The road to the estancia
From El Calafate to Estancia Rio Mitre
Each stop shows the road, the distances and where the Perito Moreno Glacier lies.
Asado experience · El Calafate, Patagonia
Asado Workshop by Medio Perro
at Estancia Rio Mitre
Medio Perro, a grill house in El Calafate, teaches authentic Argentine asado at Estancia Rio Mitre, 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier. Your host is Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil, owner of Medio Perro.
- Daily
- Pickup 11:30 am in El Calafate
- Return 4:30–5:00 pm
- Transfers included
USD180per person
Check availability
- Asado
- Wine
- Patagonia
- Estancia
- Culture
- Fire
- Lamb
- Tradition
01Asado in Patagonia · Medio Perro · Estancia Rio Mitre
You learn asado by lighting the fire
A workshop at Estancia Rio Mitre, overlooking Lake Rico and the Andes. The finest cuts of Argentine beef and the famous Patagonian lamb. Seasoned grill masters and ranch-country tradition.
The day begins in El Calafate at 11:30 am. The drive covers 53 km on Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino, then 5 km of gravel on Route 60. Estancia Rio Mitre faces the Andes and the Magallanes Peninsula, 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier.
At the estancia, Medio Perro leads the Asado Workshop, with owner Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil as host. Medio Perro’s workshops teach how to light the fire, how to tell when the coals are ready, how to lay out the cuts and how long to leave them alone.
The waiting is part of the craft.
Over the course of the day, there is also chimichurri to make and wine to taste.
The day also takes in a visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche and free time in the open country. Once everyone has eaten, guests can stay and rest, or head out and wander the land wherever they like. As an optional extra, not included in the rate, there is a one-hour horseback ride to the Echeverría family’s old house, booked on the spot, directly with the estancia. The return to El Calafate is expected between 4:30 and 5:00 pm.
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Asado, a ritual you can learn
01Asado Workshop with Medio Perro: the techniques of authentic Argentine asado
- 02
Chimichurri making
03Wine tasting
- 04
Free time to roam the open country
- 05
Visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche
- 06
Facing the Andes
03Day itinerary
From El Calafate to the fire, and back
Activities at the estancia are listed in approximate order.
- 11:30 am
Pickup
Departure from El Calafate.
- 02
Transfer
53 km on Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino, then 5 km of gravel on Route 60.
- 03
Estancia Rio Mitre
Facing the Andes and the Magallanes Peninsula.
- 04
Asado Workshop
The techniques of authentic Argentine asado, with Medio Perro. Host: Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil.
- 05
Chimichurri
Making chimichurri.
- 06
Wine
Wine tasting.
- 07
Open country
Free time: once everyone has eaten, rest or walk the land as you like.
Optional, not included: a one-hour horseback ride to the Echeverría family’s old house.
- 08
Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche
Original Tehuelche arrowheads, boleadoras (throwing weapons of weighted cords) and tools found in the region.
- 4:30–5:00 pm
Return
Estimated arrival in El Calafate.
04The route
From El Calafate to Estancia Rio Mitre
58 km in all: 53 km on Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino, then 5 km of gravel on Route 60. The estancia lies 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier.
- 58km58 km from El Calafate
- 53km53 km on Route 11
- 5km5 km of gravel on Route 60
- 30km30 km to the Perito Moreno Glacier
The route
Photos: Estancia Rio Mitre.
Explore the mapkm 0 · Departure and return
El Calafate
Pickup is at 11:30 am. The return is expected between 4:30 and 5:00 pm.
Route 11
Along Lake Argentino
The first 53 km follow Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino.
km 53 · Turnoff to Route 60
Five kilometers of gravel
At km 53 the road leaves Route 11 and continues on Route 60: 5 km of gravel to the estancia.
km 58 · Arrival
Estancia Rio Mitre
Facing the Andes and the Magallanes Peninsula. The Asado Workshop and the visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche both take place here.
Toward the glacier
30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier
Estancia Rio Mitre lies 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier. A visit to the glacier is not part of the Asado Workshop.
The full route
Round trip from El Calafate
58 km to the estancia: 53 km on Route 11 and 5 km of gravel on Route 60. Transfers are included both ways.
Route map: El Calafate (km 0), turnoff to Route 60 (km 53) and Estancia Rio Mitre (km 58). The Perito Moreno Glacier lies 30 km from the estancia.
Distances as given by Estancia Rio Mitre. The route drawn on the map is approximate.
