Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tecni-Austral
( 434316; ticket office Moyano 516)
Buses to Ushuaia via Tolhuin three
times weekly at 8:30am; to Río Gallegos and Punta Arenas three times weekly.
BUSES FROM RÍO GRANDE
DESTINATION
COST (AR$)
DURATION (HR)
Punta Arenas, Chile
280-370
9
Río Gallegos
355
8
Tolhuin
60
2
Ushuaia
100
4
ESTANCIAS AROUND RÍO GRANDE
Much of Tierra del Fuego was once the sprawling backyard of wool baron José Menén-
dez. His first
estancia
- La Primera Argentina (1897), now known as
Estancia José
Menéndez
, 20km southwest of Río Grande via RN3 and RC-b - covered 1600 sq km,
with more than 140,000 head of sheep. His second and most treasured venture was La
Segunda Argentina, totaling 1500 sq km. Later renamed
Estancia María Behety
( in
Buenos Aires 011-4331-5061;
www.maribety.com.ar
; 1 week per person US$7500; Dec-Apr)
after
his wife, it's still a working ranch, 17km west of Río Grande via RC-c. Besides boasting
the world's largest shearing shed, it is a highly exclusive lodge, catering to elite anglers
eager to fish some of the world's largest brown sea trout, which grow up to 16kg. Two
lodges accommodate up to 18 fly-fishers, the full quota for the river.
Several
estancias
have opened to small-scale tourism, offering a unique chance to
learn about the region's history and enjoy its magic. Reserve as far in advance as pos-
sible.
The lauded
Estancia Las Hijas
( 02901-15-617022, 02901-15-554462;
www.estancialashijas.com.ar
;
RP16; per person overnight or day trip US$85, day trip incl transport
$290)
offers small-scale family visits for small groups (inquire ahead since different
parties can combine). They are known around these parts as 'locos divinos' (crazy but
fun). After horseback riding, rounding sheep and barbecues, guests stay in basic lodgings
with shared bathrooms. It's located 33km north of Tolhuin, 7km in on the dirt road RP16
(formerly 'G'). If you go with transportation included (from Ushuaia or Río Grande),
there's must be a minimum of two people. A stay includes dinner, breakfast and activit-
ies.
The rustic and charismatic
Estancia Rolito
( 02901-432419, 02901-437351;
www.tierradelfuego.org.ar/rolito
; RC-a, Km14; r per person half-/full board US$155/235)
is very Ar-
