Estancia Cristina

Estancia Cristina is a unique wilderness lodge offering true Patagonian hospitality and exclusive access to the awe-inspiring natural wonder of the Upsala Glacier and the continental ice field. The journey here is as inspiring as the stay, one of sublime natural beauty. A 3-hour catamaran trip whisks you across the azure Lago Argentino, past ice floes and giant bergs, with craggy mountains and sheer glaciers all around. At the other end, this historic estancia awaits, the perfect base for adventure-filled days within the depths of Los Glaciares National Park.

Take 4x4s to lookout points to see panoramas of 8 feeder glaciers and the icy Cristina channel; ride up the river valley with experienced horseriding guides or hike down through Fossil Canyon past native forest and tumbling waterfalls. There are also special programmes available for fishing the wide meandering rivers for salmon and trout (extra cost). Then it’s home for Patagonian lamb, smoked cheese and Argentine reds beside the fire. Staying at Estancia Cristina is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to be rushed.

Senderos Soul

The enduring memory from my stay at Estancia Cristina was the feeling of being dwarfed by and standing in awe of my surroundings. On my first evening at this truly remote lodge, I took a gentle stroll around the grounds as the vast Patagonian skies and suspended clouds turned pink and orange. The landscape consumed me with its imposing peaks; an outstretched valley with a wide, slowly meandering river and the wild lake with it's ever-prersent white-horses in the distance. I could hardly wait to explore it all on hiking, horse-riding and 4x4 adventures. All this, combined with the informative historical tour recounting the tale of a family who against all odds, made this their home here for 80+ years, etched a truly humbling and inspiring experience in my memory.

Nicola, Senderos

Getting there

Estancia Cristina is on the northwest shore of Lago Argentino, in an untouched corner or Los Glaciares National Park.

 

by boat

BY BOAT

The estancia can only be reached by boat in 2/3 hours, after a 50 minute transfer from El Calafate to Punta Bandera.

Transfer Schedules:

Pick up Calafate 07:30-8am in shared transfers, 08:30am arrival Punta Bandera, 09:00am departure from Punta Bandera on baord the Chinook. 11:30am arrival at Estancia Cristina.

Departe Estancia Cristina 17:30 on board the Chinook, 18:45 arrival at Punta Bandera, 19:30-20:00 arrival El Calafate on shared transfers.

Those staying 2+ nights are able to take the Francesco I boat transfer from the lodge to Puerto Punta Bandera departing at 2pm, to arrive in time for evening flights out of Calafate or a visit to Perito Moreno Glaciar.

by air

BY AIR

Nearest airport: El Calafate International Airport.