How To Explore The World’s Most Pristine Landscapes On Horseback

Explore two of the world’s most pristine and wild landscapes on horseback: the Torres del Paine National Park and the Atacama Desert (highest and driest) in Chile. Stay for five days and four nights in either of the world-class resorts, the explora Patagonia and explora Atacama, and jump onto their new program — guests and gauchos rise at dawn to drive cattle across the pampas (open grasslands) between remote estancias (ranches.)

Get your own Gaucho

The private stables in these resorts house the stellar Chilean Criollos (horses with ancient Iberian blood) and purebred Arabians – both trained for experienced riders. Each group is accompanied by a genuine gaucho.

Located far south in South America, the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Patagonia riders are eased into the five-day riding program with a gentle ascent and tour of Lake Toro before moving on to more advanced rides along the banks of the crystalline Serrano River. The epic conclusion to the riding program is a full day ride into the northern sector of the park for an intimate view of the Grey Glacier at Puntilla Pehoé.

Known as the driest, highest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert is full of surprises: mountains, volcanoes, salt flats, geysers, wetlands, hot springs and an abundance of animal and plant life. It also has a culture that dates back 10,000 years, ruins of which can still be seen today in the daily lives of the local Atacameños.  Experienced horseback riders will be guided to the mountain peaks of the Cordillera de la Sal to descend across the dunes towards the Valle de la Muerte (Valley of Death).  Love this!

Four luxury-lodge nights at explora Patagonia start from $2,780 US, or at explora Atacama from $2,640 (per person, double occ.

explora’s series of nomadic journeys, travesías, lead travelers across borders into Argentina and/or Bolivia on extended expeditions. For more information on these two horseback adventures or their other exotic trips click www.explora.com or e-mail: reserve@explora.com.

explora P.S.  We’d like to emblazon their manifesto on our “Travel Trophy” flag:  Leave home, enjoy the journey, pack light, go far, forget the time, walk, deviate from the route, go outside when it rains, ask questions, try new flavours, don’t stop, stop, talk with people, listen to stories about the place, protect nature.

Polo

The real mallet-swinging thing.  Not the Ralph Lauren thing.

In addition to high-power glam, Palm Beach is the place to rub shoulders with sexy, sweaty polo players and world-class equestrians.  Nearby Wellington is, in fact, equestrian utopia. Polo matches are held on Saturdays from the end of January to the beginning of April and seats at the Polo Stadium in Wellington are complimentary!  Cute muscular guys with names like Marcos, Adolfo, Lolo and Calixto (to say nothing of William and Harry) are everywhere including on the field, plus there are horse shows, dressage competitions, and festivals.  The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club’s motto is: “Where the World Comes to Play” …. so let’s do it!! Local hot line: 561-282-5290.  Or click: www.internationalpoloclub.com or www.palmbeachpolo.com.

And let us not forget manicured, marvelous Palm Beach itself with its palm-lined avenues, intense haute couture shopping, bright blue sunny skies, a gentle surf, and klieg light diamond jewelry.

Hospitable hotels: The Breakers, legendary Italian Renaissance-style oceanfront castle operates a luxurious Guerlain spa, fitness center, golf course, 10 tennis courts. Cute cabanas and bungalows line its beach, and a selection of pools.  The Colony, chic landmark boutique hotel, is THE place for those “in the know.”  Inches off Worth Avenue, and yards from the Atlantic Ocean, The Colony is perfect for shopping, dining and – unique in Florida – a sophisticated New York-style cabaret in their Royal Room.

For the Palm Beach big picture, click on www.palmbeachfl.com.

Horseback Adventure

Snowy River Horseback Adventures in New South Wales, Australia can make a dream come true if your dream includes riding.  From October to May they escort small groups (12 max.) on 2 to 5-day horse riding treks through the high country of the magnificent Snowy Mountains.  Not totally rough: Amenities include soft beds, hot showers, good food and wine, and an authentic oilskin coat.  And for bragging rights alone: how many of your friends will also be able to boast of having seen Mt. Terrible?

http://www.snowyriverhorsebackadventure.com.au/