Estancia Los Potreros

Long trail rides through wonderful countryside, the chance to experience Argentine traditions and the opportunity to try your hand at Polo are all possible on a centre based stay at this traditional working estancia amidst the beautiful Sierra Chicas.
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Ranches and Cattle Drives
10 days / 7 riding
From £2,845
Open to non-riders
  • Estancia Los Potreros
    Estancia Los Potreros

Itinerary

Highlights

- Immerse yourself in the life of the gaucho
- Introduction to polo - an exhilarating and addictive sport. This is normally available once a week and all guests can participate (the estancia organises special "polo weeks" and extra tuition can be arranged locally at extra cost if required)
- All abilities are welcomed and there is a horse to suit everyone
- Competent riders can experience the "cadillac of horses", the Peruvian Paso
- Relax in the comfort and elegance of this converted estancia
- Non-riders are welcome to just relax, discover hiking trails, try their hand at wine tasting or play golf (at extra cost - there are three excellent golf courses nearby)
  • Day 1 1 : EUROPE - BUENOS AIRES

    International flight to Buenos Aires from Europe.
  • Day 2 2 : BUENOS AIRES - CORDOBA - 2 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    On arrival at Buenos Aires International Airport (Ezeiza) you will need to collect your luggage and make your way across the city to the domestic airport (Aeroparque). We recommend using a Remis, which is a pre-paid taxi and the desks are after baggage collection and before you enter the main arrivals hall. Check-in for your short flight to Cordoba (c. 1hr). Please note that you must leave at least four hours between your arrival and departure flights in order to clear passport control, collect your luggage and transfer across the city.

    On arrival at Cordoba airport you will be met by our transfer driver and transferred to the estancia (c. 50mins drive) where you will be met by your hosts. If you plan to arrive after 20.00, an additional transfer fee may apply.

    NB. It is also possible to take an overnight bus from Buenos Aires to Cordoba if you prefer - please ask for details.

    Depending on the time of your arrival, you could join a sunset ride to get used to the "gaucho" style of riding: long legs, deep seats and neck reining. In the evening, enjoy dinner with your hosts Kevin and Lou and your fellow riders.

    IMPORTANT : The itinerary is entirely flexible and the following is an example of some of the rides and activities on offer, however, you can ride as much or as little as you like.
  • Day 3 3 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    For your first full day at Los Potreros, ride to the ‘Top of the World’, the highest point on the estancia, to appreciate the spectacular views out over the Sierras Chicas. The trail along the ridge is perfect for condor and eagle spotting, before returning to the estancia in time for lunch on the veranda.
    In the afternoon, you may be invited to a demonstration and introduction to the very special Peruvian Paso horse. Learn more about this amazing 5-gaited horse, before trying out their super smooth paces yourself. All our these horses are home-bred on the estancia and are forward-going and extremely comfortable.

    Please note: depending on your arrival day, your third day might be a Sunday. On Sundays, there are morning rides but no afternoon rides. There are a range of other activities available on the estancia (guided walks, farm drives, wine tastings...)
  • Day 4 4 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    A long morning’s ride to the far south of the farm, dropping into the local village to visit a unique and unusual chapel and museum that was built as a memorial to his wife and daughter by Guido Buffo, an art and science lover. Enjoy a traditional Argentine ‘asado’, sampling several different cuts of the estancia’s home-reared beef, washed down with plenty of Malbec.

    Take the rest of the afternoon to relax by the pool and in the evening, you are invited to an informal wine-tasting, sampling local wines of the region before sitting down to a candle-lit dinner.
  • Day 5 5 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    Cattle day! Discover your inner gaucho as you help the boys round up our herd of award-winning Aberdeen Angus, collecting them and moving them across the hills to our cattle station. Following lunch ´gaucho style´ under a shady tree, see if you can master the art of the lasso in the corrals, before some lovely long open canters along the top of the hills as you return to the estancia for tea and cake on the veranda.

  • Day 6 6 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    The ride this morning drops down to our hidden waterfall where you can take a dip or just take a few moments to relax in the cool shade. From there a wonderful long canter takes you up to ‘Potrero de Niz’, the original family home of the Beggs, and a delicious picnic lunch on the porch. Perched on the top of a hill, the house has stunning views over the valleys, and we warn you that once there you will never want to leave! In the afternoon we ride back via the ‘Bellstone’ which will have the geologists amongst you scratching your heads. Tonight, our chefs open the farm kitchen doors and invite you to join them in preparing some traditional local dishes whilst sampling some more fabulous Argentine wines.

