Estancia Cristina Full-Day Trip From El Calafate With Lunch

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Tour Information

Key Details

  • Mobile Voucher Accepted
  • Hotel pickup Available
  • Duration: 13 Hrs
  • Language:
    English
  • Departure Time :
    07:00 AM
  • Return Details :
    • A small amount of walking is involved  • Not wheelchair accessible • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required • Warm clothing and walking shoes • C.. read more
  • Cancellation Policy :
    This activity is non-refundable Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Overview

Enjoy a full-day guided tour, ideal for those who want to keep exploring all that Argentinean Patagonia has to show us. The tour begins with a navigation through the icebergs, sailing right in front of the Upsala Channel, in a journey towards the Estancia Cristina, where you will spend the rest of the day to learn its history and traditions.Visit the Folkloric Museum and the Estancia's surroundings and find amazing wildlife.Thistour includes lunch and transportation by an air-conditioned coach.

Menu description:

Starter: two empanadas (meat and HUMITA [corn]).

Main Courser: Lamb casserole with roasted vegetables or Dry pasta with mushroom pesto and dried tomatoes.

Dessert: Flan.

Drinks: A soda or a glass of wine and coffee or tea.

Know More about this tour


The tour starts at 7amwith pickup from centrally located El Calafate hotels.
Travel around 30 miles (45 km) along a road that will takeyou through the countryside, littered withpicturesque wooden houses. Having reached the port of Punta Bandera, on Lake Argentino, board a modern and comfortable boat, that at approximately 8:15am, will leave behind the port to begin the navigation.
Through towering icebergs, head to the north arm of Lake Argentino up to the last permitted point of navigation on the Upsala Channel, where stunning views of the Upsala Glacier await. Continue sailing through the Cristina Canal to the point of disembarking at the Estancia, arriving around 11:30am.
Having disembarked, an expert guide will welcome you and take you on an exciting trek through the surrounding valley. The hike unfolds along an ecotone area, a beautiful, semi-arid place carpeted in native shrubs and grasses. Next, the walk gradually ascends to an elevated lookout point that bestows sweeping views of the valley beyond, over Lake Argentino and Lake Pearson across to the towering Andes Mountains.From here, continue on a path sloping gently uphill, until you reach the highlight of this trek: Los Perros River Waterfall, also a fantastic spot for observing flowers and plant life especially orchids.Later on, having returned from the trek, enjoy a traditionnal lunch with drinks.In the afternoon, visit the Folkloric Museum with your guide, located in what used to be an old shearing shed, where they will introduce the history of the Estancia. Start a walk to visit the Caterina River and Chapel and then tour the historic town of Estancia.
Around 5.30pm, get back to the boat to begin the return to Punta Bandera port, then back to El Calafate.
The drop-off at hotels will be at approximately 8pm.

Itinerary:


The tour starts at 7am with pickup from centrally located El Calafate hotels.
Travel around 30 miles (45 km) along a road that will take you through the countryside, littered with picturesque wooden houses. Having reached the port of Punta Bandera, on Lake Argentino, board a modern and comfortable boat, that at approximately 8:15am, will leave behind the port to begin the navigation.
Through towering icebergs, head to the north arm of Lake Argentino up to the last permitted point of navigation on the Upsala Channel, where stunning views of the Upsala Glacier await. Continue sailing through the Cristina Canal to the point of disembarking at the Estancia, arriving around 11:30am. 
Having disembarked, an expert guide will welcome you and take you on an exciting trek through the surrounding valley. The hike unfolds along an ecotone area, a beautiful, semi-arid place carpeted in native shrubs and grasses. Next, the walk gradually ascends to an elevated lookout point that bestows sweeping views of the valley beyond, over Lake Argentino and Lake Pearson across to the towering Andes Mountains. From here, continue on a path sloping gently uphill, until you reach the highlight of this trek: Los Perros River Waterfall, also a fantastic spot for observing flowers and plant life especially orchids. Later on, having returned from the trek, enjoy a traditionnal lunch with drinks. In the afternoon, visit the Folkloric Museum with your guide, located in what used to be an old shearing shed, where they will introduce the history of the Estancia. Start a walk to visit the Caterina River and Chapel and then tour the historic town of Estancia.
Around 5.30pm, get back to the boat to begin the return to Punta Bandera port, then back to El Calafate.
The drop-off at hotels will be at approximately 8pm.

Inclusions

  • Local guide
  • Starter/Main Plate/Dessert + Wine and Soft drink. Try the tipical patagonian lamb! Vegetarian option also available.
  • Navigation to/from the Estancia
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Exclusions

  • Gratuities
  • Entrance Fee Ticket

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Warm clothing and walking shoes are recommended

Traveler Reviews

  • 16-Feb-2022

    Bellísima excursión a la que no le falta nada. Comienza con el trayecto al Lago, que se navega en una embarcación de la estancia. Cuando se mete por el canal Upsala, luego de pasar por el Canal de los Témpanos, se avistan esas bellísimas construcciones naturales. (El servicio de fotos es sumamente recomendable, por cierto). Luego se llega a la Estancia, emplazada en un lugar inmejorable. Antes o después del almuerzo hay distintas opciones: se puede hacer un trekking largo pero interesante, cabalgata, excursión en 4x4 (Discovery) o combi (Classic). Estas dos últimas incluyen un paseo por el Museo Histórico. La vista al Glaciar Upsala y el refugio homónimo es la frutilla del postre. Volveremos para quedarnos y hacer el trekking al Cañadón de los Fósiles.

