MORNING OR AFTERNOON FIELD DAY AT ESTANCIA NIBEPO AIKE – FULL DAY

Far from mass tourism and near El Calafate is the Estancia Nibepo Aike. A place that keeps the essence of old Patagonian ranches. Initially called La Jerónima, Nibepo Aike covers an area of ​​more than 12,000 ha, delimited by the South Arm of the Argentine Lake and the border with Chile, framed by the Andes Mountains. Dedicated to bovine production as main livestock activity and sheep as secondary, it is an ideal place to enjoy an immersion in the life of an authentic Patagonian stay.

Departure from El Calafate to take the gravel road Nº15, also known as “Camino de las Estancias”. During the It is common to cross condors, foxes and hares, with Cerro Frías as the protagonist. After crossing the river Rico, the steppe landscape changes abruptly, becoming a mountain range landscape. Arrival at the ranch after touring the shore of Lake Roca and having entered the Los Glaciares National Park. The guide Host will welcome you to the Estancia and will accompany you to the Quincho, where you will be invited with a hot drink (tea, coffee or mate) accompanied by homemade pastry. A good break to enjoy a magnificent view of the Cordillera de The Andes. Then a walk is undertaken to tour the facilities of a typical Patagonian ranch that was dedicated formerly for sheep production and which today has been transformed into the most prestigious Hereford herd of these latitudes and also maintains a flock of sheep. In the stables, whoever has chosen the ride (additional cost), You will ride and go out to explore the surroundings accompanied by a Baqueano guide. Meanwhile the rest of the group will make a walk during which you will have excellent views of the South Arm of the Argentinian Lake discovering various outcrops rocky rocks eroded by glacial action and changes in lake levels; there you can clearly see the folds of the earth’s crust differentiated from each other by the variety of sediments that gave rise to it. These formations are they happen until reaching a point where the rocks form a natural amphitheater giving rise to very quiet beaches of Curious shapes. Through trails we will discover a forest of lengas and ñires, where caranchos, cachañas, hares live, woodpeckers, eagles and an abundant variety of native flora and fauna. The tour may vary according to the weather conditions.
After the chosen activity, the group is at the door of the shearing shed and the current historical museum of the ranch. An opportunity to get to know a shed with all its components and understand the work of the shearing troupes. The process will be explained from the shearing of the animal to the assembly of the wool bale, the way in which the wool is stowed and transported. As a system the manual scissors will be used as it was done in the past in all the rooms until the appearance of the mechanical handle with cutting comb, much faster and more practical system.
Next, a “test of reins‟ for riders will be carried out or, depending on the rural activities of the day, making in the corrals near the helmet. Among the daily activities visitors can also participate in the morning milking and sheep herding, thus concluding with a typical working day at the Estancia. Some of these Activities may be subject to modification due to weather conditions. Returning to the Quincho where a lamb is being roasted on the stick, emphasis will be placed on the history of the place and recall anecdotes and stories from the first settlers. Crossing the orchard where most of the vegetables consumed in the ranch, we will arrive at the Quincho where the Asador will already have the roast ready for diners delight in a delicious Patagonian lamb while enjoying the impressive view of the Cordillera. Meanwhile, the Life in the ranch continues and it is frequent to see the gauchos passing horses herding cattle and / or sheep and getting lost in the horizon. Returning to El Calafate, having experienced the life of a typical Patagonian ranch will give us a new perspective, finding more sense to the immense Patagonian landscapes characterized by the infinite and the remote.

Hikking: 45 minutes – Horseback ridding: 1 hour. 

Duration: 7 hours.

-Regular tour departs daily from October to March at 08:30 am or 04:30 pm & April at 08:00 am or 04:30 pm. 
-Private tour departure schedule is coordinated previously with the passenger depending on their availability.