Horse Riding in El Calafate, Argentina: Our Experience

March 24, 2025

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If you’re visiting El Calafate in Argentine Patagonia you’ll no doubt be visiting the famous Perito Moreno Glacier, but what else can you do in this town? Horse riding!

Situated in the flat and arid Patagonian steppe, the area around El Calafate is full of estancias, large sheep and cattle farms, where horses are part and parcel of everyday life on the ranch.

These days, many of the estancias have added tourism to their repertoire, and you can take a ride around the scenic landscapes, overlooking the snow-capped mountains of Los Glaciares National Park and Lago Argentina like a true gaucho.

We went horse riding in El Calafate with Cerro Frias, a wonderful local adventure tourism company based out of Estancia Alice. We opted for an evening ride with dinner, and seeing a bright pink sunset on horseback in Patagonia was a real pinch-me moment.

In this post, I’ll share our experience with Cerro Frias to help you decide if you should add horse riding to your itinerary in El Calafate.

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Several horses of different colors, including white, black, and brown, stand behind a wooden fence at Cerro Frias, El Calafate. The open landscape and distant mountains complete the rural scene.

Table of Contents

Horse riding in El Calafate

El Calafate, and really all of Patagonia, is an amazing place to go horse riding. This is estancia (ranch) country, with huge farms of sheep, cattle and horses covering the vast steppe.

Visiting one of these estancias gives you an insight into the region’s rich gaucho culture. Also known as Argentina’s cowboys, the gauchos and their estancias are a critical part of Patagonia’s identity, existing for centuries in the harsh, wild landscape.

Characterised by their iconic boina (beret hat), no visit to Patagonia is complete without meeting a gaucho!

El Calafate is surprisingly flat and arid, perfect for farmland, but your eye is never far from mind-blowing views of the snow-capped mountains of the Andes and the sparkling blue waters of Lago Argentina.

Of course, hiking is a great way to experience these landscapes, but mounting a horse and exploring on four legs add a whole other element to the dramatic scenery.

You’ll find many estancias in the steppe around El Calafate, but we decided to do our horse riding experience with Cerro Frias, which turned out to be a wonderful choice.

Sally rides a cream-colored horse along a remote trail in Cerro Frias, El Calafate, with the golden plains stretching behind her. The sky glows with a mix of warm and cool tones as the sun sets over distant mountains.

About Cerro Frias and Estancia Alice

Cerro Frias is a locally owned adventure tourism company that offers horse riding and other outdoor experiences on its ranch, Estancia Alice.

The ranch is located just over 20 km outside of El Calafate on Ruta 11, the road to the Perito Moreno Glacier.

There are other estancias that are located closer to the Andes and offer lengthier rides into the Los Glaciares National Park. But if you’re just looking for a casual ride we thought this was the perfect location, less than half an hour from town.

Cerro means hill in Spanish, and Cerro Frias takes its name from the 1,095-metre hill located on the ranch. You’ll ascend this hill on horseback, and some gorgeous views are waiting at the top!

On a clear day, you can see Las Torres, the iconic granite towers in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia in one direction. The similar granite peaks of Cerro Fitz Roy, in the northern section of Las Glaciares National Park in El Chalten, are in the other. Lago Argentina sparkles below, and there are snow-capped mountains in every direction!

Brayden rides a black and white horse along a hillside trail at Cerro Frias, El Calafate, looking back at the camera with a smile. The background showcases vast open land, rolling hills, and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.

A long dining table at Cerro Frias, El Calafate, is neatly set with folded napkins, wine glasses, and silverware. Through the large windows, a serene view of the surrounding landscape and autumn-colored trees is visible.

Horse riding tours at Cerro Frias

Cerro Frias offers three horse riding experiences:

🐴 Horseback riding + lunch | 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
🐴 Horseback riding + snack | 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
🐴 Horseback riding + dinner | 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm

⏰ You can select any of these times when you book the tour via Viator or Get Your Guide

All these experiences include:

🚐 Pick up and drop off at your accommodation in El Calafate
🐎 90-minute horse ride on a trail around the property and up Cerro Frias
🤠 English-speaking local guides
🥘 Meal in the ranch house as per the time chosen (lunch, snack or dinner)

The back view of a gaucho riding his horse across the vast open fields of Cerro Frias, El Calafate, beneath a dramatic sky. The golden grasslands and a distant hill create a picturesque Patagonian landscape.

