Horseback riding in Patagonia

Enjoy a full day tour to witness the awe-inspiring Perito Moreno Glacier. This excursion is suitable for all as it allows you to explore the balconies at your own pace. Included is a one-hour boat trip to witness the magnificent ice walls and thunderous collapses over Lago Rico.

Return to El Calafate in the afternoon.

If you feel adventurous, we may include (at an extra cost) a walk with crampons on the glacier! Let us know if you wish to add this experience to your trip plan (for security reasons, certain restrictions apply to this activity (age restrictions and health requirements). This information will be provided to every passenger prior to booking the tour.

Arrive in the afternoon at Nibepo Aike Ranch with our 17:00 transfer service from El Calafate. After settling in, the guide will provide a program briefing. Horses and equipment will be prepared for an early departure the following morning. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring the area by bike or on foot along self-guided trails. Witness a scissor shearing demonstration in the shed. Dinner and overnight stay at the Estancia.

In the morning, embark on a horseback journey to climb Cordón de los Cristales. Admire breathtaking views of lakes, Brazo Rico and Sur, Lago Roca, and Cerro Frías as you ascend. Traverse the Patagonian Andean forest, following ancient paths once used by large sheep herds. Discover La Rosada, a small vega where the puestero resides. Enjoy a picnic in the Andes. Experience the unique sensation of being on the outskirts of the country and immersed in the heart of the Andes. Take time to explore the serene surroundings. Nightfall at La Rosada post, preparing for the upcoming journey to the hidden glaciers. Dinner and overnight stay at La Rosada post.

Note: this excursion is only available from December to March.

Leaving the dense forest, you’ll enter the Cachorro River Valley. Begin the descent towards the lower fields, offering stunning views of the Frías glacier and Dedo del Cesar granite spire. Traverse rocks, grasslands, and “mallines” to reach the corrals of the Cachorro river post, where lunch awaits. Experience the authentic rural worker’s path, recreating the journey from post to post. After a delicious country lunch, continue on horseback to Laguna 3 de Abril, home to black swans, cauquenes, steam ducks, and abundant salmonids. Upon arrival at the post near the lagoon, take time to enjoy the surroundings and the cozy warmth of the position with a wood stove and clay and brick oven. As dinner is prepared, share adventure stories over mate.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Post on Lagoon April 3.

After breakfast, we’ll depart from the ranch pier and navigate the South Arm of Lake Argentino to reach the southern end, where the hidden glaciers await. From a mooring near the post, we’ll embark on a short hike to Frías Lake. Using a semi-rigid boat, we’ll navigate 3 km across the lake, arriving at the opposite shore. From there, a scenic walk along the river will lead us to the Gorra, Frías, and Grande amphitheater, adorned with lagoons and icebergs detached from the glaciers. This secluded area of the Park remains largely unexplored, known only by a few gauchos from Nibepo Aike and grazing cows. Enjoy a picnic in front of the glaciers before returning to the post in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the Lagoon Post on April 3.

The return is started riding along the side of the South Arm until reaching the ranch house, 18 km from the Post. You will arrive in time for lunch, a Patagonian lamb roast that it will be ready when the riders arrive. After lunch, return to El Calafate.

Overnight in El Calafate.

Transfer to El Calafate airport. End of our Horseback riding tour in Patagonia.

If you are interested in Patagonia, we invite you to check out our other Patagonia Tours.