Experience this short but sweet Paine Traverse ride where you will spend three full days exploring some of the Park’s most iconic landscapes on horseback. After meeting your assigned horse you will ride out with your guide and horsemen into a mix of terrain and landscapes. Highlights include Laguna Verde, Lago Grey and Laguna Amarga; thick forests, jagged peaks, grassy valleys, frigid glaciers and dancing guanacos all in one exhilarating three day ride.
Highlights
- Unzip your tent on one of Patagonia’s finest views of the western face of the Paine Massif lit up by the morning sun
- Ride up high above the Park to the Sierra del Toro with far reaching views of the Paine and Balmaceda mountain ranges
- Refresh your rusty riding skills with this moderate but highlight-packed riding experience
- Camp in a fully serviced campsite with a BlueGreen cook to prepare meals, hot showers and comfortable gear all provided
- Escape the Park’s high traffic areas for quiet empty trails packed with wildlife
- Swap hiking or driving for an unhurried experience with just the slow beat of your horse’s hooves breaking the silence
- Take the Grey Boat across the iceberg-choked waters of Grey Lake to witness Grey Glacier up close
- This new short ride is the perfect add on to your hiking or hotel based adventure
Day by day
- This 3-day trip will start with collection from either your hotel in Puerto Natales or a meeting point in Torres del Paine.
Accompanied by your guide and driver in a private transfer the route takes us west on a scenic track which follows the shoreline of Sarmiento Lake as it weaves and winds across the pampas through ancient forests and with dramatic mountain and lakes views. Eventually we will arrive at Laguna Verde and there will be a chance to enjoy the views of the Paine Massif from this lesser known southern perspective. We will then meet our horses and the baqueanos who care for them. After assigning horses to riders, we will have a safety check and short familiarization with western riding before packing our saddle bags with cameras, waterproofs, and our picnic lunch and setting off around the shores of this pretty lake through ancient southern beech forests towards the Sierra del Toro.This is a great introductory ride that starts out with flat terrain, soft grassy trails and incredible mountain and lake views at every turn. After a few hours riding we will reach the Mirador del Toro where we will enjoy far reaching views across this marvelous southern landscape. After some time spent here enjoying the views, we will start the steep descent of this scree slope to the pampas below. Lunch will be taken in the valley and we will have a chance to visit the Park Headquarters to look at their relief map of the park. Now used to our horses, we can continue with some canters across the pampas to the Serrano River where we will camp beside the emerald green waters of this beautiful river with its dramatic mountain views. Showers available. Inside dining in case of inclement weather.Packed lunch and dinner included with wine while camping (BlueGreen chef to prepare meals).
All gear provided including mountain tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags with liners. - After breakfast we will be meeting our horses and preparing for the dramatic pampas ride to Grey Lake. Our view will be dominated by the jagged, granite peaks of the Paine massif as we ride out along the Grey River to the largest glacier in the park, Grey Glacier. On reaching the trailhead we will tether our horses and walk out across the swinging footbridge through the forest to Grey Beach.The view that greets us is memorable – the sandy shores of the beach form an almost surreal contrast to the blue of the floating icebergs that have calved off the nearby glacier. Grey Glacier protrudes off the southern ice field and is quite simply a wonder of nature. Measuring 28 km in length and covering a total surface area of 270 square km with its frozen walls of crystalline ice towering almost 35 metres high, it never ceases to impress.
After some time walking along the beach and enjoying our picnic lunch, we will walk back to our waiting horses for the exciting ride back to the Serrano River.
Note: the Glacier itself is 17 kilometers from the the Grey beach and if you would like to get up close to the face of this marvel of ice, we can arrange a trip out onto the lake in the Grey III boat. This is an optional excursion available at the cost of approximately US$135 per person. If you want to take the excursion, you would return to the hotel by vehicle as there is not time to ride back.
All meals included (BlueGreen chef to prepare meals).
All gear provided as above. - 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 west to east. 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 Laguna Amarga). Today’s ride is always a highlight of everybody’s itinerary with its iconic Paine views of the mountains from a southern perspective and diverse wildlife. On arrival at the ride end you will meet your driver for the private transfer back to Puerto Natales. Drop off at your hotel (we can recommend/reserve accommodation on request).
Accommodation
- Two nights in fully supported camping with all gear provided, a cook to prepare meals and hot showers available.
Is this trip for me?
- This new short riding trip is designed for couples, families or small groups wanting to experience the exhilaration of riding in southern Patagonia. It is suitable for novice riders, those with rusty riding skills or riders wishing to get more experience.
- The riding days are full but there are options to shorten the riding by hopping in the van (the ride is vehicle supported when practical). Luggage is moved by vehicle or 4×4 and you are provided with saddle bags to carry water, suncream, lunch box etc
- We can accommodate children on this ride, please contact us to discuss suitability.
- The trip is available on request for 2+ riders, subject to availability. It is a great option for combining with other Patagonian arrangements such as a W or Circuit hike, kayaking, fishing or travel in other parts of Chile or Argentina. The maximum group size is an intimate 6 riders (we can accommodate larger groups on request, this may involve a change of itinerary, contact us to discuss).
- 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
- The trip is supported by a dedicated vehicle and driver with private transfers at the start and end of the ride plus vehicle support during the riding days to ensure flexibility in the itinerary due to challenging weather or tired riders.
- Two nights camping are included in the pricing. If you prefer not to camp we can arrange a hotel upgrade, please ask for suggestions and pricing.
- Prices start at US$2,825 per rider (group of 6 riders, 26/27 season). Ask for full pricing.
