Argentina ~ Cordoba, Estancia Los Potreros
A 6,500 acre working cattle farm in the Province of Cordoba, north west of Buenos Aires. 2 to 10 + nights for all abilities. Open year round.
Where 45 minutes drive from Cordoba city in northern Argentina's Cordoba province, about 700 kms north west of Buenos Aires.
What is it like Comfortable, welcoming, surrounded by the rolling grassland hills of the 'Sierra Chicas' - the oldest mountain range in South America - and owned by the same Anglo Argentine family for 4 generations. Los Potreros has retained its authenticity but remembers the little details that make a stay special. Riding is a focus but there's plenty for non-riders too and Cordoba's moderate climate means visits are possible year round.
Who does it suit Anyone who wants to enjoy good riding and rural Argentine hospitality - good horses, good food, good wine and good company. A typical stay includes riding out each day to explore, cattle work with the gauchos, polo - some weeks are set aside for a full week of informal tuition - picnics, wild swimming, asados or a progressive Bellstone Ride following a route through the hills. When not on your horse, you can explore on foot, bird watch, join a wine tasting, swim, learn to lasso or just relax by the pool. We love Los Potreros for private groups - book the whole place for a group of just 6 - but its also sociable and incredibly welcoming for couples and single travellers, with a relaxed 'house party' atmosphere.
Why we love it Its like staying with friends - with great food, activities and service laid on. Proper relaxation and lots of fun besides
SUMMARY
Riding: 4-6 hours a day, or tailored to suit
Horses: Peruvian Paso, Criollo and farm bred crosses
Pace: varied, tailored to suit
Riding ability: all standards from novice to experienced riders; families welcome
Weight limit: about 95kg (15 stone) but please contact us to discuss if you are 83kgs (13st for Polo/Paso horses) or over
Accommodation: comfortable homestead / lodge
Group size: Sleeps 12 (more for private groups); riding group maximum 6
Season: year round (except May / June)
Price: 7 night stays from USD 3276 (approx £2620) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: The horses are Peruvian Paso, Criollo and local cross-breds. They average about 15.2hh and are a comfortable ride, well mannered, responsive and sure footed. They are ridden western style and are used to neck reining. Saddles are English military saddles with comfortable sheepskins and polo saddles. The Estancia takes a maximum of 12 guests (more possible for private groups), with riding groups usually 6 maximum plus guide(s).
Hours: There is usually about 4 to 6 hours riding a day with breaks for rests and lunch, although hours are flexible and tailored to suit. Overnight excursions can be arranged on request, as well as longer expeditions.
Pace and experience required: Riding at Los Potreros suit riders of various ability levels. As a minimum you must have some previous riding experience and be fairly fit. You should be comfortable and in control on a well schooled horse at a walk, trot and canter and used to riding in open country. Experienced riders will have responsive forward going horses and fun riding but there are also sensible, steady schoolmasters, and riding hours can be adjusted, for less experienced riders. The pace is varied with opportunities for canters and some slower days.
ACCOMMODATION
Bedrooms are simple but great care has been taken to make them comfortable. They may be in one of two buildings and are traditionally decorated, with the whole lodge preserved as much as possible in the original colonial style. Rooms have tiled floors, rugs and original, antique furniture and fittings. Bedrooms have wood burning stoves to take the chill off the mountain air and private, mostly en-suite, bathrooms (with either bath or shower) - fittings are traditional in style but work well and there is plenty of hot water! To add to comfort, beds and bed linen are excellent quality, dressing gowns and other extras are provided and there's a very good maid service. Meals are eaten in the dining room of the main house.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2023 |
Estancia based stays 2023 Single room supplement is 30% extra - single rooms are subject to availability; no supplement is charged if you are prepared to share a room with another guest if necessary |
|
Dates 2023 |
Estancia based - on request, year round except May & June |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
| Itinerary in brief - 6 nights | |
| Day 1 | You will be met at Cordoba airport and driven about an hour to Estancia Los Potreros. Lunch or tea when you arrive, meet the horses and a short afternoon ride to try them, returning to the estancia for dinner and the night. |
| Day 2 | Breakfast, then set off on a full day ride to explore the estancia, stopping to swim in a mountain stream and for a picnic or typical 'asado' barbecue lunch. In the late afternoon return to the estancia for a refreshing dip in the pool or perhaps some wine tasting, before dinner and the night. |
| Days 3-6 | Morning, afternoon or day rides of 4 to 6 hours exploring the estancia and surrounding country, riding up onto the tussock grass 'planos', through rocky valleys and forests of acacia scrub where fox and hare are often seen or to a waterfall for a lunchtime swim. There's some wonderful bird life, with brightly coloured humming birds flitting through the trees as well as eagles and giant condors soaring on the thermals. Some afternoons you might want to try a friendly polo chukka with the gauchos or learn to lasso and help round up the cattle and horses. For a change from riding there is always a choice of walks in the hills and 4x4 drives; golf, mountain biking and paragliding are all available locally and its easy to organise visits to local villages, the Jesuit museum, churches and University town of Cordoba as well as in, summer, R&R by the pool. Meals are a highlight and sociable dinners are a chance to try the wonderful home produced fare. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast and a final farewell ride before transferring to Cordoba for your onward flight. |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for Los Potreros is Cordoba airport. You need to fly to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, then take an internal flight to Cordoba, the closest airport to the Estancia. Alternatively you can fly to Santiago in Chile and from there to Cordoba. For flights from London budget around £850 to £1100 economy return (varies with season, carrier and availability).
