So, apparently, I love horseback riding… Who knew ….?
When my boss from the US was in town and gave me permission to plan a weekend “work” outing, the possibilities seemed endless. I have a very long never-ending list of activities that I’d like to do in and around Santiago- markets, museums, beaches, vineyards, mountains, and so on– so how would I choose just one?
I knew this was the perfect opportunity to place a big ol’ check on the bucket list, so when he suggested horseback riding, something that I’ve been wanting to try for a long time now, I jumped on the idea. Still, deciding on horseback riding didn’t really narrow down the choices too much. In a quick online search, I found horseback riding tours through Chilean vineyards, excursions along the coast and even some around the nearby mountainous region of Cajón del Maipo. But of course, being the procrastinator that I am, I waited until last minute to pick up the phone and actually make reservations. Which, in a weirdly good way, made the choice for me. After several companies turned me away for “lack of advanced notice,” I finally received some good news from a small company in Concón, a beach town along Chile’s coast.
‘Horseback Riding for this Sunday?” YES. “I have a group scheduled to leave at 11 AM.” YES. “No down payment required, see you then.” Perfect, YES.
I found Ritoque Expediciones through a TripAdvisor search, and although they didn’t have many updated reviews and their website is “under construction,” the price seemed fair, the excursion sounded awesome and well, we didn’t really have any other options. Even though I was a bit skeptical, considering I had 6 other people depending on my last minute plans, I decided to just go for it. We didn’t need to put down a deposit ahead of time, so I figured worst comes to worst we’d show up and if it looked at all sketchy, we’d already be at the beach for the day.
We were greeted at the small private farm by our three guides and after a quick introduction/mini-horse-lesson, we were paired off with our new friends and off we went.
We trotted along the beach, through the woods, over a shallow river and later through Concón’s perfectly velvety sandy dunes. Our guides were professional, our horses were calm and friendly and the landscapes were absolutely breath-taking.
The sun was shining. The breeze was light and crisp. It was truly the perfect day.
After a few hours of horseback riding, a snack at the beach and a quick drone flight, we finished off the day with a trip to one of my favorite restaurants in Concón- Aquí Jaime. Fresh tasty seafood, cold draft beer and a gorgeous ocean view made for the perfect end to the perfect day.
Ritoque Expeditions
Website | Tripadvisor
Phone: +56 9 6785 5092
Aquí Jaime
Website | Address: Av. Borgoño 21303, Con Con
Have you ever been horseback riding? If not, would you like to give it a try? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Liked this post? Sharing is caring! Pin it and save for later 😀
Welcome to Wanderful Wednesdays!
Consider yourself a wanderer?! Well then, this Blog Hop is for you!
Meet your hosts: ME, Lauren of Lauren on Location, Van of Snow in Tromso, Isabel of The Sunny Side of This and Marcella of What a Wonderful World.
Here on Wanderful Wednesday we hope to promote an open and supportive community for like-minded bloggers- expats, travelers and all kinds of wanderers!
The linkup will take place every Wednesday at 8AM GMT.
Wanderful Wednesday Guidelines:
- Link up a wanderful travel related post below! One per blogger per week please!
- Spread the LOVE! Blog Hops are all about hopping around & getting to know others within the community! At the very least please try to comment on one other post before you go!
- Let’s get Social! Really liked a post you read? Don’t be shy! Share your favorites on Social Media! You can use the hashtag: #wanderfulwednesday
- Don’t forget to grab the button and link back to your wanderful hosts! Help us spread the word and let’s get others involved!
You can also pin your post to our new Pinterest Board! Let me know if you’d like the invite.
This week I’m highlighting Arthur Avenue: the Real Little Italy of New York by Ruth of Tanama Tales. I love when someone teaches me something new, especially about home. That’s when you know it’s a true hidden gem! If you haven’t already, be sure to go check out her post and spread the love! Thanks for linking up with us Ruth! ?
Happy Hopping Friends!! 😀
How fun! You got incredibly lucky waiting so long! Couldn’t have picked a better one and that’s awesome you boss wanted a “work” outing! Wish mine would do something like that to show that she appreciate us…. #WanderfulWednesday
what a beautiful experience. I have never really been into horses – but the kids like it and I think I promised them a horse back riding tour… so here is to mammy keeping her promises… #WanderfulWednesday
This must have been a wonderful experience, I’ve never gone horse riding but would love to one day! #wanderfulwednesday
Um how cool is your boss/job?!? I would love to have the freedom so split second plan a group horseback outing haha, I think that’s definitely a sign of a wonderful work environment that they are so flexible and let you explore your other passions and strengths!
wonderful! #wanderfulwednesday
What a cool experience! I’m actually a little afraid of horses but I have been horseback riding and enjoyed it. I think that as long as I have a horse that isn’t too feisty, I’m ok. #wanderfulwednesday
Hooray for all of your plans working out, although it does sound like being at the beach still would have been a good alternative! It has seriously been forever since I’ve been horseback riding, but riding on a beach sounds right out of a dream! It’s even more awesome that it was a work trip too!
Ceviche!!! It looks so good and it looks like everything came together p e r f e c t l y! What a dream destination!
I haven’t been on horseback in about 20 years, haha, but this looks amazing 🙂 so awesome when things come together like that.
This is SO awesome!! I’m so glad everything worked out. I’m sooo bad too and always wait until the last second to make tour reservations too! It’s my indecisiveness and lack of planning skills. I really loved it the couple of times I did horseback riding, but I’ve never done it on the beach but it looks so fun! And seriously… what job do you have that your boss goes to Chile with the company?!
This looks like sooooo much fun! I’ve never been horseback riding but I have ridden a donkey… Does that count? 😉
This looks like such a nice day, and how awesome that you’re able to do stuff like this with your co-workers! I have ridden horses several times, but to be honest it makes me super nervous! I think I’m really bad at being in control of them, like if the horse decides to stop and eat some leaves or starts going the wrong way, I’m just like “um, hey, could you not…please?” Hahah oh well
Such a fab video!! I’m nervous around horses but this definitely looks like an amazing day! And so worth it for the views along I think 🙂
This sounds like such a fun time! I rode horses when I was younger and I miss them so much, so I would love to do this 🙂
This looks like so much fun!
I’ve always wanted to try horse riding but to be honest, I’ve been scared and haven’t been able to justify shelling out the money sometimes. I think I’ll try it in Half Moon Bay this summer. That’ll be a nice challenge. I’m so glad that the last minute prep worked out for you!
That video is amazinggg, seriously well done to you, drones are just so cool!! This really does look like a lot of fun and has now made me want to go horse riding (I’ve never been), oh and I want to go to those dunes too – oh Chile and your amazing places, the list never ends 😀
What a great experience -love the video! It’s always refreshing to explore in a different way – even in your home town! #WanderfulWednesday
That looks so much fun!! #WanderfulWednesday
I hope I will be able to do something like this with my coworkers. Seems like nothing fun is ever planed at work. I guess that is a drawback of working for a big company. I am a bit scared of horses since one threw me Costa Rica. My husband ended up being an excellent horse rider (go figure). Thanks for highlighting my post about Arthur Avenue. I was so fun to write about this awesome place. #WednesdayWanderlust
OMG this looks like so much fun! I’ve ridden a horse only two times I my life, somehow it is pretty scary to me.
I love horse back riding but it’s been forever since I’ve done it. That drone footage ??.
Wow – this looks awesome!! At first I thought you were in a desert, and I was wondering if there was a desert in Chile!!
Good information you give in here and i know most of the viewers are like this education in here. They find best guide line from here those helps them to enjoy the visit in here.