7 night family Itinerary
Day 1
Your transfer will meet you at the international airport of Córdoba. Just under an hour from your pick-up you will arrive at Estancia Los Potreros in time for a late lunch. Settle into one of our cottages, with multiple bedrooms and living space, just perfect for families. An introductory ride to get used to the ‘gaucho’ style of riding – long legs, deep seats and neck reining, whilst enjoying the comfortable sheepskins on the saddles. Dinner in what has been the Begg family home for over 100 years.
day 2
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. If you do not wish to ride, head out with one of the estancias guides and the dogs on a walk, in search of the burrowing owls near our cattle station.
See 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. Most of our horses are home-bred on the estancia and are forward-going and extremely comfortable. On your way back to the estancia help our gauchos round up the mares and foals to protect them from the elusive night puma.
day 3
Ride down to the edge of the estancia and visit our local school, spend the morning playing football with the local children and explore our local hamlet. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river before riding back in time for afternoon tea on the veranda. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool and in the evening, watch some live folkloric music around the fire pit. End the evening with a relaxed asado in the garden.
day 4
Cattle day! Discover your inner gaucho as you help the gauchos 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 learn the art of the lasso in the corrals, before heading back to the estancia. Tonight, our chefs open the farm kitchen doors and invite you to join them in preparing some traditional local dishes, including learning to roll empanadas, bake bread and prepare ravioli (whilst adults can sample some more fabulous wines from around Argentina).
Day 5
The ride today first takes you to the Bell Stone before dropping 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! Hike back to the estancia with our guides, and on the way try your hand at some fishing in the stream. There is the possibility of making a trip out of this ride and stay the night at the homestead.
Day 6
No 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!
day 8
After breakfast depart for your onward travels.
day 7
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 watching or even helping the chefs prepare and cook pizzas on the bbq for lunch head out for your final ride on the Peruvian Paso’s before enjoying sundowners and a final dinner.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The itinerary is flexible, and subject to weather, particularly in the case of polo.
There are over 80 riding horses, with the herd being a mixture of Criollos, Peruvian Pasos and polo ponies, which are forward-going, responsive and sure-footed. We tend to change horses during a guests stay, giving guests the opportunity to try several different horses.
Guests can expect to be in the saddle between 4 – 6 hours per day.
There is a strict maximum weight limit of 15stone/95kg/210lbs.
Guests must provide their own insurance to cover all the estancia activities and will be asked to sign a riding waiver which is available in advance on request.
Hard hats are not obligatory (except for polo, gaucho games and children) but are strongly recommended. There are a number available to use at the estancia but for safety and fit we recommend guests bring their own.
Polo is not apt to children under 10 due to the weight of the polo sticks/mallets.
