EXPERIENCES

This full day excursion in the steppe zone aims at all people who enjoy outdoor activities and adventure, ready to discover new places. The tour includes approximately 3 hours walking on discontinuous ground where wind and water were responsible for uncovering this place, which remained hidden for millions of years. Departure from El Calafate by Route 40, where we can see Argentino Lake, Santa Cruz and La Leona Rivers, a panoramic view of the majestic Andes mountains and Fitz Roy Mount. We will stop for about 15 minutes in La Leona hotel (historical site) and continue traveling along the southern shore of Viedma Lake to reach Cerro Los Hornos slopes (Estancia Santa Teresita). We will look for the first time the great depression of the land where the petrified logs are situated and will start our trekking exploration of fossils, which lasts about 3 hours, including the time for lunch. Throughout the walk we will see lots of petrified logs lying on the surface, some with a 1.2 meters diameter, testimony that during ancient times the climate was very different from today and allowed the existence of a full forest. There have also been uncovered fossils of different types of dinosaurs. This land is sheltered from the wind because it is a natural depression in the ground. This steppe area, therefore, is very dry and weather conditions are generally very nice. After the walk, we begin the journey back to El Calafate on the same path with another stop at La Leona hotel.

This is a very leisurely hike, on almost flat terrain, ideal for those who enjoy a quiet walk. We begin by picking up passengers from their hotels and traveling 18 km to the trailhead. Our dirt route follows the course of the Río de las Vueltas River toward Lago del Desierto, until we reach the Río Eléctrico Bridge. At this point, the hike begins, following the right bank of the Río Eléctrico valley for much of the route and eventually detouring toward the reddish walls of Cerro Eléctrico. It's a two-hour hike to reach Piedra del Fraile, where Father Agostini established a base for his explorations in the area. There is currently a private campsite (Piedra del Fraile), where there is a shelter where we can eat or have a snack. A few meters away, there is a small viewpoint overlooking the north face of Fitz Roy. The return journey follows the same path until we reach the Río Eléctrico Bridge, where we take ground transportation back to El Chaltén.

We offer a tailor-made service throughout your stay in San Antonio de Areco: you will be welcomed by local guides to discover the richness of the town and will be invited to visit one of the oldest Estancias of Argentina, combining luxurious comfort and colonial elegance: La Bamba de Areco. This estancia is full of history and traditions, ideal for relaxing. You’ll have the chance to taste exquisite traditional cuisine and refined service, and you will be charmed by the Gaucho traditions and equestrian sports, such as Polo. Itinerary: 08:30 am: Pick-up at hotel in Buenos Aires. 10.00 am: Reception at San Antonio de Areco by local guide, who will show the picturesque streets of the historical center, pulperias (old gaucho bars), the renowned Draghi’s Silversmith Museum, traditional workshops and the Gauchesco Ricardo Güiraldes Museum (optional: shopping tour around the traditional workshops). 12.00 noon: Departure to Estancia La Bamba, where you will be greeted with delicious traditional asado. Various activities will be offered: horseback riding or carriage, stroll by the river, bikes. During the summer, the Estancia opens its swimming pool. 04.30 pm: Departure to Buenos Aires. Includes: Old town visit. Complete traditional lunch at La Bamba. All the activities in town and Estancia. Swimming pool in summer.