As the only property in the Torres del Paine National Park permitted to offer equine activities, Las Torres Patagonia offers guests a taste of cowboy culture - Patagonia-style. Its gaucho baqueanos are longstanding custodians of local horsemanship and share their time-honoured skills and traditions with guests, both on the Reserve's estancia and while exploring the National Park on horseback. 

February 2026 will see the start of the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese Zodiac cycle and the popularity of equine-focused travel and wellness on the rise, as people recognise their potential as powerful therapeutic allies. Hotel Las Torres is home to 150 horses that graze freely each night and are rounded up each morning at dawn, providing both the cultural authenticity travellers crave and the reflective, restorative experiences that align with this trend.

Learn: Authentic farm-to-saddle encounters

The baqueanos are descendants of horsemen who came to work ranches in this remote region over 100 years ago. The term derives from the concept of 'baquía', someone with deep knowledge of the land. Guests are welcome to visit the stables and horse corrals during their stay, however, the Baqueano Cultural Experience allows them to spend a morning learning about traditional clothing, saddles and other horse tack, participate in stable care, learn how to nail a horseshoe and receive hands-on instruction in horsemanship. Take a break to enjoy the ritual of yerba mate tea, served in a communal gourd and part of a sacred tradition of camaraderie and reflection, while enjoying sopaipillas with pebre (pumpkin bread and fresh salsa). 

Ride: Saddle up to witness the iconic sights of the National Park

Horseback experiences led by baqueanos into the National Park traverse wide Patagonian steppe, river flats and forest margins with panoramic mountain backdrops. Rides are offered for a variety of skill levels - from introductory lessons to beginner half- and advanced full-day excursions - each providing insights into the wildlife, geology and cultural storytelling of the region. Tours available exclusively to guests as part of the all-inclusive program include:

• Lake Nordenskjold Horseback Riding Half Day Tour, a great option for beginner riders, learning to ride while traversing the reserve's private trails to the lake's shore.
• Ascenio Valley Horseback Riding Half Day Tour follows little-known trails used by baqueanos in Patagonia's early days and offers spectacular views of Las Torres and Los Cuernos Mountains, hanging glaciers and even passes by the 'Puma Cave'.
• Valle Encantado Full Day Tour, for more experienced riders follows a 24km route that includes galloping through the pampas, meandering through the native forest of lenga trees and following the epic O Circuit around the eastern edge of the Paine Massif into the valley of the Paine River. 
• Combining riding and hiking the Base Torres Full Day Tour allows guests to ride to the Chileno Sector and then climb up to the Base Torres Viewpoint for a picnic lunch with a view.

Heal: Be nurtured by the power of passive equine therapy

Horses are natural companions who are able to read and respond to body language. Being around horses has been proven to reduce anxiety and stress, enhance emotional awareness and regulation, build self esteem and encourage social interaction. Research by the British Horse Society indicates that it can reduce depression by 30% and has the potential to lower the chance of dementia by the same amount. Over 80% of riders report that the activity stimulates positive psychological feelings, and trotting for 45 minutes can burn up to 600 calories. For those not immediately comfortable around horses, the baqueanos also offer guided walks, afternoons of anecdotes, traditional music like chamamé and campfire storytelling for a memorable encounter with Patagonia's cultural roots.

“Our baqueanos are more than guides, they are storytellers and keepers of an equine language passed down through generations,” comments Juan López, Sales & Marketing Director at Las Torres Patagonia. “When guests saddle up here they don't just ride, they step into a living culture - tending stables, learning to saddle and shoe, sharing mate around the corral and riding the same pampa that shaped these traditions.” 

As a reserve located in a National Park, Las Torres Patagonia is dedicated to the conservation of Patagonian nature and responsible tourism. The grazing impact of the herd on the Park is regulated by their 'holistic planned grazing system (as certified by the Savory Institute since 2021) which rotates the horses to different areas to prevent overgrazing and soil erosion from their hooves. Las Torres Patagonia emphasises horse welfare and responsible interaction - experienced baqueanos oversee all horse handling and riding activities, stable routines prioritise equine health and rest, and guest activities are designed to be educational and low-impact on the animals. 

Las Torres Patagonia is open for the season between October and the end of April. Rates start from £1,755pp for a two night all-inclusive package, based on two people sharing a double room. For more information visit www.lastorres.com/en

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About Las Torres Patagonia
We are Las Torres Patagonia, a natural and cultural reserve located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in the southernmost region of Chile. We are a family-owned business in Chilean Patagonia with more than 30 years in the tourism industry. Our focus is the conservation of Patagonian nature and culture, as well as promoting sustainable tourism. In our hotel, mountain stays and cabins we share unique experiences, preserving traditions from our ranching roots and captivating guests with stories from our local guides and collaborators. Our commitment is to be a world-class sustainable destination in Chilean Patagonia, serving as the starting point for magical adventures and a connection with nature. www.lastorres.com/en