Argentina ~ Tierra del Fuego
7 night ride in Tierra del Fuego, remote, wild and beautiful. Ride across the steppes and open plains of the northern part of the island, heading south to forested mountains.
Where In Tierra del Fuego, "the Uttermost part of the Earth" about 2000 kms south of Buenos Aires.
What is it like The ride starts from Estancia San Jose, west of Rio Grande, and explores Patagonian 'steppe', beech forest and open valleys of Tierra del Fuego. From San Jose you ride southwards, across open steppe, past peat bogs and beaver dams, and through the native forests of southern beech. The haunting call of the guanaco, the wild cameloids of the region, is never far away and condors soar over the peaks as you approach the snow capped mountains which surround Lake Fagnano, north of Ushuaia. This is wild and beautiful country, once inhabited by the Ona people, now by shepherds and gauchos who occasionally arrive to round up the wild horses.
Who does it suit Anyone after an adventure, to get off-grid and do something different. You'll need to conjure your pioneering Patagonian spirit, as there are some long riding days, weather can be erratic and one night is in a simple remote camp. The horses and back up team are exceptional so you are well looked after!
Why we love it For time out to change focus and escape the routine. Do something you'll remember.
SUMMARY
Riding: 5-10 hours a day over varied terrain
Horses: Criollo crosses
Pace: moderate
Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders
Weight limit: 90kg (14st);
Accommodation: Comfortable estancias, 3Δ camp one night, rustic cabins
Group size: max 8
Season: November to March
Price: 7 night ride from USD 5600 (approx £4515) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses are locally bred Criollo and Criollo crosses, some with Percheron blood. They are good natured, agile and sure footed; very well suited to the varied going and a responsive and enjoyable ride. Saddles are Argentine style with a comfortable sheepskin on top. The horses are ridden western style and are used to neck reining and relaxed contact with the mouth.
Hours: There is usually about 6 hours riding a day with breaks for rests and lunch, one day is longer and may be up to 10 hours.
Pace and experience required: These rides are geared towards intermediate, fit riders who are relaxed and secure in the saddle at a walk, trot and canter in open country. The pace can be fast where the terrain allows and on some dayes there will be long canters and gallops across the steppe. You need to be a quiet, confident rider as there are sometimes tricky river crossings or obstacles to negotiate.
ACCOMMODATION
The first two nights are spent at Estancia San Jose where one of the houses has been converted to comfortable guest accommodation. One night will be in coverted caravans at Estancia Rio Apen, 2 nights are at Estancia El Boqeron in the picturesque yellw family houses, one night is camping at the remote Puesto La Republica in simple dome tents that are moved by the pack horses, and the last night is at the historic Estancia Viamonte. You are extremely well looked after with delicious meals prepared with great attention, often 'asados' - the traditional gaucho style barbecues, sometimes fish from the region - accompanied by excellent local wines.
RATES & DATES
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Rates 2025-2026 |
(valid to March 2026) |
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Dates 2025-2026 |
23rd to 30th December 2025 |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
Itinerary in brief - Tierra del Fuego, End of the World by Jakotango
| Day 1 | You will be met at Rio Grande airport and driven to Estancia San Jose where the first night is spent. Lunch and then, after a siesta, time to meet the horses for an afternoon ride. A chance to match riders to their mounts and get used to the Argentine tack. Return to the estancia for drinks, dinner and the night. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast, and a full day ride to the banks of the Rio Grande river where you stop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon a fast ride back across the steppe to Estancia San Jose. |
| Day 3 |
Breakfast and set off in a southerly direction towards Estancia Rio Apen where the night will be spent. This is the longest ride of the week and you will be 8 to 10 hours in the saddle. A picnic lunch is carried in the saddle bags and you stop for a good rest. In the afternoon you reach more forested areas, cross peat bogs and encounter beaver dams, In the laste evening arrive at Rio Apen where accommdation is in comfortable converted caravans. |
| Day 4 |
A long morning ride will take you along open valleys bordered by forested hills to Estancia El Boqueron. Here the night is spent in the picturesque yellow house belonging to Ines Menedez Behety, one of the pioneering familes of the region. After lunch and a siesta you might like to explore on foot, or ride into the forest to see one of the beaver dams. |
| Day 5 | Breakfast and a full day ride, climbing though forest and peat bogs and eventually to a clear topped summit with wonderful views of the forested mountains and snow capped peaks. Stop for a picnic, keeping a lookout for condors soaring above and below, and for herds of wild horses in the valleys. Return to El Boqueron for a delicious barbecue and the night. |
| Day 6 | Breakfast and head into the wilderness, following a lovely broad valley towards Puesto La Rebuplica, a remote hut used by guachos who occasionally come to round up the wild horses. The camp is carried by the pack horses and you leave them here with the horseman and continue with your guide, climbing into a secluded valley, and up to a high pass form where you can look down on Lake Fagnano and across the the mountians above Ushuaia. There is often snow on the pass and it can be cold so you may descend quickly, heading back to the puesto to arrive in time for dinner. |
| Days 7 | Breakfast in camp and ride back to Estancia El Boqueron. There will be chances for some good canters along the valleys and you reach the estancia in time for lunch. After lunch you say good bye to the horses and set off driving Estancia Viamonte, founded by Lucas Bridges, author of "the Uttermost Part of the Earth" and a great champion of the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego. Farewell dinner and the night at Estancia Viamonte. |
| Day 8 |
Breakfast and transfer to Ushuaia, to arrive early afternoon. We recommend an extra night in the worlds' southernmost city. Own arrangements for onward travel. |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for the rides is Rio Grande airport and meeting / transfer will be arranged at set times on the first day. On the last day you will be transferred to Ushuaia airport. We reccomend an extra night in Ushuaia but a late afternoon / evinging flight is possible. You need to fly internationally to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, then take an internal flight to Rio Grande. After the ride you need to take an internal flight back to Buenos Aires. For flights from London budget around £1000 - £1200 economy return (varies with season, airline, availability and your domestic route). Contact us for further advice
