The Gaucho Trail by Don Joaquin

7 days | From US$2,900 per person sharing | Corrientes, Argentina

Ride from Estancia to Estancia

OVERVIEW

Argentine cowboys are called Gauchos. It’s more than a job, it’s a way of life. They have their own Saint, their own way of being, their own flag and every single one of them is incredibly stylish.

Explore the Corrientes river delta riding from Estancia to Estancia, driving loose horses, galloping on sandy beaches and enjoying africa-level service and hospitality on this incredible ride through northern Argentina.

Comfort is not compromised here, enjoy comfortable hotel accommodation each night and a free massage for each rider.

LET’S RIDE!

HIGHLIGHTS

Stunning, modern Estancia accommodation
Large herd of criollo horses to choose from
Fast, splashy canters in wetlands similar to Botswana in flood
Africa level service and excellent dining experiences
Horses grazing on the lawn in the afternoon
Lap pool surrounded by palm trees
Shop like a gaucho for high quality artisanal clothing and tack in Esquina
Incredible food, a lot of traditional asado (BBQ)
Very loving and welcoming hosts with the Solanet family (they are the best!)

OVERVIEW

RIDE GUIDE

6 Nights / 7 Days

Cost: US$2,900 per person sharing or US$3,600 for your own room

Operator: Don Joaquin

Where: Corrientes, Argentina

When: All year

Riding level: Experienced

Weight limit: Maximum of 100kg / 200lbs

Time in the saddle: 3 - 8 hours riding per day

HORSES

There are over 100 horses of the Criollo and Criollo mix breed. They are very well trained and responsive ensuring an enjoyable and safe ride.

Accustomed to being ridden by the gauchos doing their ranch work the horses are healthy, strong, athletic and agile. The large herd allows the horses to be rotated so they are never overworked and have plenty of time to live naturally in the herd and graze in the fields.

The saddles used are Argentine ‘recado’ and ‘montura correntina’ style saddles, both of which provide exceptional comfort, similar to a Western saddle.

ACCOMMODATION

Three nights are spent at Estancia Don Joaquin, a working cattle farm and luxury Gaucho-chic house designed by owners Angie and Diego.

One night is spent at a Colonial Style Estancia

One night is spent a Mediterranian Style Estancia

One night is spent at the Don Joaquin fishing lodge on the Corrientes River. The lodge has 12 large double bedrooms, a lap pool and views out over the river delta.

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HOW TO BOOK

ENQUIRY

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Total of 7 days / 6 nights lodging at four different locations, all meals and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), one full body massage, transfers between Estancia Don Joaquin and Esquina Bus Station, one gaucho per rider, Gaucho culture experience.

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

Travel insurance, luxury bus fee ($100 pp return, price fluctuates so we will reconfirm when you book), flights, tips / gratuity for guides and house staff.

TRANSFERS

You will take a luxury overnight bus with fully reclined bed seat from Retiro station in Buenos Aires departing at 8:30pm to the town of Esquina arriving at 4am. Ezekial will meet you at the bus stop - he hasn’t lost a guest yet!

On your return you will depart on the 11pm bus from Esquina back to Buenos Aires.

We will share detailed instructions on how to catch the bus including at youtube video of the journey. You have the option of using the services of a driver in Buenos Aires whom you can pay directly. He will wait until the bus has departed before waving you off.

MEALS

You will experience traditional Argentine cuisine with all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included.

Guests will dine all together on the outdoor terrace overlooking the peaceful scenery. In the evening by the fire side you will enjoy the owners’ warmth and hospitality whilst eating delicious local Argentine cuisine.

Breakfast includes homemade breads, croissants, tortas fritas (gaucho fried bread), cakes, eggs cooked how you prefer, fruits and fresh squeezed orange juice, butter, jams and the famous dulce de leche.

Lunches and dinners are three course affairs. All meats and vegetables are sourced locally. All lunches and dinners are served with some of the best Argentinian wines.

Argentina’s national dish, asado or barbecue, is a cherished meal. You will have the opportunity to savour the grilled beef, purchased locally and cooked by chief gaucho, Roque. Empanadas are another Argentine favourite, made with either a chicken or beef filling and then baked or fried.

