Equus Argentina

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Unique & Outstanding Horse Riding Experiences

Gaucho Experience in Calafate

per person

Gaucho Experience is a 2 night / 3 Day ride inside the Natural Reservation of Calafate. During this experience riders will be able to learn how southern gauchos work, also they will be able to appreciate the immensity of south patagonia, and will have the unique opportunity to see old indian cemeteries as well as old ocean fossils.

Patagonia has two very well marked seasons: Summer and winter. During winter mountains are covered with snow, around 1 meter deep, so during this time gauchos must take all the cattle to the lowlands where there is much less snow and warmer temperatures. During the long winter cattle will stay here. Otherwise, during the summer, thanks to the snow, the highlands have very good grass, so in November, gauchos take the cattle back to grace in the mountains.

About the Estancia

This old estancia was born in 1963, it was founded by the Ariztizabal Family and is still in hands of this family. During many years they have worked and taken care of their land. the main activity of the estancia is cattle breeding, especially Hereford cows. They also have a nice hotel where they host visitors and offer different activities.

 

2 Nights / 3 Days
  • Destination
  • Departure
    2 pm
  • Departure Time
    14hs
  • Included
    Accomodation
    Advanced
    Alcoholic Drinks
    Breakfast
    Dinner
    Equipment
    Full Board Accomodation
    Intermediate
    Lunch
    private Guides
    Riding Horses
    Transport
  • Not Included
    Beginner
    Caballos de equitación
    Economic
    Endurance Horses
    Gimnasio
    Half Board Accomodation
    Jumping Horses
    Local Tours
    Luxury
    Polo Horses
    Spa
    Tickets to National Parks
1

Itinerary

  • Pick up by the hotel or by Calafate town at 2 pm. .
  • Welcome to the estancia, located just a few meters from the town. Once at the ranch, riders will get to know the guides and horses and will be explained how to saddle and the itinerary of the next three days.
  • The first day they will head south by the Arroyo Calafate Canyon. They will cross the river a few times, and head up the mountain from where they will have amazing sights. They will arrive at the old post “La Seccion” at sunset and will enjoy a picada while they see the magical colors of the Patagonian sky. This is a great time to warm out the body with wine! Night will be spent here as well as dinner.
  • Second Day: After having breakfast and saddling the horses, riders will start theri second day of adventure. First, they will head west towards the Centinela Post (name given due to the river of the same name that is born up in the mountains and ends at the great Argentinian Lake). On the way up, they will find an old Tehuelche cemetery. Tehuelches where the local indian that used to inhabit this region. Their cemeteries used to be up in the mountains, in a plain area, they used to call them “Chenque”. “Chenques” are done by stones, that are put on different circles, like a ring. The same cemetery can be found in the Ride to the Great Sand Dunes Also, from up the mountain, riders will be able to see breathtaking panoramic views, and also will find ocean fossils such as an old sea shell wall. Later, after having lunch, they will head to the place where they will spend the night and enjoy a typical patagonian lamb barbecue.
  • Third Day: The last day riders will head back to La Seccion Post going through hidden canyons, and while going up they will be able to have a complete view of the 25 de Mayo Mountain as well as the Argentinean Lake. Dinner will take place al La Sección post. On the following day riders will head back to the main house of the estancia, where corrals are located. The idea while doing the herd is to take all the cows to the yard.

Location

The estancia is located a few blocks away from Calafate Town, in the province of Santa Cruz

Other activities for riders and non riders companions

The Estancia offers a few interesting activies to do on site such as the Native Experience - a 4x4 truck will take vistors to explore the patagonean desert and they will be able to see native paintings done by the Tehuelche Indians - and kayak and bikes experiences.

Calafate offers several activities to do. For example in the town we recommend to visit the Ice Museum where you will be able to learn about the Ice fields and also enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar.

Without a doubt the Perito Moreno Glacier is a must in all of your trips to Calafate, because even if you have already seen it the glacier is allways different, allways marvellous.

About 200 km away - not far when we talk about patagonean distances - Chalten town is located. This is the world capital of trecking. On the way to the town, there is a small stop called La Leona. The legends says that this place used to host the most terrible far west thieves, they say Butch Cassidy in person stayed here while running away from the the law.

 
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