Ride World Wide "In a Nutshell" Guides
South America
~ The Ride World Wide “In a Nutshell” guide to South America ~
South America offers some of the most spectacular, exciting and varied riding in the world, but we know that the choice can be overwhelming - hence our “in a nutshell” guide was born.
It’s by no means comprehensive, but we’ve tried to highlight the key points for each ride, and hope it can serve as a springboard to help you start the decision making process.
Each ride is of course different, but you can take some things as a given;
~ We only work with small operations, run by a family or individual, giving you a very personal experience.
~ Secondly, wherever you choose to go, you will be given the warmest of welcomes - all of our hosts are incredibly hospitable and accommodating, and you’ll be well fed!
~ Lastly, you can rely on the horses being of a good standard wherever you go.
Therefore the choice comes down to personal preference. Would you rather stay on a comfortable estancia, with flexible riding hours and length of stay, different things going on (cattle work, polo etc), perhaps a pool or other activities - or would you like an adventurous place-to-place ride, covering lots of ground with long hours in the saddle, perhaps using pack horses and camping at the end of the day?
Would you rather see majestic mountains or farmland, rushing rivers or crashing waves?
Do you want to see how the locals live or do you want to escape to the wilderness?
The decision is yours - but we’re always here to help.
NORTHERN ARGENTINA
~ The Climate ~
| September to November | Spring - fresh days, mornings & nights can be cool (quite chilly at night in Cordoba (Los Potreros), warm afternoons. Chance of showers. Corrientes (La Rosita) getting quite hot by November |
| December to February | Summer - very hot & humid in Corrientes (La Rosita), hot in Buenos Aires and surrounding region, pleasant in Cordoba (Los Potreros), max temp around 30°C. Strong chance of afternoon rain but it’s rarely intrusive |
| March to May | Autumn - mild, good for riding though chance of showers. Still hot in Corrientes until mid-April |
| June to August | Winter - still mild, a good time to visit Corrientes. Cordoba (Los Potreros) can get cold at night but normally warms up during the day |
~ The Area ~
Cordoba province, the Sierras Chicas Rolling grassy farmland with forested lower slopes, rocky gorges and waterfalls, rising to open uplands with lovely views over the pampas below
 |
It's for you if... you want a flexible stay at a comfortable family-run estancia, picnic rides, low-key polo, cattle work & more |
~ The Area ~
Corrientes province Flat, semi-tropical cattle country with water meadows, lagoons and unspoiled native woodland. A little visited and wonderfully authentic area
 |
It's for you if... you'll enjoy true gaucho hospitality, mixing fun, fast riding herding cattle & horses, with friendly polo chukkas, a chance to fish and swim |
~ The Area ~
Buenos Aires province Traditional prosperous Argentine farmland with open, rolling countryside, excellent going for horses and plenty of room for fast canters
 |
Jakob von Plessen's Estancia Experience It’s for you if… you want a taste of stylish estancia life, sweeping parkland, polo and good living |
PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA & CHILE)
~ The Climate ~
| September to November | Spring - still chilly in September with snow melting, warming up to become pleasant in November, nights are still cool |
| December to February | Summer - generally the best time to visit Patagonia with January the warmest month. Huechahue rarely sees rain in summer but it can rain year round in the mountains, especially in Chile; there can still be snow showers in Torres del Paine! |
| March to May | Autumn - leaves begin to change colour, rides usually run in the lower areas until late March or April, then winter sets in |
| June to August | Winter - snow! |
~ The Area ~
Dominated by the Andes, Patagonia spans both Chile and Argentina with some of the most stunning scenery imaginable - dramatic mountains, pristine forests, crystal clear rivers and lakes on both sides of the border
RIDES IN ARGENTINE PATAGONIA
 |
