Bardas Blancas, Argentina :: Property description

Estancia Bardas Blancas is located on the banks of the Limay River and the northern end of the Alicura reservoir, some 65 kms (40 miles) from the airport of the ski-resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, the main gateway to Argentine Patagonia and one of its best-known tourist destinations. It is reached by road, and the final approach is by boat across the intensely blue-green waters of the reservoir. There is also a purely land access available.

The property lies in the transition zone between the Andean mountains ?with their beautiful native forests, lakes and snowy peaks- and the central Patagonian steppes. The landscape is characterized by striking wind-sculpted rock formations of great beauty, such as the famous 'Dedo de Dios' (The Finger of God) in the southwest corner of the property known as Valle Encantado, a collection of striking rock shapes that attract tourists from the world over. The name ?Bardas Blancas? refers to the estancia?s spectacularly craggy white cliff formations.

This is a highly scenic piece of land: the semi-arid landscape ranges from small green glacial valleys enclosed by pines and cypress, the beautiful meandering waters of the Limay river, the rocky towers and jagged cliffs of the Valle Encantado, to the grandeur of the immense wide-open steppes and endless skies.

The ranch covers almost 12,000 ha (29,652 acres) ?it has 3 kms (1.8 miles) of cypress-lined shore on the Limay River, and a further 9 kms (5.5 miles) on the Alicurá Reservoir. This makes for fly-fishing heaven, since the Limay is famous for its large and combative brown and rainbow trout, while the Alicurá reservoir provides excellent fishing for browns, rainbows and perch in any weather condition. Additionally, there is a wealth of other fishing options nearby.

The property has a sizeable resident herd of red deer that provide exciting sporting possibilities, with some 300 breeding does and numerous large antlered males that would make good trophies.

Other wildlife includes pumas, red and Patagonian foxes, condors, rheas, wild boar and wildcats.

Rock climbing can be practiced on the property, with many challenging options. There are some 300 sport climbing routes already in place with varying degrees of difficulty, which are guaranteed to test the gymnastic ability, strength and endurance of any climbing enthusiast.

At present the main productive activity of the estancia is farming (it has capacity to carry up to 300 head of cattle) and forestry, with some 250 hectares of 18-year old trees on the lakeshore and a further 100 hectares of 9-year old trees in the upper section of the property which will become productive in some years? time.

The ranch has a modern and comfortable lodge of some 200 m2, with 3 bedroom and 3 bathrooms. Electricity is furnished by solar panels and a wind turbine.

The property includes 3 ATVs, a boat with a modern ecological outboard motor, and a raft large enough to move vehicles from one bank of the reservoir to the other.

There is a good network of internal roads that allow the ATVs and vehicles to reach most parts of the ranch.

Total area: 11,500 ha (28,417 acres)

Location: Río Negro Province, Argentina. About 65 km (40 miles) northeast from the ski-resort town of San Carlos de Bariloche, all along paved roads, on the right margin of the Río Limay and the Alicurá reservoir.

How to get there: Fly to Buenos Aires and transfer to the domestic airport to connect onto a flight to San Carlos de Bariloche (2+ hours). There are several flights per day serving this route. There is a 65 km (40 mile) drive from there ?about 50 minutes- plus a very short boat ride across the reservoir.