DURATION

5 Days

DIFFICULTY

Moderate

Riding to the Hidden Glaciers

A unique horseback journey into the most hidden heart of Los Glaciares National Park.

Among historic ranches, secret lagoons, and silent mountains, you’ll discover a Patagonia that still keeps its untouched spirit.

Highlights

  • El Calafate

  • Laguna 3 de Abril

  • Hidden Glaciers

Itinerary

Itinerary

The ride to the Hidden Glaciers is much more than exploring on horseback the lesser-known corners of Estancia Nibepo Aike and Los Glaciares National Park. It’s an authentic experience inviting you to discover nature in its purest form while visiting the three base camps of the journey. Here, the Andean forest, crystal-clear lakes, towering mountains, and endless skies blend with shelters that reflect traditional rural life, both past and present, at Nibepo Aike.

This journey takes you to places unreachable by vehicle, leaving the estancia behind, gaining altitude, and stepping into another world as you cross the mountain pass. It’s a chance to disconnect, feel part of the landscape, ride surrounded by vastness, and share in the life of a baqueano or the pioneers who shaped the area’s history.

Along the way, the views of the Hidden Glaciers—Frías, Gorra, Grande, and Dickson—are simply breathtaking. This adventure combines horseback riding, trekking, and rural life, and during certain seasons, you might even join in on cattle drives or tasks in the corrals.

The first day includes transfer to Estancia Nibepo Aike, where you’ll spend the first night to begin this unique experience.

Early in the morning, the riders meet with the guide for a brief chat. Then, everyone organizes their belongings for the days ahead. Once everything is ready, the horses are assigned, and the ride begins toward the Cordón de los Cristales, just behind the lodge.

As we ascend, the Brazo Rico and Sur lakes, Lago Roca, and Cerro Frías unfold like a natural model. When we reach the mountain pass, the trail enters the Patagonian Andean forest. We walk among lenga and guindo trees along old paths once used for large sheep drives.

Cattle graze in a small meadow where La Rosada stands, home to the ranch caretaker who looks after the area’s livestock. His knowledge is essential to keeping rural traditions alive. Just by looking out the window, he knows how many cows there are and can quickly round up any that stray.

We enjoy a picnic in the Andes. In the afternoon, a special moment arrives: Hito 32, the final boundary of the estancia and Argentina. On the other side lies Chile. Being at the edge of the country and in the heart of the Andes is a unique experience. In the southernmost south, the wind blows strong, waving the flag.

There is time to explore the surroundings and soak in the peaceful landscape. Night falls, preparing us for the rest ahead of the next adventure: the journey to the hidden glaciers.

Dinner and overnight stay at La Rosada ranch.

Emerging from the dense forest, the Cachorro River Valley opens up, where notros and calafates grow to impressive sizes. The descent begins toward the lowlands, reaching the riverbed. Suddenly, the views of the Frías Glacier appear in the distance, along with the striking granite spire known as Dedo del Cesar. Navigating through rocks, grasslands, and marshy areas, we arrive at the corrals of the Cachorro River ranch, where local baqueanos may be working with the livestock. Here, at Puesto Cachorro, we will enjoy a countryside lunch. Moving from ranch to ranch, we retrace the path of authentic rural workers. After lunch, the journey continues on horseback toward Laguna 3 de Abril, home to black-necked swans, cauquenes, steamer ducks, and several salmonid species. Upon arriving at the ranch beyond the lagoon and after unsaddling, there will be time to appreciate the surroundings and the warmth of the place. The wood-fired kitchen and the adobe and brick oven, lit by the soft glow of a lantern, set the scene for preparing dinner while sharing mate and adventure stories.

Dinner and overnight stay at Laguna 3 de Abril Ranch.

After breakfast, we will set off to meet the Southern Glacier. The excursion begins at the estancia’s pier, following the South Arm of Lake Argentino as we get closer to the Hidden Glaciers we have already spotted. From a nearby mooring, we will sail to the head of the South Arm and then take a short walk to Lake Frías.

A rigid inflatable boat will cross the 3 km of the lake to the opposite shore, where we will start a walk along the river to the natural amphitheater formed by the Gorra, Frías, and Grande glaciers. Here, we will enjoy the lagoon filled with icebergs that have broken off these glaciers. This area of the Park is almost unexplored; only a few gauchos from Nibepo Aike and their cattle know its deepest secrets.

We will have a picnic in front of the glaciers before returning to the ranch in the afternoon.

If sailing is not possible, the adventure continues on foot and horseback. Those who wish can venture a little further, navigating some rocks to reach the southern head of Lake Frías, a natural boundary protecting the hidden glaciers in the hills to the south.

In the afternoon, we will return on horseback to the Laguna 3 de Abril ranch, where we will spend the night.

The return journey follows a horseback ride along the shore of Brazo Sur, leading back to the estancia’s main house, located 18 km from the Post. There, a traditional Patagonian lamb barbecue awaits, specially prepared for the arriving riders.

After lunch, the trip continues back to El Calafate.

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