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Highlights
Ride on horseback to three astounding glaciers in Patagonia
Spend your days riding through untamed Patagonia, the landscapes changing around you with every step.
Stay on a local estancia, or ranch, with the pioneer family who has called it home for many years.
Hike and take a zodiac to three glaciers, feeling like a true adventurer as you go.
Enjoy relaxed evenings under a wide sky, listening to the wind whistle through the mountains as you stargaze.
Pioneers have been living alongside horses for many years in Patagonia, and the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s HIdden Glaciers tour gives you the chance to explore Argentina in this traditional way. You’ll spend 3 days on horseback, moving across Patagonia as a team. Your objectives are three spectacular glaciers far out on the Southern Branch.
Ride up mountain ranges and across high passes, traversing the region’s iconic mountain ranges and earning unbeatable views over the surrounding landscapes. Stay at local ranches and lodges each night, enjoying a sky filled with stars as the horses whinny nearby. Your final adventure takes you by boat and foot to “the Amphitheater,” a remote viewpoint over the Gorra, Frias, and Grande glaciers. This is an out-of-the-box adventure experience that you’ll simply never forget.
Pioneers have been living alongside horses for many years in Patagonia, and the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s HIdden Glaciers tour gives you the chance to explore Argentina in this traditional way. You’ll spend 3 days on horseback, moving across Patagonia as a team. Your objectives are three spectacular glaciers far out on the Southern Branch.
Ride up mountain ranges and across high passes, traversing the region’s iconic mountain ranges and earning unbeatable views over the surrounding landscapes. Stay at local ranches and lodges each night, enjoying a sky filled with stars as the horses whinny nearby. Your final adventure takes you by boat and foot to “the Amphitheater,” a remote viewpoint over the Gorra, Frias, and Grande glaciers. This is an out-of-the-box adventure experience that you’ll simply never forget.
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Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers Tour itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Nibepo Aike
Your adventure begins in El Calafate, where you’ll be picked up and transferred to Nibepo Aike. As the horses are prepared, you’ll enjoy a walk around the estancia, or you can borrow a bike for the afternoon. There’s a sheep shearing demonstration you can watch in the late afternoon.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Nibepo Aike
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Cristales Mountain Range Ride
Ready to saddle up? Meet your horse, mount, and start climbing the Cristales Mountains. As you gain elevation, you’ll gain a view of the Southern Branch, the Rico Branch, Lake Roca, and Frias Hill. Once you’re in the “abra” (mountain pass), the path winds into the Andean Patagonian Forest.
Arrive at Puesto La Rosada for a picnic, then spend the afternoon appreciating history at El Hito (the Minestone), the last Estancia in Argentina, right on the border with Chile.
Overnight Location: Outpost at Puesta La Rosada
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril
Depart from La Rosada in the morning, riding out towards Puesto Cachorro. You’ll take it slow up an ascent with lunch waiting at the top. After enjoying a break and giving your horse some scratches, hop back on to ride to Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril, where you’ll be following paths used by rural workers.
Overnight Location: Outpost at Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Southern Branch Glacier Excursion
After breakfast, you’ll head towards the glaciers of the Southern Branch. This is a combination of a hike and boat ride to a remote location. Hike to Lake Frias, then ride in a zodiac across the lake. On the opposite shore, hike to “the Amphitheater” of the Gorra, Frias, and Grande glaciers. Surrounded by a frosty blue lagoon and floating icebergs, these glaciers are astounding in their size and a true hallmark of Patagonian scenery.
Reunite with your equine pals tonight, spending some downtime with the group before your last ride tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Outpost at Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Return Ride
Saddle up one last time, riding back along the Southern Branch to the estancia where you’ll be picked up and taken to El Calafate. So long, cowboy!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers Tour Price and Dates
The price of this guided horseback tour in Argentina depends on the room you select and whether you prefer a private or shared tour. Note that shared rooms are the only option for 3 nights of this tour.- Guided groups of 2+ in double rooms: from USD2680 per person*
Accommodation on the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers Tour
This tour is based in ranch lodges and outposts. The ranch lodge offers comfortable accommodations, meals cooked on-site, and friendly hosts. The outposts are simple in nature and offer shared rooms. It is recommended that you bring a sleeping bag.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you would prefer a single room where available, the required supplements are included in the listed prices. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers Tour?
Meals
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 4 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transfers according to the itinerary are included. Transfers upon arrival and for departure are included. Luggage transfers are also included.
Also Included
- Guide services
- Horse and tack
- National park entrance fees
- Mentioned excursions and activities
Not included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
- Sleeping bag
Optional Extras
- Optional activities or excursions
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- How hard is the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Argentina?
- Are meals included on the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to El Calafate to start this tour?
- What should I bring?
- Is the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers tour in English?
- Where does the Horseback Riding to Patagonia’s Hidden Glaciers tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Argentina?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Argentina?
- When is the best time to travel to Argentina for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You will ride a horse through mountainous terrain for up to 6 hours each day and complete one moderate excursion on foot. Experience riding horses on longer rides is strongly recommended, and participants should have a suitable level of basic fitness.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
You can fly into El Calafate Airport (FTE). Your guide will pick you up at the airport to begin your tour. Please plan to arrive prior to 3 pm on the first day of the tour.
The weather in Patagonia is unpredictable, so please come prepared with a warm jacket, fleece layer, waterproof outer layer, hiking boots, warm gloves, a buff or scarf, a hat, lip balm, and sunscreen. You should bring boots that are at least ankle-high with a heel and jeans for riding. You should also bring your own sleeping bag, however, if you don’t have one, please let us know in advance to make the arrangements.
Yes, your guide will be English-speaking.
The tour ends in El Calafate, where you will be dropped off at the airport. You will need to either book a departure flight for after 6 pm on the final day or arrange to stay an extra night in El Calafate (we can assist with this).
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to visit Argentina for this tour is between December and February when the weather is at its warmest. Please still come prepared for possible cold conditions and wind.
Customer Ratings
In EUROTUR we have been creating memorable trips since 1954 as one of the leading inbound DMCs for Argentina & South America, with our head office located in Buenos Aires, with branch offices in Patagonia (El Calafate and Ushuaia) and the Northwest (Salta city).
During our almost 7 decades of experience, we have been offering our clients a wide variety of products from luxury tours to expeditions and from traditional to unconventional voyages. Our travel experts are divided in specialized teams (Tailor Made, FITs, Groups, MICE) and work passionately to design innovative tours for passengers to enjoy each of our destinations in a different and interesting way, as well as provide constant support throughout their trip to guarantee an unforgettable journey. “Local knowledge, Team work and Permanent Training” are our trademarks in the industry.
We are members of WTTC, LATA, USTOA and ICCA just to name a few.
Argentina is a vast country gifted with natural contrasts and wonders! It is a place filled with unchartered land, open nature, culture, gastronomy, adventure, passion, experiences and so much more!
Travel with the experts! Travel with EUROTUR!
In EUROTUR we have been creating memorable trips for almost 7 decades. We are one of the leading inbound DMC for Argentina & South America with offices in Buenos Aires, Patagonia and the Northwest.
We work passionately to design innovative tours for passengers to experience each of our destination in a different and interesting way as well as provide constant support throughout the trip to guarantee an unforgettable journey.
Travel with the experts! Travel with EUROTUR!
