Endurance Horse Race
Summary
Dates:
Torres del Paine April 2015
Location:
Estancia Sofia, Puerto Natales, Magallanes, Chile
Duration:
11 days mix of estancia, log cabin, camping and refuge lodge
Level:
Experienced riders. Fast pace and challenging terrain
Size:
Minimum of 4, maximum of 6 people
Cost:
$6,795.00 USD pp (includes horses for the 5 night safari, guide, all accommodation
(apart from Hotel Las Torres), camping kit, horse for the race, good homemade
foods and fine wines on the journey and in the estancia. Not included, U$80 race
entry, meals and drinks at the hotel)
Description
The highlight of this trip is lining up your horse next to lots of Chilean horseman in a wild
endurance race. You will enter one of 3 race categories. Experts 100kms, Hunters 75kms and Safari
40kms. Our ‘mane’ race event in April is hosted by Hotel Las Torres, it is a wonderful Chilean
scene, and plenty fun, fine wines, delicious food over the 2 nights we are here. We partake in other
exciting race meets as well in the same region. Castillo in January and Laguna Sofia in March. The
itineraries are the same, differing only in race meet and location on the last 2 days.
For your riding before the race you will be located in country which is quite simply incredible. It is
an exciting ride combining the Beechwood Glen and Grassland Gallop ride with a race at the end.
You will be based at an Estancia House with roaring fires in every living room. The water comes
from the mountain behind which we are right at the foot of, literally. There is a waterfall in full
view from the dining room. The meat is home reared, the vegetables home grown. Vegetarian or
meat eater, we love to cook. The landscape lends itself to long gallops but we will also enjoy
walking the horses through ancient beech forests and up mountain trails into higher summer lands.
The itinerary is that you try your race horses out on the first day. We then go on our 5 night journey
on other excellent horses. The land is managed beautifully by friends; it is as if one was in one’s
own private national park. Indeed we might see views of Torres del Paine in the distance. The
views on the horizon change every day and are fantastic.
The family are from original settler stock, very interesting, great horsemen and extremely
knowledgeable on nature and history of the region. We can share our interest in the indigenous
history, wildlife and geology – pointing out evidence of old Indian cemeteries, cave dwellings and of
the previous milodon sloth inhabitant; all hidden in this wilderness zone. There are valleys of set
aside protected beech forest which is an awe inspiring sight and lends itself to being a popular
dwelling place for the puma. There is one valley in particular where you can watch the condors
soaring in the thermals, one sees them very close because of the topography, which is a real treat.
It is a wild and inspiring place to see nature on spectacular form.
As teenagers our hosts lived on an island off the mainland trapping wild cows on horseback with
lasoo in the forest and bog lands of this challenging environment; from their corals they shipped
them to the market town on the mainland. The family breed and tame their horses, the horses that
we will ride and race. This is Patagonia proper and we are likely to encounter all weather types.
We will take mate with baqueanos in their remote puestos, often because of a decision to shelter
from a spot of bad weather or just to say hello to a friend! The puma may not be seen but will be
ever present and the condor will survey from above and we will ride like the wind mounted on
fabulous steads.
Itinerary
Day 1
Punta Arenas – we will meet you at the airport or hotel and transport you straight to Estancia Sofia,
your homebase for the safari. Pick-ups also from Puerto Natales. Depending on arrival times you
will either have supper awaiting at Sofia or you will stop on the way to get a snack or meal, as you
wish and advise the transfer.
Day 2
Wake up Sofia, one of the houses in this beautiful countryside. Fires roaring, hearty breakfast and
off riding until lunch. We will go on 2 rides today in different areas of the valley. You will get to try
out your race horse. The race horses need to be rested for the period before 5 to 7 days before the
race, hence our safari is on other horses, don´t worry they are fast as well!
Day 3
We begin our 5 night journey with a fast ride up into the mountains taking about 4 to 5 hours. We
will rest in forest on the way to take our pack lunch and rest up a little. Often we see the austral
parakeets here in the woods. We stay in Vega Señoret in a simple puesto log cabin. It is a remote
and very simple abode. This will be our base for 2 nights. Cooking over a wood burning stove good
hearty meals and sleeping in sleeping bags. There are superb gallops on this summerland. So
although living is very simple the riding is superb. Hopefully you will embrace the charm of this
place. The owners use this as an overnight stop when checking on their cattle. There is plenty of
wood and our horses will be grazing right outside, rather special.
Day 4
This day we have a number of options on where to ride. A long gallop to pass by a baqueano living
up in the mountains will be on the agenda. Riding up to paso de los leones for the wonderful views.
Following guanaco if we come across a herd grazing as we sometimes do or tracking a puma if we
are feeling like a change of pace.
