The 14 Estancia Days in El Calafate That Earn Their Price

1.Estancia Cristina Mirador del Glaciar Upsala

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $285Our pick

Review of Estancia Cristina’s Upsala Glacier tour from El Calafate, with boat views, icebergs, ranch history, 4x4 rides, costs, and tips.

“Fantastic tour. Views were amazing, guide was fantastic. Tour went like clockwork. Snacks offered on boat to and from ranch, but will either need to bring your own lunch or pay for lunch at ranch. Lunch is huge and two people can share. Pick-up/drop off from hotel included. Is FULL DAY--pick up before 8 AM and drop off was at about 9 PM so plan accordingly. A must-do.”

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2.Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 52 reviews · 5 hours · from $109

Review of Estancia 25 de Mayo near El Calafate, with sheep herding, lamb dinner, folkloric music, transfers, tips, and honest value advice.

“Très bonne activité d’un point de vue culturel. La Estancia est magnifique. Beaucoup d’histoires, d’anecdotes et d’explications sur leur manière de vivre et de fonctionner sont abordées. Le personnel est très sympathique. Toutes les activités liées à l’élevage du mouton nous sont montrées. Un vrai enrichissement et une vraie découverte culturelle. Le repas en revanche n’est pas le meilleur que nous ayons pu tester en Patagonie. Un peu déçu de la qualité des viandes proposées. Le spectacle de danse quant à lui est super. Les danseurs et musiciens ont su mettre une bonne ambiance et inciter les gens à participer. Nous recommandons cette activité.”

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3.Patagonian Ranch: Nibepo Aike Adventure with Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 25 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $183

Ride horses through Patagonia at historic Nibepo Aike ranch, with Andes views, lamb asado, rural traditions, and hotel transport from El Calafate.

“A bit of a disappointing day, considering what is available in the area. Very uncomfortable 90 minute drive to and from the ranch, and more of a day suited for small children than adult couples. The staff work very hard and welcoming - and the meal was well prepared.”

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4.Nibepo Aike Ranch with Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · 7 hours · from $175

Ride with gauchos at Nibepo Aike Ranch, enjoy Andes views, learn ranch traditions, and share a Patagonian lamb asado near El Calafate.

“Me encanto ! Fue una gran experiencia: paisajes hermosos, ambiente agradable y hospitalario, comida deliciosa, muy interesante la interacción con animales de la estancia y un espectacular paseo a caballo. Altamente recomendado”

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5.Estancia Cristina Full-Day Trip from El Calafate with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $354

Sail past Upsala icebergs, hike to Patagonian views, and enjoy lamb lunch at Estancia Cristina from El Calafate.

“I’ll preface this review by saying that the previous day we toured Perito Mareno Glacier, with the tour arranged by the same agency, and it was spectacular. This tour was a big let down. Also let me say we’ve toured the world and have seen many mountains and lakes before, and I’ve skied on glaciers.”

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6.Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate – PM visit with dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

Review of Estancia 25 de Mayo near El Calafate, with ranch traditions, sheep dogs, wine tasting, dinner, folk dancing, and hotel transfers.

“Went with 14 college students and professors.They did an excellent job describing like on a ranch. Students loved it. The diner and show was exceptional.”

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7.Nibepo Aike Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 8 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $166

Spend a Patagonian day at Nibepo Aike Ranch with a lake hike, sheep-shearing demo, horseback activity, and lamb lunch.

“Nos hizo un día hermoso, la pasamos muy bien en familia. Buena atención y referencia de la cultura de estancias en el país.”

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8.Country Afternoon with Dinner Show – Estancia 25 de Mayo

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $115

Spend an afternoon at Estancia 25 de Mayo near El Calafate with ranch traditions, tastings, dinner, and a lively evening show.

“Depuis la prise en charge et tout le reste de l'excursion nous avons un excellent moment. Le tour est très bien organisé et les découvertes intéressantes. Nous nous sommes régalés avec les différentes dégustations ainsi que le repas. Le clou de la soirée a été le spectacle très convivial.”

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9.Glacier Cruise & Trekking at Estancia Cristina

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · 12 hours · from $342

Review of El Calafate’s Upsala Glacier cruise and Estancia Cristina trek, with practical advice on price, views, weather, lunch, and value.

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10.Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner and Horseback Riding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $210Top rated

Review of Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate, with horseback riding, Patagonian history, lamb dinner, farm life, and practical booking tips.

“The show was fun. We saw how the sheep’s “hair” is cut, processed and later used. Also feed a baby cow and a baby sheep.”

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11.3 Hours Grilled Lamb Experience in Estancia Bonanza

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $220

Review of Bonanza Adventure’s grilled lamb dinner near El Chaltén, with scenic views, bridge crossing, transport details, menu, value, and tips.

“This was a great experience! We went to the meeting point at 7p in El Chalten. We were the only ones on the van out to Estancia Bonanza which seemed odd, but we realized later that most people do horseback riding or some other activity out there paired with the dinner. We took one van out of town a ways to the bridge, where we walked over and then got into another van to be taken to the ranch. We settled into the gorgeous dining space and within a few minutes the place filled up with other people staying there and finishing up other excursions. The food was great and…”

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12.Estancia Cristina Discovery Adventure in El Calafate

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 hours · from $412

Sail past Upsala Glacier icebergs, hike to Estancia Cristina, and see Patagonian valleys, rivers, and Andes views on this full-day adventure.

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13.Fossil Canyon Trekking at Estancia Cristina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 10 hours · from $512

Review of Estancia Cristina’s Fossil Canyon Trek, with Upsala Glacier views, 4WD travel, costs, packing tips, and practical advice.

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14.Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 2 reviews · from $75Best value

Enjoy Patagonian lamb, a three-course dinner, pioneer-family stories, and live Argentine folklore at Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate.

“Excelente comida,.atención y el show espectacular. Te sirven cordero asado con ensaladas variadas. Tenés un pequeño show en donde te invitan a participar. Lo recomiendo absolutamente!”

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