Horse Expedition in Ushuaia’s End of the World Lands
Horse riding in Peninsula Mitre, Ushuaia, is literally riding in the end of the world’s lands. One really is in the extreme south. These lands are the last piece of continent before reaching Antarctica. This is a very special place for horse riding. It is also the home of the baguales, the wild horses of South Patagonia.
Peninsula Mitre is in the extreme south of the country, more exactly on the far East of the mythical Tierra del Fuego. It could be said that it is one of the few almost totally virgin areas that are left in Argentina. Very few people have had the chance to explore it due to its access. One can only discover it by foot, or as we prefer, by horse.
This horse ride is a true adventure. One of its many attractions is visiting the ruins of the boats that tried to get to these lands. Also, the wildlife is amazing, many species live here. Some of them are in danger of extinction. You can see red foxes, otters and fur seals, among others. One of the most popular is the southern rockhopper penguins with their yellow feathers.
- Destination
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Departure
Ushuaia City
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Included
AccomodationAdvancedAlcoholic DrinksBreakfastDinnerEquipmentFull Board AccomodationIntermediateprivate GuidesTransport
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Not Included
BeginnerCaballos de equitaciónEconomicEndurance HorsesGimnasioHalf Board AccomodationJumping HorsesLocal ToursLunchLuxuryPolo HorsesRiding HorsesSpaTickets to National Parks
Itinerary
Day 0: It is called day 0 because all riders need to be in Ushuaia the night before the ride begins. They will sleep at an inn which is included in the package. During this day the riding group will meet each other. There will be an informative talk about the ride and everything needed for it.
Day 1: After breakfast, riders will be taken by car to the place where the ride begins. It is a 230 kilometer ride. The view is beautiful. They will cross the Andes mountain range through the Garibaldi pass. They will have an incredible panoramic view of the lakes in the area. They will arrive at Estancia Maria Luisa. This is a typical Patagonian establishment where they do cattle breeding and logging. This is where the riding officially begins. Each rider will meet their horse.
This first day will be an easy one, it will present no major difficulties. Riders will wade through the first river: Irigoyen. It is important to do it when the tide is low, which will happen many times during the ride. This river is famous for having trout weighing over 10 kilos. After a few hours, riders will reach the first overnight shelter: Puesto La Chaira. It is the last place inhabited by the "puesteros".
Day 2: The second day will be challenging as you will ride for several hours. Gradually, all traces of civilization will disappear, and the wild side of the peninsula will begin to emerge. On this day, you will visit several shipwrecks, such as the "Barca." This is a very ancient wooden vessel buried by the sand centuries ago. Only its bow, protruding on the beach, can be seen.
Afterward, you will start to come across the outposts of Estancia Policarpo. Some of these were built using materials from the shipwrecks. The fauna will reveal itself in all its splendor. You will also have the opportunity to see remains of the Haush ethnicity, ancient inhabitants of the Mitre Peninsula.
Next, you will ford the Leticia River, always considering the tides, and ride along the seashore until you reach Puesto Río Bueno. This is where you will spend the night.
Day 3: This will be a very interesting day. Throughout the journey, the riders will have the opportunity to see herds of baguales (wild horses), colonies of sea lions, and, with luck, some penguins that inhabit the area. Additionally, they will also continue to spot old shipwrecks like the famous clipper ship "Duquesa de Albania”.
They will reach a wide high-altitude valley from where they will be able to see "Caleta Falsa," with the old buildings of the estate founded by pioneer Francisco Bilbao in the early 20th century. The materials for its construction were brought by ship.
Finally, after crossing the Bueno River and the Policarpo River, they will arrive at the facilities of Estancia Policarpo, a site declared a national historical monument. Here, they will spend the night in a shelter on the property.
Day 4: This is a day of changes. They will leave behind riding along the seashore to venture into the peninsula, where peat bogs, soft terrain, and stunted forests prevail. On several occasions, they will have to dismount their horses and cross on foot.
Day 4: This is a day of changes. They will leave behind riding along the seashore to venture into the peninsula, where peat bogs, soft terrain, and stunted forests prevail. On several occasions, they will have to dismount their horses and cross on foot.
After crossing the Centenario Lagoon, they will be able to enjoy a unique spectacle: the varied birdlife of Tierra del Fuego in all its splendor. They will see cormorants, albatrosses, steamer ducks or cauquen ducks, rhea birds, oystercatchers, caracaras, and even condors.
