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 and family feel but also the important little details that make a stay special. Riding is the 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, stopping for picnics, wild swimming and asados, cattle work or a chance to try polo with the gauchos. When not on your horse, you can explore on foot, bird watch, join a wine tasting or cooking lesson, swim, learn to lasso or just relax by the pool. Perfect for a private group - you can 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 90kg (14 stone 2lbs) but 85kgs (13 stone) for Paso horses or polo.
Accommodation: comfortable homestead / lodge
Group size: Sleeps 12 (more for private groups); riding group maximum 6
Season: year round (except May, June, July)
Price: 7 night stays from USD 4235 (approx £3530) 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 south american style and are used to neck reining. Saddles are English military saddles covered with a comfortable sheepskin, with polo saddles for polo. The Estancia takes a maximum of 12 guests (more possible for private groups), with riding groups usually 6 maximum plus guide(s).
Hours: Up to about 4 to 6 hours riding a day with breaks for rests and lunch, although hours are flexible and tailored to suit.
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 exhilarating canters across rugged grassland and on soft dirt tracks but some slower days on narrow paths, through scrub and woodland.
ACCOMMODATION
Bedrooms are simple but great care has been taken to make them comfortable whilst retaining the feeling of history and authenticity. They are in two separate buildings and are traditionally decorated, with tiled floors, rugs and original, antique furniture and fittings. Most have wood burning stoves to take the chill off the mountain air and (new for 2024) all have recently upgraded en-suite bathrooms (with either bath or shower). Beds and bed linen are excellent quality, dressing gowns and other extras are provided and the ethos is personalised, thoughtful hospitality. Guests have free use of the estancia drawing room - ideal for meeting for drinks before dinner - and sociable dinners are eaten in the dining hall or 'al fresco' on the veranda.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2024-2025 |
Estancia based stays 2024-2025 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 2024 /2025 |
On request, year round except May, June, July (minimum stay 3 nights; 5 nights during Christmas / New Year period) |
Average temperature guide
ITINERARY
| Itinerary in brief - 6 nights | |
| Day 1 | From Cordoba airport, transfer about an hour to Estancia Los Potreros (transfers arranged on request). 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 head out with the gauchos riding to the highest point on the estancia, a ridge with wonderful views, before returning to base for lunch on the veranda. In the afternoon, there might be a demonstration and introduction to the estancia bred Peruvian Paso horses and a chance to try their super smooth riding gait. Time for a refreshing dip in the pool or perhaps some wine tasting, before a candlelit dinner and the night. |
| Days 3-6 | Morning, afternoon and full day rides to explore 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 - keep an eye out for brightly coloured humming birds flitting through the trees, condors, eagles and burrowing owls. One day there might be the option of a friendly polo chukka with the gauchos, on another a chance to learn to lasso, help round up the cattle and horses or take up the challenge of some traditional mounted gaucho games before a delicious asado BBQ. For a change from riding there is always a choice of walks in the hills, to take a 4x4 drive to a viewpoint or perhaps a cooking lesson to learn the secrets behind the estancia empanadas and other typical argentine favourites. 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. Candlelit dinner each night. |
| 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).
