Andes Horseback Ride from Santiago with Bilingual Guide

Summary

Horse riding in santiago’s andes with local guides and city views

You’ll ride gentle horses through the Andes foothills outside Santiago with a bilingual local guide who shares stories along the way. Expect panoramic views over the city, quiet trails scented with wild herbs, and plenty of time to settle into your own rhythm in the saddle. Includes hotel pickup so you can just show up ready for something different.

What’s the experience like?

I opened my eyes to the sound of hooves on dry earth — not something I ever expected so close to Santiago. The city faded behind us as our van climbed into the foothills, windows down, that sharp mountain air sneaking in. Our guide, Carla, handed out helmets and grinned at my nervous laugh (I hadn’t been on a horse since I was twelve). She introduced us to the horses by name — mine was called Sol, which felt right under that bright sky.

The first few minutes were all about figuring out Sol’s rhythm. He was patient with me, thankfully. Carla rode alongside, switching between Spanish and English without missing a beat. She pointed out where the city sprawled below — honestly, it looked tiny from up here — and told stories about growing up nearby. The trail wound through scrubby bushes and wildflowers I didn’t recognize; there was this faint herbal smell every time we brushed past them. At one point we stopped for water, and I realized how quiet it was except for distant dogs barking somewhere down in the valley.

We rode for what must’ve been over two hours but it didn’t feel long at all. My legs got sore (no one warns you about that), but I didn’t really care because the light kept changing on the mountains and it was just… peaceful. Carla joked about my “cowboy posture” — she wasn’t wrong — and helped me adjust my reins when I got tangled up. On the way back, Sol seemed to know we were heading home; he picked up his pace a little, dust swirling around his hooves. I still think about that view over Santiago when the sun started dipping lower — kind of makes you forget everything else for a minute.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback riding in Andes foothills

• Depart from Santiago city
• Meet bilingual guides
• Ride gentle horses
• Horseback ride for 2.5 hours
• Enjoy panoramic Andes views
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How long is the horseback riding tour from Santiago?

The total tour lasts about 4 hours, including 2.5 hours on horseback.

Is this horse riding tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s good for both beginners and experienced riders.

Are guides available in English?

Yes, bilingual guides lead the tour in English or Spanish.

What is included in this horseback adventure?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off plus a guided 2.5-hour ride.

What’s the minimum age for this Andes horse riding tour?

The minimum age is 12 years old.

How far from Santiago does the ride take place?

The ride takes place in the pre-cordillera area just outside Santiago.

Is public transportation nearby if I don’t want hotel pickup?

Yes, there are public transportation options available nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Santiago, a 2.5-hour guided horseback ride through the Andes foothills with bilingual guides who share local stories along the way—just show up ready to ride and they’ll handle everything else.