After passing Cabo San Vicente, they will make a diagonal crossing to the final destination. This part will be done on foot as the terrain here is very soft. If the weather is clear, they will have the opportunity to see the silhouette of the mythical Isla de los Estados - the island that inspired Julio Verne to write the novel "The Lighthouse at the End of the World."
Finally, they will arrive at Bahía Thetis, a former factory where sea lions were slaughtered for their leather and fat. Fortunately, it is no longer in operation today. They will also be able to see the facilities of the former Argentine Subprefecture, a military outpost and rescue station for the frequent shipwrecks in the area. They will spend the night here.
Day 5: This will be a day to let our companions, the horses, rest. The day will be used to explore the area on foot. Riders can take a hike to the Cape San Diego lighthouse, at the eastern tip of Tierra del Fuego. It is a long trek, taking approximately 7 hours round trip. Along the way, they will have the opportunity to see a large number of guanacos. From a panoramic viewpoint with a 360-degree view, they will have a spectacular sight of the South Atlantic Ocean, Le Maire Strait, Isla de los Estados, and the beginning of the Beagle Channel.
Lunch will be at the lighthouse, where they will be able to see a colony of sea lions. In the afternoon, riders will begin the return journey, traversing the unique flora of the region. They will spend the night in the same place as the previous night.
Day 6: After several days of horseback riding and hiking, the sixth day will be a day of rest to gather strength before starting the journey back to civilization.
Day 7: During this day, you will ride along cliffs and cross vast peat bogs. The riders will be able to appreciate the incredible abilities that the Fuegian Criollo horses have to navigate these challenging terrains.
The views from the cliffs will offer an extraordinary blend of lights and colors, a perfect combination of the sub-Antarctic forest, the Andes Mountains, and the Southern Sea. The night will be spent at Estancia Policarpo.
Day 8: On this day, riders will leave behind "Caleta Falsa" and cross once again through significant peatland to reach the coast heading towards the Policarpo River (the widest and most dangerous of the journey). Once they cross the river, riders will arrive at the longest beaches along the entire route, where they will be able to enjoy long gallops and experience an unparalleled sense of freedom. They will also have the opportunity to get closer to large herds of wild horses.
A lunch break will be taken at the ancient "Duquesa de Albania" estate, providing time to capture the landscape through photography. They will then continue the journey towards the Bueno River post, passing through grass-covered beaches separated by small headlands where the wild cattle of the region graze.
Finally, riders will arrive at the outpost where they will spend the night in tents. From this day onwards, the load will be lighter, allowing for faster marches, including trotting and galloping.
Day 9: On this day, riders will cross the Leticia River once again and immediately gain altitude by ascending the cape of the same name. From here, they will have a view of the path to travel and obtain excellent panoramic views of the region. Before reaching Puesto La Chaira, they will have the opportunity to gallop along the vast beaches. Riders will spend the night here, kept warm by a wood-burning stove, and enjoy the last dinner of the journey.
Day 10: This will be the last day on the horses. The riders will bid farewell to the remote and wild region of Tierra del Fuego and head back towards Estancia Maria Luisa (the starting point of the horseback ride). They will cross the Irigoyen River and return to civilized life. Here, they will be picked up by a vehicle that will take them back to the city of Ushuaia, where they will spend the night in a hostel.
Day 11: End of the journey. The riders will be taken to Ushuaia Airport to begin their return journey. Those who wish to do so can stay in Ushuaia and enjoy the various activities offered by the city.
Location
Península Mitre, the easternmost end of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia.
Other activities for riders and non riders companions
Ushuaia is a very complete destination to visit both in winter and summer. The horseback riding programme is only available during the summer as it is impossible to explore this southernmost region of the planet in winter.
Culturally, the city is very interesting for several reasons. One of them is that it is the southernmost city in Argentina and has been a strategic point for the Falklands War. Here, one can appreciate the importance that this war had for our country.
One of the most visited places in the city is the End of the World Prison. In the past, the most dangerous prisoners were taken to this prison to serve their sentences. In fact, it was these prisoners who built much of the city's infrastructure.
Another popular attraction is the famous End of the World Train. It connects Tierra del Fuego National Park with the outskirts of the city. Originally called the "Prisoner's Train," it was used as a means of transportation for goods, mainly wood and rocks, between 1909 and 1952. In winter, it is one of the preferred destinations for skiers. It has excellent snow quality and fewer crowds. Among the winter activities, dog sledding with Huskies is a highlight. Ice skating is another popular winter activity.
Lastly, Ushuaia is the city from where cruises to Antarctica depart. The city offers excellent gastronomy and hotel accommodations.