Patagonia Ride
   -  with Endurance Race
A special departure starting and ending in El Calafate, Argentina and exploring the Torres del Paine in Chile.  Follow part of our Estancias trail and round it off with a one day endurance race. On the way back we visit the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier near Calafate. 
The endurance race takes you to one of the most impressive places in the world.
Views and scenery will be the incomparable beauty of Torres del Paine National Park and southern Patagonia. Apart from the scenery the other huge attraction of this race is the other competitors. Gauchos come down from the hills to compete in this race and arrive from every corner of Patagonia (both Chilean and Argentine sides). The camaraderie shared with everyone is very special and there is little competitiveness. Everyone is equal and mate, lamb and vino tinto flow freely. People-watching is world class at this event! And it is a privilege to be riding in the company of the wonderful locals in such spectacular surroundings.
The awards banquet is followed by a huge lamb BBQ (asado) and dancing is known to erupt spontaneously.

IT-CHRT20E
Rates include eight nights lodgings, most meals and transfers, 1 day endurance race.
9 days/ 8 nights  $ 2,995 
...   based on 4 riders+ 
2008 Dates:   04/27-05/05
  availability & reservation

Meeting: El Calafate, Argentina
Airport: El Calafate, Argentina
Transfer: Airport pick around noon
Gratuity: $75 to $100 recommended
Level:    Good Intermediate
Horses:  Chilean
Tack:     Chilean (similar to Western)

Note: the actual race route is subject to change by CONAF the park ranger service as rains, fire, etc or different climate conditions during the summer months preceding the race can make them decide to move the trail to a different sector of the park to avoid erosion.

Price Includes: 7 nights accommodation based on twin share (in hotels and estancias), six days riding, transfers to/from el Calafate and whilst in Park , breakfast and lunch as indicated in itinerary, dinner (excluding drinks), lamb asado, local guides,  baqueanos who care for the horses,  use of saddle bags, entrance fees to Torres del Paine National Park and Los Glaciares National Park, entrance fees to the endurance race (*22km, 57km or 79 km). 
*We will be recommending clients try for the 57km ride.
Price Excludes: Flights, airport taxes, airport transfer (Day 9) and last night’s meal in el  Calafate (Day 8), lunch on Day 1 . Wine with dinner and drinks. 

*Single supplements available on request.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Collect clients from airport in el Calafate to start the drive to Chile.  Introduction to the wide open pampas and land belonging to some of the huge estancias in the area.   Cross border into Chile and continue on towards the Torres del Paine National Park.  Our destination is the lovely, cosy ranch house of Estancia Tercera.  Situated in a beautiful remote setting with fabulous views of the famous Towers of Paine.  Home cooked Chilean food, comfortable rooms and large living and dining rooms with blazing fires.   Dinner included.
Day 2: After breakfast we will be meeting our horses and the baqueanos who care for them.  There will be a safety briefing and a chance to familiarize ourselves with the tack and style of riding.  We will then ride out north of the Estancia crossing wide open pampas and riding through solitary valleys.  We will be riding out to the pretty Zamora Falls, a lovely place for a picnic lunch.  Afternoon return to Estancia Tercera.  Hours in the saddle 3-4.  B,L,D .
Day 3: Today we will be setting off on an exciting ride west towards the Torres and Lago Paine.  Just before Laguna Azul we head north towards Laguna Stokes where a large natural vega or pasture exists. This area attracts wild criollos from the surrounding hills to graze in the summer. There will be many excellent photo opportunities on this route as we pass through forests, pastures and the lake where Lady Florence Dixie first camped having sighted the Towers.  Afternoon return to Estancia Tercera. Hours in the saddle: 5-6.  B,L,D
Day 4: Today we will be setting off on one of the longest rides of the trip besides the actual race day. 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 with 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, our trail will take us westwards to the River Paine and our destination for the next 3 nights, the ex shearing quarters of the old Estancia Paine.  Now a basic but comfortable lodge in a lovely situation with restaurant and fireside living area.  Chance to relax before dinner.  Hours in the saddle: 7 - 8.  B,L,D
Day 5: Today we saddle up for a fast pampas ride to Grey Lake. Our view will be dominated by the huge granite peaks of the massif as we ride out along the Grey River to the largest Glacier in the park, Glacier Grey. After crossing the swinging footbridge, we will take a walk down to Grey Beach for a memorable view of the Glacier and huge icebergs floating in the grey waters of this lake. For those who are interested there's an optional boat ride across this iceberg-choked lake towards the face of this spectacular Glacier (this boat is very weather reliant and costs $75 per person for the three hour boat ride). If the boat isn't running or for those clients who prefer to stay ashore, there's plenty of opportunities for hiking, taking pictures or walking the short distance to Hosteria Lago Grey to enjoy some fireside pisco sours. After this exciting day we'll rejoin our horses for a lovely long canter across the pampas to our hotel beside Lago Toro.  Hours in the saddle: approx 5. B,L,D
Day 6: Today we will ride up towards the heart of this spectacular National Park.  The trail starts by taking us across the classic open pampas, great for nice long canters.  We will then ride through some lovely ancient southern beech forests before arriving at the shores of Lago Pehoe.  The trail then takes us round the shores of this beautiful lake with awesome views of the Paine Massif in front of us.  Picnic lunch at the northern end of the Lake.  Afternoon return to our lodge at Lago Toro.  Late afternoon drive up to the race headquarters for briefings and to meet the other competitors.  Hours in the saddle: approx. 5.  B,L,D . 
Day 7: Race day starts with check in at 8:00. The 2008 race is starting at the eastern perimeter of the park, The race will go towards Laguna Azul and Valle de la Chinas and the Sierra Contreras looping back around Laguna Amarga. The trail itself will cross a few rivers, ascend and descend some big hills and have lots of long pampas to cross.  Riders will encounter forests and just about every other cross country terrain imaginable. Vet checks are scheduled along the trail (depending on the length of the race chosen), and winners will be determined at the evening BBQ and awards banquet.  B,L,D . 
Day 8: After breakfast transfer back across the border to Argentina stopping for lunch in one of the many lovely restaurants in el Calafate. In the afternoon we will continue on to the Perito Moreno Glacier and spend a few hours walking the trails here and photographing this amazing natural spectacle.  Hotel night back in el Calafate, dinner tonight is independent – clients can choose from the myriad of restaurants available in this cute, lively town.  B,L,
Day 9: Riders take taxi to airport for onward travel.

