Imagine a long, thin slice of California with a patch of the Sahara desert glued onto the north. Let some of New Zealand’s fjords wash against the south. Press all of this against the spine of tall and rugged mountains. This would be Chile, home to the some of the world's most varied and dramatic landscapes.

Parts of the country, like Torres del Paine, feel like the ends of the earth. Yet Chile is one of the most modern and convenient travel destinations in South America. In many places, it has a European feel — along with European prices.

Chile is 2,705 miles/4,329 km long (about the distance in the U.S. from San Diego, California to Charleston, South Carolina), but averages only 100 miles/160 km in width. Desert dominates the north while tundra governs  the south. The center of the country contains many fertile valleys and lovely scenery. The nation’s coastline is indented by many bays and fjords, while the eastern regions terminate in the Andes. Some people associate all of South America with the Amazon jungle and heat, but there is no jungle in Chile. In fact, much of the land can be freezing cold.

Chileans are a mix of Spanish, Irish, English, German and Scottish immigrants and native Indians. Where else but Chile can you find German immigrants who speak Spanish and revere a national hero named O’Higgins?

Riding Without Fences

Chile's North and Southern Patagonia offer perfect riding country. Unhindered by fences, roads or urban development, riders can canter for miles and miles across open deserts or pampas surrounded by the immense beauty of this breathtaking country.

Horses
Horses in Chile are generally Criollos and Criollo crosses. Descendants of the Spanish, Barb and Arab, the Criollo is a sturdy, sure-footed and willing ride. Generally fairly small by North American standards at between 14.2 and 15.0 hands, they are strong nonetheless. 

After riding from Argentina to Washington in the 1930s, A F Tschiffely wrote:
'I have been able to prove that the Criollo horse is worthy of the reputation he has always held among the few that really know him, namely that of being second to none for continuous hard work under any conditions.'