Estancia Cristina
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
Key Facts
No. of rooms: 20
Double or twin room with ensuite bathroom (shower over tub) and panoramic views; 5 rooms can fit a baby cot or extra bed. The 20 rooms are spread over 5 cabins, each with a shared lounge.
Facilities: The Octagon – an open-plan bar, living room with fireplace and dining area. Only accessible to guests at the hotel.
Internet: WiFi in The Octagon only; no mobile signal.
Excursion details (for overnight visitors): Different trekking options, horse-riding, historical tour. No minimum, max 12 though normally less.
Full-day trips (for visitors not staying overnight): There are four different programmes available: Trekking, Glaciar Upsala, Horseback Ride, Classic all with lunch included either at the Quincho, as a box lunch or in a cosy outpost if riding (details here).
Min age: All ages (suitable for children 10+)
Minimum stay: 1 night
Rates from: Jan – 30 April 2024: US$800 per person per night if staying 2 nights or US$1,100 per person if staying one night, staying in a double room and on all-inclusive basis.
2024 – 25 Season: Peak: 01-13 Nov, 16 Dec-31 Mar: US$1100 (1N), US$1600(2N). High: 15-31 Oct, 1-15 Dec, 1-30 Apr: US$900 (1N), US$1400 (2N) *For full rates see Gallery and Resources links
Rates include: Full board (meals, daily excursions, transfers, soft drinks, wine and beer during meals, park entrance fee). Those staying 2+ nights have the option of taking 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.
Dedicated 2, 3 & 4 night horseriding programmes are also available.
Operating months: from 15 October 2023 to 30 April 2024.
Senderos recommends: 3 nights, to do each of the excursions in full and appreciate the splendour of this natural setting.
Sustainability
- They adhere to all National Park regulations on the disposal of waste and use of the land
- They are committed to caring for the environment of the estancia and its buildings to represent its rich history and culture
- For all of the packed snacks and meals which guests take with them on excursions, they provide reusable bags, containers and utensils to reduce the amount of non-biodegradable materials, they also use biodegradable and compostable bags and paper food wrap.
- The re-usable bags are made from recycled materials, napkins which are not treated with bleach and cups made of biodegradable polypaper cardboard.
- Own vegetable kitchen garden to reduce their carbon footprint.
- They recycle all the paper they use internally as well as seeing how they can reuse any of the packaging to avoid single usage
Need to know:
- Only accessible by a 2-3 hour boat journey across Argentino Lake, with set timings for departures and which may alter depending on extreme weather.
- Estancia Cristina operates full-day trips from El Calafate / Punta Bandera but we strongly recommend overnight stays, which include many more activity options with with relatively few people, as these can be done before the daytrippers arrive and after they have left.
- Perfect for that isolated Patagonia experience with comfortable lodgings – due to location, wifi access is limited to communal areas
- Excellent opportunity to try gentle horse-riding along rivers and into mountains
- Delicious a la carte menus in the evenings with patagonian dishes served on a rotation basis. Lunch is either taken in the Octagano with a full varied buffet or a box lunch if taken out on an excursion.
Perfect for:
Remote Patagonian adventuring!
Getting there
Estancia Cristina is on the northwest shore of Lago Argentino, in an untouched corner or Los Glaciares National Park.
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
Nearest airport: El Calafate International Airport.
Gallery & Resources
Follow this link to Senderos Resources for Estancia Cristina to access:
- Images, our selection
- Fact sheets
- Presentations
- Rack rates
- Excursion lists
- And other useful information
Estancia Cristina also has its own media centre here.
Weather
Summer (Dec-Feb): the warmest but busiest time of year. Temperatures range between 5-15°C
Autumn (March-May): Temperatures range between 2-10°C.
Spring (Sept-Nov): still cold but more pleasant. Temperatures range between 2-11°C.