Trail riding tours I offer for you:
In order to accommodate all adventure enthusiasts–
riders and non-riders –
I offer three completely different 8 day to 10 day horseback riding
tours.
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 Inca- and Golddigger Trail
This is a combination of a 1 day ride, a 2 day
adventure with overnight in tents in the impressive
sierras surrounded by mountains and a 3 day wilderness
ride into the breathtaking landscape in the Andes.
This trip suits beginners and riders.
Continue >>
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 Condor Trail
For experienced riders and true adventurers I
offer this very exclusive tailor-made horseback
tour. This is an expedition ride on top of the spectacular
Andean mountains, crossing 11 000 feet, where you
will observe condors at their best.
Continue >>
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 Inca and
Patagonia Trail
10
day riding adventure in Chile Northern Andes and Patagonia
Two stunning adventure
destinations in one. Travel
north to the sunny Andes
to spend time at a beautiful
Chilean Hacienda.
Then
fly south to the extreme
wilderness of Patagonia.
Enjoy wonderful local
hospitality, legendary Criollo
horses and professional
service throughout.
Continue >>
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Inca- and Golddigger Trail
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golddiggers, right through the Andes off civilisation.
This special adventure offers three different trips in
seven days. You will explore the wild sierra, the huge
Andes and experience a romantic and pure nature. I guarantee
a hundred percent nature & adventure in the sun. Your
base in the wilderness of the Andes will be the lodge
Hacienda Los Andes.
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Day 
Transfer from the colonial city La Serena to the Hacienda
where you will stay in comfortable colonial style rooms
with private bathroom. Dinner at the fireplace.
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Day 
Breakfast buffet and meeting of the team. Discussing
the tour. You will get to know your Criollo horse and
the Chilean riding style (similar to the Western style).
Riding tour through the gentle valley Rio Hurtado finally
reaching an idyllic mountain village. Picnic in the
garden of the Plaza. Returning to the Hacienda through
the amazing Andean landscape, passing cacti-covered
hills, breathtaking views. Dinner in front of the fireplace.
Overnight at the Hacienda.
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Day 
Breakfast buffet. Packing saddle bags. Riding along the
golddigger`s path through the calmness of the sierra and
enjoying the lonely valleys. It leads us through canyons
finally reaching the Andean plateau Oro Blanco – White
Gold. In the afternoon we leave the unique wilderness behind
and stay overnight at a typical hermitage. We camp and have
dinner under fig trees in comfortable Hillerberg tents with
inflatable sleeping-mat and warm sleeping bag.
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Day 
Andean breakfast: home made bread, local goats cheese,
sausage and fresh eggs. Starting from the oasis which
is at an altitude of 2000 metres, we ride along the
historic mule path of the gold diggers up to the Andes.
We are surrounded by a gigantic panorama, tremendous
overlook and untouched nature. Lunch break at a spring.
In the afternoon it takes us through a canyon to the
Rio Hurtado. In the evening we reach the goat herd village
Las Breas where we camp beside the river and have a
romantic campfire.
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Day 
Breakfast with a family. After meeting the local people
we continue our tour. The track winds through the wide
Andean valley passing small, idyllic villages. Picnic
in a small village inn. Returning to the Hacienda you
will encounter shepherds paths. Dinner and overnight
stay at the Hacienda.
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Day 
Big breakfast buffet. Today, we take you out to another
adventure with our horses: the Inca-Trail. We cross
two passes and visit the amazing cave drawings of the
Molle Indians who lived with the Inca. You will be inspired
by a totally different landscape than before: wide Andean
plateau’s, small valleys, natural meadows and
animals. Picnic lunch. We pass the colourful sierra
and in the evening we are guests at a 120 years old,
plain pioneer farm. Overnight stay in tents beside the
mountain stream. Camp fire, meeting local people and
listening to their interesting stories.
