Transfer Option:

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

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.

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.

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.