  • 22-Mar-2019

    après une longue navigation au milieu de merveilleux blocs de glace de couleur bleue on arrive à l'Estancia Cristina , nous sommes partis en gros 4X4 par un piste et nous avons marché entre de gros rochers glissants ( il faut faire très attention!) pour découvrir un grand glacier : le Upsala : on découvre que l'élévation de la température a fait fondre ce glacier et donc on le voit de loin nous avons eu la malchance d'avoir beaucoup de vent , nous se pouvions à peine tenir debout , mais cela fait partie de l'aventure repas correct à l'Estancia cristina puis visite du petit musée

  • 06-Jan-2019

    First of all, my wife and I were booked on the wrong excursion. You must pre select an excursion type (Classic, Discovery, or Trekking). We had booked Trekking and were incorrectly assigned Classic. We discovered this error during the three hour boat ride over to the ranch. It is during this time that the guides confirm excursion type with all the passengers on board. Upon explaining the error to the guides, we were simply told that nothing could be done. We were told that the error occurred through our booking agency. There was no ownership of the error on their part and absolutely no effort whatsoever to exhibit any level of flexibility, customer service, or an attempt to accommodate. We were simply told that nothing could be done. Our situation was not unique. Another couple on board from New York, had a similar experience with the booking error and received basically the same response and reaction from the staff and management as we did. No attempt to correct the situation. Second, the lunch that is provided on site is sub par at best. My wife ordered lamb and I had the pasta. The lamb was mostly bone and fat. My pasta was tasteless and served in a watered down tomato sauce. The empanada appetizers were cold in the middle. The only redeeming part of the meal was the Malbec wine. Finally, keep in mind that you are in for significant transport time to the ranch. 45 minute drive to the dock, then a three hour boat ride one-way to the ranch. The constant Patagonia winds made the boat ride extremely rough in areas of the lake. If you are prone to motion sickness, this excursion is definitely not for you. I personally witnessed several individuals suffering from motion sickness on the ride out to the ranch through the rough waters.

  • 13-Apr-2018

    Posto bellissimo,personale estremamente preparato per svolgere le diverse attività.Noi abbiamo fatto un bel trekking verso il ghiacciaio Upsala,ma si possono praticare anche altre attività :canoa ,equitazione etc. Ottimo anche il cibo offerto dal ristorante,posto da non mancare

  • 11-Mar-2018

    Nous avons pris cette visite sans le repas ni la visite du musé mais avec un trekking de 4 heures et 14 kms environ et aucun regret, bien que le repas était très bon et très copieux d’après les autres voyageurs. Notre guide Sergio qui ne parlait pas français et nous qui parlions très peu anglais, a su nous intéresser et nous faire comprendre beaucoup de choses, cela nous a valu beaucoup de fou rire, un moment vraiment très agréable. Merci Sergio . Pour le bateau avec visite sur le glacier rien à redire un personnel sympathique,très souriant. La journée a fini à 19 h30 sans qu’on est eu le temps de s’ennuyer. À faire tout est bien organisé.

  • 08-Jan-2018

    Nous avons été très déçus par la visite. Malheureusement nous n’avons pas pu faire le trek, juste la balade en 4x4, une fois arrivés à l’Estancia Cristina. A 210 $ la journée sans le déjeuner facturé en plus, c’est quasi du vol. La croisière est sympa. La vue du haut sur le glacier Upsala est magnifique. Mais c’est l’usine à touristes et on est traité comme du bétail. Interdiction de se promener seuls même pour faire un petit tour de 500 m et finalement, la journée sur place est bien longue.

  • 02-Jan-2018

    I did the discovery tour (boat then 4×4 to access the most amazing view of Patagonia). It would be really pitty to miss the view doing only the cruise. But the boat between icebergs is also fun. You can bring your lunch to reduce the cost. Really great !

  • 20-Dec-2017

    This is an all day trip that we would repeat. You get picked up at your hotel in El Calafate and transferred to a dock for a 3 hour boat ride that includes circling icebergs from the Upsala glacier. Then, you dock at Estancia Cristina, get in a 4 wheel drive, and go to an upper view point of the Upsala glacier. After pictures and an introduction to the wind, you hike down a canyon with vibrant colors, fossils, small fresh water ponds, condors flying around, etc. After descending to the valley, you walk through alpine type meadows and return to the ranch and the boat for a trip back. They provide lunch that you eat on the trail. An active walk requiring balance and moderate stamina.