Estancia del Cielo, The Ranquilco Lodge

Lodging

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.

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 trophy sizes ranging 18 inches and upward 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.

Children

Families with children are welcome guests at Estancia del Cielo. Keeping in mind the necessity to travel horseback, children should be of a riding age. Children may receive additional horseback and fly-fishing instruction from lodge guides and wranglers. In addition, kids are invited to interact with the children of the estancia's gauchos (cowboys) in residence - a cherished experience of cultural immersion and Spanish language exposure. Hiking trips, swimming, river and pond fishing, and tree house activities can also be organized.

Dining

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, 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 Neuqu'n - the farthest southern wine-producing region in the world. In addition, a stocked bar includes domestic beer, cocktails, and hard liquor.

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