When I was a child, a horseback ride was a treat and an adventure. I didn’t feel secure on an English saddle, but a Chilean saddle with its layers of soft sheepskin and support front and back, now that was good. My style was pitiful and I was sincerely grateful that the saddle made it impossible for me to fall off. See photo of a saddled Chilean horse.

It’s been years since I rode Chilean-style, but looking over some of the many horseback tours offering adventure and sightseeing, brings back many memories, and the yen to go on a horseback vacation.

There are many choices and locations to ride in South America. Any place you find horses, there is probably someone to offer a horseback ride and a tour of the surrounding scenery.

There are tour companies offering day or multi-day vacations on horseback. In many instances, horses are the only way to reach remote areas for non-trekkers and hikers. Some routes are no more than trails, others too rough for a vehicle. Some of the horseback tours are more rugged and demand more than a beginner’s skill. Riding for several days demands fitness and experience. Add in steep climbs, river crossings, mountain passes with reduced oxygen levels and you can see why some tours won’t accept people who aren’t used to riding regularly.

Some of the longer tours will have pack animals and guides. Some provide all the equipment, in addition to the horses, saddles and tack, such as camping tents, stoves, cooking items, food and prepared meals, and entrance fees to any parks or fee areas along the route. All you have to provide is a sleeping bag, air mattress or pad, pocket knife, flashlight, clothing, footwear, wide-rimmed hat, sun glasses, sun block, lip balm and any other personal items you can fit in an portable bag.

Your tour will give you the exact list of requirements. A very good thing to have is personal travel insurance. Another is a helmet.

Riding more than three consecutive days demands certain fitness and adaptation to the saddle. You may be offered a choice of saddle: Western, English or that comfy Chilean saddle. Choose the most comfortable for you.

Normally, rides longer than three to five days are recommended for people with the habit of riding regularly throughout the year. People susceptible to vertigo or altitude sickness should pass on any tour involving high mountains.

Some tour operators have weight and/or health considerations due to trip length or severity.

You may ride a Peruvian Paso horse bred for grace, spirit and intelligence, or a descendent of the Barb and Andalusian horses imported by the Spanish conquerers, known as a criollo horse in Argentina, Crioulo in Brazil, Costeño or Morochuco in Peru, Corralero in Chile and Llanero in Venezuela. In addition, there are differences between the criollos:

Chilean horse, short on height but very strong and stable for mountain riding

Argentine horse, taller than the Chilean, equally strong but quite spirited. Its breed is Anglo-Spanish

Peruvian horse (caballo de paso fino), fine styled walking, strong and good stallion. Its breed is Spanish-Arab

Breton-Chilean horse, a mixed breed suitable for packing and mounting
Here is a sample of some of the many tour offerings:

Argentina

Patagonia Horse Trek - Nahuel Haupi National Park from Bariloche.

Riding Tours in Argentina – Mendoza/Cordoba area and Northern Patagonia, plus and Andean crossing from Argentina into Chile.

Manso Cochamo Horseback Riding Ride or hike to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid area, with rafting, hiking, and fishing along the way.

Estancia Huechaue – Six different day rides on an estancia near San Martin de los Andes include trips to an Indian reservation, burial caves and assisting with estancia cattle drives and horse roundups.

Brazil

Pantanal Wildlife Trail & Safari – Eight day tour through the wetlands and rivers of the Pantanal with time for wildlife observation and photography, swimming and fishing.

Southern Cross Fazenda Mountain Ride Eight day tour through the Southern Brazilian High Sierra.

Brazil Package #7 Stops in Praia do Forte, Bahia, and Fernando de Noronha offer horseback rides.

Chile

Cascada Expediciones – horseback tours as part of a larger tour variety. They concentrate on the central Andes, Patagonia and Easter Island.

Hacienda Los Andes – “three trips in seven days. You will explore the wild Sierra, the huge Andes and experience a romantic and pure nature.”

In the Saddle – Glacier ride in Chilean/Argentine Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park.

Riding Holidays in Chilean Patagonia – rides to Milodon Cave and other locales for riders of all experience levels.
Next page: Horseback tours in Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay