Riding to Hidden Glaciers - 5 - $1,041
Trip Summary and Itinerary Map
Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate; Estancia Nibepo Aike
Day 2: Ride to Puesto La Rosada; La Rosada outpost
Day 3: Ride to Puesto Cachorro; Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
Day 4: Riding and hiking at Lago Argentino; Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
Day 5: Ride to Estancia Nibepo Aike; El Calafate
Start from El Calafate and end at El Calafate
Landmarks visited on Riding to Hidden Glaciers
Operator's Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer from El Calafate; Estancia Nibepo Aike
Take a 4:30pm transfer from El Calafate to Estancia Nibepo Aike, arriving in the late afternoon. After settling in, your guide will explain the trip itinerary during a briefing. The horses will then be prepared and the equipment checked, ready to set off early the next morning.
This estancia is located in Los Glaciares National Park, on the shore of the southern arm of Lake Argentino. It covers an area of over 12,000 hectares, up to the border with Chile. It was previously devoted to sheep rearing, though nowadays only a small flock is kept as its main purpose is breeding its prestigious herd of Hereford cattle.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to relax and enjoy the estancia. You can explore the surroundings by bike or on foot, finding your own way along the trails and tracks. You can also taking part in a sheep-shearing demonstration using traditional hand shears.
Transfer duration: 1.5hrs
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Estancia Nibepo Aike
Day 2: Ride to the end of Argentina; La Rosada outpost
This ride starts early in the morning, climbing up the Cordon de los Cristales mountain range which lies behind the main house. The higher we ride, the more the lakes stand out – the Brazo Rico and Sur, Lago Roca and Cerro Frías. Upon reaching a clearing, the track descends into the Patagonian Andean woods. Pass by lenga trees and guindos (Magellan beeches), riding along old tracks previously used for the great sheep drives.
We'll arrive at La Rosada outpost, home of the 'puestero' who is in charge of cattle and continues the legacy of traditional rural production. He knows every inch of the surrounding land and can count the cows at a glance. We'll have lunch at the outpost and then continue riding to the International Milestone – this point marks the end of the estancia and also the end of Argentina at the border with Chile.
Spend the afternoon soaking up the experience of being at the very frontiers of Patagonia; the south of the south, where the wind blows and the flag waves.
There will be time for you to explore the area while dinner is being cooked over a fire. Spend the night at La Rosada outpost.
Note that due to the weather, November departures are 4 days (3 nights), missing out on Day 2.
Length of ride: 4-6hrs
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: La Rosada outpost
Day 3: Ride to Puesto Cachorro; Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
Making your way out of the dense woodland, the path opens up into the Valley of the Río Cachorro. Amidst the unusually tall Notros (Chilean firebush) and Calafate bushes, we descend towards the lower land until reaching the riverbed where we'll be presented with surprise views of the Frías Glacier and the granite needle called the Dedo del Cesar. Riding between rocks and pasturelands, we'll avoid the marshes and arrive at the corrals of the Río Cachorro outpost where the rangers may be spotted out with the livestock.
After a picnic lunch, we'll see flamingos, upland geese, steamer ducks and black-necked swans at Laguna 3 de Abril. The Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost, our home for the next two nights, is located nearby so we can spend the late afternoon enjoying the surroundings and the cosiness of the refuge. We'll eat our evening meal sat around the wood-fired stove, sharing tales of adventure as we pass the mate round.
Length of ride: 4-6hrs
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
Day 4: Riding and hiking at Lake Argentino; Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
This day will involve one of two options, weather dependent.
Option 1 – After breakfast, hike to the lake shore at Glacier Sur and begin a Zodiac cruise of Lake Argentino. We'll head south to the Hidden Glaciers and combine time on the Zodiac with trekking to little-visited spots between the mountains and glaciers. Sail through the Brazo Sur, reaching its southernmost point, and walk through the native forest to uncover a viewpoint of the glaciers and glimpses of Lake Frías, which we'll soon sail through.
Disembark on the other side of the shore to trek along an old river course and arrive at an amphitheatre facing the Gorra, Frías and Grande glaciers. Have lunch overlooking not only these three glaciers, but also the icebergs that dot the milky waters of the lagoon. You'll have a good amount of time to appreciate the surroundings before returning to the Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost.
Please note that as this excursion is provided by another provider, you will be joined by other visitors doing the tour as a day trip from El Calafate. Also, it is subject to cancellation due to the boat trip being affected by weather conditions.