  • Day 7 7 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    No horse-riding holiday to Argentina would be complete without trying your hand at the ‘Sport of Kings’ – polo! Ride down to the polo ground where you will be given a short lesson followed by some practice ‘stick and ball’ and then play a few chukkas of this highly addictive game. After a barbeque lunch, challenge our gauchos to some gaucho games – barrel racing and ‘sortija’ – a race that involves spearing a small ring with a stick at speed!

    The 7-day itinerary includes 1 polo session.




  • Day 8 8 : LOS POTREROS - 4-6 hours riding

    Estancia Los Potreros
    On your final day, ride through plunging gorges and over soaring mountain tops to reach ‘Las Tasas’ – a gorgeous natural swimming-hole where you can dive, swim or just take a snooze in the sun. After a shady picnic lunch, help our gauchos round up the mares and foals to protect them from the elusive puma. Tonight, enjoy some live traditional Argentine music with a glass of wine in the garden before sitting down to a fabulous farewell dinner.


  • Day 9 9 : CORDOBA - BUENOS AIRES - EUROPE

    After a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, you are transferred back to Cordoba airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. Again you will need to take a remis across the city to the international airport for your flight back to Europe.

    Check in is at 14:00 and check out is at 10:00. Those guests with later departures are welcome to ride in the morning and stay for lunch but must check out of their rooms by 10:00.
  • Day 10 10 : EUROPE

    Arrival back to Europe.

Dates & prices

Price details

- International/domestic flights to your destination, Cordoba are not included, but can be booked on request - please contact us for rates.     

- Rates are per person, based on two riders sharing a twin or double room during your stay. Rates are based on a stay of 7 nights.

- The riding groups are composed of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 international riders.

- You can arrive and depart on any day and stay for as long as you like. The minimum stay is 3 nights (except over Christmas and New Year: 5 night minimum stay) and we recommend a stay of 7 nights so that you can experience all of the activities on offer. The dates shown above are for example purposes only. Please enquire for prices for shorter or longer stays (rates listed are based on 7 days and therefore benefit from a special long stay rate). There is little rainfall in the area. Please note the estancia will be closed in May and June.

- Airport transfers from/to Cordoba airport are included between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00. Transfers can be arranged outside these times or from the city centre and have an extra cost of $75 (per car - max. 3 people), please contact us.

- There is no single supplement if you are willing to share a bedroom with another rider of the same sex. There are also a limited number of single rooms available without supplement so please do ask. To request your own double room there is a supplement of 30% of the ride price (calculated according to the season).

- Children are welcome but must be aged 10 or more, except by prior agreement. There is a discount of 20% for children aged 10 to 16 years old.

- The listed price includes at tax refund and is not valid for Argentinian citizens.

- The estancia can be booked on an ‘exclusive use’ basis for groups of 6 full paying adults or more. Please enquire.

- Polo sessions U$150 per person. Seven nights+ itineraries include one polo session.

- Although this itinerary is predominantly riding-focused, non-riders are welcome, and all guests can take part in non-riding activities:
> Farm drives to the cattle station, local school or dominican church,
> Introduction to traditional argentine cooking and wine tastings,
> Walking and birdwatching,
> Relax by the pool...

- Please respectfully note that we have a riding weight limit of 15stone/95kg/210lbs, and 13 stone/83kg/182lbs for polo and for the Peruvian Paso horses.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

1 English speaking horse guide
Gauchos team at the estancia

Logistic

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle

Inland transports

Airport transfers to/from Cordoba between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm

Accommodation

Double/twin room at the estancia

Meals

Full board including all meals and drinks from dinner D2 to breakfast D9

Extras

One polo session

Price doesn't include

Meals

Beverage and personal extra

Transports

International and domestic flights
Visa fees for those with USA, Canadian or Australian passports

Extra

Tips to local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurances are not included. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend to take out an insurance policy as soon as your travel is booked in case of cancellation.

