Ride Description

Whilst offering a trail from estancia to estancia which allows you to explore the amazing scenery Argentina has to offer, a stay at here also offers the opportunity to play polo or experience ranch work. This is the perfect place to share the life of a gaucho and to embrace his skills which are so important to Argentinian life. His lifetime of experience makes his knowledge of the land and horsemanship essential to life on the estancia.

Here you will stay in a genuine estancia where the accommodation provides a taste of authentic Argentinian lifestyle complimented with the added twist of silver service waiters and luxurious comforts.

Food & Accommodation

The estancia built in the last century is typically Corrientes style with low roof and wide terrace and is set in 2500 hectares and surrounded by eight hectares of gardens. The accommodation has been refurbished to a very high standard to provide comfort and hospitality for the guests. To ensure that you get personal attention there are only seven rooms available all with private bathrooms. There are two living rooms, one with a satellite TV. There is a swimming pool with solarium and a patio.

The estancia has a reputation for high class gastronomy consisting of exquisite dishes served by white gloved waiters and perfectly accompanied by excellent Argentinian wines. Included in your package are wines, beers and non alcoholic beverages. There is a 24 hour coffee service. Menus include a first course, main course and dessert. International, Creole and regional cooked meals are prepared with fresh local ingredients resulting in first class cuisine. Your dinner may be served in the moonlight or by candlelight. A drink before meals is accompanied with local appetisers and exquisite Corrientes 'chipa' (special cheese bread) which will prepare you for the sumptuous culinary experience which follows. Special menus are available for those with specific dietary requirements

Activities

There is a swimming pool and solarium to enjoy. Your hosts can arrange cooking lessons, casino nights, visits to horse races, carnivals and regional festivals. You can also have a massage. There is much wildlife in this area and birdwatching here is quite an experience. The fishing here is superb. Other activities include canoeing on the lake and sightseeing by boat. There are Jesuit ruins and the Iguazu Falls to visit.

Horses

Type of horses: Criollo x Thorougbred (Mestizos)

Nature of horses: Forward going but calm, very courageous

Number of horses: 60

Height of horses: 14 - 16.2 hh

Weight limit: 110kg

Tack type: Argentinian (Correntina) and English (although not recommended on this trail)

Further Details

Languages: English and Spanish

Health requirements: None

Age limit: None

Tuition: No

Included: All accommodation based on two people sharing, all meals, drinks, all riding.

Not included: Transfers

Travel Information

The ranch is

Airport: Buenos Aires

Los Troperos

This trail is aptly named after the Argentinian countrymen or "tropero" who, many years ago, herded cattle along the paths which stretch for many miles through Corrientes. At this time the horse was Argentina's most important working tool. The estancias encountered along the way provided the tropero with accommodation and a hearty meal. This trail allows you to follow the paths of the Tropero, cover the same diverse landscape and view the same breathtaking scenery with the welcome addition of luxury comforts and sumptuous cuisine.

This trail leads you through the most diverse of landscapes including lagoons, forests, pampas, marshes, rivers and dunes. In addition to this Corrientes offers an array of flora and fauna, the attentive observer will see nandues, capybaras, foxes, rabbits, alligators and great variety of birds.

Example Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome arrival at Estancia La Rosita. You will meet the horses and have a short test ride to ensure you are happy with the horse chosen for you. Following this you will have tea and be introduced to the people who will be joining you on the trail. The perfect chance to get to know each other and share in your excitement of the adventure that lies ahead. There will again be free time for you to spend time as you wish before dinner is served in the evening; which, without doubt, will be a culinary celebration of Argentinian cuisine, served to you with the luxury of silver service waiters.

Day 2: After breakfast you will embark on the first stage of "Los Troperos", taking you from Estancia La Rosita to Estancia La Amistad. In the morning you will ride for approximately 3 hours before stopping to enjoy a lunch of barbecued lamb and vegetables near the lagoon. For those who wish there will be time to have a nap in a Paraguayan hammock. In the afternoon you will ride again for approximately 3 hours before arriving at Estancia La Amistad where you will spend the night. You will, of course, be served dinner which you can be assured will be delicious.

Day 3: After breakfast you will embark on the second stage of the trail, taking you from Estancia La Amistad to Estancia Buena Vista. In the morning you will ride for approximately 3 hours before enjoying lunch in the forest consisting of a variety of regional jams and sausages - not necessarily eaten together! Feeling rested and refreshed, you will ride for approximately 2 hours in the afternoon before arriving at Estancia Buena Vista for a refreshing cup of tea. Here there will be free time for you spend as you wish, maybe just relaxing after your long day in the saddle or perhaps having a swim in the pool. Dinner will be served in the evening, another chance to sample fine Argentinian cuisine.

