4x4 - Horseback Ride - ZIP LINE- TREKKING Nature and adventure in Estancia Alice, El Calafate The Frias Mount, 1095 mt high, is located in the middle of a valley, offering unique views of the Argentino Lake and Andes Mountains: to the South, the “Cordon de los Cristales” and “Torres del Paine” (Chile’s National Park); to the West, Magallanes and Avellaneda peninsulas, and to the North, Fitz Roy Mount. Also, potencial wildlife viewing. Located in “Estancia Alice” (ranch), 23 kms West of El Calafate, heading to the same direction as the Perito Moreno Glacier, the Mount Frias is a great opportunity to enjoy regional wild fauna and flora, as well as typical estancia animals. Besides the characteristic shrub of Patangonian steppe, a lenga forest in the East slope of the mount can be appreciated. In the Estancia we offer 4 guided activities (4x4 – Trekking – Zip Line– Horseback riding). Although each of them has a particular circuit in the mount, they are carried out simultaneously by each guide and his group, allowing them to do differents activities and joining them together in the ranch, before returning to town. The morning trip offers the possibility (optional) to enjoy a traditional barbecue (Argentinian asado) with grilled vegetables, cooked in clay ovens. Otherwise, midday (12:00) and afternoon (15:30) trips offers fast-food service and drinks (not included) available in the ranch of the estancia, where passengers relax and end enjoy the surroundings before returning to El Calafate. THE 4x4 CIRCUIT We start the 4x4 trip from the farm gate ascending the Mount Frias, for trails with views of the main body of the Argentino Lake. After twenty minutes we stop in the first viewing point at 450 meters, watching at the Centinela river valley. We continue rising to the second viewing point at 1030 meters with incredible views of Torres del Paine, Southern and Northern channels of the Argentino Lake, the highest picks of the Andes mountain chain and the Fitz Roy mount, if the weather allows us. We continue the 4x4 adventure descending the Frias Mount trought the lengas forest in the east slope of the mount, finishing in the Quincho (country restaurant) of the estancia Alice main house where we’ll have meals before returning back to El Calafate. THE TREKKING / HORSEBACK RIDING CIRCUIT Whatever your age or level of riding is, you’ll enjoy this excursion. Beginners can experience a leisurely walk with our experienced guides. At the ranch you will meet your guide, who will explain some basic trail riding guidelines. The wide, well – sheltered trail leads you along the valley to the Frias. And is considered easy to moderate for trekking enthusiasts. We start the trekking or horseback riding going up to the Frias Mount, taking differents trails with your guides. After 30’ you can enjoy the valley of Centinela River and the Torres del Paine (Chile National Park ). There is potencial wildlife viewing (guanacos, hares, foxes-, armadillos and skunks), and cattle hill. Following the trail, it is possible to admire fantastic landscapes of Argentino Lake and the valley of Estancia Anita. After that, the group return to the main house of Estancia (Quincho). FLYING FOX / ZIP-LINE/ ZIP-WIRE / AERIAL RUNWAY / DEATH SLIDE / TYROLEAN CROSSING: “Consists of a pulley suspended on two cables mounted on an incline. It is designed to enable a user propelled by gravity to traverse from the top to the bottom of the inclined cable by holding on harnesses through polleys. The users are phisically attached to the cable by wearing a harness which it is hooked to a removible trolley. A Helmet is required among other security devices such as harness” DESCRIPTION OF FLYING FOX EXCURSION Once we have arrived in the Ranch we will provide you the necessary gear to be ready to enjoy an amazing adventure under the highest security conditions. After an instructive explanation, we depart in direction to the Southern slope of Frias mount where the launch pad is placed, at 1680 feet altitude (part of a trail is done by 4x4 and the rest it is done on foot). We check out again all the equipment and we get ready to cross the 1410 feet of cable. During the cross you will be able to enjoy an amazing view of the Payne Towers, the CENTINELA Valley, ROCA Lake, Southern arm of Argentino Lake… After crossing, we reach a last platform from where we start walking the way back to the ranch.