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Day 
We treasure once again the romantic and lonely Andes in
the saddle. Along the Inca-Trail we cross a pass and come
through lonely valleys to the old and legendary ceremony
place Laguna. Magical glaciers and peaks are the features
of this panorama. Picnic. We follow an ancient trading track
which still leads to Argentina. Riding across a romantic
Western style landscape for hours. Back at the Hacienda
there is time to relax: sunbathing, swimming in the river,
dreaming in the hammock. Dinner and overnight stay at the
Hacienda.
Day 
After breakfast at 8:00 am transfer to the airport in
La Serena. Certainly you are welcome to stay some more days
at the Hacienda to enjoy endless nature and the variety
of the green valley.
DATES
Each season our tours take place during the following dates:
October 15 - October 22
November 05 - November 12
November 18 - November 25
December 24 - December 31
February 24 - March 04
March 15 - March 22
March 27 - April 03
We also offer private tours for your special requested
dates.
RIDING SKILLS
This tour suits riders as well as non-riders.
There are horses available for each level of riding experience.
CAPACITY
Minimum 2, Maximum 8
DURATION
8 Days / 7 Nights - 4 nights at the Hacienda, 3 nights in
comfort-tents (Hillerberg)
PRICES
Tour dates as given above per person in double room / tent:
EUR 1440.00
SERVICES
Transfer from / to La Serena airport, Ovalle or Vicuña,
3 overnight stays in quality tents (Hillerberg), 4 overnight
stays at the Hacienda, including all meals. All equipment
provided.
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Condor Trail
You are welcome to book in, single also, for the famous ride
into the world of condors.
For adventure riders who believe they have done everything, here
is one extraordinary adventure more: the Condor Trail.
This is the best way to observe flying condors below and
not above you. An absolutely tailor-made adventure for riders
who like to get in touch with the pristine outback of the
Andes. You will enter the forgotten world of pure nature,
far away from the tourist track. Your base in the wilderness
of the Andes will be the lodge Hacienda Los Andes.
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We ride up to an altitude of
11000 feet (4000 metres) and we will enjoy the most
different landscapes which the great Andes offer. This
is not a big group tour, I offer this private team-riding
excursion into the wilderness only for a maximum of
four riders. All services, even packing food and accommodating
special wishes, will be personal and have an individual
character.
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There will be a maximum of four tours
per year available from December to April for four persons
per ride. That means this great adventure is available for
a maximum of only 20 people per year on this planet. There
is no fixed itinerary, our customer service for this trip
means also we will accept your personal date availability.
Myself, Manuela Paradeiser from Austria, I will personally
guide this horseback riding tour, and I provide for you well
trained Chilean mountain horses and my 6 years riding experience
in Chile. A professional and safe guided tour is more important
than anything else.
Welcome to the outback of Chile!
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Day
Transfer from La Serena airport to the Hacienda in
Río Hurtado. You will stay in comfortable colonial
style rooms with private bathroom, dine at candle light
and enjoy the crystal-clear sky at night with hundreds
of stars.
Have a look at the Hacienda
Los Andes.
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Day
After breakfast we get in touch with the sure-footed
Chilean Criollo horses and I will introduce you to the
riding style (similar to the Western style). In the
late morning we leave the Hacienda and take you out
through the spectacular sierra’s and mountains
to the oasis Maiten. Overnight in tents, dinner at the
campfire.
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Day
After breakfast with home-made bread and local goats
cheese we leave the sierra Maiten and climb on horseback
up to 9000 feet into the remoteness of civilisation.
We continue through the colourful Andes to reach the
Valley Sicco and an isolated pioneer style farm, where
we will meet the last family before we continue into
the outback the next day. While enjoying dinner together
with the hospitable goat herd family you will be exposed
to a fantastic mountain landscape impression.
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Day
Early in the morning, because on this day we will have
a long lunch break, we are riding into the world of
the famous condors. When we reach the pass Laguna, you
will see an incredible panorama, sitting 17000 feet
high in the saddle, and in front of you countless mountains
and no human beings. Here we have a 3 hour lunch break
and our sure-footed horses deserve this break, too.
This spectacular scenery will continue when we reach
the green valley with the crystal-clear river of San
Augustin, a view that will exceed your expectations.
We ride down to 7500 feet (2500 metres) and camp at
the Andean river Río Hurtado.
