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Bell Stone Estancias Ride
Cordoba/Mendoza
Argentina
Swathed in 15,000 acres of secluded grassy wilderness at
the top of the Sierra Chicas hills, the Estancia is an idyllic
retreat for horsemen, hikers and nature lovers. This working ranch
breeds Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Paso Peruano pacing horses. It has
been in the Anglo-Argentine Begg family for four generations and offers
the possibility of combining the pleasures of British-style estancia
life with long-distance riding in one of Argentina's most interesting
riding areas.
This eight-day long distance ride starts at the Estancia at Sierra Chicas, swathed in 15,000 acres of secluded grassy wilderness at
the top of the Sierra Chicas hills. It is a working cattle farm that has remained in the same Anglo-Argentine family for four generations. From here to explore the countryside, staying at neighboring estancias or small inns - even camping might be an option for a day.
This horseback ride takes you over the constantly changing geography of the region, through areas impossible to reach by car. You stay at a variety of locations from cattle estancias to very simple dwellings exposing you to the life of the local people. This expedition is rich in local history and offers some exceptional horseback riding.
The Estancia is very secluded on the top of the "Sierras Chicas" at an altitude of 3,000 feet, nestled between the pampas and the Andes in the heart of the beautiful region of Cordoba. It is steeped in family history and locally there is much evidence of the pioneering work of the Jesuits who first organized farming in the area before they were forced to leave in the 1760's.
If you have a love for the wild and enjoy the thrill of arriving by horse, this adventure allows you to experience Argentine wildlife, scenery and culture at close quarters while not abandoning creature comforts provided by good accommodation, the best tack, and fabulous horses.
This is a place for people who appreciate fine horses and know how to ride. However, there are horses for every ability, and beginners are welcome.
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Progressive Ride (no camping) Ride with Gaited Horses
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Meeting:
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Potreros
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Airport:
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Cordoba
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Transfer:
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Cordoba airport
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
Max
10 riders
(per riding group)
Max Capacity
12
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
7 nights accommodation with full board including alcoholic beverages, daily riding and trail overnights, guides and equipment, support vehicle
| A | 2012 | 8 days trip, AP | 8d / 7n | $3010 |
| Single (smaller room) no extra charge | $0 |
| Single in double room +30% | $0 |
| Upgrade to Cottage (Oct-April) oer night/cottage | $50 |
Minimum Deposit:
50 %
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer is included from Cordoba airport or bus station
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Tour Dates for 2012
Additional dates can be set for groups of 4+.
Weekly Estancia Stays are available throughout the year.
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Rates do not include:
Travel and medical insurances, travel visas, personal expenditures (phone calls or personal purchases), discretionary gratuities

