An opportunity to explore the most hidden corners of the Estancia Nibepo Aike farm and the Los Glaciers National Park, places of pristine natural beauty, on horseback: a unique blend of Andean forest, crystalline lakes, high mountain peaks, skies and imposing glaciers with refuge posts offering a unique insight into the true rural Patagonian way of life.
We’ll reach the Estancia Nibepo Aike farm in the afternoon, and after settling in, our guide will give an explanatory talk about the programme. The horses and other equipment will be readied to leave early the following morning.
We have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the farm, explore the surrounding area on foot or by bike, along the self-guided trails, and also to take part in the shearing demonstration in the barn.
At the end of the day, we’ll have an enjoyable dinner and get well rested.
– Dinner included
(This post can only be reached from December to March. In November, the horse-riding programmes are 4 days and 3 nights)
In the morning, we set out on horseback from the pens, to start climbing the Cordón de los Cristales mountain, located behind the guest house. As we ascend, the views of the local lakes and mountains (Brazo Rico y Sur, Lago Roca and Cerro Frías) get increasingly more impressive. We then venture deeper into the Patagonian Andean forest. Travelling through lenga beech and cherry trees, we advance along old trails until reaching the La Rosada post, where our first lunch in a country home awaits: local beef stew,
The historic moment comes in the afternoon: Milestone 32, the final marker of the farm and where Argentina also ends. Chile is on the other side.
We have enough time to explore the surrounding area. The landscape’s serenity never ends.
Night falls over this beautiful scene, with a marvellous day up ahead: the journey to the hidden glaciers.
Dinner and overnight stay at the La Rosada post.
– Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Our descent begins towards the lower lands until we reach the riverbed. Between rocks and pastures, and dodging swamplands, we reach the Cachorro River post’s pens, where we may catch a glimpse of the ‘baqueanos’ (traditional Patagonian ‘cowboys’) working on the farm. We’ll pause for lunch as Puesto Cachorro. From post to post, we are following in the footsteps of the traditional rural workers.
After a picnic lunch, we continue on horseback to Laguna 3 de Abril, where reach the remaining post after the lagoon. After unwinding, we have free time to enjoy the surrounding area and warmth of the place.
– Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, we set out towards the south, on horseback towards the Balcón de los Glaciers (the Glaciers Balcony). The trail hugs the southern face of the Lago Argentino (Argentinian Lake). Just before reaching the head of the lake, we’ll leave the horses grazing to walk up to an even higher lookout point. Here, we’ll enjoy sweeping views of the local area. We can walk to the beach at the end of the southern face. From here, we cross a large, pristine grassland. The path enters a dense forest leading out onto the Laguna Corazón, a lagoon with crystalline waters where the deep blue contrasts with the verdant green reflections of the forest. The water is so clear that you can see trout swimming among the rocks. We’ll stop for lunch here.
Those who want to can continue a little further, getting around some tricky rocks to reach the head of the Frías Lake, the natural limit that retains the glaciers hidden in the hills to the south. In the afternoon, we return to where we left the horses to go back to the Laguna 3 de Abril post, where we’ll stay overnight.
An optional excursion is available on this day to the South Glacier: a combination of sailing and walking to go a little further. On this journey, we embark on a berth near the port, sail to the head of the south face and then walk along a short path to the Frías lake. In Zodaic, we travel 3 kms across the lake to reach the other side, where we’ll begin a trail hugging the river until reaching the amphitheatre of the Gorra, Frías and Grande glaciers with their lagoon and icebergs that have broken off the glaciers. This sector of the Park is practically unexplored. We’ll enjoy a picnic next to the glaciers and return to the Post in the afternoon.
This excursion has an extra cost and must be booked in advance.
– Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, we start the return journey on horseback along the shores of the southern face until arriving at the farm, 18 km from the Post. We’ll get there in time to have roast Patagonian lamb for lunch, which will be waiting for us upon arrival. After lunch, we return to El Calafate on a regular, shared transport service. For a few days, we were riders exploring the immense natural world, and got a first-hand account of the life lived by the pioneers and adventurers who are part of the region’s history.
– Breakfast and lunch included