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Day
Today riders and horses have a day to rest. Not because
the days behind us have been very hard, but it would
be a pity to leave this wonderful valley in the middle
of the Andes that early. You have time for easy hikes
to watch the wildlife and treasure the beautiful mountain
scenery, you can take a sun bath or have a swim in the
river which is in front of our campsite.
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Day
This day, if you haven’t experienced it by yourself,
is an unbelievable excursion. First we ride through
a colourful canyon and then we climb up with our horses
to an altitude at 13500 feet (4500 metres). But this
is not the end of the story. Here the untouched nature
designs for us horseback riders an outstanding situation.
The whole day we will continue our ride on top of the
tremendous Andean mountain range. To your left and right,
hundreds of kilometres of endless mountains and valleys.
Most of the time the condors will fly below you. In
the evening we camp at a fig tree garden in Maiten,
a small sierra oasis with a nature pool.
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Day
In the morning we leave this outpost Maiten and we
ride into the sierra of Cerro Gigante. We pass beautiful
planes, great canyons and valleys which are surrounded
by the gigantic Andes. After five hours we reach the
evergreen valley of Río Hurtado. The Hacienda
is our host for a comfortable overnight stay and delicious
local food. You can pamper yourself in the sauna or
jacuzzi, have a swim in the river or just relax in the
palm tree garden.
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Day
After breakfast or lunch, whatever suits best your itinerary,
we drive you to La Serena airport with our private vehicle.
Of course you are welcome to enjoy some additional days
in the Hacienda which offers more day tours on horseback,
4x4 excursions into the Andes, 1000 acres nature reserve
with hiking trails and the very quiet atmosphere with international
hospitality service (English spoken).
DATES
From December to April only private tours, dates on inquiry
depending on your preference.
RIDING SKILLS
For active travellers who are riders and in normal physical condition.
We offer professionally trained horses for each level of riding
experience.
CAPACITY
Minimum 2, Maximum 6
DURATION
8 Days / 7 Nights - 2 Hacienda, 5 nights in comfort-tents
(Hillerberg)
PRICES
Single or private tour minimum of 2 persons, price per person in double room / tent:
EUR 2280.00
SERVICES
Transfer from/to La Serena airport, Ovalle or Vicuña.
5 overnight stays in comfort tents (Hillerberg), 2 overnight
stays at the Hacienda including all meals, all equipment
provided.
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Two stunning adventure destinations in
one. Travel north to the sunny
Andes to spend time at a beautiful Chilean
Hacienda. Then fly south to the extreme
wilderness of Patagonia. Enjoy wonderful
local hospitality, legendary Criollo horses
and professional service throughout.
| This fantastic
combination trip gives you the chance to experience two diverse and
wonderfully contrasting regions of Chile. The trip starts in the north, where the locals get to enjoy a marvelous
310 days of sunshine a year, and the gateway town of La Serena. It is here that you will spend time at a
beautiful Chilean hacienda enjoying daily rides out into the surrounding Andean
countryside. |
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After five days at this
historic colonial house combining wonderful hospitality, comfy accommodations
and a fantastic climate there follows a flight down to the south of Chile for
six nights in and around the Torres del Paine National Park. Highlights here include riding amongst towering
granite peaks, crystal clear lakes and 50,000-year-old glaciers as clients
journey through this spectacular and world famous landscape. Accommodation throughout is in comfortable en
suite rooms and all meals are included (except alcohol and personal effects).During the itinerary all accommodation,
transfers, meals, guides etc are included. Internal flights are not included though we are happy to assist in the
booking of these.
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Day
Arrive
Santiago. Connect to internal flight to La Serena where you will be met and
transferred to a beautiful Chilean hacienda located in the foothills of the
Andes mountains. Dinner included (except wine/drinks). |
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Day
Breakfast in the palm
garden. At about 10:00 am, we start preparations for the Andean riding trip.
Our German, English and Spanish speaking team will acquaint you with the riding
horses, the riding style (similar to Western!) and any safety precautions.