If on a trail ride you should expect to be in the saddle between four to six hours a day with the occasional days requiring an extra push to reach the objective. Nights away from the ranch are spent camping or in local dwellings allowing the visitors to experience another way of life. The itinerary is complex and subject to change. Shorter stays have altered riding itinerary.
Day 1: After taking your transfer to Estancia Los Potreros and settling into your room, receive an introduction to the horses and the relaxed style of riding. A beautiful sunset ride to get your bearings is followed by a traditional candle-lit dinner and the chance to discuss the plan for the rest of the week.
Day 2: Ride out this morning to the ‘Top of the World’ for a spectacular 360 degree view of the estancia, and a chance to see the route of the trail ride to come. After passing the cattle ranch, hear the sound of the `bellstone` that inspired the original bell-shaped cattle brand of the estancia.
Lunch is a traditional Argentine asado (barbecue) and the afternoon may be spent swimming or walking, or preparing for the trip ahead. Watch the sun go down and enjoy a drink on the Patio Verde. Dinner and night spent at Potrero de Los Melados.
Day 3: Start the trail "across country” past the Cañada de los Condores (Canyon of the Condors) and perhaps a dip in the waterfall. Arrive at La Estancita for a picnic lunch at the local rural school which is supported through the kind donations of guests, and visit the local Dominican church dating back to the 1870’s. The night is spent at Cañada del Molle, the childhood home of Kevin and Robin Begg, and perhaps enjoy some folklore music under the stars.
Day 4: Set out towards Candonga, going north along the top of the Sierras Chicas, through some truly dramatic scenery. Pine forests give way to rocky descents, and you will marvel at the sure-footedness of the horses. Arrive for a late lunch at Mentas farm. Menta is a wonderful host and an excellent cook. A dip in the natural rock pools is followed by a late afternoon ride to Candonga church (C1650). Ride back at sunset along the river to our hilltop accommodation.
Day 5: This long days ride sets out west across the Sierras, climbing above La Cumbre to the Loma Grande. A picnic lunch is taken on the way, and after crossing a wide variety of landscapes and scenery, dinner and the night are spent at a charming and secluded stone lodge, which cannot be reached by any means other than walking or riding. The stone-constructed house has no road or electricity but does have hot showers, excellent food and spectacular views.
Day 6: The morning ride descends from our beautiful retreat to the town of La Cumbre at the top of the Punilla valley, which was originally an English settlement. Lunch is in a typical Cruz Chica home, and the afternoon is spent at leisure exploring the local town. The night is spent at the lovely Reydon Hotel, an old girl’s boarding school, tastefully restored into a charming and comfortable guest house. Your hosts are well-known for their impromptu tango lessons!
Day 7: Set out early for the long ride home, winding down towards La Falda along the “Camino de Los Artesanos”. Pass by La Falda a town of German origin, with a picnic lunch at the famous Eden Hotel (funded by Hitler during the war and now a museum). Climb the ridge to vermiculite mines (Cerro Sapo), make your way along the top with views across the Valle de Punilla. You will feel the horses pulling towards home as you pass the restored farm house at “El Vergel” (C1700). Farewell dinner and overnight at Los Potreros.
Day 8: Farewell ride on the estancia or even a game of polo before returning to the airport.
Subject to change
Meeting:
Potreros
Airport:
Cordoba
Transfer:
Cordoba airport
Distance:
1 hour drive
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Tack:
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English Style with English polo saddles and military saddles, covered with sheepskins
Style of Riding, Western, one handed with soft reins
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Horses:
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Criollos, Peruvian Pasos, Polo ponies and some crossbreeds
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Pace:
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Moderate, trots and canters
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
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Level:
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(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
12
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Max
70
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Weight:
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Max
195 lb
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Riders:
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Min
3 riders
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Max
10 riders
(per riding group)
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Max Capacity
12
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This is the land of the gaucho – the
great horsemen who have a long, proud tradition and attachment to their
horses. The gauchos like their horses to be forward-going and to carry
their heads quite high. They train the horses to stop at the lightest
touch on the rein and to go anywhere and do any job without hesitation.
Jose, one of the gauchos who rode out with us most days, was amazing to
watch – he was as happy working cattle as he was leading guests on
rides, when often he would quietly break into song.

