Rates 2018-2019 Season
DISCOVER Location Map UPSALA GLACIER ARGENTINA CRISTINA Buenos Aires Navigation Allowable Limit Santa Cruz Calafate ElElCalafate LAGO ARGENTINO PUNTA BANDERA Estancia Cristina is located on the North-Western shore of Lake Argentino at the far end of the Cristina Channel, preserving a unique corner within Los Glaciares National Park. Founded in 1914 by Joseph P. Masters and his wife, Jessie, this stunning site still maintains its essence, and keeps the family's history alive. A family that, with great effort and perseverance, made of this lonely and inhospitable place a small paradise they called home. CRISTINA (OFFICES) Office: Av. Libertador 1033, El Calafate, Patagonia Argentina +54 2902 491133 +54 9 2902 504180
Fullday programs T hese full day programs grants alternatives to those who prefer a quiet afternoon of walk and history as well as those who are into adventure with trekking and 4x4 wheel drive rides. FULL-DAY PROGRAMS' ITINERARY DAILY DEPARTURES 07.00 AM - Starting our transfer service from the hotels in El Calafate to Punta Bandera harbor 08.15 AM - Embarking at the Estancia Cristina s harbor 08.30 AM - Starting the navigation: Northern Arm up to the Upsala Channel and later on the Cristina Channel. 11.30 AM approx. - Arrival at Estancia Cristina. Time spent at Estancia Cristina (for all the activities) - approximately 6 hours. 05.30 PM approx. - Departure from Estancia Cristina 07.30 PM approx. - Arrival at Punta Bandera harbor. 08.30 PM approx. - Arrival in El Calafate (Hotel). The sailing itinerary is subject to modifications at the captain s discretion, taking into account the passengers' safety. The Upsala Glacier is one of the most important ones within Los Glaciares National Park. Sailing Lake Argentino among icebergs and mountains and then visiting Estancia Cristina will become the perfect combination of nature, adventure, history and pleasure. TICKETS TO THE NATIONAL PARK General tickets AR$ 600: Foreigners 13 years old and older. National residents AR$ 310: Argentineans between 13 and 65 years old. Minors AR$150: Minors between 6 and 12 years old. Students AR$ 60: High school, College and University students (accompanied by a certificate to attest such condition). Free of Charge: Minors from de 0 to 5 years old, inclusive; El Calafate residents, retirees, pensioners, and passengers older than 65 years old (Argentineans); passengers submitting a certificate of disability. Tickets to the National Park will be included in the total amount to be paid, and should be acquired at the moment of hiring the excursion. Rates per person, expressed in Argentinean pesos.
Fullday Programs (valid from October 1 thru April 30) CLASSIC Transfer to Harbor + Sailing the Northern arm up to the Upsala Channel + Cascada de los Perros Hiking + Museum + visit to the Estancia s main premises DISCOVERY Transfer to Harbor + Sailing the Northern arm up to the Upsala Channel + 4x4 vehicle ride to Upsala Glacier Viewpoint + Museum + visit to the Estancia s main premises TREKKING Transfer to Harbor + Sailing the Northern arm up to the Upsala Channel + 4x4 vehicle ride to Upsala Glacier Viewpoint + 14 km. Trekking descending through the Cañadon de los Fosiles (aprox. 4.30 hs) USD100 US$ 40 OPTIONAL! LUNCH USD180 US$ 40 OPTIONAL! LUNCH USD250 US$ 20 OPTIONAL! LUNCH BOX FOR RESERVATIONS AND PROMOTIONS PLEASE CONTACT CONTACT US FOR OUR EXCLUSIVE LODGE PROGRAM! US$ 30 OPTIONAL! TRANSFER Transfer(regular) in/out Punta Bandera (Pick Up starting at 07:00 AM) USD 30.- Transfers are from/to the hotels within the commuting distance or on the way to the harbour (EOLO and Estancia El Galpón del Glaciar, included). Transfer cost will be paid in full when passengers are 3 years-old and older. Rates expressed in American Dollars. Tickets to the National Park are not included
Terms & conditions RESERVATION POLICIES Reservations should be requested by e-mail to and shall be confirmed in the same manner; also, modifications and cancellations. Telephone communications shall not imply reservation, cancellation or modification whatsoever. At the moment of the reservation, please provide the following data: Full data of each passenger: full name, date of birth, ID or passport, nationality, and hotel where he/she is staying Food restrictions, if any. MINORS POLICIES Up to 2 years old, free of charge. From 3 to 11 years old, they pay 50% of the Rack rate (over excursion + lunch). The cost of the transfer should be paid in full. Older than 12 years old, they pay full price. To apply the discount, it is necessary to submit photocopy of the ID of the minors. PAYMENT METHODS Rates are in US$ (American dollars). Company name: Estancia Cristina S.A. Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Information needed: credit card number, expiration date, security code. Wire Transfer: Correspondent Bank: WELLS FARGO BANK N.A. / City: New York United States of America - SWIFT code: PNBPUS3NNYC - ABA: 026005092 Account Holder: Banco Patagonia S.A. - Swift: BSUDARBA Field 59: CUENTA: Current account $ 293-293004523 000 CBU (Unique Banking Key): 03402933 00293004523000 Estancia Cristina S. A. Av. Del Libertador 1037 El Calafate Santa Cruz Paypal Cash: in our office in El Calafate (Av. Libertador1037). The total amount should be paid 24 hours before of the excursion date, no exceptions. Once the payment has been made, please send the payment voucher to CANCELLATIONS Cancellations requested within 3 days prior to the excursion date shall be subject to a penalty equal to 100% of the value of the tour; this penalty shall not apply to transfers and National Park tickets. No-Shows (Passenger does not show up the day of the tour) shall be subject to a penalty equal to 100% of the value of the excursion without the option for credit or change of dates whatsoever. If the cancellation is due to health problems and the passenger cannot take the excursion, a medical certification must be submitted documenting the situation in order to evaluate a possible refund, which will not include the value of the transfers and the National Park tickets. In case that the certificate corresponds to a minor, the refund also shall include the ticket of a companion. Any change on a confirmed reservation shall be subject to Estancia Cristina availability. Cancellations due to weather conditions which prevent from sailing: In case strong winds are forecasted and, on the previous day, Estancia Cristina considers cancelling the excursion, we shall proceed with the rescheduling of the activities, according to availability. If this is not possible, we shall proceed to a full refund to the passengers. If navigation from Harbor to Estancia is not possible: transfers to the hotel in Calafate shall be paid by Estancia Cristina and there will be a full refund of the amount already paid by the passenger. If the passenger is already at the Estancia and it is not possible to go back to Harbor/El Calafate: Estancia Cristina shall pay for all lodging and food expenses at the Estancia. However, Estancia Cristina shall not pay for any charges derived from changes / rescheduling of flights and accommodation expenses corresponding to the passenger s remaining travel itinerary. Estancia Cristina shall reserve the right to cancel and / or modify all or some of the excursions due to weather or operating conditions. Nevertheless, this shall not imply full or partial reimbursement of the amounts already paid. Estancia Cristina shall not refund money in case of strike or stoppage actions or reprogramming of flights, no matter the reasons.
Classic option A t the time of departing from Punta Bandera harbor, at 8:00 am, we will sail the Northern Arm of Lake Argentino to arrive at the allowable navigation limit in the Upsala Channel, and from there to enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier from wall. After disembarking in Estancia Cristina, passengers will be assigned a guide to take a medium-difficulty trekking along the valley which surrounds the Estancia. We will hike along an echo-tone area, a semiarid zone covered by bushes and grass. Later on we will gradually ascend to the first viewpoint, where we will be able to appreciate the valley from Lake Argentino to Lake Pearson. We will continue the ascending trekking surrounded by ñire forests until we reach Río de los Perros waterfall. Later on, we will visit the 'Costumbrista' Museum, an old shearing shed, where guests will be introduced in the history of the Masters family, pioneers in Patagonia, their lives and adventures in the area. Also, we shall take a guided trekking up to the Caterina River, the waterwheel, the Chapel and the rest of the Estancia s main premises. NOTE: The organization of the activities included in this excursion shall be defined by Estancia Cristina. OPTIONAL LUNCH Lunch offered by Estancia Cristina is optional and can be requested preferably at the time of making the excursion reservation. In case you bring your own lunch, the Estancia offers a cafeteria service. Lunch description: Appetizer (two empanadas (turnovers), meat and humita (corn) Main course (lamb stew with grilled vegetables or dry pasta with mushrooms pesto and dried tomatoes) Dessert (Flan) It includes 1 soft drink or a glass of wine per person + coffee or tea Vegetarian / Celiacs options available. Consult.