The only things not included in their tours are drinks to accompany your meal (which we thought were pretty reasonably priced) and tips if you’d like to give one.

Their horses are calm, relaxed, and experienced on trail rides. You don’t need any riding experience, and even kids (aged 6 and up) can take the tour.

Brayden had only ridden a horse once, and while I used to ride a lot when I was younger, I think the last time I was on a horse was at least 20 years ago!

Most people (ourselves included) don’t have a lot of time in El Calafate, prioritising the glacier with room for maybe one more activity.

The shorter horseback ride at Cerro Frias was easy to fit into our itinerary and could easily be squeezed in on your arrival day or the same day as visiting the glacier.

I also forgot how much riding a horse can hurt your legs if you don’t do it often. Brayden actually commented that he didn’t think he could spend an entire day riding!

Cerro Frias is one of the only companies that has a night/sunset option, and I knew as soon as I saw it that’s what I wanted to do. I’m a sucker for a sunset, and what could be better than enjoying a beautiful sunset in Patagonia on horseback? Plus, a hearty dinner in a cosy ranch is such a quintessential Patagonian experience too!

I would highly, highly recommend the sunset dinner option if it works in your plans. You could definitely visit the glacier during the same day, and if you rented your own vehicle, you could even arrange to meet directly at the ranch (which would be on your way back into town).

A back view of Brayden riding a black horse through the open plains of Cerro Frias, El Calafate. The sky is painted with warm hues from the setting sun, and the landscape unfolds toward a large lake in the distance.

A horseback rider’s perspective shows a narrow dirt trail winding through the golden grasslands of Cerro Frias, El Calafate. The horse’s ears frame the path ahead, leading toward rolling hills beneath a pastel evening sky.

Our experience

PICK-UP

We were picked up from our accommodation in El Calafate at 6:30 pm on the dot! After a few more pick-ups around town, we were on our way towards Estancia Alice. It takes just over 25 minutes to reach the ranch.

The light had already started to dim and turn golden by this time, and although we had already driven on Ruta 11 to the glacier the day before, the views of Lago Argentina don’t get old. I had my fingers crossed for a beautiful sunset, despite a lot of clouds concealing the mountains.

ARRIVING AT THE RANCH

When we arrived at the ranch, we met our horse riding guides, Henry and Lukas, and walked over to where the horses were patiently waiting in their pen.

They all looked so chill and very healthy. The horses were saddled up and ready to go, with the addition of cosy sheepskin rugs on top of their saddles, which I had never seen before.

Henry and Lukas got a gauge of everyone’s experience and began allocating the best-matched horse. They introduced each horse by name and helped everyone safely mount.

We got a quick briefing about commands and how to direct the horses. In Argentina, they only hold the reins with one hand, which was a new thing for me!

Brayden was the first cab off the rank, I think he was a little nervous, having virtually no riding experience. He was given a gorgeous black and white horse, Bolita. There were a few apprehensive glances from Brayden as Bolita wandered off around the pen, but he got used to it!

I was given Principio, who I was told is a very well-behaved horse and loves to go for a ride. He was a gorgeous golden colour and seemed happy enough to have me in his saddle.

A close-up portrait of a black horse with a white stripe down its face, wearing a bridle and saddle, in front of a rustic ranch building at Cerro Frias in El Calafate, Argentina. A person wearing a beret is partially visible in the background.

A black and a cream-colored horse rest their heads over a wooden fence at Cerro Frias, El Calafate. Their calm demeanor and saddles suggest they are prepared for a horseback riding adventure.

HORSE RIDE

After everyone in the group was comfortably on their horses, we set off on the trail. The sky was well and truly golden by now, but there were still a few clouds hanging around blocking the colour. I was hoping they would clear.

The horses found a natural rhythm quickly and fell into a comfortable line. My Principio, apparently a natural-born leader, very quickly pushed his way to the front of the pack!

I don’t think I had to give him one command, he knew exactly where he was going and what he was doing.

I had forgotten how relaxing and enjoyable it is to be on a horse. The rides at Cerro Frias are slow-paced, and it was so nice falling into the lull of the movement and simply taking in the scenery.

