El Calafate: Horseback ride in Estancia 25 de Mayo + lunch

Summary

Horseback riding in Patagonia’s wild canyons with gauchos

You’ll ride horseback through El Calafate’s Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve with a local guide, crossing canyons and streams before sharing a country lunch in a cave with gauchos. Expect quiet moments, real conversation, and landscapes you’ll remember long after you leave Patagonia.

What’s the experience like?

We were already halfway across the first creek when I realized how quiet it was out here — except for the horses’ hooves splashing and that weird, sharp scent of cold grass. Our guide, Martín, had this way of pointing things out without making a big deal about it. “That ridge there? Older than the Andes,” he said, and I just nodded like I understood geology (I don’t). The wind kept trying to sneak under my helmet but the canyon walls blocked most of it — apparently that’s rare in Patagonia, so we got lucky.

I’d never ridden a horse for this long before. My legs felt wobbly at first but after a while it was just… steady. We followed Martín along these pale rock formations that looked like someone had sliced open the earth with a knife. Sometimes you could hear water trickling somewhere below, even if you couldn’t see it. There were moments where nobody talked for ages — not awkward silence, more like everyone was listening to something else. Maybe that’s what people mean by “feeling small” in Patagonia.

Lunch happened in this cave called Cueva del Arroyo. The gauchos had already started the fire when we arrived — smoke curling up into the stone ceiling, mixing with the smell of bread and grilled steak. I tried to say thank you (“gracias por la comida”) but probably butchered it; one of them just grinned and handed me a glass of wine anyway. We ate sitting on rough benches, passing around cheesecake at the end (didn’t expect that). On the ride back I kept thinking about how old everything felt here — not just the rocks but even the stories Martín told about his grandfather working these same fields.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback Ride and Lunch at Estancia

• Brief technical talk and gear up
• Ride south crossing Calafate Creek Canyon
• Cross streams and geological formations
• Horseback ride to Cave of the stream
• Enjoy camping lunch prepared by gauchos
• Toast with wine
• Return to Estancia 25 de Mayo

Top questions

How long is the horseback riding tour at Estancia 25 de Mayo?

The ride lasts about an hour and a half each way, plus time for lunch.

Is lunch included during the horseback riding experience?

Yes, a country-style lunch is included at Cueva del Arroyo with wine and dessert.

Do I need prior horseback riding experience?

The tour requires at least intermediate riding experience and moderate fitness.

Are helmets and gear provided for riders?

Yes, helmets and leggings are provided before departure from the estancia.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with health issues?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular conditions.

What will I see during the ride?

You’ll cross canyons, streams, and unique geological formations showing millions of years of history.

What’s included

Your day includes all necessary riding gear like helmets and leggings, guidance from local gauchos throughout Estancia 25 de Mayo Nature Reserve, plus a traditional country lunch in Cueva del Arroyo featuring steak sandwiches, cheesecake for dessert, water, and a glass of wine before heading back to El Calafate.