At Estancia Don Joaquin everything is homemade. The kitchen remains open for anyone interested in learning the secrets of the regional Argentinian cuisine.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus available.

WHAT TO PACK

Country clothing in natural colours will beautifully blend into the local surroundings. A dress or jacket for dinner is fitting for the beautiful dining experience though if your group is more casual you’re welcome to relax in comfortable clothing.

Cotton or linen long sleeved shirts, jeans or breeches, shorts, short or long boots, leather chaps, rain jacket, swimming suit, comfortable shoes, sun glasses, hat and a helmet if you choose to wear one.

Refer to our FA Q for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.

INTERNET

Wifi is available at the Estancia.

Download an e-sim from Airalo and install before you arrive to have data in some areas on the Estancia and in urban areas.

Use our code BLACKS3976 to receive $3 off your e-sim credit.

PRICES & AVAILABILITY

Estancia Don Joaquin is open all year round. The Gaucho Trail can be booked with a minimum of 2 riders or you can join our exclusive Black Saddle groups.

The Gaucho Trail Ride

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS - $2,900pp sharing, $3,600 single occupancy

The Gaucho Trail will run with a 2 rider minimum so do get in touch with your travel window and we will see if we can make it happen.

BLACK SADDLE EXCLUSIVE DATES

12 - 18 January 2025 | The Gaucho Trail | From US$2,900

Fill in an obligation free Rider Form to book and we will get back to you with availability.

YOUR ITINERARY

While this is the intended itinerary that your guide may adapt to account for the weather if absolutely necessary.

THE GAUCHO TRAIL

6 Nights / 7 Days | From US$2,900 pp sharing or US$3,600 for your own room | Submit a rider profile to request availability.

Adventures to Don Joaquin start at 8:30 pm at the Retiro Bus Station in Buenos Aries where you catch the lie-flat overnight bus to Esquina.
Private transfers are available (6 hours driving), in which case you depart Buenos Aires at 7am on arrival day.
Arrive at 4am on the night bus from Buenos Aires to Estancia Don Joaquin. You will be shown to your room for the chance to sleep until breakfast at 9am.
After breakfast, you will try a number of horses who you will ride on the trail. After an introduction to ‘Argentine Riding Style’ we will set off for a two-hour ride.
Lunch will be served at the Estancia after your ride. Lunches are long and lavish. You will have time for a siesta where you can relax by the pool or get to know your companions in the many social spaces.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a second ride. The gauchos will make sure you find your perfect match and encourage you to try as many horses as you like until you find “the two horses“ which you will ride during The Gaucho Trail Ride Experience.
Dinner and overnight at Estancia Don Joaquin.
Riding time: 5 hours
In the morning, we will start the ride going northeast across the open countryside plains and enjoy nice long canters in sandy tracks. Enjoy the ringing bell as the herd crosses across the grasslands.
Lunch will be an Asado (BBQ) in the countryside where the Gauchos will cook traditional empanadas and meat (vegetarian options available) for you over an open fire.
After lunch, we will siesta under the shade of the trees resting on the sheepskin cover from your saddle for an hour or so before we continue riding and enjoy a change in scenery with a 360° view of the surrounding wetlands.
In this area we might see capybaras, antelopes, caiman and the greater rhea (if you’re lucky!).
Ride on towards the broad open plain of the pampa and out of nowhere a stunning colonial estancia will appear, surrounded by beautiful gardens. This is our overnight accommodation.
Overnight at Estancia Bueno Vista with Don Joaquin's catering and hospitality
Riding time: 7 hours
After a delicious breakfast, the morning ride will take you along lagoons and scrublands until you reach the Corrientes riverbanks.
It is on these riverbanks where we will stop for lunch. This will be one of the most spectacular lunch locations you will ever go to.. Combined with a spectacular view of the river and a delicious asado, you will think you have arrived in paradise.
A well-deserved siesta in the hammocks or chill out while watching the river view whilst your horses will be relaxing and grazing next to us.
After siesta, we will continue our ride by cantering along the sandy beaches that border the river and will lead us to the Mediterranean style estancia nestled on the riverbank.
You will be welcomed with afternoon tea and sundowners on the terrace overlooking the river followed by dinner.
Overnight at Estancia La Pelada with Don Joaquin's catering and hospitality
Riding time: 5 hours
Today, after breakfast, you will enjoy another full day ride herding the horses back towards our Estancia.
We will enjoy landscapes of big pine forests.
At lunchtime, we stop for lunch at a remote cattle corral. Siesta under the shade of the trees and in the afternoon, we’ll follow the chime of the cow bell as the “godmother mare” leads the horses back home.
Dinner and overnight at Estancia Don Joaquin.
Riding time: 7 hours
A change of pace this morning: We will follow the Gauchos in their daily cattle ranch routine and assist where we can. Ever tried your hand with a lasso? Now’s your chance!
Lunch back at the estancia and then some relaxation time around the swimming pool.
In the evening, we will conduct a blind tasting of some outstanding Argentinian wine before dinner.
Dinner and overnight at Estancia Don Joaquin
Riding time: 3 hours
After breakfast, you will ride with the Gauchos and explore a new part of the estancia. The grasslands in this area are ‘hedged’ with acacia trees and native forests that are the perfect eco system for a great variety of birds and wildlife. Lunch will be served back at the estancia.
In the afternoon, we will walk (or drive) to a second lodge on our estancia known as the River Lodge. At the River Lodge we will relax and watch the sunset whilst enjoying sundowners.
Overnight at the River Lodge.
Riding time 31⁄2 hrs
After breakfast, we will return to the home farm and join up with the Gauchos for the rest of the morning herding cattle to the corral and lassoing calves for tagging, and whatever else needs to be done.
After lunch, you have the option of a final ride on the estancia or a visit to the town of Esquina and check-out a local tack shop.
Farewell dinner at the estancia and evening departure on the overnight bus back to Buenos Aires.
Riding time: 3 or 5 hrs
Depart after dinner at 11pm to Buenos Aires on the luxury night bus
You will arrive to Buenos Aires Retiro Bus Station around 7:30am where you make you onwards travel arrangements.
If taking a private transfer from the Estancia we can arrange for you to be dropped off at EZE, the international airport which is a further hour out of the city.

