ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS - ARGENTINA

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Estancia Los Potreros is an exclusive 6,000-acre working cattle farm that has remained in the same Anglo-Argentine family for four generations. Polo is part of the tradition here, and this extends to Gauchos and Guests. The estancia is in a very secluded location at an altitude of 3,000 feet nestled between Pampas and the Andes in the heart of the beautiful region of Cordoba. 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.

Los Potreros was voted in 2010 as one of the "100 Best Hotels In The World" in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine.

Trip length Suggested 8 days/7 nights or as you wish. There is a minimum of 3 nights (5 nights over Christmas & New Year). Ride price detailed prices price promise Per person per night from: 2012 Jan-April 7+ nights: double pp 7+ nights £255/€309/$375 Departure dates Open all year round but closed for the month of May Approximate riding time per day Flexible, on trails 4-6 hours. No riding on Sunday afternoons Riding ability required All riding abilities catered for Group size Max 12 Meeting point (getting there) Cordoba Airport, Argentina. Transfer included from meeting point. Approx transfer time = 30 minutes. Flight guide London - Cordoba return £450 - £850. See below for flight info. Single supplement detailed prices No single supplement (in the 3 single rooms). Double room for single occupancy: 2012 Jan-April 7+ nights: £77/€93/$115

NOTES - ESTANCIA LOS POTREROS

Horses
Type: Most are either "Criollos" or "Paso Peruanos" with some crossbreeds. Total Number: 510+, all home bred. Riding Horses: 30+ Height: 14.3 – 15.3hh Nature: These horses have exceptionally soft mouths, are well mannered and in excellent condition, they are responsive and sure-footed.

Weight and age limits
Riders of all ages are welcomed into the large multi-generational family set up. Weight limit is 15 stone/95 kg/210 lbs. 

Riding
The riding time is totally flexible on ranch stays, it can be from 4-6 hours on a day trail ride or less if staying on the Estancia to work with the gauchos or play polo. Type of Riding: The riding is “Western” and very relaxed. You can ride at any pace dependent on your ability. Riding is usually centred round the Estancia life with occasional overnight excursions, longer expeditions are arranged. Cattle work, scenic rides out and horseback visits to local sights are all options.

Polo
Learn to play polo weeks are available from October to April subject to availability and a minimum of 2 poeple. These are as for estancia stays plus: half day "stick and ball" and practise chukkas; daily tuition; in house tournament on the last day; daily trail ride.
For more serious polo playing see the set date Polo Week itineraries.

There is no set itinerary for this horse riding holiday, the following is an example of some of the options available: On your arrival day you are introduced to the horses and gauchos, followed by a familiarisation ride to a "top view" point. A half or full day riding on the estate following streams through valleys to the "top of the world" stunning views of Cordoba City in the distance and the pampas beyond with a picnic lunch on the way. Riders may have the opportunity to spend the morning with the gauchos while they work cattle.The amount and type of work will depend on the season, rounding up, herding, branding etc. Enjoy a full day's ride to explore Candongas C1600 church, returning to Los Potreros past the "Estancita" and the Dominican church. Spend a day visiting the Canada de los Condores and swim in the waterfall (Cascades de los Condores). Picnic by the crystal clear stream under the willows. Once a week there is a Polo day, you can learn the basics and play a few chukkas, everyone can have a go.

Guide
Kevin and Louisa are your hosts on this ride. The Begg family have lived on the Estancia for 4 generations and know its history intimately.

Accommodation
Comfortable en suite rooms on the ranch. Nights away from Los Potreros are spent camping or in local dwellings allowing the visitors to experience another way of life. There is no single supplement between June and September, or anytime of year if riders are willing to share.

Food
European, varied and delicious with plenty of opportunities to try local dishes. Some of the food is grown on the ranch. All meals are served with drinks and good Argentine wines. Various grape varieties make for interesting wine tasting. The Estancia has its own wine made locally.

Other activities
There is plenty to do for those not interested in riding or on a day off. Walking in the hills and exploring the streams, watching the exotic bird life or just lying by the pool. There are also three excellent golf courses in the vicinity. The farm is remote but a taxi ride or a lift can take you shopping to Rio Ceballos, La Falda or La Cumbre. Cordoba city (55K) is an interesting University town, a principal staging post between Lima (Peru) and Buenos Aires. The area is rich in Jesuit churches showing their intense activity in the region. The folkloric festival at Cosquin and the Rodeo at Jesus Maria are also annual attractions as are cattle sales and the cattle branding. Specific activity itineraries are available for riding, vintage car driving, trekking, golf and mountain biking.

Staying in the Winter from June to September?
Also enjoy, free of charge:
 - a trip by vehicle to Santa Catalina Jesuit estancia or Candonga church, two of the most famous landmarks in Argentina
- a wine-tasting of local wines
- a half day polo session with tuition and the chance to play some ‘chukkas’
- a demonstration by our horse-breaker on our style of working with young horses
- an organised photo shoot of our herd of beautiful horses galloping on the hills
- gaucho skills afternoon . . .watch the gauchos in action taking part in some of their favourite activities, such as lassoing, and then have a go yourself!

Buenos Aires city break
Should you wish to visit Buenos Aires we can arrange an excellent city break in good hotels with a city tour, Tango dinner and show and more. Please enquire.

The weight limit for this ride is 15st /210 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, meals, drinks (including wine, beer and spirits), all activities including riding as described, transfer from Cordoba and English speaking guide.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Gratuities and items of a personal nature. A single supplement may be payable if a single rooms is requested but this is not charged if the Estancia is not full.

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