking a private transfer north east of Paine on a road that skirts the Sierra Contreras mountains following the Baguales River to the historic Hacienda 3R (now Estancia Sierra Baguales). 

   This estancia (ranch) is located in a dramatic landscape in the frontierlands between the Rio de las Chinas and the Rio Baguales. An arid, dramatic location with immense skies and closeness to the domineering Sierra Baguales mountain range. You will be staying here for two nights in a working ranch that houses guests in the comfortable main house and guest lodge.

   The silence is deafening and you will have your BlueGreen guide(s) and local team to keep you company, a chance to enjoy memorable meals and explore with your new friends in this magical place. With luck you will meet your host, Alicia Rivero, the force behind the estancia and its mission to protect and conserve the wild horse herds in the region.

   The main house consists of three bedrooms (see below), a large kitchen and living area with expansive mountain views, wood burning stove, two bathrooms (two showers) and three wash basins. Nearby is a separate house that sleeps 7 in two rooms.

   In addition to the condors nesting nearby, other wildlife includes armadillos, skunks, hares, guanacos and even puma. There is no cell phone reception or WiFi and meals are eaten communally around the big wooden table which is the centre of the house’s beautiful dining area.
   After your delicious dinner prepared by a competent chef you can settle into your comfortable beds for a night in this magical place.

   Night Estancia Sierra Baguales 

   The ‘Casa Patronal’ or Lodge has a maximum capacity for 10 guests in two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and three bedrooms with bunk beds (each bunk is a double sleeping two people). There are two shared bathrooms equipped with two WC’s, three wash basins and two showers. The open play layout features a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room and fireplace. It also offers a spacious terrace to enjoy the dramatic views, heating and WIFI.

   The ‘Puesto Grande’ has capacity for up to six guests in one double bedroom, two bedrooms with bunk veds (each bunk is a double sleeping two people) and two fully equipped bathrooms. It also features an open plan kitchen, dining area and living room as well as a full terrace and a wood burning stove for heating. El Puesto Grande” has a maximum capacity of six people, with a layout comprising one double bedroom, two bedrooms with bunk beds, and two fully equipped bathrooms. It also features an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and living room, as well as a full terrace and slow-burning wood stoves for heating.

   *Meal basis: Ranch chef to prepare meals.
   Snack and dinner included today.

   Day 2: Today you can choose from a menu of activities according to your preference.

   Options include:

   Laguna 3R
   Take an easy hike of around 3.6 km into the high plains that surround the estancia that are home to a variety of flora and fauna. Our destination is the Laguna 3R with a surface area of 7.3 hectares. Located at 673 metres above sea level the lagoon attracts large numbers of birds during the summer season.

   Rio Baguales Trail
   This easy hiking trail follows the banks of the Baguales River. In addition to a variety of the estate’s native flora and fauna marine fossils have been found here dating back to approximately 42 million years ago (the Cenozoic era).

   Amphitheatre Trail
   This trail is located along the northern boundary of the estancia and covers a hiking distance of approximately 2.4 km. During the 1.5 to 2.5 hours taken to complete it you will witness panoramic views of the Sierra Baguales and the Patagonian highlands. There are also paleontological remains in the area.

   Barranca Trail
   This trail covers a distance of approximately 6.6 km on a moderately difficult trail lasting 3 – 4 hours. You will witness panoramic views of the Sierra Baguales as you traverse the Chorillo de la Barranca. Your guides will identify a number of native plants and flowers in addition to any wildlife seen along the way. Marine fossils from the cretaceous era have been found here dating back 70 million years.

   Observe and interract with horses.
   This activity involves observing and interracting with herds of both tame and wild horses belonging to the estancia. There will be members of the conservation team present with guests at all time to share information on the history and care of the wild horses and ensure everybody’s safety at all times.

   Outing to visit the wild horse herds
   This involves heading out to an area frequented by the wild horse herds are grazing. The guide will aim to get closer to the horses using feed and, when safe and appropriate to do so, guests can approach the horses. Ths activity can last between 1-3 hours depending on where the horses are located and the herd chosen for observation. The guide will explain the social dynamics, hierarchy, geaneology and the history of the herd. They will also discuss the strong reasons for preserving and protecting these horses.