Length of hikes: 6hrs, 14km
Option 2 – After breakfast, head south to the Balcony of the Glaciers, riding parallel to the Southern Arm of Lake Argentino. Shortly before arriving at the head of the lake, we'll leave the horses grazing as we trek to a viewpoint even higher up which offers a panoramic view of the Southern Arm, Laguna Corazon and Lake Frías, with glimpses of the Hidden Glaciers – Gorra, Frías, Grande and Dickson – in the distance.
We'll walk to the beach at the head of the Southern Arm, crossing the pristine pasture to discover an impressive rock formation, shaped by the force of the glaciers advancing and receding. The footpath starts to run alongside the lower Frías River and then takes us to Corazon Lagoon; its deep blue waters contrasting with the green reflection of the woods. Have lunch watching trout swimming between the rocks in the perfectly clear waters. If you wish, you can then carry on walking slightly further to get to the southern end of Lake Frías, the natural border protecting the glaciers further south.
In the afternoon, we'll return to where we left the horses and ride back to the Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril, where we'll spend the night.
Length of ride: 4-6hrs
If Option 1 is not possible, the whole group will do Option 2
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril outpost
Day 5: Ride to Estancia Nibepo Aike; El Calafate
Our return journey begins by riding along the shore of the lake until we arrive at the main buildings of Estancia Nibepo Aike, about 18km from where we stayed last night. We'll arrive just in time for lunch – celebrating the trip with a traditional Patagonian lamb roasted over charcoal embers.
You'll be transferred to El Calafate in the afternoon, arriving there around 3:30pm.
Alternative, shorter itineraries are available for 4 days. Please ask us for more details.
Length of ride: 4-6hrs
Transfer duration: 1.5hrs
Meal: Breakfast, picnic lunch

What our customers think of Riding to Hidden Glaciers
Riding to Hidden Glaciers trips scored 4.5/5 from 5 reviews
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Prices, Departures and Inclusions
The 2023/24 season price for a group guided trip is USD $1,251 per person.
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In November 2023 there are four-day trips priced at USD $1,041 per person.
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Please enquire for more information.
Start date | Price (pp) | |||
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November 2023 | ||||
1-Nov-2023 | $1,041* | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
8-Nov-2023 | $1,041 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
15-Nov-2023 | $1,041* | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
December 2023 | ||||
6-Dec-2023 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
13-Dec-2023 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
20-Dec-2023 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
January 2024 | ||||
3-Jan-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
10-Jan-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
17-Jan-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
February 2024 | ||||
7-Feb-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
14-Feb-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
21-Feb-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
March 2024 | ||||
6-Mar-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
13-Mar-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire | |
20-Mar-2024 | $1,251 | Provisional Date | Enquire |
* Note: Prices are per person. Paid in USD ($) - figure above is based on today's exchange rate. Actual cost $1,041
Additional Notes
November 2023 departures – The departures in November 2023 are for four-day trips, not five.
Group size – Six maximum, two minimum
Rooms – For bookings of three or five people, one double and one triple room will be confirmed.
Riding difficulty – Moderate. Riders must have experience of riding horseback for at least six hours in one day.
Facilities at Puesto de la Rosada – There are two rooms, one with four bunk beds (for eight people) and a dining room.
Facilities at Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril – There is a room with two bunk beds (for four people) and a room that serves as a dining room and kitchen where there are another two benches that turn into beds (total capacity six people). In a nearby structure, there is a bathroom with shower and one more bed. You will be provided with towels.
Horses and saddles – Creole horses raised in the ranch. Saddles are Cangalla type.
Sleeping bag – We recommend that you bring a sleeping bag. If you do not bring one, you will need to hire a sleeping bag from a gear rental shop in El Calafate. Please ask for further details.
Itinerary changes – The itinerary may vary according to weather conditions and/or to make better use of the livestock work if there is anything interesting going on around the dates of the program.
Single Supplement And Child Policy
Single supplement – If you prefer to have a single room at the Estancia, there will be a single supplement of USD $65 applied.
Child policy – Children over 12 years old can join this programme, only if they have experience of riding for at least six hours a day.
Includes
- Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches, 4 dinners
- Accommodation: Three nights basic refuge; one night hostel
- Three days horse-riding, plus one day horse-riding and hiking, or one day zodiac ride and hiking
- English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Regular shared transfers to and from El Calafate
- Taxes
Excludes
- Meals not indicated in itinerary
- Drinks during lunch or dinner
- Any extra/optional excursions
- Sleeping bag
- Personal equipment (see our recommended kit list)
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities/tips
- International and domestic/in-country flights
- Any visa, passport and vaccination expenses