The view from horseback reveals a speckled horse’s back as it follows a dirt path through the rugged terrain of Cerro Frias, El Calafate. The open hills stretch toward the horizon under a soft blue sky.

The trail slowly climbed up Cerro Frias as the sky started to turn more and more pink.

By the time we crested at the top of the hill, there was an explosion of pink and orange colour peeking through the clouds.

We had a perfect view over Lago Argentina, it was so special. It was a pinch-me moment, riding a horse in Patagonia at sunset, looking at this incredible scenery.

One of the girls in our group put it so plainly: ‘I can’t believe I’m here, in Argentina, riding a horse at sunset!’. She was so right.

Brayden follows another rider, Sally, along a narrow trail at Cerro Frias in El Calafate. The two riders are silhouetted against a dramatic sky, with golden grasslands stretching beneath them.

A brown horse looks over a vast golden plain in Cerro Frias, El Calafate, as the sun sets. The sky is brushed with pink and blue hues, with a distant lake shimmering in the fading light.

We spotted a lot of wildlife throughout our ride. There were lots of the carancho birds, which we were coming to realise was typical in Patagonia, having seen lots of them the previous week in Chilean Patagonia.

We saw multiple hares darting through the fields and even a skunk! I had never seen one before, and our guide Lukas thankfully spotted him at the front of the group and stopped everyone to give the skunk time to move along before we got sprayed.

There were herds of other horses roaming the fields, too. Henry told us they were the ranch’s horses, but they were practically wild. They roamed free on the property, and this group was younger and hadn’t been trained for riding yet.

As the light started to fade, the trail dipped down back towards the ranch.

🐴 Book your horse ride with Cerro Frias via Viator or Get Your Guide

DINNER

Once we dismounted and the horses happily led themselves back to their pen, we noticed the full moon rising over the lake. As if this night could be any better!

A golden moon rises behind distant mountains in Cerro Frias, El Calafate, casting a warm glow on the dramatic cloud-filled night sky. The darkened landscape below adds to the moody atmosphere.

We made our way into the ranch house, where the fire was roaring. I was just starting to get a little chilly at the end of the ride, but it was so toasty and warm inside.

There was a long table set and waiting for our group. Drinks are the only thing that aren’t included, but we happily ordered a Malbec to accompany our dinner – when in Argentina.

Dinner was a hearty and delicious three-course affair. El Calafate was our first stop in Argentina, and we were still getting used to the late dinners. It was after 9:00 pm at this point, and we were both absolutely starving! (Top tip: if you’re usually an early dinner-eater, have a strategic snack before you get picked up like we did!).

Our first course was soup with delicious homemade herbed focaccia bread. The main was a delicious hearty lamb stew, which was SO tasty, and for dessert, we had a brownie with berry coulis and, of course, a big dollop of dulce de leche. All the good Argentine things!

When we were full and a little sleepy, it was time to jump back in the van and return to El Calafate. The night sky is so unpolluted in this area, and we could see dozens of stars out the window on our drive home, and even Mars too.

A simple yet comforting bowl of soup with a side of seasoned bread is served at a restaurant in Cerro Frias, El Calafate. A glass of red wine sits beside it, with restaurant menus and a sign visible in the background.

A hearty bowl of lamb stew with vegetables is served on a wooden platter with a piece of rustic bread, accompanied by a glass of red wine. The warm, inviting meal is set on a table at a restaurant in Cerro Frias, El Calafate.

A black metal fireplace with a glass front showcases burning logs and glowing embers inside a rustic lodge at Cerro Frias, El Calafate. Behind it, a wooden interior with adventure gear and a mounted map sets the scene.

Is horse riding ethical?

I’m always very sceptical of activities that involve animals, especially if they’re not in the wild.

I’ve actually never gone horse riding overseas, because I’ve never felt comfortable with the conditions of the horses.

I’ve seen way too many small, skinny horses mistreated for economic gain. Standing outside in the sun all day with no shade or water, hauling carts full of heavy tourists around a city, or being transported in cramped trailers to beaches or other tourist sites that they wouldn’t normally be in, for lazy tourists to take a ride instead of walking and their owners to make a quick buck.