Day 4: After breakfast you will embark on the third stage of "Los Troperos" which will take you from Estancia Buena Vista to Estancia La Teresita. In the morning you will ride for approximatly 3 and a half hours before stopping for lunch and a well deserved rest in a "Pulperia" - an authentic countryside drugstore. Feeling refreshed, you will ride for approximately 3 hours in the afternoon before arriving at Estancia La Terista where you will spend the night. Dinner will be served in the evening followed by a moonlight ride at night for those who wish.

Day 5: After breakfast you will ride along the Corrientes river amongst forests of wild trees, lagoons and pampas until reaching an arm of the river where you will experience the fun of a Ring Race. Lunch will be eaten on the riverside before taking a boat along the Corrientes river to the town of Esquina. In the evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by Argentinian folk music in a restaurant which is truly picturesque. You are then driven back to the Estancia.

Accommodation: The first night you will be staying at La Rosita. The first day of the trail takes you to Estancia La Amistad. From there you will ride onto Estancia Buena Vista which as the name reflects has a wonderful view. The next night will be spend at Estancia La Teresita. All these estancias have very comfortable authentic accommodation.

Minimum group size: 4

Maximum group size: 14

Ability description: Riders must be comfortable and secure at all paces including gallop

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: 5 days riding covering 130km

Departure dates: 17-21 March, 11-15 May, 2-6 June, 21-25 July, 8-12 September, 4-8 October, 15-19 November

Pricing: Price of £760 is based on two people sharing and includes taxes,all meals, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), riding and transfer of luggage.

If you do not wish to share a room then the price is £950 for single accommodation.

Seven day Gaucho and Estancia Experience

Example Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Estancia. In the morning you will ride across the Corrientes gaucho plains in the area surrounding the estancia. A time allowing you to become accustomed to the horse that has been chosen for you, and of course, to ensure that you are happy with the choice. After lunch you will have a short ride during which you will have your first canters and exhilarating gallops.

Day 2: Following breakfast your day will begin by milking. The milk you collect will be used to make cheese eaten by staff and guests at the estancia. The morning's riding will take you to a rural school, leading you through pampas and waters along the way. Visiting the school is the perfect chance to discover and understand the culutural issues of the region. You will ride in the afternoon through forests of native trees either on horseback or in a horse and cart. You stop to visit a "Pulperia" - authentic grocery store where gauchos stop for a drink and buy their basic provisions, before continuing your ride back to the estancia. In preparation of your return your host will have prepared tea for you next to the lagoon where you will relax in the calmness and beauty of the sunset. You will enjoy another delicious dinner this evening in these wonderful surroundings.

Days 3 and 4: For these two days you will assist the gaucho in in his tasks, including, herding, marking and vaccinating cattle. You will be rounding up cattle to take to the corral. If a calf escapes it will be "all hands on deck" to chase him back to the corral. Once in the corral on your horses, you will learn to separate the cows from the calves for vaccination. After lunch and a short nap we take our cattle back to their grazing. On day 4 you will have the option of a fishing trip in the Corrientes and Parana rivers. There are some amazing fish in these waters which may even interest those who have never fished before.

Day 5: In the morning you will embark on a trail crossing the paths of local people, to Don Joaquin. You will ride through various estancias and meet local people in the area. You will have lunch at a wonderful location. In the afternoon you will ride on to the estancia. Here you will spend the night and can indulge yourself in relaxing massages whilst being assured of the warmest of hospitality and excellent home cooked cuisine.

Day 6: In the morining you will ride into the nearby town of Esquina, the perfect oppurtunity to sightsee on horseback. You will stop for lunch in a restaurant on the river coast before continuing your ride back to Estancia La Rosita.

Day 7: A chance to experience the fun and excitement of polo. In the morning you will have some basic training. After lunch you will play a match before enjoying a farewell dinner in the evening.

Minimum group size: 4

Maximum group size: 14

Ability description: Riders must be comfortable and secure in all paces including gallop.

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: 7 days riding

Departure dates: Please contact office for departure dates

Pricing: Price includes transfer from the town of Esquina. Included is accommodation, meals and drinks including alcohol, all riding and instruction by gauchos. Please contact our office for the latest prices.