Excursions » Ranches

Description

This program is perfect to participate in rural Patagonian life and complements the visit to the glaciers. Shearing and herding sheep, demonstrations of Creole skills, walk on the shores of Lake Argentino with option to ride. Grand finale: a roast lamb on the cross.
Departure from El Calafate to take the gravel road Nº15, also known as "Camino de las Estancias". During the trip it is common to cross with condors, foxes and hares, with the Cerro Frías as protagonist. After crossing the Rico River, the steppe landscape changes abruptly, becoming an Andean landscape. Arrival to the ranch after crossing the margin of Lake Roca and having entered the Glacier National Park. The host guide will welcome you to the Estancia and 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 Andes Mountains.
Start of the trek to visit the facilities of a typical Patagonian ranch that was formerly devoted to sheep production and that today has been transformed into the most prestigious cottage of Hereford of these latitudes and that also maintains a flock of sheep. In the stables, who has opted for the ride, ride and go out to explore the surroundings accompanied by a guide baqueano (additional cost). Meanwhile the rest of the group will make a good walk during which they will have excellent views of the South Arm of Lake Argentino discovering various rocky outcrops eroded by glacial action and changing levels of the lake; 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 follow one another 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, inhabited by caranchos, cachañas, hares, woodpeckers, eagles and an abundant variety of native flora and fauna. The route may vary according to weather conditions.
After the walk or ride the group is at the door of the shearing shed. An opportunity to know a barn with all its competent and understand the work of the shearing comparsas. The process will be explained from the shearing of the animal to the assembly of the wool bundle, in which the wool is heated and transported. As a system the manual scissors will be used as it was done in all the rooms until the appearance of the mechanical handle with cutting comb, a much faster and more practical system. Then proceed to a "reins test" of riders or according to rural activities of the day will be done farm work in the pens near the hull. Among the daily activities, visitors will also be able to participate in the morning of the milking and the herding of sheep in the afternoon, concluding in this way a typical day of work in the Estancia. These activities are subject to weather conditions. Returning to the Quincho where a lamb is roasted to the stick, will emphasize the history of the place and recall anecdotes and stories of the first settlers. Crossing through the orchard where most of the vegetables consumed in the ranch come from, we will arrive at the Quincho where the Asador will have the roast ready for diners to enjoy a delicious Patagonian lamb while enjoying the impressive view of the Cordillera. Meanwhile the life in the ranch continues and it is common to see the gauchos passing by horses dropping cattle and / or sheep and getting lost on the horizon. Whoever opts for the program of field day + ride 3 h, after lunch will be undertaken with the guide an extended cavalcade that will travel for 3 h the different trails that will allow to know more thoroughly. Back to El Calafate, having experienced the life of a typical Patagonian ranch will give us a new perspective on things, finding more sense in the immense Patagonian landscapes characterized by the infinite and the remote.