Water at sunset

Trusting our horses through rivers, winds, and wilderness

Horse riding on the Mitre Peninsula

Known for its treacherous seas, the water around Ushuaia abounds with shipwrecks

Riding through untouched landscapes where the Andes meet the sea

Endless horizons and steady hooves - exploring Patagonia’s wildest frontier.

Tierra Del Fuego Horse Trek

Explore Tierra del Fuego on horseback, following in the footsteps of Patagonian pioneers

12 Days from

$4790 USD

Trip Code: PMH

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Patagonia Mitre Peninsula Horse Riding - Hotel only Single Supplement (2 nights - not available from Days 2 - 10)

$130 USD

Sleeping Bag hire for 10 days, 9 nights

$500 USD

Duration

12 Days

Activities

8 days horseback riding

Accommodation

2 nights hotels
9 nights cabins/lodges with bunk beds

Meals

Valued at 580

9 Dinners
10 Lunches
10 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

4 / 10

Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

24kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(262kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Ride through the remote and hard to reach wilderness areas of Tierra del Fuego
Stay in authentic working estancias dedicated to cattle ranching
Gallop across open landscapes, ford glacier-fed rivers, and feel the freedom of the wild
Ride alongside wild horses through vast plains, dense lenga forests, and rugged coastlines

Overview

In the far south of Patagonia, the Mitre Peninsula in Tierra del Fuego offers one of the most remote and powerful horse trekking experiences on Earth.

Here, the land feels untouched by time. Vast pampas, thick lenga forests and storm-lashed coastlines stretch toward the horizon, broken only by the silhouettes of wild horses and the scattered remains of long-forgotten shipwrecks.

This guided horse trek in Patagonia will see you following traditional routes used by local gauchos and early explorers. Our trusted team of local horsemen and sure-footed Creole horses make the journey accessible for anyone with a good base level of fitness, a sense of adventure and a willingness to embrace the elements. Previous horse riding experience essential and you to be accustomed to long distance riding. Along the way, you may witness sea lion colonies, native birds, and traces of Indigenous Haush culture that still echo through this wild landscape. Nights are spent in rustic posts and working estancias where simplicity allows for deep connection, well away from the crowds. Out here, it's just the sounds of hoofbeats, wind, and waves.

This horse riding trek through Patagonia's wildest frontier will provide you with a raw, immersive journey into a place where land, history and solitude come together. A chance to reconnect with nature in its purest form and see one of the world’s last wild frontiers the way it was meant to be experienced.

Itinerary

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You will be picked up from Ushuaia Airport and taken to the joining hotel. You will meet your guide in the evening for a group briefing. This briefing will be to provide details of the expedition, check their equipment and provide the saddlebags that will be used during the ride. Overnight: Altos de Ushuaia or similar.

Meals: Nil

The journey begins with a scenic 230-kilometre drive from Ushuaia, tracing one of Patagonia’s most spectacular routes. Crossing the Andes via the Garibaldi Pass, sweeping views unfold over shimmering lakes and forested valleys. Our destination is Estancia María Luisa, a traditional Patagonian ranch still shaped by cattle grazing and timber work, offering a glimpse into the region’s working heritage. Here we meet our horses and support crew, easing into the rhythm of the ride with a gentle first day. We cross the Irigoyen River at low tide, renowned among anglers for its legendary trout, before reaching Puesto La Chaira, our first overnight stop and the final outpost of the region’s resilient horsemen, or "puesteros". Overnight: Maria Luisa Ranch or similar.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, we saddle up for our first full day in the saddle, heading toward the remote Río Bueno outpost - an occasional shelter for the gauchos of the Policarpo ranch. As we ride deeper into Tierra del Fuego, the last signs of civilisation fade, replaced by the raw beauty of an untouched wilderness few travellers ever witness. Shipwrecks emerge like ghostly relics along the coastline, including the weathered "Barca," its wooden bow still rising defiantly from the sand. The landscape is scattered with rustic outposts, some crafted from the very timbers of long-lost vessels. Along the way, native wildlife becomes more abundant and the traces of the ancient Haush people offer quiet reminders of the region’s layered past. Navigating along the beaches and fording rivers like the Leticia at low tide, we arrive at Río Bueno, immersed in the wild soul of Patagonia. Overnight: Rio Bueno Post or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Following breakfast, we continue our ride across Tierra del Fuego, wading through the Bueno and Policarpo rivers to reach the historic Policarpo Estancia - a site recognised as a national monument. The terrain is wild and absorbing, with the horses expertly weaving through soft peat bogs, a striking feature of the island’s unique landscape. Wildlife remains a constant companion, with chances to spot wild horse herds, sea lion colonies basking on the coast, and, if fortune favours, penguins along the shoreline. Weathered shipwrecks still line our route, including the storied clipper Duquesa de Albania. As we ascend into a sweeping high valley, we catch sight of Caleta Falsa and the remnants of Francisco Bilbao’s early 20th-century homestead, its buildings a testament to resilience. Overnight: Estancia Policarpo or similar

Meals: B,L,D

This day marks a notable shift from the previous ones, as we leave the beaches behind and venture into peat bogs, soft terrain, and dense scrub forests. These conditions will require us to dismount and proceed on foot several times. After crossing Laguna Centenario, we'll be treated to a remarkable sight: the rich birdlife of Tierra del Fuego in its full glory. In a dramatic coastal setting, with birds soaring just meters above us, we may spot condors, cormorants, albatrosses, cauquenes, great bustards, oystercatchers, caracaras, and many others. Around the halfway point (depending on the season) we may have the rare opportunity to observe a sea lion colony up close, and if we're fortunate, catch a glimpse of their playful pups. After passing Cape San Vicente, we'll make a diagonal crossing toward our final destination. Due to the extremely soft ground, we'll cover this last stretch on foot. If weather conditions permit, we may even see the silhouette of the legendary Isla de los Estados on the horizon, immortalized by Jules Verne in The Lighthouse at the End of the World. Our journey concludes at Bahía Thetis, once the site of a sea lion processing facility where animals were hunted for their hides and blubber. Remnants of this past remain visible in the form of an old boiler and laboratory. Nearby, we’ll also see the former facilities of the Argentine Subprefecture, a military outpost that once provided refuge and rescue to the many shipwreck survivors in these treacherous waters. Overnight: Thetis Bay or similar

