Horse Safari

 FROM 1ST NOVEMBER 2015 TO 31ST MARCH 2016

5-DAY / 4-NIGHT PACKAGE

REGULAR DEPARTURES: 1ST AND 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH NEW YEAR´S SPECIAL DEPARTURE: 29th DECEMBER

Be part of landscape: woods, lakes, glaciers, refuges

Be part of deep patagonic life: a riding from outpost to outpost

“Riding to deep Nibepo” program proposes exploring on horseback the remotest corners of the Estancia Nibepo Aike and Los Glaciares National Park, places where nature is discovered in its maximum expression, pristine nature, a combination of Andean woodland, crystal clear lakes, high mountains, impressive skies and glaciers. The proposal is to get to where vehicles cannot reach, leaving the main buildings of the estancia behind, then climb high up and enter another world after crossing the clearing.

Get away from civilization and allow yourself, for 4 days, to become a part of the landscape but also of patagonic life.  A riding experience surrounded by immensity. Participate just for some days in a rangers life, in communion with the countryside, or of those pioneers and adventurers who where part of this area’s history. Meet the “puesteros”, who are in charge of each outpost. A very old job which is still very important in the way Nibepo Aike rural life develops. Far away and long ago, when there were no roads, when the tracks and paths were only recently being marked, they had to spend nights far away from civilization to take care of cattle. Nowadays, their occupation is very similar and they know the lands as no one else do. Three nights will be provided at typical outposts where the rangers stay in order work with the livestock. They are also a refuge for mountain climbers making a stop along the way to a peak, or a glacier.

Magnificent views of the Hidden Glaciers Frías, Gorra, Grande and Dickson will be obtained during the trip. A combination of horse-riding, hiking, and rural life that may, on certain dates, coincide with big cattle or sheep drive or work in the corrals, thus adding another ingredient to the mix.

PROGRAM

Day 1: Estancia Nibepo Aike

 Afternoon arrival at the Estancia Nibepo Aike, taking the regular transfer from El Calafate. After settling in, the guide will explain the program. The horses will be prepared and other equipment made ready to set off early the following morning.

Nibepo Aike retains the essence of the old Patagonian estancias. It is actually within Los Glaciares National Park on the shores of the Southern Arm of Lago Argentino. It covers an area of over 12,000 hectares reaching as far as the border with Chile. Formerly it was devoted to sheep rearing. Nowadays a  small  flock  is  kept,  its  chief  production  being  the  breeding  of  Hereford  cattle,  of  which  it  has developed a prestigious breeding herd.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the estancia, exploring its surroundings by bike or on foot, finding one’s own way along the footpaths and tracks and also taking part in the sheep-shearing demonstration using traditional hand shears.

Evening meal and spend night at the Hostelry.

Day 2: Puesto La Rosada

Morning ride to start climbing up the mountain range Cordon de los Cristales, which lies behind the Hostelry. The higher we go, the more clearly the lakes stand out, Brazo Rico and Sur, Lago Roca and Cerro Frías, as if it were all a model. Once we reach the clearing, the track plunges into the Patagonian Andean woods. We pass between lenga trees and guindos [Magellan beeches], riding along old tracks where the great sheep drives used to pass. We reach a little clear land, where cows graze. There, La Rosada outpost is the home of the “puestero”, who is in charge of cattle and carries on the legacy of traditional rural production. He knows every single corner of this part of the land and he can count the cows with just a glance. If one had escaped, he would bring her back within a couple of minutes.

There, we have first ranch lunch. By the afternoon, we reach an historical point: the International Milestone that indicates the end the estancia and the end of Argentina. The sensation to be at the very frontiers of Patagonia is unique. It is the south of the south: wind blows and the flag waves. The landscape and its calmness never end.

Free time to explore sorroundings. Dinner and night at La Rosada outpost.

  Day 3: Puesto Cachorro and Puesto Laguna 3 de abril

On coming out of the dense woodland the way opens out into the Valley of the Río Cachorro. Notros  [Chilean  firebush]  and  calafate  bushes  here  are  unusually  tall.  We  start  descending towards the lower land until we come to the riverbed. Surprise views of the Frías glacier appear at  the  bottom  and  the  granite  needle  called  “el  Dedo  del  Cesar”  [Caesar’s  Thumb].  Riding between rocks and pasturelands and avoiding the marshlands, we reach the corrals of the Río Cachorro outpost where the rangers might be working with the livestock.

After a picnic lunch we continue on horseback to Laguna 3 de Abril (3 de Abril Lagoon), a habitat of flamingos and black-necked swans, kaiken [upland goose] and steamer ducks, as well as of numerous salmonidae. Passing the lake, we come to the outpost, and after unsaddling, there will be time to enjoy the surroundings and the cosiness of the refuge. A wood-fired stove and a brick and clay oven, with the gentle light of the lantern, passing the mate round, the evening meal will be prepared while tales of adventures are shared.

The outpost has a room with 3 bunk beds and a room that serves as dining room and kitchen where there are another two benches that turn into beds. Basic facilities.

Evening meal and overnight at the Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril.

Day 4: Puesto Laguna 3 de abril

We leave after breakfast, riding south to the Balcony of the Glaciers. The track runs parallel to the Southern Arm of Lago Argentino. A little before arriving at the head of the lake, we leave the horses grazing to go up on foot to a viewing point even higher up. From there we will have a panoramic view of the Southern Arm, Laguna Corazón and of the Lago Frías, with glimpses of the Hidden Glaciers Gorra, Frías, Grande and Dickson in the distance.

We walk to the beach at the head of the Southern Arm. From there we cross a large pasture, a pristine area. An erratic stone of more than 20 meters in height will be the next goal. It is impressive to stand in front of such a huge rock, marked by the force of the glaciers advancing and receding. The footpath starts to run alongside the lower Frías River. Here we will find traces of the area’s livestock rearing past, a hanging bridge over 100 years old, destroyed by the great flooding of Lago Argentino in 1937. The way passes through dense woodland getting as far as discovering Corazón Lagoon, with crystal clear waters where the deep blue contrasts with the green reflection of the woods. The water is so crystal clear that it is possible to watch the trout swimming between the rocks. We pause for lunch. A place sheltered from the world.