HOW TO CHOOSE A RIDING HOLIDAY IN ARGENTINA

 

ARGENTINA HAS AN INCREDIBLE HORSE CULTURE, WIDE OPEN SPACES AND A HOLIDAY TO FIT EVERY BUDGET

We have four incredible options spanning almost the entire country:

  • JAKOTANGO | US$7,175 | 7 Nights | Stylish Adventure + Comfort Trail Ride

  • LOS POTREROS | US$3,276 | 7 Nights | Comfortable Estancia

  • DON JOAQUIN | US$1,470 | 6 Nights | Comfortable Estancia

  • NIBEPO AIKE | US$1,250 | 4 Nights | Adventure + Rustic Trail Ride

1) JAKOTANGO | US$7,175 | 7 NIGHTS

Not only is Jakotango one of the most premium rides in Argentina - this safari is one of the best riding experiences in the world. The Patagonia Trail sets the standard for blending style, comfort and adventure. This ride sells out two years in advance for a reason.

Highlights:

  • 7 nights / 8 days riding

  • 4 nIghts in pretty cabins with ensuite bathrooms, 2 nights in simple fly camps on the mountain, 1 night as a guest of Gaucho Felipe

  • Arrival by speedboat

  • Mountain riding in a remote and beautiful surroundings

Guides Jakob von Plessen and Daisy Soames are major draw cards. Incredible hosts, they both worked at Offbeat Safaris in Kenya before Jakob set up Jakotango in his homeland. The horses are bred especially for this trail and Jakob is closely involved with their training and care.

Base camp is located in a hidden valley in the Andes. You can bathe in the Base Camp river during the quiet afternoon siesta and then marvel in the glory of mountain vistas and volcanoes on all sides as you traverse the Pass of Tears.

You will have the ride of your life with Jakob and Daisy.. if you can get a saddle that is.

2) LOS POTREROS | US$3,276 | 7 NIGHTS

One of Tatler Magazines 101 Best Hotel’s in the World , Estancia Los Potreros offers a home away from home feeling in Cordoba, Argentina. The Estancia can welcome 12 guests and owner Kevin, an Argentine with a British background, is an incredibly welcoming, accommodating host.

Highlights:

  • 90+ riding horses including prize pasos and local criollos

  • Ride twice a day over the rolling hills

  • Try polo

  • Relax by the pool

  • Shared meals from the wonderful kitchen

Los Potreros, ‘the paddocks’, has a reputation of consistently delivering holidays that make you feel so welcome, spoiled and at home.

Riding at Los Pots gives you the feeling you had when you were young, riding your horse over the rolling hills, laughing freely, sharing delicious local meals and drinking just a little too much Malbec with every meal.

An elegant and comfortable oasis in the pampas. Los Pots is for everyone. Groups of mixed abilities, solo riders, those with a need for speed and those looking for some restful reflective riding and a lot of relaxation. Everyone deserves to visit Los Pots at least once.

3) DON JOAQUIN | US$1,470 | 6 NIGHTS

The Argentine Solanet family have opened their beautiful home to guests. Located in the warm wetlands in the north of the country if you’re looking for beautiful accommodation, gardens and surroundings and great weather. This could be the option for you.

Highlights:

  • Warm, wetlands filled with wildlife

  • Flat lands allow for fast riding

  • Beautiful estancia amongst the trees

  • Relax by the pool with horses grazing around you

  • Shared meals from the wonderful kitchen

Our most northern ride, this estancia is situated an 8 hour drive from Buenos Aires towards Paraguay. The landscape is a sub-tropical wetland - think the splashy canters of the Okavango Delta and Brazilian Pantanal.

Meals are shared over a long table outside in the garden or in the beautiful dining room. Riders will be grouped by ability so beginners you are welcome and very experienced riders looking to have fun working cattle and galloping through the fields - you will feel satisfied too!

You’re able to book massages and even play polo locally.

The ride has a quirky start as you arrive by taking a luxury overnight bus. Departing Buenos Aires you arrive 8 hours later in the early hours of the morning. The bus has lie flat beds and the longer transfer is worth it for the destination.

4) NIBEPO AIKE | US$1,250 | 4 NIGHTS

Adventurous and rustic, where else can you ride for kilometers on just one property to the glaciers of the Los Glacieres National Park? Go where only horses can take you. Off-grid, travelling by horseback to the border with Chile and staying at real ‘Puestos’ used by gauchos tending to their cattle.

Highlights:

  • Authentic gaucho trail ride staying in simple cabins

  • One night at the comfortable estancia

  • Visit the glacier

  • Meals cooked over a cosy wood fire stove

Nibepo Aike is a working estancia (beef farm) in the south of Argentina. The Estancia borders Chile and you will ride local criollo horses to the border. Accommodation varied, you will spend the first night at the very comfortable Estancia with an ensuite country bedrooms and dine at the beautiful restaurant. From there though things get much simpler - but very authentic.

The next three nights are spent in shared single room cabins with bunk beds. The cabin is lit by candles and lamps. The stars shine brightly in the sky above you. You’ll share a meal cooked on the antique wood fire stove in the cabin and guzzle down lamb, cheese and delicious Malbec. On day four you will ride, take a boat and then hike to the impressive glacier. A rich and varied adventure trail the riding is slower as the terrain is uneven but you’ll get your kicks from the beautiful surroundings.

In Patagonia the weather can be wild - even in summer. We’ve listed this 4 night trail under our expedition category so please come prepared for a glorious adventure and the wild weather that might involve.

We recommend flying north to Cordoba and spending 4-7 nights at Los Potreros after your stay. Combining the rides you get a perfect blend of adventure, rustic charm, comfort and relaxation.

SO WHICH TO CHOOSE?

If you’d like to get a few fast canters in, dream of a comfortable environment and more of a relaxing holiday vibe - book into Los Potreros. If you’re looking for a similar experience but need to make your pesos stretch then Don Joaquin is very beautiful and great value. You can experiment with polo at both though neither is set up for the game specifically. We focus on safaris here!

If you’re gagging at the bit for a challenge, you want to go off-grid for a while and just soak in nature then Nibepo Aike’s Hidden Glaciers trail will make you feel alive.

If you just want the very best of the best - you have to ride with Jakob and Daisy at Jakotango.

 
 

RIDING IN ARGENTINA

 

RIDING IN ARGENTINA

7 Nights at Los Potreros | Estancia Stay | From US£3,276 per person sharing

WHAT TO PACK

From what to wear on horseback to what to pack, we cover it all in our guide

 
 
Emma BarronComment