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement (if not willing to share). See above the price details. 30% of the price depending on the season.
  • Departure Return Price without flights Status
    30/03/2024 08/04/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    27/07/2024 05/08/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    26/10/2024 04/11/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    30/11/2024 09/12/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    07/12/2024 16/12/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    14/12/2024 23/12/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    21/12/2024 30/12/2024 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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    28/12/2024 06/01/2025 £2,845 €3,272 $3,528
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Equestrian info

Horses

With a riding herd of over 80 horses, there is something to suit everyone. The horses, mainly bred on the estancia, are responsive, sure-footed and willing. The varied work that they take part in, including rounding up cattle, taking out guests or playing polo, combined with the natural lifestyle they lead in an un-stabled herd environment means the horses are always fresh, interested and keen to do their jobs. The herd is a mixture of Criollos, Paso Peruanos and crossbreeds.

Please respectfully note that we have a riding weight limit of 15stone/95kg/210lbs, and 13 stone/83kg/182lbs
for polo and for the Peruvian Paso horses.

Guide & local team

Your hosts at the estancia are Kevin and Louisa Begg who speak both English and Spanish. You may be guided by a member of their local team but lead guides always speak good English.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

The estancia welcomes riders of all abilities, from complete beginners to experienced riders. Rides are split according to ability so that those who wish to only walk can do so, whilst those that prefer some trotting and cantering can move on a faster pace where appropriate.

Some activities such as Polo or cattle work are reserved to those with some riding experience.

Please respectfully note that there is a riding weight limit of 15stone/95kg/210lbs, and 13 stone/83kg/182lbs
for polo and for the Peruvian Paso horses.

Pace

The pace is varied and dependent on your wishes. However, the terrain is quite rocky and so fast riding is not always possible. There will be opportunities to canter during the course of the week, but this is not a fast ride.
Competent riders may get the chance to ride a Paso Peruano horse which is characterized by : the "llano de paso". This is a "running walk" where the horse exhibits alternate lateral movements - it is a smooth, graceful, fast and extremely comfortable pace.

Tacking ability and participation

You are not expected to tack up your horse and this is all done for you by the team of gauchos. If you wish to assist then you may do so. You may be asked to help untack at the end of the day.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

Horse riders in good physical fitness will feel more comfortable on the longer riding days, but all abilities can be accommodated. No specific experience is required.

Guests can expect to be in the saddle between 4 – 6 hours per day.

Visiting a new country offers the opportunity to meet other cultures with different mentalities, therefore it is important to accept these differences and respect the local way of life.

Equestrian equipment

For trails you will ride in traditional Argentina tack - wooden saddles with many sheepskin layers on top for comfort and simple snaffle bridles. For polo you will ride in English tack.

A hard hat must be worn when playing polo, gaucho games or for children. We recommend our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and that you bring your own to ensure a proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

Accommodation on the estancia is simple and traditional, but providing you with all creature comforts. The estancia can welcome a maximum of 12 guests. Rooms are individual and tastefully furnished in keeping with the history and style of the estancia, and have their own private bathroom. Antiques and books abound, and crisp winter nights are warmed by wood-burning stoves and open log fires. There is a pool to rest after long rides in the summer heat (not open during the winter months)

For families, the Estancia also has two cottages with interconnecting rooms ideal for families

Meals are European in style, varied and delicious, with plenty of excursions into local favourites, with homemade dishes supplemented by the estancia's own organically grown vegetables, fruit and free-range eggs. The excellent chef can cater for a range of special dietary requirements.

Free wi-fi is available in the main building but is satellite-based and as such can be slow and/or intermittent. Wi-Fi is turned off during drinks and mealtimes. Please note there is no mobile phone signal.

Meals

All meals are included, including drinks. The meals have a European influence and meat, particularly beef, is popular in Argentina. Most of the meat and vegetables will be sourced locally, from the estancia itself or its neighbours. In particular you may enjoy sampling the local wines.

There are excellent cooks who are delighted to cater for any specific dietary requirements, including vegetarians or food intolerances, given sufficient notice in advance, within the limits of what can be sourced locally. Please ask for our information sheet on outline menus that we are able to provide for specific dietary requirements in advance of booking.

Climate

The climate of Córdoba, like most of the province, is sub-tropical with four distinct seasons. However, this part of Argentina can be visited all round and the pleasant riding weather can be experienced at all times of the year, with few extremes.

The average annual temperature is 18 ° C.

In January, the hottest month of the southern summer, temperatures range between 17 ° C and 31 ° C, with high temperature differences between day and night.

In July, the coldest month of the southern winter, average temperatures vary between 4 ° C and 19 ° C, with frequent frosts and occasional, but rare, snowfalls.

Tips

Tipping is not expected but if you are happy with the service you receive then you may wish to leave a tip for the team. You can leave this with your guide who will ensure that it is split between all members of staff. We would recommend c. USD 10-15 per day per person.

