Ride Argentina

With the vast grasslands of the Pampas and the rugged trails of Patagonia, Argentina is rich in riding country. Saddle up and launch yourself into this enchanting wilderness on your trusty steed. Soak up the wide-open landscapes, breathe in the fresh country air and prepare for well-earned gourmet fare when you return to your hotel each evening. This itinerary provides a dynamic perspective on some of Argentina’s most revered destinations.

1. Fly to Buenos Aires

    

2. Days 1-4: Buenos Aires

   You’ve touched down in one of Latin America’s most electrifying cities. Prepare for energy, passion and tantalising cuisine. The city is split into numerous distinct neighborhoods, each with their own pizzazz. We’ve organized you a private bicycle tour of the parks and plazas in the north of the city. Traditionally, these areas are linked to the high classes and aristocracy and as such they provide excellent people watching as you cruise by on two wheels. Highlights include the mystical rose garden tucked away in the Palermo district, the fascinating Recoleta Cemetery where many of the city’s high and mighty have been laid to rest, and the buzzing Plaza Serrano where you can stop for empanadas and a drink. Other delights in store for you during your stay in the city include a traditional asado experience where you’ll watch from close quarters as succulent cuts of meat are fired up on the grill, and a chance to be dazzled by the city’s favorite pastime: tango. We’ll book you a table at the Faena Hotel for the awe-inspiring spectacle of a Rojo Tango Show, where you can devour a three-course menu while a glamorous display of romance and melodrama unfolds before you.

   Accommodation: CasaSur Palermo (3 nights)

3. Days 4-7: Cordoba

   From the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires to the sprawling grasslands of Cordoba, a change of pace awaits. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to the charming family-run Estancia Los Potreros. One of our favorite untapped Argentinean boltholes, you’ll gain an authentic glimpse into rural Argentinean life. With three nights here, you’ll have an abundance of time to saddle up and explore the wild and rugged landscapes of this relatively off-the-radar region on horseback. Traverse hidden valleys that lead to tumbling waterfalls and wooded paths. Stumble across swimming holes and spectacular viewpoints and rely on your expert guide to pick the perfect spot for a picnic lunch. For the full estancia experience, there are two other things we thoroughly recommend during your stay. Immerse yourself in the gaucho world for a moment and ride alongside them as they herd the cattle and tell you stories of Argentina’s cowboy culture. It’s impossible not to be wowed by their incredible horsemanship and many skills. And finally, let us challenge you to a game of polo. It’s a local passion and it’s only right to give it a shot!

   Accommodation: Estancia Los Potreros (3 nights)

4. Days 7-10: El Chalten & Los Glaciares National Park, Southern Patagonia, Argentina

   Fly south to El Calafate in Patagonia, swapping golden pampas for bluer hues. Craggy paths wind between azure lakes and under the towering peaks of Los Glaciares National Park. You’ll stay three nights at Estancia Nibepo Aike, a working cattle ranch located right inside the park. Your Patagonian experience will be focussed on exploring the authentic trails of this captivating wilderness. Against a backdrop of the Andes Mountains and with utterly panoramic viewpoints (some stretch as far as the spine-tingling beauty of Perito Moreno Glacier), you’ll spend your days out and about on your trusty steed exploring quiet tracks away from the well-trodden tourist routes. When you’ve come down off the saddle, you’ll have the chance to try your hand at a number of farming activities, ranging from cattle branding and milking to sheep shearing and herding. For us, it’s this total immersion in the daily life of a working ranch that makes Estancia Nibepo Aike such a unique and endearing place to stay. You’ll be welcomed fully into the family and given a real insight into their lifestyle. At the end of every day, whether you’ve been out riding or hiking or getting stuck in on the ranch, you’ll be invited to enjoy delicious family recipes that have been passed down through generations. How does Patagonian roast lamb take your fancy, paired with vegetables plucked straight from the ranch’s fields?

   Accommodation: Estancia Nibepo Aike (3 nights)

5. Days 10-13: The Pampas

   From the remote and wild Patagonia, you will fly north to Buenos Aires and transfer to Estancia La Sofia, your base in the Pampas for the next three nights. A colonial-style property surrounded by countryside, La Sofia offers a homely experience and an opportunity to learn about the traditional Gaucho lifestyle. Join in the daily riding lessons and excursions around the estancia’s ground, which are included in your stay and adapted towards the guest’s level of riding experience. Polo lessons are also on offer, taught by the owner who used to be an international player.

   Accommodation: Estancia La Sofia (3 nights)

6. Fly home from Buenos Aires

    

Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Argentine Patagonia, Las Pampas