10:30 am, we start climbing with our Criollo horses on the “Inca Trail” in the Andes
where our destination is an Indian
ritual place with ancient rock paintings in good condition. Crystal-clear air allows us magical views far
down the valleys of the Andes. There will be enough time to take pictures and a
picnic is served in the shade of the ancient Algarobo trees. At around 05:00 pm, we will arrive back at
the Hacienda in the green valley of Rio Hurtado. There will be enough time in
the palm garden before we serve a candlelight dinner in the ‘comedor’, the
Hacienda’s lovely restaurant. |
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Day
After breakfast, we will prepare for
an exploration of the upper Andes. We set off
with our horses around 10:30 a.m after having packed all we need for our
trip into the wilderness. We pass through wild plateaus and canyons, ride the
endless Sierra and enjoy a picnic lunch and an original Siesta. In the
afternoon, we pass over heights of 2,000 metres. You will have magical views down the valleys
of the Andes. We camp in the green oasis
of the Andes called Maiten. In front of
a campfire, we serve dinner. (Alternatively you are welcome to change this two-day ride for two
one-day rides starting at the Hacienda. In this event your overnight stay would be in the comfortable
hacienda.
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Day
We continue our trip, after having
breakfast under the date trees. We ride
into the Sierra Maiten and discover some extreme contrasts of nature. The minerals in the rocks of the Sierra
causes them to shine in a wonderful array of colours. You will be fascinated by the green Algarobo
trees, cacti as high as you are and the tranquility of the place. When riding back to the Hacienda, herdsmen
with their goats might cross our way. We
will eventually arrive back at the civilisation of the Hacienda at around 4
p.m. Plenty of time for a bath and some
relaxation before dinner is served in the garden.
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Day
Breakfast
in the hacienda. Transfer to La Serena
airport and take internal flight to Punta Arenas in the far south of
Chile. Night in comfortable, centrally
located hotel in Punta Arenas and dinner in one of the town’s fine
restaurants. |
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Day
After
breakfast, we will board our comfortable transfer vehicle and start our journey
across the Patagonian Steppe where you will have your first opportunity to see
some of the unusual plant and animal life that exists in this area. First stop
is the fascinating Magellanic Penguin
Colony where we will get a chance to photograph these pretty burrowing penguins
in the wild. We will then continue on
to the beautifully located town of Puerto Natales for lunch and a chance to
explore this pretty little town on the waterfront. In the afternoon continue on to see the
Milodon Cave before arriving at the outpost town of Cerro Castillo where we
will be spending our first night in the comfortable converted estancia of El
Pionero. This villa built by settlers to
Tierra del Fuego at the beginning of the century will be our
home for the night. Once home to one of
the most important and influential estancieros in the region it offers
comfortable accommodation and an excellent restaurant offering a variety of
organic local foods and international cuisine. The fireside bar is an excellent place to enjoy a pisco sour whilst
preparing for the adventures ahead. Comfortable
accommodation en suite-rooms.
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Day
Morning
transfer into the Torres del Paine National Park and the beautifully situated
estancia Lazo. With an enviable position
on the shores of Laguna Verde and with
fabulous views of the Horns of Paine it is here we will meet our horses and the
dedicated baqueanos who care for them. After assigning horses to riders and a short familiarisation and safety
check we will start out with a gentle ride around this pretty lake through
ancient southern beech forests towards the Sierra del Toro. The morning ride is fairly relaxing as we
wind our way through this pretty valley passing a number of lakes and mountain
views. Plenty of time to take
photographs before we ascend to a lookout with fabulous views of the pampas and
lakes below. After stopping to let the
horses rest and take a few photographs we will start our steep descent of the
Sierra del Toro 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. We will then check-in to our accommodation in
the Posada Serrano, once the shearers quarters of Estancia Paine. Located on shores of the parks biggest lake,
Lago Toro, this lodge offers great walks and excellent trout fishing. En suite
accommodation, cozy fireside bar and dinner in restaurant (wine/drinks not
included).
