Safari Experience

Safari Experience
Safari Experience Excursion combines 4×4 Expedition, photography safari, and the experience to relax at an authentic Patagonian estancia

Description

The Safari Experience excursion begins with hotel pickup (1), with departures at either 9 AM or 4 PM.

We’ll travel for about a kilometer on Provincial Route N°15 until we reach the Huyliche Estancia. After passing through its main area (casco), we’ll enter the “Estancia 25 de Mayo” Nature Reserve.

Our first stop will be at an old stone building where the estancia’s first family lived: the Villalbas. Here, we’ll learn about estancias, the early settlers, the beginnings of El Calafate and the Estancia 25 de Mayo under the Villalbas; the region’s productive activities, and the subsequent acquisition of the estancia by the Ariztizábal family.

The journey continues by vehicle until we arrive at “La Sección,” a genuine estancia nestled in the vast Patagonian landscape. Here, we make our second stop for wildlife spotting on Cerro 25 de Mayo.

This is the perfect time for photography enthusiasts, who can also take advantage of the binoculars and telescope provided by Safari Experience (a tripod, telephoto lenses, and other digital photography accessories are also available for sharing with passengers who have compatible Nikon cameras).

The third stop is made in the midst of abundant wildlife; after leaving the vehicle, we’ll walk towards herds of guanacos. This is your chance to get up close and personal with these amazing creatures.After traveling another 4 kilometers by vehicle, we’ll reach a fossil oyster bed.

Our fourth stop will be to admire this wall formed by an oyster reef that is 23 million years old. We’ll provide a brief explanation of the area’s paleontology and geology, so you can understand how the desert you’re standing in was once covered by the sea.

We’ll then continue south, approaching the Chilean border, and reaching the Centinela viewpoint: a 1500-meter-high hill offering stunning panoramic views of endless basalt cliffs, Cerro Centinela, and the Baguales (hills marking the southern border with Chile). This is our fifth stop, a moment to relax, feel the wind, and take in the vastness of Patagonia.

We’ll begin our return journey, stopping at “La Sección.”

A field lunch or dinner will be served at a genuine estancia, nestled in the vast Patagonian steppe. The house has a spacious living and dining room with views of Cerro 25 de Mayo, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and bedrooms.

Finally, we’ll transfer you back to your hotels in El Calafate.
Total distance traveled: 40 kilometers.

Itinerary

• Beginning of the tour by the hotels (1).
• Entrance to Estancia Huyliche.
• Arrival at the “Estancia 25 de Mayo”, and its Natural Reserve.
• First stop, old homestead.
• Continue the journey to La Seccion, the beginning of the native fauna watching on Cerro 25 de Mayo.
• Explanation about the fauna and birds of the area.
• New stop, walk to the guanaco herds.
• After 4 km, you access the fossilized oyster site.
• Fourth stop, fossilized oyster reef, explanation of paleontology and geology.
• We continue to the Centinela viewpoint 1,500 meters above sea level, panoramic views.
• Return to The Section.
• Field lunch or dinner.
• Return to El Calafate, hotels.

The total tour distance is 20 kilometers.
The walk from the vehicle to the caves is 200 meters and is easy.
The overall distance traveled is 40 kilometers.

Details

Difficulty level: low.
The excursion is suitable for all ages.
People with reduced mobility cannot participate.
No accessibility for people in wheelchairs.
Duration: 4 to 5 hours, depending on terrain conditions.
Frequencies
From November to April
Departures: 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. beginning of the tour of the hotels (1).
Language: Spanish and English.
Includes:
Search at the hotel and your return (1).
(1) The search is provided for hotels, inns, hostels, cabin complexes or aparts with 24-hour reception. Passengers are not sought by daily rental apartments, or any other that does not have a reception, in these cases it is requested to inform the address of the accommodation to locate the nearest hotel.
Transportation in vehicles with air conditioning and heating.
Guide in Spanish and English.
Does not include:
Extra food, not mentioned.
Tips.
It does not require an entrance fee to the National Park.
Lunch or dinner with drink.
Starter: Picada (a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, breads, and other savory snacks), Lentil stew with red chorizo ​​and bacon, and Cheesecake for dessert.
Drinks: Wine, Mineral water and Natural juice.
Vegetarian or celiac option (notify via email)
When to book? Book now to secure your spot. The calendar shows availability.
 Electronic voucher: You will receive your digital voucher, which you just have to show from your cell phone.

Rates

These may vary depending on the date of travel.
Enter the calendar, select the date you want to hire the excursion or service to verify the current value for the day of your interest.

Tips – FAQ

• On a sunny day, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and water.
• Don’t trust the Patagonian sun, always bring a coat.
• In winter, wear a hat, gloves and a warm jacket, if it is waterproof, it is better.
• Wear comfortable trekking shoes for walks.
• Wear comfortable shoes for walks.
• Is food included?
  Lunch or dinner is included, depending on the time of your reservation.
• Where is lunch or dinner served?
  It is served in La Sección, the estancia (ranch) station, the house has a spacious living-dining room with views of Cerro 25 de Mayo, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and bedrooms.
• Do we visit the town?
  No.
  
• Is the guide at our disposal?
  Yes, along with him/she, you carry out the whole activity.
  
• Are there bathrooms on site?
  Yes.
  

If you have any problems booking or need a different service, please get in touch, our staff is at your disposal.

Payments

The price of all our services is the same for any of the payment options we offer.
They include taxes.
Billing is to the reservation holder.

Payment method:
Payment is made by Paypal from the website or by requesting the payment link.

IMPORTANT: our company does not collect credit card information by email or WhatsApp, they are confidential.

Cancellations

• Up to 48 hours before service without charge.
• Only the expenses incurred according to the payment method, if any, will be applied.
• Refunds are made by the same means with which the payment was made.
• If you cancel with less time and are not at your hotel at the time of the search, no refund will be given.