Torres del Paine · Year-round
Torres del Paine Classic
Torres del Paine from a hotel in Puerto Natales: a full day in the park, a 3-hour horseback ride and a boat to Grey Glacier. Low difficulty, year-round.
5 days · Guided · Low
Horseback & estancias · Patagonia
Patagonia Horseback Riding
At a glance
Ride with local baqueanos near Puerto Natales: 1, 3 or 6 hours, from an easy lagoon lookout to a condor lookout over the Última Esperanza fjord.
1–6 hDuration · 1 h, 3 h or 6 h
- Duration
- 1 hour, 3 hours or 6 hours
- Level
- Low (1 h), low to medium (3 h), medium to high (6 h)
- Group
- 1–12
- Season
- Summer (October–April)
- Start
- Pickup at your hotel in Puerto Natales, confirmed when you book; 1- and 3-hour rides go out morning or afternoon, the 6-hour ride in the morning only
Overview
The rides start from a working estancia in open Patagonian countryside between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. Here you ride with local baqueanos, the horsemen of the region, who give you a riding induction and lead the way. You can choose a group or private outing.
The 1-hour ride climbs to a lookout over a lagoon, about 5 km with views of the surrounding mountains, and works for first-time riders and children from age 4. The 3-hour ride, about 8 km with roughly 2.5 hours in the saddle, adds caves, native lenga forest and the rocky ridges of Sierra Señoret, where Andean condors are often seen. It is the most popular option and needs no previous experience.
The 6-hour ride is for confident riders. It covers about 14 km and climbs to around 533 m through old lenga forest to Mirador Cóndor, a lookout near a large Andean condor colony with views over Puerto Natales and the Última Esperanza fjord. It includes a box lunch and a rest stop. Riding equipment and transport are included on every option, and rides go out in most weather, only stopping for heavy rain.
Highlights
- Riding with local baqueanos on a working estancia near Puerto Natales
- A lagoon lookout on the 1-hour ride
- Caves, lenga forest and Sierra Señoret on the 3-hour ride
- Mirador Cóndor and views of the Última Esperanza fjord on the 6-hour ride
- Group or private outings
The day
Pickup at your hotel in Puerto Natales
Pickup at your hotel in Puerto Natales, confirmed when you book, and transport to the estancia. The 1- and 3-hour rides leave in the morning or afternoon; the 6-hour ride leaves in the morning.
Riding induction
At the estancia your baqueano gives a welcome briefing and fits your riding equipment.
The ride
1 hour: up to the lagoon lookout across open terrain, about 5 km. 3 hours: about 8 km past caves, lenga forest and the ridges of Sierra Señoret. 6 hours: about 14 km through old lenga forest to Mirador Cóndor, with a rest stop and box lunch.
Drop-off at your hotel in Puerto Natales
Back at the estancia, then transport to Puerto Natales, with drop-off at your hotel, confirmed when you book.
Included and not included
Included
- Riding equipment
- Baqueano (local guide)
- Transport
- Riding induction
- Box lunch (on the 6-hour option)
Not included
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
What to bring and who it's for
What to bring
- Waterproof and windproof jacket
- Your own gloves
- Closed-toe shoes with a low or mid heel
- Long trousers (shorts are not suitable)
- Leave behind plastic ponchos, high heels, selfie sticks and drones
Who it's for
The 1- and 3-hour rides suit beginners and families, with no riding experience needed; ages 4–80. The 6-hour ride is for intermediate to advanced riders aged 10–70. All riders must weigh no more than 100 kg.
Good to know
- Riders must weigh no more than 100 kg.
- Rides run in most weather and are only cancelled for heavy rain.
- Your baqueano carries a radio and a first aid kit.
- The 6-hour ride requires intermediate to advanced riding skills.
- Leave drones and selfie sticks behind; they are on the list of items to avoid.
Where it happens
The map loads from Esri when you open it.
- Puerto NatalesPickup at your hotel in Puerto Natales.
- A working estancia near Puerto NatalesConfirmed when you book.
- Puerto NatalesDrop-off at your hotel in Puerto Natales.
The estancia depends on the ride and the date, so it has no marker on the map.
Make it part of a trip
Torres del Paine · Year-round
Torres del Paine Active
Seven active days from a Puerto Natales hotel: Base Torres, the Cuernos sector, horseback riding, puma tracking and a boat to Grey Glacier.
7 days · Guided · Low–Medium
Or combine it with other days in a trip designed around you.
Plan a tailor-made trip
Hiking
Day Hike to Base of the Towers
A guided full-day hike in Torres del Paine to the lagoon at the foot of the three granite towers: about 22 km round trip, +1,400 m.
Full day
Water & glaciers
Navigation to Grey Glacier
A boat trip on Lago Grey aboard the Grey III catamaran, among icebergs to the face of Grey Glacier, about 2 h 45 min on the water.
Day trip
Wildlife
Puma Tracking in Patagonia
A full day tracking wild pumas in Torres del Paine's eastern sector with a certified wildlife guide, a 4x4, a spotting scope and binoculars.
Full day
Ready to go?
FAQs
Not for the 1- or 3-hour rides; your baqueano gives you an induction before you set off. The 6-hour ride climbs to Mirador Cóndor over more demanding terrain and is for intermediate to advanced riders.
The 1-hour ride is a short climb to a lagoon lookout. The 3-hour ride is the most popular and adds caves, lenga forest and Sierra Señoret. The 6-hour ride is the longest, for experienced riders, with a box lunch and the condor lookout.
Yes. Children from age 4 can join the 1- and 3-hour rides. The 6-hour ride is for ages 10–70.
Yes. Riders must weigh no more than 100 kg.
Andean condors are often seen on the 3-hour ride, and the 6-hour ride reaches a lookout near a large condor colony. They are wild birds, so sightings are never guaranteed.
A waterproof, windproof jacket, gloves, long trousers and closed-toe shoes with a low or mid heel. Avoid plastic ponchos and high heels.
Rides run in the summer season, October to April. They go out in most weather and only stop for heavy rain.
The estancia is between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park. Transport is included, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Puerto Natales, confirmed when you book.
SOURCES · Vertic field notes