Glacier Camping Ride

Arrive in Puerto Natales. Private transfer to the outpost village of Cerro Castillo and overnight at the Hosteria El Pionero in twin or double beds with ensuite bathrooms. During the welcome dinner your guide will brief you about the week ahead.

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.

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).

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).

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.
*Add boat trip to the face of Grey Glacier, US$140 per person payable locally

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 O’Higgins 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 O’Higgins 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. Their main luggage will be driven to Puerto Natales and they will have access to that at the hotel in Puerto Natales.

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 & bathrooms. Groups up to 4 will sleep in comfortable cabin with two twin/double rooms, two indoor 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.

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.

Transfer to bus station or airport for onward travel. Breakfast only.

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer by road back to Puerto Natales for your onward journey. If you are spending an extra couple of days in Punta Arenas after the ride, consider a visit of the Isla Magdalena (located about 32 km northeast of Punta Arenas) to see the Magellan penguins (about $ 60 for a round trip ferry ride with a full hour on the island) or a visit to the Nao Victoria museum with a full scale reconstruction of one of Magellan’s ships that you can climb on.