My approach with wildlife experiences is if you are not completely confident it’s ethical, don’t do it, and I’ve never had that confidence when it comes to horses.

Before visiting Argentina I read a lot about the estancias and gauchos. Horses are a part of their culture and DNA and it was clear to me that they are a valued member of the family and are loved and cared for.

I’m sure that is not true everywhere, and there are always people who are cruel to animals anywhere in the world, but as a baseline, I felt conditions for horses in Argentina were much better and doing a ride at an estancia was something I felt comfortable with.

The horses we rode at Estancia Alice looked healthy and loved. They were so calm and relaxed and our guides interacted and handled them gently and with care.

I asked our guide if the horses enjoyed the rides and how much time they got to rest. He told me the horses get a few days off each week as there are enough of them to cycle through for the rides, so they’re not doing three rides per day, every day.

When they’re not riding, the horses free graze on the ranch. The property is huge and they can roam around as they please, which was very nice to hear.

Riding the same trails might be a little unstimulating for the horses, but it didn’t seem difficult or challenging for them. They have plenty of time and space to run free if they want to.

All in all, I was really impressed with the experience and the conditions of the horses. I’m no expert, but they seemed healthy, happy and very relaxed. They had a huge property to roam around and were loved and respected by the guides.

A close-up of a saddled cream-colored horse standing at a wooden paddock in Cerro Frias, El Calafate, with other horses nearby. The rustic ranch building is visible in the background.

A gaucho wearing a red beret and dark clothing sits atop a black horse, gazing over the rolling golden plains of Cerro Frias, El Calafate, with a tranquil lake in the background. The traditional sheepskin saddle pad adds authenticity to his riding gear.

What to wear and bring

You’ll want to wear comfortable, warm clothes and sturdy shoes.

I was comfortable in leggings and hiking boots, jeans would have also been fine. We wore our fleece jumpers with rain jackets on top, which doubled as protection from the wind. If it’s a particularly cold day gloves wouldn’t go astray either.

I forgot to bring my beanie because I thought we would be wearing helmets, but apparently, this isn’t common in Argentina, so don’t forget a hat or beanie.

Bring as little as possible, as you can’t really take anything on the ride with you. It’s possible to leave a bag inside the ranch, so you can bring a water bottle, extra layers, etc,. but make sure you have everything you need before you start the ride and nothing that you need to hold.

Brayden sits atop a black horse, facing away from the camera, as he looks out over the rolling golden fields of Cerro Frias in El Calafate, Argentina. A fence and a white building are visible behind him.

Other activities at Cerro Frias

Estancia Alice is a gorgeous ranch, and Cerro Frias offers a range of other activities there if you’re not interested in horse riding.

You can do:

A rugged 4x4 tour vehicle from Cerro Frias parked on a dirt path, with the vast, rolling landscape of El Calafate, Argentina, stretching into the distance under a cloudy sky. The vehicle has a modified back section with glass windows, likely for sightseeing tours.

Planning a trip to El Calafate

Planning a trip to El Calafate? Don’t forget to read our El Calafate travel guide too. It covers all the important info you need to know about El Calafate, like getting there, getting around, the best places to eat, where to stay and other handy tips to get your bearings.

🧊 Everything you need to know about El Calafate

The large "El Calafate" sign stands in front of a striking metal Christmas tree structure, with the sun shining through its frame. Rolling hills and a bright blue sky complete the scenic Patagonian backdrop.

Final thoughts: Horse riding in El Calafate

Horse riding in El Calafate with Cerro Frias turned out to be one of the highlights of our time in Patagonia!

It was such a special evening, enjoying a beautiful sunset in the dramatic landscapes on horseback with a hearty dinner on the ranch. It felt like we had a truly Patagonian experience.

Visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier is an obvious must-do in El Calafate, but I would really encourage you to include a horseback ride with Cerro Frias in your itinerary too!

It’s great value for money and not a huge time commitment, so even if you don’t have much time in town, you can squeeze in some highlight experiences.

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Sally Rodrick

Sally Rodrick is the voice behind Sally Sees. She has spent 12 months travelling in Mexico and Central America, and has her sights firmly set on South America. Sally helps thousands of readers discover the magic of Latin America. Sharing detailed guides to inspire and equip them with the knowledge they need to plan their own epic adventures in this incredible part of the world.