Incredible Adventures In The Heart of Rural Argentina

Authentic| Personal| UnforgettablE

Whether you're here to ride, relax, or reconnect with nature, every day at Los Potreros offers something new. Below is a taste of what guests can enjoy during their stay.

aCTIVITIES INCLUDE:

  • Horse riding* 

  • Walking the trails 

  • Birdwatching

  • Farm drives

  • Gaucho skills 

  • Explore Argentine food and Wine 

DID YOU KNOW…

  • The oldest building on the estancia dates back to the early 1600’s

  • The Sierras Chicas were one of the preferred holiday destinations of Jackie Kennedy

  • The stone walls are over 300 years old and were build by Jesuits

A TRUE ESTANCIA EXPERIENCE

Estancia Los Potreros is located in a truly privileged position on the top of the secluded Sierras Chicas. 6,500 acres of private land set within provincial reserve provides the perfect backdrop to a range of activities for lovers of nature and the outdoors.

Rocky outcrops give way to grassy hilltops and cascading streams, just waiting to be explored on horseback or on foot.

Abundant birdlife and beautiful wild flowers colour the landscape, and as the estancia remains a true working farm there is always something happening. Learn about the tradition of the gaucho, and share some ‘mate’ with them before taking to the corrals yourself.

Armed with binoculars try to spot the Andean Condor or some of the species of vultures, kestrels and burrowing owls that inhabit the farm.

Try the famous Argentine Malbec alongside the estancias homegrown beef.

Whatever you choose to do, you can be guaranteed a unique and unforgettable experience.

Horse riding

The principal activity on the estancia is horseback riding; the quality of the horses and the riding are of international acclaim. With over 100 horses on the estancia, there is something for all levels of ability. Half of the horses are ‘gaited’ Peruvian Paso horses which are particularly comfortable to ride. The riding options are virtually limitless, and ride size is kept small and split according to the ability of the riders so that guests can ride at their own speed. There is wonderful varied trail riding, or guests can help the gauchos in their daily work. There is also the option to play polo once a week, with full tuition. 

Sample riding options: 

  • Ride to the hidden waterfall on the estancia and have a swim in the fresh mountain water

  • Take a sunset ride to the ‘Bellstone’ to learn more about the history of the estancia and then help the gauchos round up and bring in the mares and foals

  • Join the gauchos taking salt out to the cattle herd and checking over the newborn calves

  • Test your skills against the gauchos in a round of ‘gaucho games’ including barrel racing and sortija 

  • Don’t miss the chance to have a lesson and practice game of polo, complete with tuition

  • Visit the local rural school and community Dominican church to get an insight into rural life in the region.

 
 

Fun, fast and exciting, polo is a competitive team sport that combines good horsemanship with tactics and ball skills. Often too expensive or inaccessible to try at home, Los Potreros polo weeks give you the chance to try the game in a truly unique environment.

Polo Options:

  • A short session on the ground covers the skills and tactics that are going to be focused on that day, and then we mount our polo ponies for a short ‘stick and ball’ session, followed by practice chukkas. 

 
 

Take a trip around the estancia by pick-up with one of your hosts. Learn about the family history of the estancia and see some of the many references to the Jesuit farming in the area., as well as spotting wildlife along the way. 

Sample driving options:

  • Drive to the cattle station to understand more about the management of the Aberdeen Angus herd, the day-to-day role of the gaucho and the rural traditions 

  • Head to the north of the farm, Potrero de Niz, the original family home of the Beggs. Watch the landscape change and learn about the challenges faced by Robert Begg in the building of the original family home, along with stories of Louie Begg, Kevin’s grandmother, one of the pioneers of rural tourism in the 1940’s

  • Visit the local rural school, long supported by the estancia, which supplies rudimentary education for the families of the gaucho. Walk further up to the local Dominican church, founded in the 1880’s.

Gaucho and Horse Tradition

The Argentine gaucho are considered to be amongst the greatest horsemen in the world. Even today, the horse remains the principle mode of transport amongst many rural workers and an essential tool for work on cattle estancias. Traditions hold strong amongst the gaucho and many festivals are held through out the year where they gather together to show off their hand- made bridles, their latest horse and their finest clothing. 

Sample Gaucho and Horse Tradition Options: 

  • Gaucho skills - discover your inner gaucho and learn how to lasso from one of the boys on the estancia. Learn how the lasso is made, what it is used for and most importantly have go yourself! 

  • Introduction to the Peruvian Paso horse - learn about this unique breed of horse, the ‘dancing horse’ of Peru that came to Argentina through the trading route of the Camino Real between Lima and Salta. Learn why they are different to 

  • ‘normal’ horses, their history, the traditional saddles and bridles used and watch our stallion be put through his paces.

  • Ride out with the  gauchos and work alongside them, rounding up cattle and moving the herd to the corrals, for counting, vaccinating and checking on the calves. 

Food and wine

No visit to Argentina would be complete without experiencing, one of Argentina’s legendary asados. Argentine Malbec is world renowned and best enjoyed with the ‘asado’ - a usually beef based barbeque, often of many courses and over many hours! Watch as our chefs light the fire and begin demonstrating cooking in its purest form.  

Sample food and wine options: 

  • Explore Argentine wines - Kevin Begg shares his appreciation and fondness for Argentine wines with an informal and fun wine-tasting. 

  • Introduction to traditional argentine cooking - join our chefs in the warm and spacious estancia kitchen and learn how some of the traditional Argentine dishes are prepared, including the famous empanada and homemade pastas. 

  • Sundowners - ride or drive up onto one of the spectacular viewpoints on the estancia and enjoy a glass of torrontes or a malbec rose whilst watching the sunset.

Walking and birdwatching

he same trails that are used for riding make for wonderful and varied walking. Guests can either join a guided walk with one of the estancia staff, or head out on their own or with some of the estancia dogs! The estancia is blessed with plentiful and varied birdlife all year, and the Andean Condor, Black Chested Buzzard Eagle, American Kestrel and Black Vulture are just some of the commonly seen larger birds. Wildflowers throughout the year are spectacular, and do not be surprised to crush wild mints and herbs underfoot. 

Sample walking options: 

  • Visit the burrowing owls which inhabit many parts of the estancia and share their burrows with a large rodent called a ‘vizcacha’ 

  • Take a sunset walk to the ‘Bellstone’ to learn more about how this mysterious rock is part of the history of the estancia. Continue on up onto one of the nearby hills to get an amazing sunset view of the estancia.

  • For the more energetic, walk up to the ‘Top of the World’ for outstanding 360 views of the estancia from the highest point on the farm.


 

Relax

The estancia is a perfect place to kick back and unwind. Relax by the pool with stunning views over the hillsides. Curl up in one of the hammocks with one of the many books to be found around the estancia, with a dog at your feet. Drink a gin and tonic on the verandah and watch the world go by. Or simply enjoy the gentle art of conversation. Your hosts, The Begg Family, are always extremely generous in sharing their passion for their animals, lifestyle and the Argentine countryside. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES 

  • The itinerary is flexible, and subject to weather.

  • There is a strict maximum weight limit of 90kg / 14stone / 200lbs

  • Guests must provide their own insurance to cover all of 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 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.