What is the Best Horseback Riding in El Calafate?
Beyond the walks along trails and viewpoints to see the glaciers and lakes of the area, horseback riding in El Calafate is an experience greatly enjoyed on trips to Patagonia due to the indisputable beauty of the steppe characteristic of the region. Riding a horse is for many an activity that awakens the sense of adventure and connects one faster with the natural environment in which one is immersed. In addition, this city has a very special history with rural life, since its first settlers established and prospered in this area with agricultural and livestock productions. For this very reason, horseback excursions present themselves as an opportunity to learn about the region's history, traverse imposing scenarios, and feel the immensity from a different perspective.
Among the most outstanding proposals are the horseback rides at Estancia Cristina, Estancia Nibepo Aike, Estancia Río Mitre, Cerro Frías, and Estancia 25 de Mayo. All depart from El Calafate, and each proposes a different approach to Patagonian tradition, with combinations including navigation, Creole lunches, panoramic views, and unique landscapes.
Now then: each horseback ride has its own charm. Comparing them allows understanding what each one offers and discovering which one can become each traveler's favorite.
In this article, we want to tell you about these activities so you can choose which one best suits your style and travel plan. Let's start!
Horseback ride at Estancia Cristina
The horseback ride at Estancia Cristina is one of the most complete experiences. The day begins early at the Punta Bandera port, where visitors embark to navigate the North Arm of Lago Argentino. The journey, accompanied by floating icebergs and views of the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers, already anticipates the grandeur of the day. Upon arriving at the estancia, founded in 1914 by the Masters family, participants mount up and begin a journey through the Caterina River valley.
The route crosses grasslands, streams, and lagoons until reaching Laguna Pearson, framed by the mountain range. During the ride, flocks of Patagonian birds and the stillness of the landscape are appreciated. It is a full-day experience, ideal for those wishing to live an integral adventure combining navigation, history, and country life. Estancia Cristina also offers the possibility of visiting its museum, located in the old shearing shed, and enjoying a typical lunch before undertaking the return via the lake.
horseback ride at Estancia Nibepo Aike
Another unmissable option is the half-day horseback ride at Estancia Nibepo Aike, a proposal that keeps intact the essence of the old livestock estancias of Patagonia. Located within Los Glaciares National Park, Nibepo Aike is an active estancia where livestock is still raised and rural task demonstrations are performed. The excursion begins with a reception at the main house, followed by a horseback tour allowing appreciation of the fields, Lake Roca, and the surrounding mountains.
Unlike others, this ride combines equestrian activity with the possibility of observing the daily work of the baqueanos (local gauchos): herding animals, using the lasso, living with horses. Lunch is served at the estancia and usually includes Patagonian lamb on the spit (al asador), accompanied by regional wines. This proposal has a strong cultural component: it is not just about riding, but immersing oneself in the living tradition of the Patagonian countryside, a few kilometers from the Perito Moreno Glacier.
horseback ride at Estancia Río Mitre
The horseback ride at Estancia Río Mitre offers a different experience, wilder and with a direct connection to the virgin landscape. Located about 50 kilometers from El Calafate, on the route towards the glacier, the estancia preserves the pioneering spirit and direct contact with nature. The ride traverses undulating terrain, with views of Lago Argentino and the Andes Mountain Range. As you advance, the horizon expands with snowy mountains and the Magallanes Peninsula.
It is common to encounter guanacos and native birds accompanying the horses' passage. Upon return, the typical lunch at the estancia—with Patagonian lamb, homemade bread, and wine—completes the experience. Río Mitre is ideal for those seeking a half or full-day excursion, with an authentic ride and landscapes of great beauty, without navigation or long transfers. Its main attraction is the possibility of living Patagonia genuinely, with the calm of rural life and the majesty of the mountains as a backdrop.
horseback ride at Cerro Frías
Also noteworthy is the horseback ride at Cerro Frías from Estancia Alice, an alternative closer to downtown El Calafate, perfect for those who want to enjoy a half-day outing without straying too far. Cerro Frías rises in front of Lago Argentino, and from its slopes, exceptional views of the Centinela Valley, Torres del Paine, and the Perito Moreno Glacier itself are obtained. The excursion begins at Estancia Alice, where guides assign horses and provide basic instructions. Throughout the ascent, valleys, wetlands, and mallines (marshes) are traversed, with possibilities of spotting fauna such as foxes, hares, guanacos, and condors.
The feeling of vastness and freedom is one of the hallmarks of this ride, allowing experiencing the diversity of the Patagonian landscape in a few kilometers. Upon reaching the summit, travelers can contemplate one of the widest panoramas of the region before starting the descent towards the estancia, where a lunch or snack with local products awaits them. Cerro Frías combines adventure, accessibility, and nature, with the additional attraction of the aerial view of El Calafate's surroundings.
horseback ride at Estancia 25 de Mayo
The horseback ride at Estancia 25 de Mayo and Cañadón proposes a more intimate experience, focused on the place's geography and the history of the first settlers. This estancia, located within the urban ejido of El Calafate, offers a private natural reserve protecting native flora and fauna. The ride traverses the Cañadón del Arroyo Calafate, a landscape of rock formations, streams, and small caves. During the journey, one learns about the terrain's geology, native vegetation, and the traces wind and water left on the rocks over the centuries.
Halfway through, gauchos welcome visitors with a country lunch and a wine toast, in an environment combining the tranquility of the steppe and the sound of the stream. It is a half-day option allowing living a Patagonian experience without long transfers, ideal for those wishing to connect with the natural environment and discover another face of El Calafate, far from traditional tourist circuits.
Which of All Horseback Rides to Choose
Each of these rides reveals a different facet of the Santa Cruz landscape and culture. Estancia Cristina combines adventure, navigation, and isolation in one of the most striking areas of Los Glaciares National Park. Nibepo Aike offers a look at authentic rural life, with rides among grazing animals and a strong historical imprint. Río Mitre emphasizes the vastness of the landscape, the winds, and the freedom of the Patagonian plains. Cerro Frías brings the excitement of the ascent and panoramic views, while 25 de Mayo represents closeness and calm, with the possibility of discovering natural corners just minutes from the center.
The choice of one or the other will depend on the time available and the type of experience you are looking for. If you want a complete tour combining navigation and glacial landscape, you will find an unforgettable option in Estancia Cristina. If the intention is to live the livestock tradition with direct contact with horses and gauchos, Nibepo Aike will be your best choice. But if you prefer a wide and rustic natural environment, with mountain views and a typical lunch, Río Mitre offers the ideal balance between adventure and rest. If the priority is to enjoy a half-day experience with panoramic views and wildlife, Cerro Frías is the most convenient alternative. And if what you seek is a close connection with the steppe and local history, the ride at Estancia 25 de Mayo combines nature, geology, and culture in a single day.
Ultimately, horseback riding in El Calafate is a unique way to understand the dimension of Patagonia. Beyond glaciers and traditional circuits, riding a horse through these landscapes allows feeling the rhythm of the wind, perceiving the vastness of the steppe, and approaching a way of life kept alive in the estancias. Each tour is an invitation to look with other eyes at the geography of southern Argentina and to discover that, in this land of contrasts, there is always a new story to tell.