|
Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Argentina
Intro to Argentina
 Buenos AiresCordoba/Mendoza Corrientes Northern Patagonia Southern Patagonia
Extensions:
Fitzroy Trek
Brazil
Chile
Ecuador
Peru
Uruguay
|
|
|
|
|
|
Esquina Gaucho Week
Corrientes
Argentina
Enjoy estancia life and join the gauchos on their daily activities!
Ride as much as you wish: help rounding horses and cattle, pitch in with branding, vaccination and use the lasso as a work tool in the real environment of an Argentinean Gaucho. You stay at one of the historic estancias of the Corrientes region outside of Esquina - a very remote area still largely untouched by civilization. This is rural Argentina, where the Gaucho is a valued and important profession. Ride out with us and become part of the daily activities.
Of course the national sport is polo, so you are invited to join us for some "Stick and Ball" on the private polo field - on excellent Polo ponies. Private lessons are also available on request.
There are activities and horseback rides for all levels. Non riders will be delighted by the immense bird and wildlife in the countryside. Fishing opportunities are available in the large river system - catch a Dorado and we will cook it for you at night. Dinners are usually in the great dining room or outside with candlelight. Professional Tango dancers are available to teach you the Tango - Argentina Style - with passion and romance.
|
Working Ranch
Cattle Drive, Round Up
Center-based ride
Polo Clinic
|
|
Meeting:
|
Esquina
|
|
Airport:
|
Buenos Aires
|
|
Transfer:
|
from Buenos Aires by luxury sleeper bus.
|
|
Riders:
|
Min
2 riders
Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
Max Capacity
14
|
|
Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
|
|
|
|
Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations at the ranch with private bath, all gourmet meals with candlelight, all beverages, 6 days of activities from trail rides, cattle drives, horse round ups or Stick and Ball Polo
| A | 2013 | 7 day trip, AP | 7d / 6n | $1137 |
| Extend your last day and depart at 11 PM | $90 |
| Extra ranch days pp (dbl) | $175 |
| Extra ranch days Single | $220 |
| Single supplement | $293 |
Transfer and Other Options:
|
2013
|
Transfer by overnight luxury bus from Buenos Aires (incl.dinner) pp return
|
$240
|
Arrival: Transfer by Luxury Sleeper Bus from BA (dinner is included).
Depart BA at 9 PM and arrives in Esquina at 5 AM
Departure: Day 7 at 1:30 PM or 11 PM by bus to BA
Available all year, but late December to mid February can be very hot.
Tour Dates for 2013
|
| A |
2013
|
01/01
- 12/31
|
7d / 6n
|
7 day trip, AP
|
14
|
Reserve
|
|
Arrival is available daily.
|
Rates do not include:
Transfer from Buenos Aires
Experience country life. Accompany gauchos in their search for horses or cattle, driving them to the corral for work, have lunch at the estancia and in the afternoon practice a little polo or go riding along the countryside enjoying the feeling of freedom given by this immense landscape. Finish your day with a cup of tea at dawn overlooking the lagoon.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive by overnight sleeper bus from Buenos Aires in the morning, check in, rest, stroll around the estancia and meet the family for lunch. If you are very energetic - you can even go for a short morning ride. A nice afternoon horse ride takes you along the Corrientes gaucho plains, experiencing various landscapes on your first canter across the wide open fields.
Day 2 Today the landscape is different and new because we will be heading up the pampas, large water extensions and we will be visiting a rural school, a place where you will understand cultural issues of the region. In the afternoon, on horseback or by horse-cart, we will ride along native forests, stopping in an authentic grocery store or “pulperia” (place where gauchos buy their basic provisions and have a drink). Before getting to back the house our hosts will be waiting for us next to the lagoon with a cup of afternoon tea. here we relax and enjoy the calm of the countryside and the sunset at the horizon.
*If you like: watch or participate
in milking the cows in the morning before breakfast. The ranch produces
its own milk and cheese.
Days 3 and 4 We accompany and actively participate in gauchos tasks (herding horses and cattle, marking, vaccination, etc.). We go out looking for stray cattle and bring them back to the corrals. Along the way we chase after calves and cattle that try to escape and bring them back into the herd. Once in the corral, we will separate cows from calves on horseback to be able to start sanitation works. After lunch and a short nap, we finish our work taking the cattle back out to the range. There are some fishing opportunities on Day 4 in the Corrientes and Parana Rivers.
Day 5 We begin our trip to Estancia Don Joaquin. Along various estancias, passing local people along the way, we reach our lunch place, an old coral lost in the immense landscape. In the afternoon we arrive to Don Joaquin. We will be delighted with the owners’ hospitality and excellent homemade food. Optional massages are available.