ACCOMMODATION

**ESTANCIA DON JOAQUIN**

**Nights 1, 4 and 5**
Air-conditioned rooms that have been stylishly built by Diego Solanet and decorated by Angie, your hosts.
Rooms are private and each has a view of the gardens. Sometimes the horses will come to graze right outside your window. Very dreamy!
The property has a lap pool amongst the palm trees, two dining rooms and a restaurant quality kitchen.

**ESTANCIA BUENO VISTA**

**Night 2**
A colonial style ranch with simple farmhouse rooms with tiled floors and hand-carved wooden beds.
Enjoy the new environment with Don Joaquin's catering and hospitality.

ESTANCIA LA PELADA

**Night 3**
A mediteranian style 5,000 hectare ranch with a large number of lagoons inhabited by many animals such as
capybaras, alligators, otters, turtles and more than 280 species of birds.
As your ride there you may see see deer, antelope,
foxes, rheas, wild horses and many more animals in communion with their habitat.

DON JOAQUIN RIVER LODGE

**Night 6**
The Solanet women, Angie and Josefina, run Don Joaquin and Diego and Ramon run the river lodge where guests can enjoy fishing holidays catching golden dorado in the Corrientes and Paraná Rivers.
The lodge is also sprawling with 13 suites and a lap pool overlooking the river. This is where you will spend your final night on your trail.

ESQUINA

Currency is the Argentinian Peso (ARG$). Banks in Argentina greatly limit daily withdrawals so bring USD$ in cash to convert in Buenos Aires. You can pay your tips in USD. Card are readily taken in Buenos Aires. If you need to withdraw cash Western Union can issue larger amounts than ATMs at a much better rate.

Weather and Climate

Esquina is flat, ranching land in a subtropical climate. Winter, from May to August, is actually perfect for riding with very little rain and temperatures of around 20°C.

Spring, from September to November is a lovely time to visit with all the flowers in bloom.

January has an average maximum temperature of 33°C and is the warmest month of the year.
The coldest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 20°C.
April tops the wettest month list with 161 mm of rainfall.
July is the driest month but has the lowest temperatures. Still ideal for riding between 9 and 20 degrees.
Most rainfall is seen in April and October but it rains more on relatively few days, making it still a great time to go for a riding holiday.

TEMPARATURE