Estancias in Los Glaciares

Estancia Cristina is one of the oldest estancias in Los Glaciares, and is still owned and run by the same family who first established it in 1914, naming it for their daughter.

The estancia is gloriously remote: you have to take a private boat from near El Calafate across Lago Argentina to get here, stopping off along the way to look at icebergs and glaciers, then transferring by 4x4 for another hour to reach your destination. The original estancia buildings have been modernised to provide rustic but high end accommodation in the middle of nowhere. The old sheep shearing shed has been converted into a museum.

Activities on offer include go horse-riding among the thousands of hectares that surround the estancia, or hike to a variety of scenic locations including the  vast and beautiful Upsala Glacier. 

Located just over an hours’ drive from El Calafate, Estancia Nibepo Aike is one of the best places in the region to get a real taste of the gaucho lifestyle.

Established in 1912, this working estancia still raises both sheep and cattle. Its rooms are comfortable and spacious, and are decorated with black and white photos detailing a century of family frontier history.

Nibebo Aike’s proximity to Perito Moreno glacier and its deeply authentic vibe make this a popular estancia, where you can expect real gaucho culture on display, from sheep shearing to traditional barbecues.

To explore the landscapes around the estancia, horse riding is available, as well as hiking and mountain bike trails.

About a half hours’ drive from El Calafate on the shores of Lago Argentina, El Galpon del Glaciar is an estancia that has been converted into a rustic boutique guesthouse. 

The ranch still raises sheep and has sheepdog demonstrations and shearing, plus evening tango in the restaurant. To connect with nature, you can saddle up your horse here, with full or half day excursions for riders of all levels of experience. The diverse landscape here means that you can ride on the beach and dunes as well as the pampa.

The lakeside location gives access to the nearby Reserva Natural Laguna de los Pájaros, where there are hides for observing many species of water bird, including flocks of flamingos.

Estancia El Condor has managed to retain a strong sense of its working past. Its deeply remote location gives it a true wilderness homestay atmosphere. Stay here and you’ll feel like Patagonia has emptied to offer you your own private adventure playground.

North of El Chaltén, Estancia El Condor sits on a beautiful turquoise stretch of Lago San Martín, surrounded by mountains. The big attraction here is the chance to truly switch off in a remote and spectacular location.

Horse riding is available as well as self-guided hikes: this is a landscape that you’ll have completely to yourself that’s begging to be explored.

The atmosphere is cosy and authentically rustic with great homemade farm food, but if it's views you're after, few places do it better.

Situated roughly halfway between El Chaltén and El Calafate (and less than two hours’ drive from either). Estancia La Estela sits on a rise above La Leona river with tremendous views out across Lago Viedma to the great peaks of the Fitz Roy Massif.

La Estela is more boutique guesthouse than true estancia. It doesn’t offer a true authentic ranch experience but more than makes up for that with its breathtaking setting and clutch of 5 luxe suites.

Horseriding, trail walking and mountain bike riding are all available, but one of the other big draws here is the food. La Estela’s restaurant is simply incredible and the owners are planning a covered vineyard to produce Patagonia’s most southerly wine.

Estancia Helsingfors enjoys some of the best scenery offered by any estancia: the building perches on the edge of Lago Viedma with views of FitzRoy, glaciers and snow-capped peaks right on your doorstep.

This estancia has more of a hotel feel, with the focus on comfort and sightseeing rather than more active excursions. If you're after a beautiful setting to relax with a glass of wine and exquisite food, or a relaxed comfortable atmosphere to enjoy the silence and seclusion of Patagonia, this is the estancia for you.

Estancia Helsingfors is also the springboard for our Los Glaciares Wilderness Trek. From here, it’s a challenging six days to Estancia Cristina on some of the wildest and most rewarding hiking trails in Los Glaciares

Looking to get truly off grid? Estancia Josefina offers one of the most remote and exclusive experiences you can have anywhere in Patagonia.

Estancia Josefina is a little over 45 miles (75km) almost due north from El Chaltén, but the route is mostly off road or transfer by private boat. Alternatively, you can arrange a wonderful hike that takes you right up to the estancia, but either way, by the time you reach your destination you’ll truly have unplugged from the world: this area is so remote even the indigenous Tehuelche people didn’t live here.

This is estancia offers a rustic small farm experience, with accommodation consisting of just four glamping dome tents. There are plenty of rescue animals here (the food is great for vegetarians and vegans).