DURATION
10 DAYS

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
EASY

Best Estancias in Patagonia

Introduce your family to the spectacular scenery of the estancias, an opportunity to be close to nature while experiencing the habits and traditions of the gauchos and immigrants that populated the Argentinean soil.
In Peninsula de Valdes and El Calafate, some of these activities include: sharing their daily tasks, riding horses, driving the cattle, witnessing the sheep shearing, the branding and the rodeo, as well as working in the orchards.

Peninsula de Valdes is a World Heritage site for the diversity and abundance of its marine and coastal wildlife. Orcas and dolphins live together with the southern right whale (which approaches the coast during their mating season and to give birth to their offspring, from May to September), along with the sea wolves and sea lions colonies. In Punta Tombo, besides, it is possible to have a walk among the largest continental colony of Magellanic penguins during the months of the southern spring (from September to March).

In El Calafate, among the estancia experiences, the excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park fascinates both grown-ups and children. Buenos Aires, the city “that never sleeps”, is the ideal beginning and end for this trip, with its great number of cultural and recreational activities to suit every taste.

Day 1

BUENOS AIRES

Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, you will be transferred to the rental home before exploring this wonderful and enchanting city at your own pace. Take a walk around the different neighbourhoods to really get a feel for the city. At night, try a typical Argentine dish in one of the many delicious restaurants that the city has to offer, or stroll through the leafy and picturesque neighbourhood of Palermo, one of the liveliest parts of Buenos Aires.

You will spend two nights in Palermo área in a rental Home.

Day 2

City Tour, Dinner and Tango Show

Breakfast. Our fascinating city tour will provide an overview of the city and its attractions, giving you a better understanding of Argentina’s history and culture. During this three hour tour, you will visit Retiro, the Avenida 9 de Julio, South America’s widest avenue (El Teatro Colon and Obelisco), the historic and architecturally imposing Center (Congress, Plaza de Mayo, Avenida de Mayo, Casa Rosada), the modern docklands of Puerto Madero and the oldest neighbourhood of the city, San Telmo, with stops in upmarket Recoleta (Cemetery and Plaza Francia) and the city’s oldest port and birthplace, La Boca (Caminito).

At night you will enjoy a delicious meal with free-flowing wine and be entertained with a tango show where you will experience the heartbeat of Argentina first hand, before being transferred to your hotel to relax for the rest of the night.

Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3

Buenos Aires – Puerto Madryn

At appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport in a Private Service to take your flight to Trelew .

After arriving at Trelew you will be transferred to “El Pedral Lodge” (70kilometros) in private service.

You will spend 3 nights at El Pedral Lodge with an All Inclusive Program

Day 4

El Pedral Lodge

The schedule of the activities offered for your stay will vary according to the weather conditions, the opportunities that may arise to take a watching tour, the number of nights you will stay, the preferences of the guests, among other things. The guide is the one that will decide which activity will be performed each day. During your free time, you may choose to use the swimming pool, the bikes, go to the beach or just go for a walk.

Visit to Punta Ninfas’ lighthouse
Departing from the country house and after driving for only 8 km, we will get close to the typical high cliffs of the Península Valdés coasts. The Punta Ninfas’ lighthouse is located at the south end of the Golfo Nuevo’s mouth, where you will be able to see breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the gulf, as well. Visiting this place is an excellent programme to contemplate the sunset or the moonrise reflected on the sea.

A guided walk among Magellanic penguins
Every year in September, a growing colony of friendly Magellanic penguins settles in El Pedral. A guide tour among its nests will enable you to know much more about these curious animals. El Pedral keeps a control and cleaning program along its coasts, together with collaborating with the foundation GPS, Global Penguin Society, which monitors the Magellanic penguins’ colony of Punta Ninfas.

Observation of a rookery of elephant seals
The beach at the foot of Punta Ninfas’ cliff is the natural habitat of an important rookery of elephant seals, where they can be observed in small groups throughout of the year. In mid-September, male individuals arrive to ‘mark their territory’ in order to start making up their harems and increasing them. After driving for only 15 minutes from the house, we will arrive at the end of the road leading to the Punta Ninfas’ lighthouse, where we will finally get to a pathway down to the beach. Once on the coast, we will be able to walk along the beach and watch these animals very closely. Please, remember that it is very important not to bother them. Therefore, it is highly recommended to advance slowly in a crouch position, in order to be able to obtain good pictures without making them feel attacked or invaded.

Meals included: breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5

Trelew – El Calafate

At appropiate time you will be transfer to the airport to take your flight to El Calafate.

Upon arrival you will be pick up at the airport an transfer to the Hotel in town.

You will stay 1 night at Mirador del Lago Hotel

Day 6

El Calafate – Perito Moreno Glacier – Nibepo Aike Ranch

After breakfast you will be pick up from your Hotel and start a private tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

In Glacier National Park, you will take the route along Lake Argentino where, 80km from El Calafate, the Perito Moreno is revealed by its 70m high walls of ice. Numerous walkways leading to the front of the glacier (there are approximately 5 km gateways) offer both a visual and audio experience, with each different view soundtracked by the constant ruptures and echoes of the iceberg. The tour also includes a short boat trip past the glacier.

Duration: 6 hours

After the tour you will be transfer to Nibepo Aike Ranch where you will stay 2 nights with an All Inclusive Program.

Day 7 – 8

Nibepo Aike Ranch

You will spend 2 nights with an All inclusive Program

All Meals and transfers from/to El Calafate included.

ACTIVITIES AND RURAL LIFE
Dawn at Nibepo Aike. The estancia wakes up with the first sunlight. The day starts with the cow milking and the sheep herding. Two sheep stay at the estancia for the daily shearing demonstration. Gauchos come and go. A new day starts.

Over 100 years ago, a Croatian pioneer found his place on earth in these lands near the borders. Nowadays, after four generations, the very same family still runs the estancia and its rural activity. Nowadays, they do not raise as many sheep as they used to, the priority is Hereford cattle. Here, rural activity with the horses and sheep never stops despite the snow or the cold weather.

When guests arrive will have an introduction of the possible activities according to climate conditions, calendar activities with animals and availability of tracks.

RURAL ACTIVITIES Guests can participate in daily life activities in contact with animals such as cattle branding, dressage or milking. Sheep shearing and herding; demonstrations of typical riding skills on criollo horses.

HORSE RIDING, HIKING, BIKING Different paths allow to explore the corners of the estancia and discover its flora and fauna. The valley of the Cachorro River, the shores of the Argentino Lake, the border milestone with Chile and the Cerro Cristal hillside are some of the places where guests can go on foot, on horseback or by bike. Panoramic points show the Perito Moreno Glacier and the Hidden Glaciers, the southernmost ones of the National Park.

Day 9

Nibepo Aike – El Calafate – Buenos Aires

After breakfast, you will be transfer to Calafate airport to take your flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon arrival you will be transfer to your Hotel.

You will stay 1 night at L’Hotel Boutique

Day 10

Buenos Aires

Breakfast. Transfer to the international airport for your departure.