Patagonia Horseback Riding
Ruta de Los Arrieros
Patagonia Chile

Hearty meals served while sitting around a farmer’s wood stove will give you a peak at the rare Patagonian way of life. Here life is similar to the frontier days of the American west over 200 years ago. The cultural and natural experience cannot be matched anywhere. This vacation is the REAL DEAL. It is an insider’s look at Patagonia and its people. This is a very unique horseback riding vacation. This trip is an extended version of our Espolon Valley Circumnavigation with two extra days to explore the Azul and Futaleufu valleys. The final two days will be spent at our luxurious eco camp located at the Rio Azul and Rio Futaleufu confluence or at our CondorNest Ranch.



Day 1: Saturday: Arrival and Introductions
Arrive at either of our entry points in Puerto Montt, Chile or Esquel, Argentina, the gateway cities to your Patagonia horseback riding adventure. Connect with our representative and travel to the remote riverside town of Futaleufu, surrounded by majestic mountains. You will find your accommodations at our comfortable native wood lodge, and unwind from your trip with a hearty welcome dinner at the Futaleufu Adventure Center.

Day 2: Sunday: Orientation the Corralero Horse, Chilean Tack & Saddles
Sleep in late and after breakfast we will walk you to our local ranch for an introduction to the art of horseback riding in Patagonia and the Chilean Corralero horse. We will also introduce you to the Chilean saddles and tack make sure all fits well and that your mount is suitable. Afterwards, we will head off for a half-day ride to Piedra de Aguila, a rock outcrop overlook. We will return to Futaleufu for a late snack and our traditional Pisco Sours.

Day 3: Monday: Lago Espolon
Your guide will meet you for breakfast, and then help you pack up your personal gear on our pack horses. After gearing up and settling on to your horses, we gallop off to the transparent and pristine Rio Espolon. The trail winds up to the Espolon Valley, passing by “La Garganta del Diablo”, a spectacular cascading outlet of Lago Espolon through a narrow canyon. It plunges through rocks to the calmer river below. After lunch we cross the river leading to the Devil’s Throat on a swinging bridge and start on a trail to a beautiful isolated cabin overlooking Lago Espolon.

Day 4: Tuesday: Lago Espolon
After breakfast we will load the horses and hit the trail. We will experience spectacular views of the Lago Espolon and the surrounding peaks at various overlooks. Nearing the end of the lake we will reach the little, roadless settlement of Espolon. You can only get here by horse or boat. We will check into our accommodations and have a tour of the ranch. Your visit here will be like peeking into life from another era. Enjoy the Patagonian culture as few ever do. This is classic Chile horseback riding that few ever experience!

Day 5: Wednesday: Lago Espolon
We will depart early in the morning for our horseback ride along the far side of the lake with unbelievable views of Cerro Teta. From here you will see the trail on the other side of the lake that we traversed on the first day. We will spend the third away night of this equestrian vacation in a rustic cabin at the end of the lake.

Day 6: Thursday: Lago Lonconao & Rio Azul Valley
We horseback ride toward the backside of Lago Lonconao and into the spectacular glacier ringed Rio Azul Valley. Here we will ride down along the Rio Azul towards its confluence with the Rio Futaleufu and the climax of beauty in the valley. Here, nestled at the confluence of the Futaleufu and the Azul, is the setting of our Patagonia eco-camp, Campo Tres Monjas. Enjoy a sauna, hot shower, and sit down dining prepared by our internationally trained gourmet chef.



Day 7: Friday: Futaleufu Valley
Today we will horseback ride downstream under the gaze of the majestic Tres Monjas (Three Nuns) peaks along the turbulent blue Futaleufu. Our destination is the powerful and chaotic, Class V+ Terminator rapid. This is one of the biggest Class V rapids on the river with a beautiful lunch spot overlooking the cataract. After lunch, we ride back to camp for our second and last night of rustic luxury offered solely at Campo Tres Monjas.

Day 8: Saturday: Departure
Wake up for an early breakfast and drive back to Chaiten, Chile and your flight to Puerto Montt, or relax for a couple of hours and take our shuttle to Esquel, Argentina. As you catch a final view of the Río Futaleufu; surrounded by hanging glaciers and snow capped mountains, take a moment to reflect upon all of the amazing sights and experiences of this past week. After all these years we are still stunned that views like these exist.

Price: $2195.00 USD

Included: All meals, lodging, transportation, horses, guides and equestrian gear while horseback riding in Chile with us. Round trip transportation between Futaleufu and Chaiten or Esquel. See the horseback riding Chile packing list for specific details. The actual program for your individual horseback riding vacation itinerary will vary according to the desires and skill level of your group, weather, or other factors.

	Experience Needed: Intermediate Physical Challenge: Medium High Cultural Experience: Very High Lodging: Cabins & Ranches (camping option) Comfort Rating: Rough Comfort Days away from home: 10 Days with us: 8 Max Trip Size: 8 Price: $2195.00 USD Region: Futaleufu and Espolon River Valleys, Patagonia Chile Lakes, Rivers, Sites Visited: Pacific Ocean, Chaiten, Lago Espolon, Rio Espolon, Futaleufu river, and the Futaleufu village

Other Horseback Riding Vacation options include: Lodge Based Horseback Riding in Chile , Expedition Horseback Riding in Patagonia, Chile Horseback Riding Trail Rides, Patagonia Horseback Riding - Cowboy Routes. Horseback Riding Chile - Lakes Route For more information see our Horseback Riding Chile FAQs

Downloadable pdf: Chile Horseback Riding