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What’s included in the experience
01 / 03
- Round-trip transfers from El Calafate
02 / 03
- Asado Workshop by Medio Perro: the techniques of authentic Argentine asado
- Chimichurri making
- Wine tasting
03 / 03
- Free time to roam the open country
- Visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche
Optional, not included
Horseback ride to the old house
A one-hour horseback ride to the old house of the Echeverrías, the area’s pioneer family and the owners of Estancia Rio Mitre. Booked on the spot, directly with the estancia.
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Practical details
- Departure and returnEl Calafate
- Pickup11:30 am
- Estimated return4:30–5:00 pm
- Approximate duration5 to 5½ hours
- OperatesDaily
- The drive58 km: 53 km on Route 11 and 5 km of gravel on Route 60
- OptionalOne-hour horseback ride, not included; booked on the spot, directly with the estancia
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Asado Workshop price
USD 180 per person
Includes round-trip transfers from El Calafate, the Asado Workshop, chimichurri making, wine tasting, free time to roam the open country and a visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche.
The optional horseback ride is not included; it is booked on the spot, directly with the estancia.
08Host
Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil
Grill master and owner of Medio Perro, with more than 23 years of experience, he hosts the Asado Workshop at Estancia Rio Mitre.
Medio Perro, an El Calafate grill house
Medio Perro BBQ & HOME is a small grill house in El Calafate, inside the America del Sur Hostel. For ten years it has been cooking for travelers from all over the world. At the restaurant, the team that cooks is the team that serves, and every cut reaches the table explained by the person who made it.
“We teach asado […] to anyone who wants to take home more than a photo.”
09 Venue
Estancia Rio Mitre
Estancia Rio Mitre faces the Andes and the Magallanes Peninsula, 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier. From El Calafate, the road runs 53 km along Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino, then 5 km of gravel on Route 60. The estancia belongs to the Echeverría family, pioneers of the area.
Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche (Tehuelche Interpretation Center)
The Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche holds original Tehuelche arrowheads, boleadoras and tools found in the region. It also keeps historical photographs and stones of geological interest.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Asado Workshop by Medio Perro?
It is a Patagonian asado experience: a class in authentic Argentine asado at Estancia Rio Mitre, 58 km (36 miles) from El Calafate, in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. It is run by Medio Perro, an El Calafate grill house, with owner Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil as host, and is sold by Asado Patagonia.
Where does it take place, and how far is it from El Calafate?
At Estancia Rio Mitre, facing the Andes and the Magallanes Peninsula, 30 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier. From El Calafate it is 58 km: 53 km on Route 11, skirting Lake Argentino, then 5 km of gravel on Route 60. Round-trip transfers are included.
How much does it cost?
USD 180 per person. The price includes transfers from El Calafate, the workshop, chimichurri making, wine tasting, free time to roam the open country and a visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche (Tehuelche Interpretation Center). The optional horseback ride is not included.
What’s included?
Round-trip transfers from El Calafate; the Asado Workshop, with Medio Perro’s techniques of authentic Argentine asado; chimichurri making; wine tasting; free time to roam the open country at Estancia Rio Mitre; and a visit to the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche.
What time does it start, and how long does it last?
Pickup is at 11:30 am in El Calafate, and the estimated return to El Calafate is between 4:30 and 5:00 pm. The whole day takes about 5 to 5.5 hours.
Which days does it run?
Daily. To check availability, just send your date and the number of people.
Who teaches the asado?
Medio Perro, an El Calafate grill house. The host is Matías “Chacho” Chaumeil, grill master and owner of Medio Perro. Medio Perro’s workshops teach how to light the fire, how to tell when the coals are ready, how to lay out the cuts and how long to leave them alone.
Is the horseback ride included?
No. As an extra, not included in the price, there is a one-hour horseback ride to the Echeverría family’s old house, booked on the spot directly with the estancia.
What is the Centro de Interpretación Tehuelche?
It is the Tehuelche Interpretation Center at Estancia Rio Mitre, with original Tehuelche arrowheads, bolas and tools found in the region, plus historical photographs and geologically significant stones. The visit is included.
How do I book?
On WhatsApp, with Zelmar (+54 9 11 2715-3905) or Diego (+54 9 11 6769-7557). Just send your date and the number of people.
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Check availability on WhatsApp
Daily, departing El Calafate at 11:30 am, with an estimated return between 4:30 and 5:00 pm. Transfers are included both ways. To check availability, all that’s needed is your preferred date and the number of guests.