Horseback riding tour National Park La Campana by Chile Off Track

Tour Itinerary

National Park La Campana

The National Park La Campana is one of Chile's richest natural jewels. Nestled between the flat coastal plains to the west and the imposing Andes mountain range to the east, La Campana is renowned for its distinctive terrain and has been recognised by UNESCO as a unique cradle of biodiversity. The park sprawls across some 8000 hectares (17,600 acres) of the Cordillera de la Costa, the nation's coastal mountain range, and is easily accessible either from Valparaiso or from Santiago (just 100 km away). Its convenient location makes it a perfect day-trip escape from the city.

The mountainous landscape, both distinctive and imposing, plays host to a dazzling array of vegetation, but its most intriguing feature is its huge population of Chilean Palm trees, a species that is virtually extinct outside the borders of the park. The Jubaea Chilensis can grow up to 25m in height, achieving its full grandeur only after many years of patient growth. Once mature, the palms produce coconuts that are as sweet as they are tiny. These rare palms are also famous for their "miel de palma" (palm honey) which can only be retrieved by cutting down the trees and boiling down the hearts into syrup. Due to its rarity, the species is cherished and protected by the Chilean government.

In addition to its stark natural beauty, La Campana is dotted with the ruins of faded settlements and the remnants of past mining operations. The area is criss-crossed with hiking trails, affording access to even its most remote reaches.

One day horseback riding trip:

The horseback riding trip starts in the area of Ocoa at 10.00 am. The sand trails will permit us to explore the highlights of the park and to enjoy the rare beauty of the palm trees. Our path also leads us past a charming waterfall which provides a secluded retreat for us to relax and eat lunch. On the way we might spot some of the park's diverse wildlife, which includes a wealth of colourful birds, nimble foxes and the adorable local degus. The degu is a small rodent, also named the brush-tailed rat, native to Chile and closely related to the chinchilla.

The ride will last between 4 to 6 hrs, depending on the riding experience of the participants.