Estancia Ranquilco is a very remote family-owned 100,000 acre horse and cattle ranch nestled in the foothills of the Andes.
This romantic and adventuresome estancia is a vast expanse of land in Patagonia, stretching across leagues of high steppes, river valleys, grazing meadows, and jagged cliffs, into the very heart of the Argentine cordillera. The spirit of the gaucho persists in the cordillera and you see it most clearly on one of the mountain pack trips.
At Ranquilco, you have a choice to base your entire stay at our beautiful estancia, or choose a longer pack trip into the mountains, or base a portion of your stay from the estancia and then book a few days on a spectacular pack trip - it's all your choice! Visit beautiful waterfalls, grazing lands, and amazing vistas.
T.A’s seven and ten day trips into the mountains near Chile, combine luxury accommodation at our beautiful ranch with camping in the pristine wilderness of Patagonia. Ride over endless terrain, remote valleys and huge mountains. Learn to pack and lead a mule and saddle and care for your horse.
As well as scheduled trips Estancia Ranquilco offers completely customizable horse mountain trekking into the Patagonian Andes. You select the dates, number of days and the difficulty and we take care of the rest. No previous horse experience is necessary for these trips although some trips are more challenging than others. The horses are strong, calm, surefooted, and very familiar with the narrow, steep, and rocky trails.
Good time to go
We are open during the South American summer months of November through April. The weather is lovely throughout that time, with cooler temperatures during November and April. January and February are full summer and can be quite hot.
Children at the Ranch
Great for children aged 0 and over
Ranquilco is an ideal place for a family vacation. No phones, computers, and internet means that your family can rediscover the magic of the simple things in life – together.
The estancia is a constant delight to young children. Ordinary tasks on the ranch become extraordinary – egg collecting, milking, bread baking and fire starting are just a few. Our horses are calm and gentle, and many children have learned to ride here throughout the years, beginning at age 4.
For the older children, learning to fly fish, lasso toss, tend an asado and sleeping under the stars are the highlights. Two of our guest cottages, Dossie’s and The Apartment, have day beds or separate bedrooms for your children.
Activities
hiking, picnics, campouts, egg collecting, bread baking, fire starting, milking, fly fishing, tossing a lasso,
Riding based activities
animal care, horse care
Environmental & Social Practices
Environment
Ranquilco is an eco-lodge dedicated to minimizing our impact through self-sufficiency. We grow much of our own food, and produce all of our own grass fed meats. Our electricity is produced onsite by microhydroturbines using reclaimed irrigation water, water for showers is heated by fire, and most of our transportation is by horse. Ranquilco is a living example of large scale ranch style homesteading.
Community
We host a diverse group of staff and volunteers from around the world, who come to work, ride, and play, drawn to Ranquilco by a common love of horses, wilderness and off grid living. Local gaucho families work with us for us as well, bringing a wealth of knowledge, skill and warm heartedness. We all come together regularly to share traditional Argentine asados followed by a gaucho dance, guests are entusiastically welcomed to join in all community happenings.
Ranch History
Estancia Ranquilco is a remote family-owned 100,000 acre horse and cattle ranch nestled in the foothills of the Andes.
It is a vast expanse of land in Patagonia, stretching across leagues of high steppes, river valleys, grazing meadows, and jagged cliffs, into the very heart of the Argentine cordillera. Ranquilco’s western boundary is the border with Chile – the high country – graced with lakes, waterfalls, condors, hot springs and weeks of wandering.
Ashley Kent Carrithers acquired the lands of Ranquilco in 1979 and ever since has fallen deep into its magic sway.