The only way to reach Estancia Cristina is by boat, sailing across the north side of Lago Argentino. Our ships depart from and return to Puerto Punta Bandera daily from October to April each year.

From El Calafate city-center, head west on National Route 11 for 47.5km, then turn right following the signs to Puerto Punta Bandera, our dock is the first one.

Round-trip overland transfers to El Calafate are included. This service is confirmed at the time of booking.

It is not possible to access Glaciar Perito Moreno from Estancia Cristina. To visit this glacier, we suggest you spend an extra night at El Calafate.

It is best to dress in layers to manage the changing temperatures of Patagonia. We suggest wearing comfortable clothing, a fleece coat, and a final windbreaker layer, preferably waterproof.
sunglasses, sunblock for skin and lips, gloves, a hat, and a buff or scarf. It is essential to wear shoes with grip soles, boots, or trekking shoes.
We recommend each guest carry among their belongings all the medicines they usually take; you should consider that Estancia Cristina is isolated, and boats sail only during the day.

Estancia Cristina operates per season, running daily from October 1st to April 30th, even on special holidays like Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

The climate in Southern Patagonia can be described as dynamic, characterized by its intensity, unpredictability, and strong winds. It’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in a single day.

Fall: Min. 3° – Max. 13° / Sunrise at 7:50 am and sunset at 8 pm.
Winter: Min. -3° – Max. 5° / Sunrise 9:50 am and sunrise 5:50 pm
Spring: Min. 5° – Max. 15° / Sunrise 7:40 am and sunrise 7:45 pm
Summer: Min. 9° – Max. 19° / Sunrise 5:30 am and sunrise 10 pm

We take cash, credit cards, PayPal and MercadoPago.

Satellite Wi-Fi service is available.

The voltage in Argentina is 220W and plug type I.

There is no age restriction for those staying at the lodge, and we plan activities for everyone.

However, for safety reasons, some of our experiences have age limits: The trek through the Cañadón de los Fósiles is designed for wild souls aged 12 and over.

Our program includes trekking, horseback riding and 4×4 expeditions, which are exclusive to guests. It is not necessary to book them in advance, you can coordinate them on-site with the staff.

Fly fishing has set dates and itineraries and requires advance booking for confirmation. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact us at [email protected].

Expeditions are organized in small groups based on guests’ preferences. There is no minimum quorum for them to operate. There is no limit on the stay, just time and weather conditions will tell.

The expeditions will not be canceled due to rain. When you stay in the valley, we have time to design your activity program adapted to weather conditions and your wishes.

We provide safety and complementary equipment necessary for the activities, you are welcome to bring your own personal equipment.
For the horseback rides: we provide helmets, gaiters and saddlebags.
For the trekking: trekking poles and gaiters.
Water bottle: we deliver a reusable bottle at the beginning of the stay for each guest’s personal use. In this way we reduce the use of disposable plastics.

Estancia Cristina has a DA Defibrillator.
Trained staff with a CPR course.
Emergency first aid kit.

We recommend each guest to carry among their belongings all the medicines they usually take; you should consider that Estancia Cristina is isolated, and boats sail only during the day.

Yes, there is.

Our electricity is generated by a system that operates from 7 AM to 11 PM. Additionally, each room is equipped with a supplemental lighting system powered by solar energy (12v) for use during the night.

No prior experience is required. Our guides carefully select the right horse and pace for each guest, ensuring comfort, confidence, and an enjoyable experience. Whether it’s your first time or you’re an experienced rider, we’ll accompany you so you can safely enjoy the landscapes of Patagonia.

At Estancia Cristina, our mission is to offer guests an unforgettable experience in harmony with Patagonia’s wild landscapes — while caring deeply for the horses that make these journeys possible.

To ensure their well-being and your safety, we carefully match each rider to the right horse according to both riding experience and physical condition.

In line with international equestrian standards, a horse can typically carry 15-20% of its body weight, including the rider and tack. Therefore, the maximum weight allowed per rider is 15 stone/95 kg/210 lb.

We kindly ask our guests to provide accurate information at the time of booking, as this helps us protect our horses and maintain the quality of every ride.

The excursion lasts 10 hours in total, 6 hours at the Estancia plus 4 hours of navigation, considering the round trip. Additionally, we must include the time of land transfers to Puerto Punta Bandera, which can be 1 hour each way.

It is best to dress in layers to cope with sudden temperature changes and acclimatize when necessary. We suggest wearing comfortable clothing, a fleece coat, and a final windbreaker layer, preferably waterproof.
Wear sunglasses, sunblock for skin and lips, gloves, hat, and scarf. It is essential to wear shoes with grip soles, boots, or trekking shoes.

Yes, the port has an open-air parking lot.

The Cañadón de Los Fósiles Trekking is the only activity that weather conditions can stop. The Classic, Discovery, or Horseback riding expeditions operate even when it rains.

Yes, the park entrance fee is mandatory. You can purchase it online at the National Parks Administration website  or request it at the expedition booking.

On the navigation, we offer complimentary coffee and croissants.
At Estancia Cristina’s Quincho we offer cafeteria service, which consists of cold drinks, sweet cakes, and the soup of the day, at an additional fee.
You can add lunch and a snack to your visit when booking or on the boat.
We accept cash and credit cards as forms of payment.

Given the remote location, there is no cell phone signal at Estancia Cristina, but we do provide Wi-Fi service.