Packing list

Head
-Equus Journeys strongly recommend that you wear a riding helmet and that you take your own to ensure a correct fit. You will have to wear a riding helmet if you wish to play Polo.
-Sunhat for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust
- Warm hat if visiting during the winter months of June-August

Upper body
- Thermals in case of cold weather during the winter months of June - August
- Long sleeved shirts provide protection from the sun
- T-shirts
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Warm polar fleece or equivalent (plus a spare in case one gets wet)
- Waterproof jacket - rain can be difficult to predict and it's better to be prepared.

Legs
- Lightweight, comfortable riding trousers or jodhpurs - we recommend riding in them at home before taking them on holiday to ensure they don't rub
- Waterproof over trousers in the winter months of June - August
- Casual clothes for the evenings (jeans or walking trousers)
- Thermals in case of cold weather during the winter months of June - August

Hands and Feet
- Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps. We don't recommend taking your favourite long leather boots in case they get damaged
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Several pairs of warm socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding


Other useful items
- Swimsuit - for swimming/bathing in rivers - particularly during the summer months (Nov-Mar)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Bumbag for carrying your camera and small items whilst riding
- Headtorch or small torch for moving around at night - bring spare batteries and bulbs
- Ear plugs (for light sleepers)

In your luggage
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant unless they are less than 100ml and all bottles can fit in a small, clear, plastic ziplock bag.
- Swiss army knife or equivalent

In your hand luggage
- Any valuables, such as your camera, ipod, ipad etc.
- Your riding hat

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc...
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel
- Medication against altitude sickness might be a good idea. Please ask your GP.

Our Recommendations
- Backpacks cannot be worn whilst riding. We recommend a small bumbag or a coat with pockets so that you can carry small items with you during the day (camera, sunscreen, lipbalm etc)
- We recommend travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes in your hand luggage - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!
- Keep a copy of your passport and travel documents in a separate place in case you lose the originals
- Please be aware that internal flights in Argentina may have a lower luggage allowance than your international flight and you should pack according to the lowest limit.

Sustainable tourism

  1. Travel light. It's a little known fact, but the lighter you pack, the better for the environment as heavy bags will produce higher emissions (when flying a plane or driving a car!).
  2. Reduce plastic waste. Take your favorite reusable bottle with you. Avoid single-use bags, cups, or straws.
  3. Preserve nature. Always take your rubbish with you during the ride and recycle them. Leave all the flowers or plants as you found them, and never get too close when observing wildlife. Make sure to use eco-friendly products such as body wash or laundry detergent (if camping) to protect both your skin and the environment.
  4. Choose your experiences carefully. Respect animal life by not participating in any activities that abuse wild animals (shows, elephant rides, etc.).
  5. Support local populations. Buy local handicrafts, be respectful of customs, and learn about the culture of local communities.
  6. Share! Raise awareness among your family and friends about sustainable tourism.

For more information please see this page.

Did you know?

Did you know?

Polo is the oldest team sport in the world! The first evidence of the game of Polo appeared in Persia some 2,500 years ago. The sport spread to Constantinople and from there to Turkmenistan, Tibet, China and Japan. The name Polo comes from the Tibetan word "pulu" meaning ball. In the 12th century, Genghis Khan conquered Iran and Afghanistan and brought Polo back with him to practice with his warriors. The game became an essential teaching tool: it tests the merit of a man and reinforces his personality. Polo teaches him agility on horseback, an appreciation of speed, the intensity of battle and a decisive mind.

The modern game of Polo, though formalised and popularised by the British, originated from Manipur in India where it was known as Sagol Kangjei or Kanjai-bazee. The first Polo club was establised in the town of Silchar in Assam, India in 1833. In 1862 the Calcutta Polo Club was established by two British soldiers who spread the game to their peers in England. The game's governing body in the UK is the Hurlingham Polo Association which drew up the first set of formal rules in 1874, many of which are still in existence today.

British settlers in Argentina started practicing the game on the pampas, and David Shenna is believed to have organised the first formal game in Argentina in 1875 at Estancia El Negrete. The sport spread fast amongst the skillful gauchos and Argentina is now credited with being the mecca of Polo, mainly because it has the highest number of 10 handicap players in the world.

You can try your hand at Polo on a riding holiday at Estancia Los Potreros, and on certain weeks they run specific "Learn to play Polo" courses.