Randonnées Equestres in Torres del Paine Patagonia

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Lodge Cerro Guido

Situé sur les bords du Parc National Torres del Paine, le Lodge Cerro Guido est un hôtel-estancia boutique avec une magnifique vue sur le massif et la mythique Sierra Baguales. Cette immense ferme date du début du XXème siècle et comporte plus d’une vingtaine de bâtiments comme boulangerie, école publique, menuiserie, forge et les indispensables écuries et salle de tonte pour les moutons. Ces installations n’ont que très peu évolué depuis leur construction et vous permettront d’apprécier les traditions et la culture de la Patagonie.

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Hotel Rio Serrano

Cet hôtel a pris son nom au Rio Serrano qui prend sa source dans le lac Toro et se jette dans le Pacifique à hauteur de la baie de Ultima Esperanza. Sa situation privilégiée face aux fameuses Tours de Paine dans un merveilleux paysage naturel offre une combinaison très équilibrée entre confort et respect du milieu naturel. L’hôtel dispose de 92 chambres (66 supérieures et 26 stand arts) toutes avec salle de bain privée, chauffage central et téléphone. Chacune de ces chambres offre une vue panoramique sur le Parc, dans une ambiance chaleureuse et détendue.

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Je ne suis pas rentrée en France la même que lorsque je suis partie

Je souhaitais faire cette randonnée pour les grands espaces, les paysages magnifiques, les barbecues, les hôtels très confort, la nourriture chilienne (Miam, l'agneau grillé au barbecue mangé dehors près du feu), et être loin du stress, et de la routine.
En plus de tout cela, il y avait des gens accueillants, rieurs, des chevaux extra, des animaux a chaque coin de buissons, un apéritif local délicieux le fameux Pisco Sour, et le vin... venant de France la référence est haute, mais j'ai découvert des nouvelles saveurs.

Les paysages varient entre des collines, lagons, champs ouverts et vieilles forêts proposant toujours de superbes horizons, des points de vue et la vue sur le Parc National de Torres Des Paine. L'arrivée au parc après avoir tourner et s'en être rapproché annonce la fin du séjour, Sniff.... Mais la marche pour aller au pied des tours ou bien une marche moins difficile autour des montagnes est un excellent moyen de se détendre les jambes. La dernière journée afin de voir les glaciers est superbe même si le temps patagonien peut réserver des surprises!
Je ne suis pas rentrée en France la même que lorsque je suis partie. Ce voyage restera avec moi pendant longtemps. C'est un excellent moyen de visiter une partie de la Patagonie et sa donne envie de revenir pour continuer à la découvrir de plus en plus.

Isabelle Lenglois

November, 2009

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It was like riding the Ferrari of horses

I didn’t think anything would beat an African safari, but I was wrong, Patagonia blew me away, in more ways than one. It was certainly windy, a fact borne out by the number of trees growing with a distinct lean and all their branches stuck out to one side. The weather was typically Patagonian and constantly variable, but it was nearly always windy, wind with sun, wind with cloud or wind with rain, and on one memorable day, when I attempted to walk to the base of the towers, wind with snow! Fortunately for us, the weather was predominantly dry with clear blue skies and we only needed our waterproof trousers for one afternoon during the entire trip.
However, it was the scenery that really blew me away, the vastness of the landscape, the majesty of the snow-capped mountains and lakes so blue I could have been in the Mediterranean. Not to mention all the wildlife, large herds of guanaco, with their young in tow; rhea with their speckled chicks; grey foxes and their cubs; skunks; hares; soaring condors and even a few flamingoes. The only thing we didn’t manage to find was the elusive puma.

The horses were a joy, turned out to English high standards, groomed to within an inch of their lives and with tack that sparkled in the sun. I was offered the choice of an English or Chilean saddle and opted for the latter, both for authenticity and the large mound of pads and sheepskins to cushion me during the long rides. The horses were mainly Western trained and responded to neck-reining, requiring only the lightest of touches on the reins, in fact, we joked that it was like riding the Ferrari of horses, where over-use of the aids would have had us performing sliding stops and turns like the professional Chilean rodeo riders (but with considerably less style!). They were fabulously forward going and trained to jog-trot a lot of the time, which was beautifully smooth and far more comfortable than it sounds.

The ride was a real journey, starting in Punta Arenas and riding towards the Torres del Paine national park. The horses carried us up steep inclines to look-out points where condors circled against a back-drop of valleys carved by glaciers. On these steep rocky sections our horses had the sure-footedness of mountain goats, meaning that we could marvel at the hundreds of flowers that sprang out of the barren ground. Lunch was carried with us in our saddle bags so that we could stop at well chosen spots with fantastic views, rest the horses and sneak a short siesta.
In the afternoons, after descending to the valley floors, we were able to enjoy long canters on the seemingly endless pampas, with the mighty massif dominating the skyline. We would arrive at the estancias in time for afternoon tea and cake which was always gratefully received - at the time, I had no idea where I was putting all the food we were given, but I have since discovered it around my waistline! Oh well, that’s what holidays are for, anyone for another Pisco Sour?

Cathy Holloway

December 2007

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Excellent ride !

I am writing to thank you for such an excellent ride -- super horses, and amazingly efficient organization. Considering the number of dovetailed operations during our 12 days, and therefore how many things could potentially have gone wrong, it went remarkably smoothly, thanks to you. Our accommodation was excellent -- I must admit I preferred the smaller estancias to the "posh" hotels -- but it was a very good mix, and the luxury at the end of each day was most welcome.
Our visit to Bories House was very special, as was our ride on the Estancia Puerto Consuelo, and the last superb day of riding in the Torres del Paine, and I also much enjoyed the ride after the Milodon cave.

You were helpful and informative, and cheerful at all times, Gustavo -- which I am sure, must have been a strain at some points -- well it would have been for me, anyway! So thank you for looking after us so conscientiously and well at all times and enabling the whole group to have an excellent holiday.
I shall certainly return to Chile, and shall hope to bring John back with me. I shall therefore hope to be in touch at some point, although not next year.

Rosamund

December 2007

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Chile Arse Group

Thank you so much for a great experience in a spectacular country and thanks to your mother for the kind weather!!
Journey back to England went according to schedule but seemed rather long compared to coming out to Chile - all in the mind! Hope you enjoyed the trip with us as much as we did and have good memories of the "Chile Arse Group". Definitely have withdrawal symptoms for daylight and pisco sours, though not yet for lamb! Out for lunch the Sunday after we returned and you can imagine what the roast was - lamb. However that's not to say the lamb during the trip was anything other than delicious.

Thanks for the wine and the disc of photos. Mine seem to be ok but have not seen any from anyone else yet - am always mildly disappointed after a trip of this nature when the scenery etc has been so spectacular, guess it has to stay in one's mind to do it all justice.
Hope the season continues to go well for you - have a great Christmas and New Year, I know you are working but enjoy

Nancy Blinkhorn

November, 2005

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