Meals: B,L,D

At the easternmost edge of Tierra del Fuego, we take time to soak in the raw beauty and rich history of this remote outpost. With no need to travel onward today, the opportunity to explore on foot is truly rewarding. For those keen to venture further, an optional full-day hike leads to Cape San Diego Lighthouse - standing sentinel at the very tip of the island, where the land yields to the vast South Atlantic. Crossing soft peatlands and skirting the edge of Thetis Bay, the route offers encounters with guanacos and sweeping coastal views. After around three and a half hours on foot, we reach the lighthouse and settle in for lunch beside the Le Maire Strait, where sea lions often laze on the shoreline. The panoramic vista takes in Isla de los Estados, the Beagle Channel, and the open ocean, a true 'end of the world' experience. The return walk winds through wind-sculpted trees and delicate alpine flora unique to the region. It’s a long but deeply rewarding day of discovery, so sturdy trekking shoes are essential. Overnight: Thetis Bay or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Today offers a welcome pause - an unhurried chance to explore the quiet edges of this far-flung frontier. With time for gentle walks through the surrounding wilderness, we slow down and truly take in the stillness and wonder of this place often called the last corner of the earth. It’s a day to reflect, to reconnect with nature’s rhythms, and to feel the quiet magic of Tierra del Fuego. A moment to rest, recharge, and prepare for the return journey ahead. Overnight: Thetis Bay or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We begin our return from Bahía Thetis toward Estancia Policarpo, retracing our path through the vast and spongy peat bogs of Tierra del Fuego. It’s here that the remarkable endurance and agility of our Fuegian Creole horses truly shine, expertly navigating the soft, shifting ground. As we ride along the cliffs, the landscape opens up in a dramatic fusion of elements - the dense sub-Antarctic forest, the rugged spine of the Andes, and the endless Argentine Ocean all coming together in a mesmerising play of light and colour. We pause along the way for a well-earned lunch break before continuing our journey back to the historic Estancia Policarpo. Overnight: Estancia Policarpo or similar

Meals: B,L,D

With the horses readied and loads secured, we gently depart Caleta Falsa, once again crossing challenging peatlands en route to the coastline and the formidable Policarpo River—the widest and most demanding crossing of the journey. After navigating its swift waters, a spectacular stretch of open beaches unfolds before us, including the windswept shores of Donata and Policarpo Bay. Here, the pace quickens. Long gallops across the firm sands bring a rush of freedom, with wild horses often seen roaming nearby—untamed and majestic in their natural element. We pause at the old Duchess of Albania hut, a weathered relic of the past, perfect for a rest, a bite to eat, and a few photos to capture the moment. As we continue toward the Río Bueno Post, a series of beach tracks and grassy headlands guide our way, where local cattle graze freely. The humble comforts of the post await - simple, remote, but just right for a hearty meal and a well-earned night’s rest. Overnight: Rio Bueno Post or similar NB: From this day on, the load is lighter and less intense. For this reason, we will allow ourselves to perform faster walks (trots, gallops).

Meals: B,L,D

While preparing for the march, we’ll have plenty of time to explore the area around the Río Bueno post, once the hub for cattle operations run by the legendary "puesteros" of the Mitre Peninsula. Following the Atlantic coastline, we’ll cross the Leticia River once more before ascending the cape of the same name. From this vantage point, we'll have a clear view of the route we've taken and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the entire region. Along the way, we’ll have ample time to pause and fully appreciate each spot. Before reaching La Chaira, we’ll gallop along the beach once again. Upon arrival, we’ll gather for dinner around the wood stove, marking the end of the ninth day and sharing the stories from our expedition. Overnight: La Chaira or similar

Meals: B,L,D

We’ll depart from Puesto la Chaira, bidding farewell to the gauchos of the Mitre Peninsula, who welcomed us with such warmth. We’ll also say goodbye to the remote and untamed region of Tierra del Fuego, which provided us with a unique and unforgettable experience. Gradually, as we cross the Irigoyen River, we’ll make our way back to civilization. At Estancia María Luisa, we’ll unsaddle the horses, allowing them a long and well-earned rest. The final stretch of the day will be traveled by vehicle, taking us to our accommodation in Ushuaia for the evening. Overnight: Altos de Ushuaia or similar.

Meals: B,L

Today is the end of our adventure, a transfer will take you to the airport in time for your departure flight.

Meals: Nil

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

10 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 9 dinners
Good quality hotel and cabins/lodges with bunk beds
Bilingual local guides and helpers
All internal ground transport by private bus
All guide fees and national park entrance costs
Horse and all required tack, using Argentinean Criollo saddles and bridles varying from snaffles, traditional curb bits or bitless depending on the horse
Double saddlebag (small, 10L) for personal items
Clothing bag (35L), not waterproof
Airport transfers
Satellite Communication for emergencies

Not included

International/domestic flights to and from Argentina and within Argentina
Sleeping bags
Riding helmet (available for hire - must be requested at time of booking)
Cost of laundry, alcoholic beverages and restaurant beverages, bottled water
Tips
Travel Insurance
Visa