Santiago Andes: Private Horseback Ride & Chilean Wine Picnic

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/39

Duration4h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Ride mountain trails with locals then share Chilean wine and cheese

You’ll ride quiet mountain trails near Santiago with local horsemen guiding you every step (or hoof). Expect honest conversation, a proper cheese & wine picnic under open skies, and plenty of space for both laughter and silence. It’s less about perfect riding form—more about feeling part of rural Chile for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horse riding and picnic near Andes

Pick up from hotel
Drive to private ranch
Receive horseback riding introduction
Ride horses on mountain trails
Enjoy picnic with Chilean wine and cheese
Return to city

The Experience

We pulled off the city streets and suddenly it was just us, a couple of horses, and the foothills of the Andes stretching out—way bigger than I’d pictured. The drive from Santiago barely took half an hour, but it felt like we’d crossed into another world. Our guide, Martín, handed me the reins and grinned, “No rush—your horse knows these hills better than anyone.” I laughed because honestly, my riding skills are questionable at best. He showed us how to sit easy in the saddle (I still got sore legs) and told us about his grandfather who used to herd cattle through these same trails.

The air smelled faintly of eucalyptus and dust. We moved slow at first—hooves crunching over dry grass, sunlight flickering through the trees—and I tried to remember everything Martín said about gaucho life here. There’s this quiet out there that’s hard to explain; you hear insects buzzing and sometimes a distant dog barking from a farm down below. My horse kept pausing to sniff wildflowers or maybe just test my patience. At one point, we stopped so Martín could point out a condor circling above—he said if you see one close, it’s good luck (not sure if that’s true but I wanted to believe him).

I didn’t expect the picnic to feel so… homey? We sat in the grass with a spread of southern cheeses and a bottle of carménère that tasted way better than anything I’ve had back home. Someone tried to teach me how to say “queso de campo” properly—Li laughed when I butchered it in Spanish. There was no rush to get back; we just talked for a while about horses, city life versus campo life, even fútbol. When we finally headed back toward Santiago, my boots were dusty and my head felt clearer than it had in weeks. Still think about that view sometimes—you know?

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup within central Santiago (5-km radius), all safety equipment and accident insurance, well-trained horses with expert local guides leading you through Andean trails, plus a relaxed picnic featuring Chilean wine and regional cheeses before heading back to the city together.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Ecordua Travel Chile