Our equestrian tours in Chile

Imagine a long, thin slice of California with a patch of the Sahara desert glued onto the north.  Let some of New Zealand’s fjords wash against the south. Press all of this against the spine of tall rugged mountains.  This would be Chile, home to some of the world’s most varied and dramatic landscapes!  Hidden Trails have brought together some of Chile’s most awe-inspiring horse riding holidays – including horseback riding vacations in Easter Island, the Lake District, Northern Chile and the Torres del Paine National Park.

Horse Riding in Chile
Parts of Chile, like Torres del Paine National Park, feel like the end of the earth. Yet Chile is one of the most modern and convenient travel destinations in South America. In many places, it has a European feel — along with European prices.

Chile is 2,705 miles/4,329 km long, but averages only 100 miles/160 km in width. Desert dominates the north while tundra governs the south. The center of the country contains many fertile valleys and lovely scenery. The nation’s coastline is indented by many bays and fjords, while the eastern regions terminate in the Andes.

From Chile's north to Southern Patagonia you will find perfect horseback riding country. Unhindered by fences, roads or urban development, riders can canter for miles and miles across open deserts or pampas surrounded by the immense beauty of this breathtaking country. Wonderful equestrian holidays can easily be combined with wine tours or beach vacations. 

Hidden Trails offer a number of Chilean horseback riding adventures, including the Chile to Argentina Ride, the Cochamo Groucho Trail, Pioneer Trail, Mallin Chileno Ride, and Patagona Ecolodge Ride in the Lake Disctrict.  In Northern Chile there’s the San Pedro Atacama Expedition in the Atacama Desert, and the Norte Chico Adventure and Northern Chilean Getaways on the Inca trails of the Andes.  In Torres del Paine National Park a number of horse riding trips are offered, including the Estancias Ride, Estancias and Endurance Ride, Glacier Ride, Blue Ice multi sport trip, a Horse Drive, a combined fishing holiday (Criollos, Rivers and Lakes) and the Estancias Getaway Ride.

For those wanting a once on a lifetime ride, Hidden Trails also offer a unique Easter Island trip – History Ride Easter Island.  This fascinating holiday explores the world of the Polynesian Moais, who mysteriously lived and died on Easter Island.

Chilean Horses
Horses in Chile are generally Criollos and Criollo crosses. Descendants of the Spanish, Barb and Arab, the Criollo is a sturdy, sure-footed and willing ride. Generally fairly small by North American standards at between 14.2 and 15.0 hands, they are strong nonetheless.

After riding from South America to Washington in the 1930s, A F Tschiffely wrote: “I have been able to prove that the Criollo horse is worthy of the reputation he has always held among the few that really know him, namely that of being second to none for continuous hard work under any conditions.”

Chile Weather and Climate
In Chile you can expect winter temperatures between 10 - 15 degrees Celsius.  Summers are around 25 degrees Celsius, but can reach 30 degrees Celsius.

Easter Island experiences a Pacific Island climate – so can reach 28 degrees Celsius in the summer time. Rain falls steadily throughout the year, but showers are sporadic and short.