Fabulous location on an arm of Lago Argentino. Very laid back feeling. Although it was (and still is) a family-owned place, the owner apparently lives elsewhere, and it feels like it. The place appears to be run by very pleasant and capable people of not much more than student age, who don't have much of commitment to it or to you as a visitor. It's an attitude not a language issue cos we (and some other guests) had Spanish and many staff have English. They do provide a walks sheet which is helpful. Apart from that, you have make an effort to discover what's to see on the ranch, and when, cos they dont go out of their way tell you. You soon discover it isn't basically a working ranch, more a sort of day out from Calafate for riding, walking and watching the animals. Food generally good, especially in the nearby grill restaurant; breakfast a bit modest. Accommodation adequate, though I think some rooms may have been better that ours, and they keep a fire going in the main public room which is welcoming.

Can't avoid mentioning the electrcity arrangements. They have their own generators (usual at such remote locations) and supply full voltage power for a minimum number of hours each day at times which suit their convenience not yours. You are given the schedule which is several hours after 9.30 am, an hour or so in the late afternoon, and from 8.30 pm till late evening. There is an emergency lighting back up but it wasn't operating. Makes charging batteries etc a pain, not to mention shaving if you use a power razor (I don't). Worse: bathroom had no outside window, so first morning showered in darkness using (our) torchlight. Complained after that and they relented a bit. They need to get a grip and that means a manager on site.

The location is absolutely great in the middle of a Nationla park, but if you expect to see a real working farm, you will be dissapointed- a few sheep & cows that they have are just a tourist attraction. The location is good, but qua activities there is actually not much on offer. Horsebackriding is avialiable for 1 hour or 3 hours, there are 2 mountain bikes, 2 short waliking trails, but apart from that there is not much to do.
Personnel is helpful, but not very interestedin what they do. In general, the food was OK, but breakfast definitely needs to be improved.
Nibepo was the 3rd estancia we visited, the most expensive and the most dissapointing of all. I would suggest visiting it for a day rather than staying at it. If you want to experience real Patagonia & have time, try estancia El Condor, it is absolutely amazing & people are great.

I just loved our stay here. We were there at the very end of the season, so we were probably the last guests before the winter set in. Driving down this road to the estancia (about an hour and a half? from el calafate), I was starting to wonder where I was taking my friends. I was nervous when we pulled up and were the only people parked in the little lot. Wow, though, how quickly my anxiety evaporated and how great I felt when I realized that all of my hard work and research paid off.

The hosts (a cute married couple) couldn't have been more welcoming or wonderful. The place is really cozy and cute. The power comes on at a certain time, you are either alone or with only another guest or two, and it is a SUCH a retreat. We LOVED it! So much. The rooms are really big and so clean. The food was delicious. The coziness factor was over the top. It was a beautiful, fun, relaxing retreat. And really close to the glacier hikes. The views from the estancia are unmatched. To be sure, it really is in the middle of nowhere. Don't expect to scoot out for a quick drink or dinner (though the food was great and there was tons of wine to buy for a great price much less than what I'm used to paying in Manhattan), BUT it is a wonderful escape.

My recommendation might be what we did - One night at Esplendor Calafate, which was a beautiful hotel "in town", and enjoy one of the delicious restaurants there. There head to the estancia for a night of r&r, glacier hiking the next day, another night or r&r, and then head back. Don't miss the horseback riding. It is so freaking gorgeous. You will freak out when you see how beautiful the scenery is down there. And it is cool to know that the estancia goes all the way to the chilean border.

Such a pleasant experience of a lifetime!

I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, which might cut back on how many hours you need to spend researching.

We stayed here in January and were quite disappointed with our stay. The ranch is one and a half hour drive from El Calafate on a rough road and all day trips require three hour return trip. Service was hap hazard and it was difficult to find information on prebooked trips. Horse riding on the ranch was amazing but was only offered when we requested it, despite having been prebooked and paid for. Overall, very remote and very little on offer. We expected a more vibrant, working ranch with the opportunity to get involved in ranch life. Great if you want to sit by the open fire and read books and escape city life though.