Roaming the extreme south on horseback is a wonderful experience that reveals the daily life of those who inhabit this incredible place, such as Luis Bahamondes, host of one of Tierra Patagonia’s excursions. Horseback riding in Patagonia on one of our daily excursions will surely be a highlight of your Chile vacation.

Luis Bahamondes, better known as Lucho, has been working for more than eleven years at the Entre Lagos Ranch in Chilean Patagonia. Originally from Chiloé, from a very young age he started working in this area, mainly helping shepherds and herders who sought him out for his hard work.

When he turned 16, he had to decide his path: to be a shepherd or a herder. He thought, “there are more sheep in Patagonia.” Besides, he always really liked sheep dogs. Gradually he learned the process of working with them, which, at first, was not easy. Over time, Lucho became an expert shepherd.

When he arrived at Entre Lagos Ranch, thanks to his brother who was working there as a manager, the first thing he did was tame horses. He started work at seven in the morning and finished at 9 or 10 at night. Thus, in just six months, he managed to tame more than 44 horses. For a while, he worked as a shepherd and then devoted himself to tourism at the ranch’s lodge.