The Heart of Patagonia (AR 039)
Estancias Tour (Ranch Tour)

Departures: daily
Guide: Spanish – English.
Meals: full board. Air Fare: not included

Stay at a Patagonian farm to share the experience of local life as local people live it. Taste the typical delicious Patagonian lamb barbecue. Feel the solitude of this far south area, experience the peace and breathe the complete purity of its air. Share the huge calmness of the lakes, its dense forests and the backdrop of the Andean Mountains.

Day 1 – El Calafate / Estancia Nibepo Aike
Reception at the airport and transfer to Estancia Nibepo Aike, located 56 km from El Calafate, settled within Los Glaciares National Park. This traditional ranch founded at the beginning of the century on the southern margin of Lago Argentino, is mainly devoted to cattle but also to sheep breeding, Taste the local cuisine prepared as it has been done for decades. Also enjoy horseback riding and trekking, accompanied by local guides (optional). Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 2 – Estancia Nibepo Aike
Breakfast at the estancia. Visit the premises of the estancia and also enjoy a sheep sheering demonstration. Taste some delicious Patagonic lamb for lunch and visit some rupestrian paintings left by the locla aborigines on a rock wall nearby. Later take an optional cycling, trekking or horseback riding excursion within the estancia. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 3- Estancia Nibepo Aike
Breakfast. Departure towards Perito Moreno Glacier, an imposing ice river that descends from the Patagonian Continental Ice. Because of its breathtaking beauty and unusual behaviour, it was declared Mankind's Heritage Site by UNESCO. Walk along the paths and enjoy the different views of this imposing glacier. Box-lunch. A nautical safari is available (optional) for those who want to experience a different approach to the glacier. Return to the estancia. Accommodation. Dinner.

Day 4 – Estancia Nibepo Aike / Hosteria El Puma
Breakfast. Transfer by regular bus line to El Chalten. Accommodation at Hosteria El Puma. El Chalten, a town located in the heart of Los Glaciares National Park, a gateway to most exciting climbing, trekking and horseback riding trails in Patagonia. Set at the foot of Mt. Fitz Roy and Mt. Torre stands Hosteria El Puma, the most charming lodge in town for those who appreciate a relaxing and comfortable place to call home while in the area. After lunch, start a trekking to the amazing Capri lagoon through Blanco river trail, visiting extraordinary natural view points, surrounded by Coihue and Lenga trees. Border Chorillo del Salto, which has a breathtaking view of the Fitz Roy, Saint Exupery and Piedras Blancas massif, or walk to Mt.Torre's lookout, through dense lenga woods. Once at the camp site, base of all climbing expeditions, continue to Maestri camp site for an excellent panoramic view of Torre lagoon, las Adelas glacier and Torre Hill. Dinner.

Day 5 – Hosteria El Puma
Breakfast. Depart to Tunnel Bay to sail Lake Viedma to approach the wall of Viedma Glacier, or go on a trek to the Fitz Roy base camp, through Rosado Hill and Chorillo del Salto, stopping at imposing lookouts surrounded by fascinating woods, continuing to Laguna de los Tres and its imposing lookout, at the foot of the Fitz Roy. Box-lunch. Dinner.

Day 6 – Hosteria El Puma / Estancia La Maipú
Breakfast. Transfer by regular bus line to Estancia La Maipú. This estancia stands on the imposing Andes Range, by the shores bathed by the turquoise waters of Lake San Martin, 280 km north of El Calafate and Perito Moreno Glacier. At the estancia, which has been run by the Leyenda family for half a century, it's possible to take walks through the woods, to horseback ride, to watch birds (specially condors), to share the ranch activities and to visit its own museum of the first settlers in Patagonia. Accommodation. Box-lunch. Dinner. Accommodation.

Day 7 – Estancia La Maipú
Breakfast. Horseback riding to Astillado Hill through millenary lenga, notros and coihue woods. Start horseback riding along “Bajo Grande” to reach Elena's river souce at Astillado foothill. You will be able to observe sheep heads and autochthonous flora and fauna on the way, Box-lunch. Dinner.

Day 8 – Estancia La Maipú
Breakfast. Trekking to the “Condorera” ('Hawk Nest') (1.100 m. high) to obtain a fascinating view of San Martin lake and the Andes Range together with the majestic condors in their natural habitat walking along an amazing lenga wood. Dinner.

Day 9 – Estancia La Maipú / El Calafate
Breakfast. Transfer by regular bus line to El Calafate. (260 km.). Accommodation at El Galpón Inn.

Day 10 – El Calafate
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.

Note: in case of flying from Río Gallegos, optional bus transfer to El Calafate (316 km) (This transfer is provided without bilingual guide due to operational reasons).