Estancias in Torres del Paine

The estancias of Torres del Paine show off some of the best wilderness in Patagonia and are working ranches that are destinations in themselves. 

Those estancias bordering Torres del Paine National Park are included in many of the multi-day horse riding trips and make excellent bases from which to explore the park. The estancias closer to Puerto Natales offer contrasting scenery and are great for bird watching and authentic gaucho experiences

Whichever you choose, you’ll have almost vast landscapes to explore by yourself.

There is much variation in levels of comfort, excursions offered and the extent to which the estancia is still a working ranch compared to focusing on tourism. 

Cerro Guido is the biggest working estancia in the Torres del Paine region, covering 250,000 acres (101,000 hectares) of land. Over a century old, it offers the peace and comfort of a good hotel, but with all the rich character of a traditional Patagonian ranch.

The estancia sits in a beautiful location on the eastern border of the national park, where you can enjoy horse-riding, visits with a pioneering conservation programme helping pumas and livestock share the land, or even see where palaeontologists are digging up ancient fossils. Alternatively, just sit back and enjoy a traditional barbecue under an endless sky.

Estancia Lazo is situated just on the border of Torres del Paine and is part of a huge cattle ranch dating from the last century that now rus 32,000 acres (13,000 hectares). It boasts magnificent views over Laguna Verde as well as the Paine Massif.

The rooms are simple yet comfortable. The main estancia house and dining room-cum-bar are great to relax in after a day of riding in the park. 

The estancia also has a complete house for up to eight people that can be booked for exclusive stays. 

This family-run working estancia treats its guests with breathtaking views of Torres del Paine’s iconic granite towers and the eastern side of the Paine Massif. The ranch continues to function as a sheep farm, running livestock across its 16,000 acres (6500 hectares).

Its seven rooms are all in the converted farmhouse and may be simple but are perfectly cosy. In the evenings you can unwind by the fireplace in the lounge or enjoy meeting other travellers by the barbecue. The hosts provide a warm friendly atmosphere, and there are varied activities on offer here, including horse riding excursions that offer the chance for some great birdwatching.

You know you’re escaping the crowds when your estancia begins with a trip by boat because there’s no proper road access. Estancia La Peninsula has just that – a stone’s throw and a world away from Puerto Natales in the wilderness of the Antonio Varas Peninsula.

The 47,000 acres (19 hectares) of this working sheep ranch are dominated by glacier-capped mountains and the startling reflections of the surrounding fjords. Here, you can immerse yourself in gaucho culture, saddle up yourself or jump in a Land Rover to drive to spectacular views of this remote peninsula.

For a real treat, the estancia offers adventures to La Barossa, a private cabin miles from anywhere, where you can stay in complete cosy seclusion.