From cultivating the land to traversing the Andes, Chilean huasos are masters of the terrain spanning the country’s central and southern regions.
Renowned for their expertise, they also possess an unparalleled knowledge of ancient mountain trails and passes, making them perfect guides for adventure tourists seeking to cross the imposing Andes into Argentina.
No Roads Needed
On my first boat trip across Lago Todos los Santos, I spotted tiny cabins nestled high in the surrounding mountains, appearing like specks in a sea of green. Thin smoke curled from their chimneys, and with no roads in sight, I soon discovered that these remote homes belonged to huasos.
Beyond the Pampas
Unlike the vast open plains of Argentina’s pampas, Chile’s Lakes District presents few chances for a full gallop. Here, huasos and their horses are more akin to mountain climbers and trail runners. Despite their pride and showmanship, they appear most at home in the serene stillness of the forest.
Cowboy Culture
You’ll often see them at festivals and local ceremonies however, playing to the crowd and proudly wearing their traditional attire: a short Andalusian-style jacket beneath a silk or wool poncho, a wide-brimmed “chupalla” hat, knee-high boots, and shiny spurs.
Chilean Countryside
One summer, while passing through the hamlet of Cochamó, I came across a huaso on horseback along a gravel road overlooking the winding Río Puelo. His horse kicked up dust as it trotted past, and despite the heat, he wore his iconic poncho. With a good-natured smile, he paused to give us directions to a nearby hot spring—a gesture that reflects the warm friendliness of Chile’s rural countryside.
Green Ravines
After kindly letting me snap a photo, he turned his horse toward the forest. Together, they skillfully picked their way up a near-vertical ravine and disappeared into a wall of jade-green.
