Estancia 25 de Mayo 4x4 Safari: Patagonian fossils and wildlife

Fossils 15 million years old, still visible in the rock.

This 4x4 safari through El Calafate's Estancia 25 de Mayo private reserve takes you across rugged Patagonian terrain to see fossils, geological formations and archaeological sites dating back 10,000 years, with a local guide explaining the region's deep history. Hotel pickup is included. You choose a morning departure at 9 AM or afternoon at 4 PM, and the tour ends with lunch or dinner at the field post La Selección before returning to your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Patagonia 4x4 Safari and Exploration

• Hotel pick-up at 9 AM or 4 PM
• Drive through Huyliche and Calafate hills
• Visit Estancia 25 de Mayo and Calafate stream
• Short trek exploring archaeological sites
• Discover native flora and fauna with guide
• Enjoy lunch or dinner at La Selección
• Return to hotel in El Calafate

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your El Calafate hotel and climbs into a 4x4 vehicle to cross the Huyliche and Calafate hills. As you ascend through the steppe, the landscape shifts: the geology and paleontology that shaped Patagonia over 80 million years become visible in the rock itself. The guide points out how the terrain changes as you follow the Calafate stream toward Estancia 25 de Mayo, where the Villalba family settled and still lives on the reserve.

At the estancia, you walk a short trek through the reserve to archaeological sites left by the first inhabitants 10,000 years ago. The guide shows you where to spot fossils embedded in the hillside, some nearly 15 million years old, and explains what the strata tell you about the climate and creatures that lived here long before humans arrived. The native flora and fauna of the steppe come into focus as you move through the landscape, and the guide names the plants and animals adapted to this harsh corner of Patagonia.

After the trek, you sit down to lunch or dinner at La Selección, the field post on the estancia, before the drive back to El Calafate. The whole outing takes about five hours. You can pick the morning departure if you want the full day ahead of you afterward, or the afternoon slot if you prefer to start later.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle.
• entrance to the archaeological zone.
• lunch or dinner at La Selección depending on your chosen departure time.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels in El Calafate.

Options for this experience

2 options

Afternoon Departure 16:00HsGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 1 Nov · 16:00Pickup is included for the afternoon option

Morning Departure 9:00HsGuide in English or Spanish · Available from 1 Nov · 09:00Pickup is included for the morning option

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 16:00Last departure this season: 30 Apr 2027

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Choose the morning departure if you want the full afternoon free in El Calafate afterward. Pick the afternoon slot if you prefer to explore the town first and travel later in the day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What kind of fossils will I see on this tour?

Estancia 25 de Mayo holds fossils dating back approximately 15 million years, preserved in the geological formations of the steppe. The guide will show you where they sit in the rock and explain what they reveal about Patagonia's ancient climate and wildlife.

How long is the walk through the reserve?

The trek through Estancia 25 de Mayo is a short walk, suitable for all physical fitness levels. It takes you to archaeological sites and fossil-bearing areas while the guide explains the landscape and its history.

What do I eat on this tour?

You'll have lunch or dinner at La Selección, the field post on the estancia, depending on which departure time you choose. The meal is a stew prepared in the field.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in El Calafate. Confirm your hotel is on the pickup list when you book.

Can I choose between morning and afternoon?

Yes. The morning departure leaves at 9 AM and the afternoon departure at 4 PM, both from your hotel. Pick whichever fits your schedule in El Calafate.

What is Estancia 25 de Mayo?

Estancia 25 de Mayo is a private nature reserve near El Calafate with unique geology and paleontology. The Villalba family has lived there for generations, and the reserve holds archaeological evidence of the first settlers who inhabited the region 10,000 years ago.