   Locating and Coraling the herd
   This involes setting out on foot into the surrounding hills and valleys to find a herd before herding them into the estancia’s corals located near the lodge. Once in the coral, guests can feed the horses and interract with them, all the time in the company of their knowledgeable conservation guide. This can last between 1-3 hours depending on where the herds are located.

   Horse riding in the area (experienced riders capable of controlling a horse at canter on open ground).

   Depending on the weather you will be taking a half day ride into the incredible landscapes that surround the estancia. With just the soaring condors and agile guanacos for company you will journey into this deep, remote Patagonian countryside to explore the various peaks, lakes, valleys and canyons that exist in this area. Riding will be on the wide open pampas and steppelands that characterize the area which is home to wild horses (baguales) which breed in the area and which hopefully you will see during the day. Views of the various mountain ranges are all around; the Sierras Baguales that form the natural barrier with Argentina to the north, the Sierra Contreras to the south, and of course the Paine Massif to the west all provide a memorable and fitting backdrop to this, Patagonia’s own wild west.

   Night Estancia Sierra Baguales 

   The ‘Casa Patronal’ or Lodge has a maximum capacity for 10 guests in two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and three bedrooms with bunk beds (each bunk is a double sleeping two people). There are two shared bathrooms equipped with two WC’s, three wash basins and two showers. The open play layout features a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, living room and fireplace. It also offers a spacious terrace to enjoy the dramatic views, heating and WIFI.

   The ‘Puesto Grande’ has capacity for up to six guests in one double bedroom, two bedrooms with bunk veds (each bunk is a double sleeping two people) and two fully equipped bathrooms. It also features an open plan kitchen, dining area and living room as well as a full terrace and a wood burning stove for heating. El Puesto Grande” has a maximum capacity of six people, with a layout comprising one double bedroom, two bedrooms with bunk beds, and two fully equipped bathrooms. It also features an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and living room, as well as a full terrace and slow-burning wood stoves for heating.

   *Meal basis: all meals included prepared by the ranch chef.

   Day 3: After breakfast you will be continuing with your onward travel. We can arrange drop off in Torres del Paine, Cerro Castillo (for the bus on to el Calafate and el Chalten) or Puerto Natales to catch an onward flight or bus.

   Breakfast only included.

Accommodation

• Authentic ranch house typical of those found in this region of southern Patagonia.

Extras

We can combine this experience with a riding or other activity in Torres del Paine according to your preference and how much time you have available.

Is this trip for me?

• This NEW BlueGreen experience is suited to lovers of nature and wild places. You do not have to be a rider to join, just have an interest in conservation and horses. The trip is supported by a BlueGreen guide who will accompany you during your stay at the estancia. He or she will be joined by the estancia’s own team of conservation guides. Private transfers to and from the ranch are included in a private transfer with driver. While at the estancia you will have use of the estancia’s 4×4 vehicles.
• Accommodation is in a mix of lodgings as detailed above. Rooms are generally twin share but we can arrange a single room on request (a supplement may be due). This is an authentic experience with as much contact with the surrounding landscapes, culture and history as possible. In addition you will enjoy a privileged opportunity of observing and interracting with the famous wild horses as part of this unique and worthwhile conservation project. The accommodation is warm, comfortable, cosy and welcoming. It is not luxury but you will be well looked after. A dedicated chef will prepare your meals. There is no phone signal here but the main house has WIFI.
• If you wish to add riding, this is available at an extra cost. The riding experience required is intermediate to advanced. We ask that riders are comfortable in the saddle and able to control a horse on open ground at a canter. The estancia’s horses are not suitable for beginner riders. A choice of saddles is available.
• Age limit: 12 – 70 unless by prior arrangement. This is a great experience for families with older children to get them out into the real Patagonia far from the main routes in the Park.
• Travel insurance is mandatory as is the wearing of suitable head gear if you are riding (a full packing list is provided prior to departure).
• This short 2-night experience is a great extension to a trip in Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Contact us for ideas or if you are interested in combining this with some riding in Torres del Paine, click here for a suggested itinerary.