Estancia Rio Mitre

This Patagonian cultural experience in El Calafate on Lago Argentino and across from the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares is the result of the cooperation between local families with the goal of providing an alternative kind of travel experience in an area otherwise dominated by mass tourism. More than just a cultural center, Estancia Rio Mitre is a laboratory for social innovation and entrepreneurship with the aim of promoting community tourism projects in Patagonia. An association of currently just two families, Estancia Rio Mitre aims to expand its community project to another eight ranches, so that locals – at risk of being displaced from their homes by mass tourism services, and who otherwise would not benefit from tourism in Patagonia – can open their homes to travelers to the El Calafate region and give them firsthand experience of Patagonian food, culture and traditions.

Travelers can visit Estancia Rio Mitre during their stay in the Los Glaciares National Park. Here they will experience Patagonian culture, food and traditions, as well as learn traditional survival techniques and hear the history of Patagonia through song.

VSocial supports the tourist service providers by advising them and sending tourists via the VSocial cooperation partners to visit the project.

We impacted two local families at this stage of the project.