Horses: The horses are Criollo-cross and vary in size with the majority being between 14.0 and 15.2 hands. They are strong, fit, willing and sure-footed. We are able to provide good horses for both experienced riders and for riders who are more novice or a bit ‘rusty’. The pace of the ride will be adjusted to suit the majority of riders but as we always travel with more than one riding guide, there is great deal of flexibility and riders soon find their own pace for the trip. Riders are not responsible for grooming or tack.

Climate: Torres del Paine has a milder and drier microclimate than the surrounding areas of Patagonia because of some unique geological features. The weather however is famously unpredictable and it is possible to experience four seasons in the course of a few hours! Average daily temperatures vary but in summer one can expect 10 - 20 degrees Celsius with the occasional hot day of 25 degrees. Temperatures can drop to zero at night and high winds are common in this area. Although you can never be sure of how Paine will treat its guests, we ask that clients are prepared (both mentally and physically) for unpredictable and sometimes challenging weather conditions and that you pack accordingly. Good waterproofs (top to toe) are essential.

Pace of Ride: Moderate - Fast. The pace is largely dictated by the terrain and the distance we need to travel on a certain day but where possible there is a lot of trotting and cantering. Distances vary between 20 and 40 kilometers in a day.

Riding Experience: We prefer riders to be reasonably confident at walk, trot and canter. We can provide willing, free going horses to experienced riders who like to go at a faster pace and in addition the horses are extremely kind to the more novice riders. All riders (but especially the novices) would benefit from getting ‘riding fit’ before coming here. A few tough one hour lessons with lots of trotting immediately before traveling would be a good idea.

Weight Limit: 210 Pounds.

Age Limit: 18 - 70 years unless by prior arrangement. We will accept children over 10 as long as they have the stamina and attitude to complete a trip of this nature. We would prefer them to be a confident rider. We will request riders over 70 to complete a medical/suitability questionnaire before their booking is confirmed.

Tack: The tack is Chilean and comprises of metal framed saddles onto which is layered felt, sheepskin and leather. Rope, rawhide and leather form the bridles, girths, straps etc. The saddles provide adequate comfort for the long days riding and the stirrups consist of a leather cup through which the foot cannot pass. Most of the horses are ridden in simple snaffles. Halters are worn throughout the ride with rope tied around the horse’s neck to tie up at lunch stops/rest stops etc.

Water: During the trip we use local water supplies from rivers, streams and lakes. Clients should bring a water bottle to fill for their personal daily drinking supply. Water is always available at camp and there are further rivers and streams to replenish supplies en route. This water is clean and pure and is about as close to the source as is possible. We have never had any problems with any client drinking this water (there are no communities in the park to contaminate the water and there are no tropical water bourne diseases such as guiardia). If however a client does not feel confident in drinking this, we would recommend they bring iodine drops (and the taste inhibitors that are sold with them) for their personal supplies as it is impossible to carry any alternative source of water on the pack horses.