Description

SEASON: DECEMBER - MARCH Operational notes: Day 4: the activity may be cancelled due to weather conditions that affect the navigability or the land. To keep in mind: • Regular departures: first, second and third Wednesday of each month. • Difficulty: Intermediate. Riders must have experience in horseback rides of almost 6 daily hours. • Amenities at the “puestos”: Both La Rosada and Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril are refuges with multifunctional living (kitchen, dining room and bedroom). It is recommended to bring a sleeping bag. If cannot, please let us know in advance. • The program may vary according to weather conditions and / or to take better advantage of the hacienda work if there were any on the dates of the program. 1 El Calafate / Estancia Nibepo Aike. D Departure from El Calafate through the Route of the Old Patagonian Estancias. After settling, the guide explains the program, while horses and other equipment are being prepared to leave the lodging on the following morning. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the estancia, exploring its surroundings by bike or foot, through self-guided trails and having the chance to take part of the sheep-shearing demonstration using traditional hand shears. Dinner. Day 2 Estancia Nibepo Aike / Puesto La Rosada. B L D In the morning, departure by horse to start climbing Cristales Mountain Range. As we get higher, the lakes, the Southern Branch, the Rico Branch, the Lake Roca and the Frías Hill get better outlined. Once in the “abra” (mountain pass), the path goes into the Andean Patagonian Forest. Arrival at Puesto La Rosada to enjoy a picnic lunch. The historical moment is left for the afternoon: El Hito (The Minestone), end of the Estancia and of Argentina. On the other side, Chilean territory. Return to Puesto La Rosada and dinner. Day 3 Puesto La Rosada / Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril. B L D We depart from La Rosada outpost and begin the descent to reach Cachorro outpost, where we have lunch. We then proceed to Laguna 3 de abril outpost while retracing the path of the authentic rural workers. Arrival at the outpost and dinner. Day 4 Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril. B L D After breakfast, we depart towards the glaciers. This excursion combines a boat trip and treks, in order to experience what only few people reach. We embark to travel until the Southern Branch to the take a short trek to Lake Frías. We sail in a zodiac the 3 km (1 mile) of the lake to disembark on the opposite shore, where we start to trek, bordering the river until arriving to “the Amphitheater” of the glaciers Gorra, Frías and Grande, with its lagoon and icebergs fallen from the glaciers. Day 5 Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril / Estancia Nibepo. B L We return riding on the side of the Southern Branch until reaching the hull of the estancia at 18 km from Puesto 3 de Abril. We arrive at lunchtime. Return to El Calafate. Transfer to the airport in order to board the scheduled flight.