Day 5
Today we undertake a spectular all day journey packing some goodies for a pack lunch stop start
with a brisk gallop across the summerland. Crossing small rivers and then moving through thick
beech forest. It is a magical ride and wonderful picking ones way through the forest up and up over
a breathtaking mountain pass with the most amazing views that will live with you forever. Valley de
Los Ladrones in one direction ( thick thick protected forest as far as the eye can see), then infront
lago Toro, Tres Pasos, Cerro Campana opposite in all it´s glory and the incredible Baguales
mountain range in the distance. It is mesmorizing.
If we haven´t been dazzled by close encounters with eagles and condors by now, here there is an
excellent chance that they will be out soaring on the up drafts on the cliffs below. Having taken in
this experience we descend into the beautiful valley below where we will have a temporary camp
awaiting us with a change of clothes and new provisions. Depending on the size of the group the
guide and others might stay in tents outside the log cabin – either way, although we are very
remote, there will be an indoor simple hot shower option at his hut. The accommodation is very
simple and a little rough around the edges – but it is easy to make cosy as the wood burning stove is
very efficient, and is an amazing unique experience. The views are incredible from this valley and
again, the riding is spectacular. This is a very special place. Again, it is superb for the horses, nice
little contained portrero for grazing and water. Good spot for the saddles as well.
Day 6
Today we set off for a full day ride returning to our cabin in the late afternoon. We safari to
another summerland where there are merino sheep, galloping down valley, climbing through
woodland – we will eat our pack lunch with a family in their simple dwelling. We will enjoy a good
gallop back up the valley. On this day we might see puma tracks, a family of Magallanic
woodpeckers and grey fox. The guide has always got his eyes peeled and full of love and knowledge
of land and the animals.
Every supper is aimed to please – we love our food and wines. Homemade, home reared, fresh good
foods is what we enjoy. An excellent selection of Chilean wines will be ready to be corked during
the stay at the estancia and at the simple abodes on the journey. Reference books will be on hand
for history, flora and fauna to feed intrigue as you get more and more immersed into the
landscape.
Day 7
This day will be a ride up to through the woodlands on Cerro Castillo. This day we are searching for
the remains of an abode of a legendary character called Pincol who lived deep in the wilderness
alone. There are foundations of his simple rancho hut, and evidence of him having lived in this
extremely hidden place with his animals. The interesting thing is that Lady Florence Dixie, wrote in
her book ´Across Patagonia´, when crossing this area in 1879 that she had heard of an Englishman
called Will Greenwood who had gone ´wild´ and was living out in the woods on this mountain. She
even notes that they might have seen smoke from his fire. Anyway, we´ll have the book and we can
make our own minds up. This ride will lead to an amazing view point, again we will choose a great
picnic spot and return late afternoon to our cabin.
Day 8
Today we head back to Estancia Sofia. After the mountain and forest climb it will be a fast ride
back home. 7 hours of riding. Tonight, back in the luxury of our house, we will crack open some
more fine wine and enjoy a barbecue.
Day 9
A lie in is suggested, with a stroll down to the lake side after breakfast. We will get driven to Hotel
Las Torres where the race starts. It is a stunning drive and with any luck the weather will be kind
and you see the spectacular views as we enter the park and head to the hotel. You will be based
just below the Torres for the next 2 nights and will be racing through the most stunning landscape.
There will be horses everywhere. A great atmosphere building. Here we will saddle up our horses
for a short afternoon walk. Thereafter you will register your horse for the distance you are
competing, The categories are Experts 100kms, Hunters 75kms, Safari 40kms
There is a pre race talk at 7pm. It is important we all attend. This is a very Chilean event, making
it all the more special. Everything is in Spanish and can be explained afterward, if not understood.
Depending on whether you have reserved a room in the hotel, the refuge hut or camping – you will
be there for the 2 nights of pre and post-race activity and festivity. You will pay for this directly, as
accommodation and meals here are not included so that people can be flexible and choose
according to their budget.
You will stay at Eco lodge for the 2 nights of pre and post-race activity and festivity. It is 5 mins from
the start of race and Hotel.
Day 10
You will have a team of experienced family members helping you get started in the morning for the
race. They will also help you as you come into your vet checks during the race. A big fire, asado
and glasses of wine await race finishers which are greatly embraced by the riders and has a
wonderful atmosphere. Presentations are early evening. Supper and festivities thereafter in the
hotel in good Chilean style
Day 11
Depart for airport or onward travel. We will have transfer available and organised for Natales and
onward to Punta Arenas Airport on this Sunday.
Notes
The itineraries for Laguna Sofia and Castillo Races are the same only differing from DAY 9 in the
location of the race meet and thus accommodation and departure point.
Booking Enquiry
For more information or to discuss a booking please contact James Mahon at Bagual:
Bagual Horse Safaris
180 Avenue Road
London W3 8QQ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7531 319 749
Email: [email protected]