Horseback Riding in the Andes Foothills from Santiago

Chilean horses and native forest trails replace the city in half an hour

Private horseback riding in the Andes foothills near Santiago, starting from a farm in Lo Barnechea and climbing through native forest to a high plateau facing glacier-capped peaks. You ride for roughly three hours total (an hour and a half up, a break at the lookout with local cheeses and chocolate, then an hour and a half down) matched to calm Chilean horses suited to your size and experience level. A bilingual guide and local arriero accompany you. Optional wine and charcuterie finish the day at the ranch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback ride and summit picnic

• Start at private farm in Andes foothills
• Prepare with Chilean horses and saddles
• Ride 1.5 hours ascending mountain trails
• Stop for picnic with local cheeses and juice
• Enjoy mountain views and Arriero culture
• Ride 1.5 hours descending back
• Optional wine tasting with cheese and charcuterie

The experience

The ride starts at a private farm in Lo Barnechea, at the foot of the mountains, just 30 to 40 minutes from your Santiago hotel. Chilean saddles and calm horses are matched to your height and weight. No riding experience is needed. The climb takes you through native forest to a high plateau at 2,000 meters, where Andean condors often soar overhead and glacier-capped peaks frame the view. You'll spend your time in the saddle and at the lookout, not in traffic getting there.

The ascent runs roughly an hour and a half, then you stop for 30 to 45 minutes at the plateau with a picnic of local cheeses, chocolate, fresh juice and water. The descent takes another hour and a half. A bilingual guide and a local arriero (a Chilean horseman who knows the trails and the culture) ride with you throughout. If you choose the wine option, you finish at the ranch with Chilean wine, cheese and charcuterie instead of heading straight back to your hotel.

Riders up to 110 kg (242 lbs) are welcome. The experience is always private, meaning no other groups join your ride. Pickup from your hotel is included, and you'll need to be at least 14 years old.

What’s included

• Pickup from your hotel.
• Chilean saddle and helmet.
• a calm horse matched to your size.
• a bilingual guide and local arriero for the full ride.
• summit picnic with local cheeses, chocolate, fresh juice and water.
• optional Chilean wine, cheese and charcuterie at the ranch (depending on the option you choose).

Options for this experience

2 options

Summit picnic without alcoholGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Summit picnic, includes pickup

Picnic with wine at the ranchGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Picnic and wine at the ranch, includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (14 to 75 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Andes Explora

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to ride into the mountains without spending hours in a car first. The farm is close enough to Santiago that most of your time is in the saddle and at the lookout, not on the road. The private format means no other groups on the trail, and the bilingual guide works at your pace.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Andes foothills like on the ride?

The foothills near Lo Barnechea are covered in native forest on the lower slopes, opening to high plateaus at 2,000 meters where you can see glacier-capped peaks. Andean condors often soar overhead during the ride. In winter, snow covers the higher peaks.

How much of the day is actually spent riding?

Roughly three hours in the saddle: about an hour and a half climbing, then an hour and a half descending. You'll stop for 30 to 45 minutes at the plateau for the picnic.

Do I need riding experience to book this?

No riding experience is needed. The horses are calm and matched to your height and weight, and a bilingual guide rides with you the whole time.

What's included in the picnic at the plateau?

Local cheeses, chocolate, fresh juice and water. If you choose the wine option, you also get Chilean wine, cheese and charcuterie at the ranch after the ride instead.

How long does the whole experience take from pickup to return?

The ride itself is about four hours, including the ascent, the break at the lookout and the descent. Add travel time from your hotel (roughly 30 to 40 minutes each way), so plan for a full morning or afternoon.