Landscape, Wildlife, and Travel Photography
Patagonia Part 3: Estancia

Patagonia Part 3: Estancia

Part 3 of 3, our visit to an estancia, Estancia La Peninsula.

This is my second visit to an estancia, or ranch, and it was largely that experience that led me to seek out another estancia to visit. To visit an estancia in Patagonia is to seemingly step back into time. Where shepherds watch over their herds, horses are the main transportation, and lunch is made over an open fire. These remote ranches, commonly raising sheep, have discovered tourism as an additional source of income (or even primary source). 

We had great weather the day of our visit – no rain and no real wind – which allowed us to linger outside longer, talking with our guides, watching lunch be made, or just roaming around with a camera. There were things to do, but nothing felt overly rushed or fabricated. It would be great to spend even more time here and really settle into the landscape.

The journey begins via a boat ride. While it’s a peninsula, it’s otherwise cut off due to the geography of the land (i.e., ice field). After a 30-40 minute crossing, we were greeted with pastries, coffee, and tea. We explored just a small corner of the estancia via horseback before returning for a generously portioned lunch. The afternoon entailed watching and learning about sheep herding, and grading sheep wool, followed by some downtime, and our all-too-quick return by boat to town. 

Welcoming yet austere. Wild and beautiful. We may have come for the mountains, but took away the most from our day at the Estancia La Peninsula.

All photos from April 2025.

You may notice that all of the horses from this estancia are white. That was no accident. While these horses are all active working horses, and Criollo horses are known for their ability to thrive in the outdoors year-round, making them ideal for the estancia’s needs, the white horses they found to be more popular with tourists and better for photography. No joke. Apparently, it does make them easier to find, especially in wooded areas.
Gearing up for a ride. Luckily it wasn’t cold enough to need to have the chaps warmed up on the stove.
Lunch being prepared.
One of two sheep dogs, this one was the elder who was teaching the younger one the commands. The younger onces will chase the older dog and over time pick up on what the commands mean and what to do. These are some hardworking dogs, eager to do their job.
Bad hair day? Great hair day?
Not on the La Peninsula, but rather near the refugio we stayed at. As noted above, all of the horses at this Estancia are white. 

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