Discovery option A t the time of departing from Punta Bandera harbor, at 8:00 am, we will sail the Northern Arm of Lake Argentino to arrive at the allowable navigation limit in the Upsala Channel, and from there to enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier from wall. After disembarking in Estancia Cristina, each group will be assigned a 4x4 vehicle with a specialized guide-driver. We will start ascending along the Feruglio mountain chain, a 9.5-km ride which will lead us to where the vehicle will be parked. Once there, we will start a 20 minute trekking over glacial erosion terrain, to arrive at the Upsala Glacier Viewpoint, exclusive viewpoint to appreciate the Glacier accessing from Estancia Cristina only, where we will have enough time to enjoy the view of Lake Guillermo and of the magnificent Eastern front wall of the Upsala Glacier and Southern Patagonian Ice Field. Then, we will be heading back on the 4x4 vehicles to the Estancia main house where guests will have enough time to enjoy lunch (1 hour approximately). Later on, we will visit the 'Costumbrista' Museum, an old shearing shed, where guests will be introduced in the history of the Masters family, pioneers in Patagonia, their lives and adventures in the area. Also, we shall take a guided trekking up to the Caterina River, the waterwheel, the Chapel and the rest of the Estancia s main premises. NOTE: The organization of the activities included in this excursion shall be defined by Estancia Cristina. OPTIONAL LUNCH Lunch offered by Estancia Cristina is optional and can be requested preferably at the time of making the excursion reservation. In case you bring your own lunch, the Estancia offers a cafeteria service. Lunch description: Appetizer (two empanadas (turnovers), meat and humita (corn) Main course (lamb stew with grilled vegetables or dry pasta with mushrooms pesto and dried tomatoes) Dessert (Flan) It includes 1 soft drink or a glass of wine per person + coffee or tea Vegetarian / Celiacs options available. Consult.
Trekking option A t the time of departing from Punta Bandera harbor, at 8:00 am, we will sail the Northern Arm of Lake Argentino to arrive at the allowable navigation limit in the Upsala Channel, and from there to enjoy a panoramic view of the Upsala Glacier from wall. After disembarking in Estancia Cristina, each small group taking the TREKKING tour will be assigned a 4x4 vehicle with a specialized guide-driver. We will start ascending along the Feruglio mountain chain, the 9.5-km ride which will lead us up to where the vehicle will be parked. Once there, we shall begin a trekking up to the Viewpoint of the Upsala Glacier, exclusive viewpoint to appreciate the Glacier accessing from Estancia Cristina only, enjoying magnificent views of Lake Guillermo and the breathtaking Eastern front wall of the Upsala Glacier and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. From here, we will begin the 14-km trekking into the Cañadón de los Fósiles area where we will witness a great fossil concentration of unique characteristics; traces of the latest marine ingression which are leftexposed after the glacial action. Trekking continues on a steady descent trail. During this path, we will take a break to have the box lunch and then we will carry on trekking until we reach the valley surrounding the Estancia. Later on we will head towards the boarding shore. KEY CONSIDERATIONS Minimum age: 12 years old. This trekking, due to physical demand and terrain difficulty, is only suitable for individuals with a good physical condition, since we will trek on uneven terrain. This is not recommended for people with vertebral column, hips, ankles and knees problems. Once the trekking has started, the only way to go back to the Estancia main premises is on foot. It is therefore essential to have trekking shoes, preferably boots with ankle protection. In the case the guide assigned considers the passenger has not the proper physical conditions to perform the activity or lacks the appropriate outfit, this participant will not be able to do the trek, with no refund for that. Estancia Cristina offers an optional box lunch, please request it in advance. Please inform in case you have any food restrictions. OPTIONAL LUNCH BOX: Multi-cereal bread sandwich (2 units): Chicken, smoked pork loin, Tybo cheese, sweet onions, mixed greens and herb seasoning; Cookie with seeds and salty dried fruits; Brownie; Apple; Cereal bar; Mineral water x 750cc. Vegetarian / Celiacs options available. Consult.