CHILEAN RIDING ADVENTURE

Day 1 Arrive in to Santiago

Framed by the snow peaked Andes that stretch far along the length of the country, Santiago sits in the heart of Chile. This lively and bustling city is slowly expanding, with a smattering of boutique hotels, fashionable restaurants and trendy wine bars popping up. Historical and modern rub shoulders together, with colonial mansions playing host to modern hotels and bars, and modern galleries opening up to reveal young artists. Spend your first night at the swish and stylish Ritz-Carlton.

Overnight: Ritz Carlton Santiago

Day 2 Fly to the Atacama Desert

Today catch a morning flight up to the breath-taking Atacama, where the mountainous landscape gives way to dusky, apricot hues, and crumbling rocky cliffs. The start of your adventure in Chile, stay at the idyllic Explora Atacama, where well-trained and committed guides will take you on your adventure. Whether you are a beginner or a skilled rider, the guides will help you find the perfect ride to meet your needs without missing out on anything. On arrival relax in to your room before carefully choosing and planning your activities for the next few days. This evening, look up to the night sky taking in the abundance of glittering stars above. The hotel has one of the best observatories in Chile where you can observe some of the most unpolluted night sky in the world.

Overnight: Explora Atacama

Day 3 Atacama by horseback

Ride through the terracotta landscape of the Atacama Desert, spending the day with the Ayllu community who call Atacama home. Found across Séquitor, Yaye, and Checar, Atacameño, these farming communities still thrive, continuing to preserve their culture and traditions. Learn about the Atacama construction technique, where adobe, wood and compressed earth is still used to construct houses, and straw is still used in the roof, before riding back through the dusty landscape to Solor. A remarkable town, where verdant fields and irrigation systems can be seen, sitting so out of place in the dry desert background. When ready return to the hotel, stopping en-route at the unexpected and unique desert bookshop. The evening is at leisure to relax and enjoy some wonderful Chilean cuisine.

Overnight: Explora Atacama

Day 4 Ride to the Moon Valley

This morning leap back in the saddle for another full day exploring the hidden secrets of the Atacama. Riding past lone cacti and over sandy dunes, arrive in the Moon Valley, where craggy rocks rise out of the sand. Known for its Mars-like landscape, the rich, orange sand is surrounded by crumbling sandy cliffs that warm the area in dusky glow. When ready continue to the town of Cúcuter, where the desert meets the salt flats. Tuck into a traditional lunch at one of the ayllu, discovering the local way of life in this grassy oasis, riding out through the desert once again. Return to the hotel to spend the rest of the day relaxing, before another wonderful dinner in the Atacama.

Overnight: Explora Atacama

Day 5 Fly to the Lake District

Enjoy your last breakfast in the Atacama Desert and fly down to Chile’s incredible Lake District. As the name would suggest, this is a paradise of vast open parks and prairies, soaring mountains and majestic lakes, as well as some of the most spectacular riding. Staying at the striking &Beyond Vira Vira, the hotel is embraced by leafy forests, rolling mountains, and boasts an array of wonderful activities, including horse riding. Meet with the guides to tailor your experience to your interests and pace, before spending the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: andBeyond Vira Vira

Day 6 Ride across the Chilean Lake District

Spend a full day exploring the Chilean Lake District from horseback, galloping across the open flat grasslands, passing glacial lakes, and snow-capped mountains. Guided on your journey by a Chilean Huaso, or cowboy, learn about the history of the landscape and way of life for the huaso’s, and their horses. Pass by meandering rivers and calm lakes, discovering more about this captivating landscape from your guides, and the diverse climate that makes Chile so unique. The perfect opportunity for all levels, whether you want to gently hack through forests or canter across grasslands. When ready return to the hotel for an evening at leisure, relaxing with a delicious dinner.

Overnight: andBeyond Vira Vira

Day 7 Ride to the Grey River

Wake up for another day in the Chilean Lake District, today navigating through the cordilleras and rocky terrain until you reach the banks of the Grey River. Gently walk alongside the winding river, continuing to towards the steep slope to the Témpanos viewpoint. From here you can take in the vastness of the landscape, including the Grey Lake, its ice fields and the glacier in the distance. After a picnic lunch jump back in the saddle and ride through the forests spotting native birds, and wildlife, learning from your guides the incredible habitat the Lake District offers. Trot, canter or gallop back to the lodge in time for a hearty dinner.

Overnight: andBeyond Vira Vira

Day 8 Fly to Southern Patagonia

Wave goodbye to the Lake District and catch a flight down to southern Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park. Famed for its mammoth glaciers that crack and boom as they shift, and rugged mountainous beauty, Patagonia is one of Chile's most magical destinations. Here phone signals are non-existent and WiFi limited, and where the fearless and famous gaucho, call home. Meet with your Explora Patagonia guides to plan the perfect journey, and learn about the gaucho way of life riding the vast landscape on horseback.

Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine

Day 9 Ride over the Serrano Plain

Saddle up and enjoy another day riding, this time to the beautiful Serrano Plain that teeters on the edge of the Serrano River in the corner of Torres del Paine. Passing by magnificent Fjords, cross the Grey River where Serrano begins, and continue across the open grasslands to Donosito Lookout. Enjoy the sweeping views across the valley, looking down on the winding Serrano and Grey rivers, and Paine Massif. Chat with your guides and learn more about the environment of Patagonia, looking out for curious guanacos (Patagonian Llamas). When ready trot to the azure waters of Los Choros Lagoon, and enjoy a bracing canter along the shore like a gaucho cowboy yourself. Return to the hotel for an evening of relaxation.

Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine

Day 10 Discover Torre del Paine

Spend your last full day in Patagonia making the most of the incredible scenery from horseback. Once again canter along to the Serrano River, following the winding pathway to a small town at the gateway to the park. Ride past guachos and locals fishing in the river, delving into the culture and traditions of Patagonia. Gently walk through beech and Antarctic forests, passing languid guanacos and keeping an eye out for swooping Andean condors. Return to the Explora Patagonia stables and enjoy an afternoon at leisure, exploring more of the grounds that surround the hotel before settling down for one more delicious Chilean dinner.

Overnight: Explora Torres del Paine

Day 11 Flight Home

Say goodbye to Patagonia and Chile as you catch a flight from Puerto Montt up to Santiago, taking in the breath-taking scenery one more time. On arrival in Santiago meet with your international flight home, and depart Chile, remembering your wonderful equestrian adventure.