From El Calafate, in just a few minutes, we'll begin the ascent to the Huyliche mountain range. The route starts by following the slopes of the Cañadon del Arroyo Calafate, from where we can spot the native fauna: guanacos, foxes, hares, loicas, bandurrias, caranchos, and hawks, among other species. We'll continue along the winding ascending path surrounded by erratic boulders, witnesses to the power of glacial erosion, to the Primer Balcón, a scene from the Cenozoic Era, dated at 65 million years old, on the bed of an ancient sea that is exposed in the form of fossils, sediment, and pieces of fossilised vegetation. Stop for photos.
We'll continue to 1,100 metres above sea level, the Upper Balconies, a panoramic point with views of the Andes Mountain Range, the Patagonian Continental Ice, and all the arms of Lake Argentino, surrounded by curious rock formations. On clear days, you can see from Cerro Stokes to Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, in El Chaltén, as well as the Patagonian Continental Ice on the Cordillera. If the valley is cloudy, we can see the mountain range above the clouds, which are normally at 700 metres, about 400 metres below our position.
In addition to the unforgettable views of Lake Argentino, Brazo Rico, the Devil's Throat, and the mountain range, the location of the Balcones above the condor nests makes it an ideal place to appreciate the majestic flight of the Andean Condor, the largest bird in Continental Patagonia.

We'll start the descent by 4x4 on the southern slope of the hill, where we'll stop for a hike to El Laberinto de Piedras, a curious rock formation created by wind erosion over thousands of years. There, we'll find marine fossils, various unique rocks and stones, and fantastic caves created by erosion, a fantastic place for unforgettable photographs. This stop is not made during periods of thaw or heavy rain.
Continuing the descent, we'll arrive at Estancia Huyliche, a historic, active cattle ranch dating back to the 1920s, the time of the historical events known as the Patagonia Rebelde. Then, in the oldest house on the ranch, we will serve lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner according to the booked schedule.
* The Cerro Huyliche 4x4 excursion has 4 options for the descent: 4x4, zipline, or trekking, which must be chosen at the time of purchase. If you are travelling with family or friends and you choose different options, you will share the ascent of the hill by 4x4 and the time spent in the main building of Estancia Huyliche. *
This sightseeing tour lasts 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on the number of participants.
In winter, the ascent may vary.
What to bring: Appropriate clothing for outdoor activities and trekking (warm and waterproof): comfortable shoes, loose-fitting pants (nylon/polyester), jacket or windbreaker, extra fleece, sunglasses, hat, sun cream.