Best time to travel to Patagonia

Wild Horses in Patagonia

Meet incredibly fast and graceful animals living in the pristine corners of Argentina and Chile

Best time: October–April

Wild Horses

Wild horses are an integral part of Patagonia's beautiful nature. For thousands of years, they've been roaming local meadows, grasslands and mountain slopes. The largest number of them live in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and generally in the Magallanes Region. Large herds roam in the Baguales Sierra Mountains in Chile, about 140 kilometers from Puerto Natales. In Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park and the island of Tierra del Fuego has the largest population of wild horses. Small herds can also be spotted farther north, in the Neuquen and the Rio Negro.

During the high season, many travel companies offer wild horse watching tours providing the possibility to get closer to these graceful animals. Torres del Paine National Park is the most popular destination for these tours. Keep in mind that horses are very cautious and humans shouldn't come closer than 15 meters to the herd in order to not disturb the wild animals in their natural habitat.

Wild horse watching tours are usually offered for small groups from October to April.

Practical info

When is the best time to witness wild horses in Patagonia?

Visit Patagonia from October to April to experience wild horse sightings. Small-group tours are available for wild horse watching during these months; however, the timings may vary based on the site. Contact the tour operators in advance to confirm the preferred travel time. Show more

Where can we see the largest herd of wild horses in Patagonia?

Baguales Sierra Mountains is the location of the largest wild horse population, with Torres del Paine National Park being the most famous destination in Chile. However, the island of Tierra del Fuego and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina contain the largest herds. Further north, in Neuquen or Rio Negro, small herds of wild horses can be found. Show more

How do we join a wild horse watching tour in Torres del Paine National Park?

Many travel companies offer wild horse watching tours during the high season, between October and April, in Torres del Paine National Park. It is recommended to contact the tour operators in advance to book group or private tours. The visitors are required to stay at least 15 meters away from the wild horses. Show more

What is the recommended distance to observe wild horses in their natural habitat?

To observe wild horses in their natural habitats, keep a distance of at least 15 meters from the herds since they are easily frightened. In their natural habitats, most tour operators observe these rules and enable visitors to watch from a distance without disturbing the animals. Show more

Are there any other unique wildlife sightings in Patagonia besides wild horses?

Wild horses are not the only exciting sightings in Patagonia, as the region is abundant in diverse wildlife such as guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, foxes, and numerous bird species. Along with these, tourists can also enjoy glacier walking, kayaking, hiking, and mountaineering expeditions during their stay. Show more

Ask a question
Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin