One of our favourite horseback adventures, set in Argentina’s southern most province, Tierra del Fuego, known as the World’s End. We’ll start in the seaside city of Ushuaia before heading out, over the southern end of the Andes mountains, to Estancia María Luisa, where the ride will begin. During the ride all signs of civilisation will disappear as you travel into some of the wildest country in Argentina. On the coastline we’ll gallop along the seemingly endless Patagonia beaches, cross rivers and ride past sea lion and penguin colonies, hundred year old shipwrecks and the vast skeletal remains of beached Whales. In land, we’ll ride across moorlands, prairies and the low Fueguino woodland and see herds of wild horses, cattle and Guanacos (mini-llamas). It is tough wild land and though the trip is not for the faint hearted it is an unforgettable experience.
Destination |
Min / Max group size4 / 10 |
When to travelNovember to March |
Number of days10 days / 9 nights |
Itinerary
Day 1
The trip starts with a 230 km drive from Ushuaia to Estancia María Luisa. The drive takes you through some stunning scenery, with some panoramic views, up and over the southern end of the Andes. On arrival at the Estancia, you’ll meet your horses and after everything has been checked and everyone is happy we’ll mount up and set off. Other than crossing the Irigoyen River (famous for its huge trout), this first day of your horseback adventures in Tierra del Fuego will be a relaxed one. In the evening we’ll arrive at La Chaira refuge where a few gauchos live. These gauchos will be the last people, other than ourselves, you see until our return to civilisation.
Night at Puesto La Chaira
Day 2
Today will the first of the long days riding. Much of the day will be spent riding along the beautifully bleak beaches, looking out across the turbulent Atlantic Ocean. As we get deeper into the wilderness of Tierra del Fuego almost all evidence of civilization will disappear. All that will remain will be the occasional shipwreck on the beaches and in land the abandoned refuges, most of which were constructed from parts of those same shipwrecks. As civilization disappears we’ll see more wildlife; foxes and Guanacos (mini-llamas) in land, sea lions on the beach and any number of marine birdlife above.
Night camping at Puesto Río Bueno
Day 3
Another day riding along the beaches. We’ll ride pass the famous shipwreck of the clipper Duquesa de Albania and if we’re lucky we will see some King Penguins.
Night camping
Day 4
Today we’ll leave the beaches to ride further in land through the Fueguino moorland and low woodland. It will likely be a particularly good day for bird watching, when you might well see: Cormorants, Southern Crested Caracaras amongst many others, as well as those two emperors of the sky: the Albatross and the Condor. We’ll also pass another sea lion colony as we head back towards the sea where, if the weather is good, we’ll see the lighthouse made famous by Jules Verne’s book The Lighthouse at the End of the World.
Night camping
Day 5
Day for the horses to recuperate and the riders to relax or to discover the area on foot.
Night camping
Day 6
Day for the horses to recuperate and the riders to relax or to discover the area on foot.
Night camping
Day 7
Today we’ll start the ride back via Estancia Policarpo.
Night camping
Day 8
Today we’ll be back on the beach and with lighter packs we’ll be able to kick on for a good gallop.
Night camping
Day 9
Final day of beach riding.
Night camping next to Puesto La Chaira
Day 10
Final few hours of your horseback adventures in Tierra del Fuego. Before saying goodbye to our horses and transferring back to Ushuaia.
End of trip
Price
Price includes – All food & beverages (including alcoholic drinks). All activities mentioned in the itinerary. All accommodation: sharing tents – please enquire if you require single accommodation. All local tax.
Price does not include – International flights to Argentina or transport to Tierra del Fuego. Bank charges. Personal camping equipment (sleeping bags etc). Personal medical insurance (compulsory). Any visa fees and extras such as tips.
Prices are quoted in US dollars.
Notes
- The itinerary and price includes only the actual ride. It is important for anyone taking part to arrive in Ushuaia the day before the first day. If you need us to organize this for you it is no problem. We can also organize any other travel requirements you might need in the region – time in Buenos Aires or transport to Ushuaia for example. And, if you wish you can combine the ride with another trip in Patagonia. A trip to Antarctica or some fishing for example or there is a lovely route that takes you over to Chile to the famous Torres del Paine National Park and then back to Argentina to the equally famous Glaciers National Park – home to the vast Perito Moreno glacier.
- Please enquire for exact dates; they depend on the tides and change annually. The exact dates are confirmed by the end of July of each year.
- During the ride, the itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather.
- Other than the first and last day and the two days resting, we will be riding around 6 hrs and covering roughly 30 kms.
- Level of riding: you need to be a confident rider to do this trip and it is particularly important that you are used to long hours in the saddle and are in good physical condition. This is a long tough trip during which the weather could easily get rough. This is all compounded by the fact you are sleeping in tents.
- As are all of our horseback adventure: the guides are bilingual, trained in first aid and will be carrying satellite phones – for emergency use only.
This program is an example of one of many programs we organize round Argentina. All are trips are tailor-made and we can adapt all our programs to your specific needs. And, if you would like help organizing transport, accommodation or any other activity in any other part of the country we would be very happy to help.