This is a place for people who
appreciate fine horses and know how to ride. However, there are horses
for every ability, and beginners are welcome. The horses are bred on
the estate and used for working the cattle. Some are Pasos Peruanos,
others native Argentine Criollos, and the rest crossbreds. All are
small, sure-footed and responsive. The Pasos Peruanos are of ancient
Peruvian descent, quite different to many Western horses, which often
possess some Arab ancestry. The unique quality of the "Peruvians" is
that they have the pre-Moorish Spanish paso, an extraordinary gait that
enables them to walk at the speed of a canter. The ride is smooth and
feels like sitting in a portable armchair, perfectly suited for the
distances required of the landscape. It's also ideal for the nervous or
beginners.
For those accompanying riding partners or
friends, there is often the opportunity to join for picnic lunches, and
to watch polo being played on the Estancia. Or perhaps enjoy a ride in
one of the antique cars or more traditional horse-drawn carriage.
Children
Children under 15 years are not permitted on trail
rides, unless they are experienced and competent riders, and the party
they are traveling with have reserved the ride exclusively.
Riding
You can expect to ride for between 4 - 6 hours per day,
usually with a longer ride in the morning and a shorter ride in the
afternoon, or day picnic rides. Rides are split according to ability,
and often we will have several rides going out. The maximum number of
guests per ride is 6 (plus 2 guides) but more normally it would be 4 or
so.
We usually play an informal game of polo at least once a
week on the estancia for those that would like to learn/take part.
After a traditional lunchtime ‘asado’, Sunday afternoons are usually
free for guests to relax and to enable horses to take a well-earned
rest.
Hard hats
We strongly recommend that you wear a hard hat for
riding, and it is obligatory for playing polo. We have a limited number
available at the estancia, but you may prefer to bring your own to
ensure the correct fit and comfort.
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
The Cordoba region or Argentina is
well known for its pleasant weather and healthy climate - "siempre de
temporada" or "always in season", is the old slogan. In Cordoba the
climate can vary but is generally sunny and dry. The rainy season is in
the summer months, whilst the winter is short and dry with crisp
nights, made cozy by log burning fires The sun is strong all year
round, so hats and good sun protection are recommended!
Cordoba's climate is often descirbed as 'Mediterranean', even despite
the fact its eastern border is 300 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean,
and western edge 330 miles from the Pacific Ocean.
During the summer season the days are warm and the nights pleasant. In
winter the climate is drier - but never badly cold. The annual average
temperature is approximately 16° C to 17° C, and can vary throughout
the year to between 14 and 15° C.
Rain amounts hardly surpass 500 cubic millimeters per
year, with rain levels in the north western province hardly exceeding
200 cubic millimeters a year. Eastern and western winds are rare,
short-lived and weak.
South and northeast winds begin to blow during the month of September
- increasing in strength during times of Antarctic cyclonic depressions.
Strong and windy storms are frequent during the months of summer, along with heavy rains and electric storms.
Flora and Fauna
The Cordoba hills in the centre of
Argentina are famous for their healthy climate and wonderful scenery.
The higher land is bare of trees and covered in long straw-like grass
called ‘paja brava’ which the animals eat in the winter months. There
are a number of tree varieties: acacias, cocos and molles are the most
common, and wild flowers cover the hills from early spring to the end
of autumn. There is an interesting variety of bird species from
vultures and eagles down to the most brightly coloured humming birds,
whilst condors have also returned to the hills. Partridges and doves
are plentiful and foxes and hares can often be seen, though the puma,
wild boar and small deer are more elusive.
The
estancia is situated at 1100 metres and therefore weather can sometimes
be unpredictable - there is always the possibility of a wet, windy or
cold day, and so pack accordingly! In addition, the sun is very
strong, so hats and good sun protection are recommended all year round.
Hard hat - a limited supply of hard hats are available on the estancia
but for comfort, fit and to ensure compliance with safety regulations
in your own country we recommend you bring your own.
Towels for the room and swimming pool are provided.
The estancia generates its own
electricity and supports responsible tourism. Therefore, the use of
electrical items such as hairdryers and irons may be limited, and are
not provided by the estancia.
It is possible
to do laundry- cold wash only and no ironing (we create our own
electricity and so it is very precious to us!). There is no fixed
charge – we just ask that guests reflect the washing in their gratuity.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Comfortable riding jean or Jodhpurs |
| Long riding boots or short boots and half chaps (a limited supply of half-chaps are available from the estancia) |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| A good windproof/waterproof |
| Gaiters (provided). |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Layers on top, including a warm fleece |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pajama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Closed toe walking boots/shoes if you wish to explore the estancia on foot |
| Swimsuit |
| Sleeping bag (for the optional overnight trail ride – a limited supply are available from the estancia) |
| Small towel and small bar of soap |
| Small torch |
| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect repellent |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for the emergency) |
| Personal insurance details |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Binoculars |
| Camera + batteries or charger + film or card |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| High factor Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
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*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.
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Accommodation on the farm today has a rustic elegance and is very comfortable providing you with all creature comforts. Many of the estancia buildings are several hundred years
old, and have been lovingly restored with traditional materials to
reflect the history of the area. One of the original cattle brands and
symbols of the area ‘The Bell’, can still be seen etched into the
fireplace in the sitting room. Today, the walls echo with the
laughter of the fourth generation of the Begg family to live in this
beautiful part of the world, but the spirit of the estancia from days
gone by still lingers.
All rooms are individual and tastefully furnished, and all have their
own private bathroom. Antiques abound and cooler winter nights are
warmed by log fires and wood-burning stoves.