It’s for you if… you’d like to be off the beaten track, exploring beautiful valleys and remote mountains; progressive camping rides or a flexible farm stay both possible |
 |
It’s for you if… you want a comfortable estancia in Patagonia with flexible hours, long canters (if you wish), condors, cattle & mountain views; there’s excellent fishing & walking too |
 |
Jakob von Plessen's Argentine Adventure It’s for you if… you want a fun place-to-place adventure in the mountains with comfortable camps and homesteads, stunning scenery, swimming in pristine lakes then Pisco sour sundowners |
RIDES IN CHILEAN PATAGONIA
 |
Southern Chile, Torres del Paine It’s for you if… you want spectacular scenery, long riding hours and open space for fast riding; progressive estancia and camping options |
 |
It’s for you if… you want full riding days through ancient forest, across crystal clear rivers & lakes with no other tourists to be seen; nights in simple farms & lodges / some camping |
BRAZIL
~ The Climate ~
| September to December | Spring - mild, good riding weather with temperatures from low to high 20s°C, usually sunny with chance of showers |
| January to March | Summer - may be hot, daytime temps up to 30°C, a little cooler in the evenings. Rainy season - usually short afternoon bursts |
| April and May | Autumn - cooling down, pleasant, chance of showers |
| June to August | Winter - the coolest and driest months, temperatures rarely fall below 10°C, very pleasant for riding |
~ The Area ~
Santa Caterina Coxilha Rica Farmland with rolling grassy hills and forested valleys going on for miles. Prime cattle country with a wonderful local gaucho culture
 |
It’s for you if… you want a place-to-place ride with relaxed, fun riding, open space and lots of socialising with guests and gauchos |
ECUADOR
~ The Climate ~
| June to November | Difference in day / night temperatures pronounced - can drop to freezing at night, by day high 20s°C. July and August are the driest months with excellent visibility. Heavy showers likely in October |
| December to May | More temperate with milder nights and cooler days, up to around 25°C. Rainy season, particularly May, but generally not all day - often afternoon storms when you have finished riding |
~ The Area ~
The Ecuadorian Highlands Open, grassy highland slopes, snow-covered volcanoes, pastoral valleys with patchwork fields of crops, adobe houses, traditional haciendas, markets and colourful locals
 |
Ride Andes Colonial Hacienda Ride It’s for you if… you’d like a place-to-place ride with comfortable accommodation & a mix of local culture & scenery |
 |
Ride Andes Andean Adventure Ride It’s for you if… you want a place-to-place ride with long hours & wilder country and are happy to stay in simple local farms to get off the beaten track |
 |
Ride Andes Volcano & Vistas Ride It’s for you if… you want a longer place-to-place ride, to get off the beaten track and see Ecuador’s varied terrain and areas |
PERU
~ The Climate ~
| April to November | Dry season - rain clearing through April to become dry, clear days from May to October, with excellent visibility. Low 20s°C by day, can drop to nearly freezing at night |
| December to mid-March | Wet season - heavy rains, no rides as slippery going |
~ The Area ~
The Sacred Valley of the Incas Spectacular mountain scenery high in the Peruvian Andes, with remote villages, peasant farmers and Inca ruins. Rides follow ancient roads & mountain paths and cross open plains
 |
It’s for you if… you’d like to see the wonderful scenery & local culture of the Peruvian Andes, stay in comfortable hotels, visit Machu Picchu and ride a superb pure bred Peruvian Paso |
URUGUAY
~ The Climate ~
| September to November | Spring - can be breezy and chance of showers, but mild temperatures and fine for riding |
| December to February | Summer - hot but pleasant, lower humidity, most days 25-30°C |
| March to May | Autumn - mild & pleasant, can become quite cool in May |
| June to August | Winter - quite cool (around 10-15°C) and can feel chilly due to high humidity |
~ The Area ~
Rocha Province, Atlantic Coast Coastal farmland and wide sandy beaches perfect for long canters. Excellent cattle country with rolling green pastures
 |
It’s for you if… you’d like a largely un-touristed country and long canters on deserted beaches, staying in local hotels and estancias |
