When imagining modern ranching in Patagonia, North Americans should dial the clock back 100 years to the frontier of the American West. Indeed, even the landscape of Estancia del Cielo harkens to parts of Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico. Horseback gauchos (Argentina’s famed cowboy) are a common site, traveling down the trails of their ancestors, working on the same land where they were born.
The term “estancia” is used to describe the oversized landholdings of the enormous livestock ranches found throughout Argentina. Patagonia’s estancias can range in size from 10,000 to one million acres. These ranches were amassed by pioneers as recently as during the 20th century. The necessity of their sheer size is dictated by the low animal-per-acre ratio that the land can sustain. In order to increase herd sizes, ranchers were forced to expand their landholdings. Entire leagues of land, the size of a quarter on a map, can belong to as few as two or three ranching families. To give an idea, between Estancia del Cielo and her three estancia neighbors to the south, the total land acreage quickly surpasses 500,000 thousand acres.
The 110,000-acre landholdings of Estancia del Cielo have a history that spans half a millennium. The indigenous Mapuche Indians originally inhabited the land, a civilization that represented the fringe of the Incan Empire. The conquest of Patagonia by the Argentine government in the 1800’s ceded the Andes Mountains to Western settlers. Today, the blood of the Mapuche Indians is seen in the faces of gauchos, and in the provincial villages where Mapuche traditions and customs are a part of everyday life.
The lands of Estancia del Cielo changed hands several times during the 20th century, until the current North American owner, Ashley Carrithers, purchased the ranch in 1978. Under his stewardship the Estancia has become a refuge of old customs and traditions, and a gathering place for new creativity. Conservation efforts have returned vivacity to the countryside after a century of over-grazing. In addition to renovations of the century-old buildings, new structures were built in architectural styles that range from timber-frame to adobe brick design.
Property amenities:
The Ranquilco Lodge is a remote luxury guest estancia (ranch), located at the heart of Estancia del Cielo in the Andes Mountains of Patagonia, Argentina. Completed in 1980, the three story main lodge is an architectural and construction wonder of hand-carved stone masonry and Patagonian hardwood carpentry. The lodge’s ground level is comprised of a dining hall and Great Room with 22-foot cathedral ceilings, master kitchen, and stone veranda with views of the Trocoman River Valley. Three private suites are located on the second and third levels of the Lodge. Suite layouts include king-size bedrooms, reading/dressing rooms, stone fireplaces, and private bathrooms. Two additional suite accommodations are located in The Manor Home, located across the front lawn from the main lodge.
The house chef has developed week-long menu to highlight the fresh fruits and vegetables from the estancia’s organic gardens and orchards, fresh baked bread, and estancia-raised beef, chivito (lamb-like Moreno goat, a Patagonian delicacy), hare, and Rainbow Trout. Locally produced products like fine meats and cheeses complete Estancia del Cielo’s healthy gourmet fare.
The Ranquilco Lodge wine cellar features an extensive collection of Argentina’s fine wines. Each evening, guests are taken on a wine tasting tour of Argentina’s different wine-producing regions, including the Provinces of Mendoza, San Juan, Rio Negro, and our very own Neuquén – the farthest southern wine-producing region in the world. In addition, a stocked bar includes domestic beer, cocktails, and hard liquor.
Nearby attractions and activities:
HORSEBACK RIDING: The Ranquilco Lodge is located miles from paved-road civilization, making horseback riding not so much a recreation activity as a way of life. When guests arrive at the Estancia del Cielo base camp they are matched with a suitable horse who will be their trail guide and ambassador during their stay in Patagonia. Our remuda includes Argentine Criollo, Arabian, Andes Mountain Mustang, and Quarter Horse breeds, raised and trained on the estancia. Day rides from 2 to 8 hours in length visit the rivers, lakes, and ranching countryside in the immediate vicinity of The Ranquilco Lodge. 1 to 4 night Packhorse Expeditions are organized to explore the estancia’s outer reaches, in the high Andes Mountains on the Continental Divide with Chile. On these trips riders encounter volcanoes, exotic wildlife, hot springs, never-before fished stretches of the Picunleo River, and picturesque homesteads of nomadic gauchos (cowboys). In the Spring and Fall guests are welcome to join estancia gauchos on day-long or overnight cattle drives, and again in mid-summer to partake in the brandings.
FLY-FISHING: Patagonia is the world’s leading fly-fishing destination, and the Trocoman and Picunleo Rivers rank as two of its most precious gems. With over twenty miles of private river running through the ranch, Estancia del Cielo is a fly-fisherman’s dream-come-true. In accordance to the nature the estancia’s remoteness, access to the water is by foot or on horseback. In casting to these wild Rainbow Trout – sizes ranging from 10 to over 22 inches – fly-fishermen rank among fewer than 300 fishermen to have fished these waters in 25 years.
MISCELLANEOUS: The Ranquilco Lodge also includes a swimming pool, Swedish log sauna, volleyball pit, extensive reading library, fly-tying table, and organic gardens. Photography, en plein air painting, and wildlife viewing trips can be organized with local specialist guides. Horsemen interested in the game of polo, Argentina’s national sport, can receive instruction and take part in a match on the estancia’s polo field.
Location:
On the banks of the Trocoman River, in the Province of Neuquen, Argentina. North of the Argentine Lakes District. Neuquén is due-west from Buenos Aires, on the border with
Policy:
* 20% deposit to reserve.
* Children capable of riding on horseback are welcome.
* 5-night minimum stay.
Packages:
SEVEN NIGHT PACKAGE:
The Ranquilco Lodge - $7175 & $ 8750 (3 & 4 persons)
The Manor Home - $7175 (3 persons)
El Boliche - $7175 (3 persons)
The Homestead - $6300 & 7700 (3 & 4 persons)
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
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