Horseback riding El Calafate Nibepo Aike ranch Patagonian lunch

Ride across open Patagonian grassland with the Andes as your backdrop

Horseback riding at Nibepo Aike, a working ranch in El Calafate, combines a guided ride through Patagonian terrain with a traditional lamb asado lunch and a tour of the estancia's history. Half-day and full-day options let you choose between a 1-hour or 3-hour ride. Hotel pickup and a local guide in English or Spanish are included.

The experience

If you land in El Calafate in the morning or have a free afternoon before your evening flight, this ranch fills the gap between glacier tours and airport time. The half-day option works for either slot. The full day is for travelers staying longer. Hotel pickup takes you out Ruta 15, the Ranch Route, where the landscape opens up and you might spot condors, foxes and hares against the backdrop of Frías hill. The drive crosses into Los Glaciares National Park before you arrive at Nibepo Aike, a historic estancia built on Hereford cattle production and the remnants of the region's sheep boom.

You start with tea, coffee or mate and pastries at the ranch, then choose your ride length. The 1-hour option (half-day) or 3-hour option (full-day) puts you on horseback with a professional guide to explore the hidden corners of the property and the grassland beyond. The route depends on which option you pick and the time of day. Morning and afternoon rides show different light and wildlife patterns. Afterward, everyone gathers at the gazebo for a Patagonian lamb asado, grilled on a traditional cross stake, with salad and dessert, eaten with the Andes visible across the valley.

The full-day tour includes all of this plus the longer ride. The half-day compresses the experience into a morning or afternoon slot. Both options suit all fitness levels, though riders must be at least 10 years old. An air-conditioned vehicle brings you back to your hotel at the end.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Spanish.
• air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off.
• welcome reception with hot drink and pastries.
• horseback riding tour (1 hour for half-day, 3 hours for full-day).
• Patagonian lamb asado with salad and dessert.

Options for this experience

2 options

Nibepo Aike Half-Day Morning TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Leaves in the morning and includes a tasty lamb roast lunch. Features a 1-hour horseback ride; pickup is included.

Nibepo Aike Full Day TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Covers breakfast and a sheep shearing demonstration, finishing with a lamb roast lunch. Includes a 3-hour horseback ride; pickup is included.

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

Information

Lasts 1d, runs every day at 08:30, from US$ 183 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or 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

Low physical effort

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Book the half-day option if you're arriving early or leaving at night and want to experience ranch life without committing a full day. Choose the full-day tour if you have the time and want the longer 3-hour ride to explore deeper into the Patagonian grassland.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the horseback ride itself?

The half-day option includes a 1-hour guided ride. The full-day option includes a 3-hour guided ride with a professional guide who leads you across the ranch terrain and surrounding grassland.

What is the Patagonian lamb asado like?

The asado is grilled lamb cooked on a traditional cross stake, served with salad and dessert at the ranch gazebo with views of the Andes mountains. It is included in both the half-day and full-day options.

Does the ranch visit include a tour of the estancia itself?

Yes, you have time for a leisurely walk around Nibepo Aike to see the Hereford cabin, the vestiges of the old sheep production era, and the property's history before or after your ride, depending on the time of day you choose.

What happens if I arrive in El Calafate early in the morning?

The half-day morning option is designed for early arrivals. You'll be picked up from your hotel, ride for an hour, eat lunch, and return in time for afternoon activities or to rest before an evening flight.

Is the ride suitable if I have never ridden a horse before?

Yes, the ride suits all fitness levels and is led by a professional guide. The minimum age is 10 years. The guide will match the pace to the group and the terrain is open grassland rather than technical trails.