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Day
After
breakfast we will walk to the stables to meet our horses for today’s ride.Setting off once again across the pampas we
will have a chance to wake up with an exhilerating canter whilst riding in the
shadow of the imposing craggy peaks known as the Cuernos or Horns of
Paine. After a few hours we will arrive
at the little footbridge leading to Grey Beach. After dismounting and removing our saddle bags we will head off with our
lunch for a short walk and a memorable picnic on a little island offering views
of the huge and ancient Grey Glacier. (For those interested there is an optional 3 hour boat trip to the face
of the Glacier itself enjoying amazing up close views of this immense
glacier. Cost: $60). Icebergs will be seen floating in the grey
waters of this frigid lake and there will be plenty of time to relax and take
pictures before heading back to our horses for the afternoon ride back to Lago
Toro for our second night in the Posada Serrano.
Day 
Today
we will be setting off on one of the longest rides of the trip initially
started as an experiment but now one of our most popular rides which none of
our itineraries would be complete without. The Paine Massif will unfold in front of us as we cross widely diverse
scenery on our journey across the heart of the park. Mountain peaks dominate the horizon and we
pass numerous lakes of startling colours and rivers tumbling through tranquil
green valleys. Herds of guanacos will
be seen and flocks of birds accompany us on our rides through the forests. Wild flowers and orchids are nestled amongst
the trees and line the trails. Truly a
fantastic and memorable ride. Finally, after arriving to the parks main
entrance we will take a short drive in the van to our fabulous base estancia,
La Tercera Barranca. On arrival we will be greeted by the local baqueanos and
settle into our comfortable ‘homestay’ accommodation. Time to enjoy pre-dinner drinks in front of
the cozy logfire and admire the double height windows with some of the most
spectacular views of any of the Park accommodations. Weather permitting, a traditional gaucho
barbeque will be prepared under the multitude of stars.
Last
Day
After
a breakfast of coffee and home made cakes and bread we will transfer to Punta
Arenas stopping en route in Puerto Natales for some last chance souvenir
shopping. Arrival in Punta Arenas in
time to relax before dinner in town. Night at Hotel Terra Sur.
Price:
EUR 2790.00
Dates:
On request for a minimum of two
clients between October and April.
Capacity:
Minimum 2, Maximum 8
Includes:
Transfers,
accommodation and meals stated, equipment, horses, English speaking guide.
Excludes:
Personal
drinks and expenses whilst at Hacienda and in Hotels, flights, airport taxes
and gratuities, taxi to airport on last day in south.
Trip
Length:
10 days, 6 days riding.
Accommodation:
Hacienda (4 nights), Hosterias and Estancias (4
nights), and Hotel in Punta Arenas (2 nights).
Flights in Chile -
Ideas & Info
This is a fantastic
opportunity to experience a great riding adventure in two contrastingly
beautiful parts of Chile. Whilst we are happy to advise on flight arrangements,
we recommend you book your internal flights at the time of booking your
international flights in your home country.
For reference and
scheduling, check out LanChile's comprehensive website: www.lanchile.com. The information
is in Spanish and English and there is online booking available by credit card.
The LanPass is a good buy if you are considering taking a number of internal
flights in Chile. Check the website for details.
LanChile is a reliable
and certain airline, with
international standards.
For our
combination trip you need to book the following internal flights:
Day 1:
Arrive into Santiago. Most international flights arrive in the morning. There
are two daily connections to La Serena (55 minutes) so you can simply book
the most convenient connection on the same day you come in to Santiago. There
is no need to change airports as the international and domestic flights leave
from different parts of the same airport.
Day 5:
Fly from La Serena to Punta Arenas, via Santiago. Normally you will leave the
hacienda after breakfast at 08:00 to connect around 11:00 in La Serena to
Santiago. There are six daily flights to Punta Arenas from Santiago and you
should allow about an hour to make the connection south.
Day
10: Tonight is spent in Punta Arenas so you should book your return
flight for the following day. Again there are 6 daily flights to choose from so
you should arrange your flight for the time that most suits your onward
travel. As most international flights depart Santiago in the evening, there is
plenty of time to make your connection home. Alternatively, you may wish to
extend your travel in Chile. If you would like any advice or travel
suggestions, please contact us. |
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