Day 6 In the morning we begin our trip to the nearest town, Esquina. Sightseeing on our horses. Lunch in a particular restaurant in the river’s coastline and back to the estancia.
Day 7 We enjoy some Stick and Ball and maybe even a short Polo game in the morning and then depart after lunch on the 1:30 bus back to Buenos Aires. If you prefer, you can stay for the day, play another game of Polo in the afternoon, have dinner and then take the overnight bus at 11pm to arrive in BA the next morning (small surcharge).
** Itinerary subject to change and open for your suggestions.
Meeting:
Esquina
Airport:
Buenos Aires
Train station:
Esquina bus station
Transfer:
from Buenos Aires by luxury sleeper bus.
Distance:
10 hrs (620 km from BA)
Arrival: Transfer by Luxury Sleeper Bus from BA (dinner is included).
Depart BA at 9 PM and arrives in Esquina at 5 AM
Departure: Day 7 at 1:30 PM or 11 PM by bus to BA
Available all year, but late December to mid February can be very hot.
|
Tack:
|
|
Argentine type saddle with sheepskin
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Criollo crosses, Polo Ponies
|
|
Pace:
|
|
At all paces according to riding level
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Low Intermediate to Advanced
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
|
Max Capacity
14
|
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.VisasNot required by nationals referred to. more
As
part of the subtropical area of Mesopotamia, the province of
Corrientes has heavy rains and high temperatures with little daily and
seasonal variation especially in the North, and no dry season. The
Southern part of the province presents some signs of the neighbouring
more temperate weather of the Pampas.
Corrientes
is surrounded by two rivers, the Uruguay River to the east, and the
Paraná River to the northwest, that contour the shape of the province.
The low shore of the Paraná produces frequent floodings. After the
especially destructive flood in 1982, a protective system has been
started with the construction of barriers.
The
province is for the most part a plain, with the highest points in the
east. To the west, a series of descending platforms go down to the
Paraná River. The Iberá Wetlands, an area of lagoons and swamps, is a
vast depression from volcanic flow, covered later with fluvial and
eolic sediments.
|
This list is only a guideline for you
|
|
|
|
Travel documents and Voucher
|
|
Flight tickets
|
|
Passport
|
|
Visa (check with your consulate)
|
|
|
|
RIDING GEAR
|
|
Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)
|
|
Riding boots (waterproof) + Minichaps
|
|
Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)
|
|
Riding gloves
|
|
Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
|
|
Lightweight Rain coat
|
|
|
|
PERSONAL CLOTHING
|
|
Jacket or sweater for cool evenings
|
|
Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
|
|
Jeans
|
|
Shorts
|
|
Underwear and socks
|
|
Pajama
|
|
Bag for dirty clothes
|
|
Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes
|
|
Swimsuit
|
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
|
|
Personal Toiletries
|
|
Insect protection
|
|
Personal medications
|
|
Sore cream (for the emergency)
|
|
Sewing kit
|
|
Handkerchiefs
|
|
Adapter for electric appliances (optional)
|
|
Sun glasses with strap
|
|
Sun tan lotion and lip balm
|
|
Binoculars
|
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
Location: 620km Northeast from the Federal Capital, Esquina, Province of Corrientes “Argentine Mesopotamia”.
Well-known to offer comfort, the ranch is an old estancia of typical Correntino style, ceilings low and ample galleries. It has been fourteen years since the estancia first opened its doors to visitors and has
since showed them the Corrientes province and its enchantments. Here is
where the journey from one authentic estancia to the next starts.
Power in the Estancia: Our own engine and electric generator, 220W.
There are single, double and triple rooms with private bathrooms.
Meals consist of regional and international gastronomy and can cater to
special diets. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are
included.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
Argentine type saddle with sheepskin
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Criollo crosses, Polo Ponies
|
|
Pace:
|
|
At all paces according to riding level
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Low Intermediate to Advanced
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
8 riders
(per riding group)
|
Max Capacity
14
|
Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in chart. The minimum passport validity is equivalent to the time granted by the immigration authorities.
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for either business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days (extensions for a further 90 days are possible for some nationals; contact the consulate for details). \
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa Note
Argentine minors traveling to or from Argentina, if unaccompanied by their parents or traveling with a single parent, must carry their parents’ or legal guardian’s authorisation to travel, which must be certified by an Argentine Consul if issued abroad. Fines will be levied if passengers do not comply with immigration requirements and passengers will be deported.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
|
|
|
|
Esquina Gaucho Week
Tour Code:
IT-ARSR10
7 days /
6 nights
~$1,137.00
Dates :
Available all Year
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
|