ESTANCIA LA MAIPÚ - PATAGONIA ARGENTINA

In La Maipu estancia -an estancia is a typical Argentine ranch- tourists will be able to learn the essence of one of the most traditional and typical Patagonian estancias dedicated to sheep breeding.

LOCATION
It is fascinating to visit ‘la Patagonia’ (the patagonic region) today, due to its wild beauty. The “La Maipu” estancia is situated in this region, on the foot of the Andes Range in one of the southernmost extremes of the Argentine Republic.

The “La Maipu” estancia is situated in the southern area of the Argentine Patagonia, in the province of Santa Cruz, on the edge of the San Martin Lake.

Daily flights join the capital city of Argentina: Buenos Aires, with the airports of El Calafate and Rio Gallegos.

It is situated in the imposing Andes Range, near the border with Chile and by the San Martin Lake with its turquoise waters. It is 260 km (161.5 miles) away from the El Calafate airport, and 240 km (149 miles) from El Chalten.

LODGING FACILITIES
Estancia La Maipú has rooms for fourteen guests in double or triple heated rooms with private bathrooms and decorated in the countryside style.

In the reading room, you can browse through any of the 150 volumes on patagonic topics, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee.

There is a dining-room facing the San Martin lake and a “quincho” –a quincho is a typical thatched-roofed construction where asados (barbecues) can be eaten– where you will enjoy the traditional “asado de cordero al palo”.

THE HOUSE
Tourists will be amazed, as they walk or horse ride around, by the panoramic views of the granite towers of the ‘Fitz Roy’ and the ‘Cerro Torre’, just as by the unique ‘Cerro Astillado’. Further south, the continental ice fields will also be an astonishing sight.

The inn is run by the Leyenda family, who have been owners of the estancia since 1944. The accommodation, which is offered within the main building, consists of comfortable bedrooms with a private bathroom. There is also a shelter for mountaineers. Its typical gastronomy varies from lunch bags for excursions, to pleasant evening dinners with patagonic dishes, such as the typical ‘asado de cordero al palo’, Argentine wines, marmalades and wildberry pies. In addition to this, there is a very well assorted bar, where guests will be able to enjoy themselves by the warmth of the hearth.

It has got an important library, specialized in patagonic topics and a pioneers’ historical museum.

Bird watchers and wild life lovers will find their stay at “La Maipu” to be a unique and unforgettable experience due to its closeness to whole families of Condors and other animal species.


THE MOUNTAINEERS´REFUGE
This place is ideal for mountaineering and trekking lovers. It is an old wooden house surrounded by an ancient grove. From this place a lovely view of the San Martin lake can be appreciated.

The shelter has got a fire stove, showers with hot water, and three rooms with ten beds, ideal to rest on with sleeping-bags, which are not provided for.


ACTIVITIES
The activities which can be carried out in the estancia, besides visiting the pioneers’ museum are: trekking, hiking, horse riding, watching the autoctonous flora and fauna and taking part in rural activities.
Guests can choose between various circuits and programmes with sights to see and different degrees of difficulty. There are short walks of a few hours, all-day-long trekking excursions and even excursions which last two or three days.


FISHING
Trouts and salmons can be fished all year round, only depending on weather conditions.

RURAL CHORES
Since this is a typical patagonic estancia which specializes in sheep breeding since the beginning of the twentieth century, visitors will be able to take part in the rodeos and shearing depending on the time of the year in which they visit the estancia.

HORSEBACK RIDING
You can make short circuits or the all-day-long traditional ones such as:

Cerro "Astillado" You reach the foot of the hill by walking through leafy woods of “Lengas” which are typical trees of the area. Excellent panoramic views and “guanaco” watching.

The Maipu Peninsula Hike with a view of the lake and visit to the old shepherds’ posts.

The petrified Palmtree You reach the “Barranca Alta” (´High Cliff”) to watch this huge petrified palmtree trunk which is 20 meters long. (65.6 feet long). From here you get one of the finest views of the San Martín lake.

HIKING & TREKKING
The View Points- Easy circuits with panoramic view of the estancia. These take 2 to 3 hours.

The San Martín lake and “La Sección”- Walk along the shores of the San Martín lake and visit to “La Sección”, place where rural chores are carried out.

The “Media Luna” Circuit - Circuit which takes you round the “Cerro Moreno”, with the possibility of ascending it. 2 to 4 hours long.

High Stroll and the “Talca” pool- Circuit that takes 4 to 6 hours and requires moderate physical condition. You will reach the “Talca” pool after going past several panoramic viewpoints.

The “Condorera” Hill- You can’t miss this circuit! This all-day-long hike of a more advanced degree of difficulty will take you to the summit of the hill and will enable you to watch the condors which fly nearby. Excellent panoramic views.

Cerro “Astillado” and the Maipu Peninsula - These circuits are perfect for those visitors who love mountaineering and trekking.

If you need further information about Estancia La Maipú, just contact us.

RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
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