Meals are European in style,
varied and delicious with plenty of excursions into local dishes, with
the dishes supplemented by our own organically grown vegetables, fruit
and free-range eggs. The excellent chef can cater for a range of
special dietary requirements. The Estancia has its ‘own label’
Argentine wines to accompany the meals, and various grape varieties
make for interesting wine tasting. Meals at the Estancia reflect traditional cuisine, and
the working practices of the farm respect the long history of animal
breeding in the area.
For those interested in Argentine cuisine, the chef is
delighted to share and demonstrate knowledge of traditional Argentine
dishes from our beautiful farm kitchen, using only fresh ingredients,
much of which is provided from the estancia.
Dietary requirements:
We can cater for a wide range of dietary requirements,
providing we have notice in advance. Please advise Hidden Trails of any
special requirements that you may have.

Around the estancia
A ‘pool
with a view’ provides a perfect place to relax, along with hammocks on
the verandahs. The estancia has an eclectic range of books in virtually
every room for guests to enjoy, and an artists box is provided for the
creatively minded. The sierras are a photographer´s delight.
There's a beautiful garden at the
estancia, which is looked after by a Chilean man who is in his 80s, but
does not know how old he actually is. The man has no papers and
therefore cannot get a pension – so he is reliant upon the kindness of
the Beggs who provide him with a home and income in exchange for his
gardening skills. Something that sets this holiday apart from any
other trip is that you have the opportunity to learn about another
culture, without actually realising that you are doing so.

This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
English Style with English polo saddles and military saddles, covered with sheepskins
Style of Riding, Western, one handed with soft reins
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Criollos, Peruvian Pasos, Polo ponies and some crossbreeds
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate, trots and canters
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
Gallop |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
to
5
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
12
|
Max
70
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
195 lb
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
3 riders
|
Max
10 riders
(per riding group)
|
Max Capacity
12
|

This is the land of the gaucho – the
great horsemen who have a long, proud tradition and attachment to their
horses. The gauchos like their horses to be forward-going and to carry
their heads quite high. They train the horses to stop at the lightest
touch on the rein and to go anywhere and do any job without hesitation.
Jose, one of the gauchos who rode out with us most days, was amazing to
watch – he was as happy working cattle as he was leading guests on
rides, when often he would quietly break into song.

This is a place for people who
appreciate fine horses and know how to ride. However, there are horses
for every ability, and beginners are welcome. The horses are bred on
the estate and used for working the cattle. Some are Pasos Peruanos,
others native Argentine Criollos, and the rest crossbreds. All are
small, sure-footed and responsive. The Pasos Peruanos are of ancient
Peruvian descent, quite different to many Western horses, which often
possess some Arab ancestry. The unique quality of the "Peruvians" is
that they have the pre-Moorish Spanish paso, an extraordinary gait that
enables them to walk at the speed of a canter. The ride is smooth and
feels like sitting in a portable armchair, perfectly suited for the
distances required of the landscape. It's also ideal for the nervous or
beginners.
For those accompanying riding partners or
friends, there is often the opportunity to join for picnic lunches, and
to watch polo being played on the Estancia. Or perhaps enjoy a ride in
one of the antique cars or more traditional horse-drawn carriage.
Children
Children under 15 years are not permitted on trail
rides, unless they are experienced and competent riders, and the party
they are traveling with have reserved the ride exclusively.
Riding
You can expect to ride for between 4 - 6 hours per day,
usually with a longer ride in the morning and a shorter ride in the
afternoon, or day picnic rides. Rides are split according to ability,
and often we will have several rides going out. The maximum number of
guests per ride is 6 (plus 2 guides) but more normally it would be 4 or
so.
We usually play an informal game of polo at least once a
week on the estancia for those that would like to learn/take part.
After a traditional lunchtime ‘asado’, Sunday afternoons are usually
free for guests to relax and to enable horses to take a well-earned
rest.
Hard hats
We strongly recommend that you wear a hard hat for
riding, and it is obligatory for playing polo. We have a limited number
available at the estancia, but you may prefer to bring your own to
ensure the correct fit and comfort.
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.
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Bell Stone Estancias Ride
Tour Code:
IT-ARRT11-E
8 days /
7 nights
~$3,010.00
Dates :
Feb, Oct
Difficulty :

Lodging:
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Local Events
Tack:
English Style with English polo saddle...
Horses:
Criollos, Peruvian Pasos, Polo ponies ...
Pace:
Moderate, trots and canters
Walk,
Trot,
Canter,
Gallop,
Airport:
Cordoba
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF
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