Argentina - Gaucho Yungas Jungle Adventure

There are no reviews for this holiday at the moment

Day 1
After a scenic 2.5 hour transfer from Salta, arrive at the lodges and settle into the eco-friendly accommodations surrounded by the lush Yungas jungle. Begin the adventure with a 1-hour guided jungle walk (easy level, 4 km), observing towering trees and vibrant birdlife such as toucans and parrots. Afterward, relax in an ecological jacuzzi nestled among the trees, heated by a sustainable wood fire. The evening concludes with a delicious dinner, prepared with local ingredients, before retiring to the lodge for a restful night amid the tranquil sounds of the jungle.

Day 2
Start the day with a hearty continental breakfast at the lodge before setting off on a 4 hour horseback ride led by local gauchos. Journey through the jungle to open plains that are perfect for galloping, and enjoy a scenic picnic overlooking the river. Covering 15 km on easy, flat terrain, this ride offers an immersive experience of the region’s natural beauty. Return to the lodge to relax, perhaps with a soak in the jacuzzi, before ending the day with another wood-fired dinner and a peaceful night in the cozy jungle accommodation.

Day 3
Begin the day with a continental breakfast at the lodge before embarking on a thrilling 6 hour horseback adventure along the Camino Viejo. Accompanied by gauchos, traverse steep mountain paths and dense jungle trails, with machetes used to clear the way. This high-level ride covers 18 km and ascends 700 meters, offering breathtaking views and a true sense of exploration. Arrive at a remote bivouac deep in the jungle, where riders enjoy a traditional asado dinner by a campfire before spending the night immersed in the wild under the stars.

Day 4
Start the morning with campfire before setting off on a 6 hour horseback ride to the Abra de Los Morteros, a fascinating prehistoric site hidden in the jungle. The journey begins with a steep 2 km ascent through dense vegetation, followed by a winding mountain road, covering 15 km with a 700 m elevation gain (medium difficulty). Arrive at the Finca to relax in the ecological jacuzzi before enjoying a festive dinner featuring cabeza guateada, a gaucho specialty. End the day in comfort with an overnight stay in the lodge, surrounded by the serenity of the jungle.

Day 5
Enjoy a continental breakfast at the lodge before checking out at 11:00. Conclude the jungle adventure with a transfer back to Salta or San Salvador towns or either  airport, taking in the stunning landscapes one last time as you journey back to civilization.

During the rainy season (November 15 to March 30) or in case of particularly bad weather, the activities on days 3 and 4 can be replaced by ones of the following (which also means that for day 3, it would be meals and overnight in the lodge instead of camp):
Cattle activity with gauchos on the finca: tracking cow/s, lassoing and bringing back to the finca. There are no set routes, just adventure with the gauchos. (5 - 6 hours of riding)
Lasso initiation with the gauchos (2 - 3 hr activity)
Leatherwork with the gauchos: make a souvenir with handmade leather (2 - 3 hr activity)
Wood-fired empanadas workshop with a local woman (2 - 3 hr activity)

Founded by a French couple and partners, the finca is an exclusive concept in the Northwest - a place where raw nature and the French art of living come together.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The stable consists of 10 Argentine Criollos. They are typically 13.2 to 14.3hh, sturdy, compact, strong and agile enough to negotiate steep terrain. Gaucho saddles are used. Guides are the finca's gauchos, accompanied by an English translator if necessary. The guides speak Spanish, English and French.

The Finca's 2,400 hectares offer riders different scenarios: dense jungle slaloming between lianas and branches, wide plains for galloping, forest with steep terrain, river banks, mountain ridges, etc.

This program is suitable for experienced riders who are used to riding in the open.

Strong intermediate to advanced riders who are used to riding in the open. You need to be able to control your horse at all paces.

The weight limit for this ride is 187 lb/85 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Lodges: Double or triple room (twin or double bed) with private bathroom in one of the 2 lodges. Each lodge has a private terrace with panoramic jungle views and an ecological jacuzzi (water heated to 40 degrees in winter).

Amenities: Spring-fed filtered water, electricity from solar panels, wood-fired hot water, wood stove heating, ceiling fans in summer. There is access to a laundry.

The lodges were designed to blend harmoniously into the landscape. Their construction in solid trunks allows the interior to naturally remain cool. The other materials used during the construction and the manufacture of the furniture come mostly from the finca: the stones were collected in the river, the wood and bamboo were taken from the forest.

Camping: Overnight in a hammock under the stars in the jungle near a waterhole

Example of meals:

Breakfast (8 - 930am) : Hot drinks, orange juice, French bread, butter, homemade jams, pancakes, criollo cheese, fruit salad, scrambled eggs, etc.

Lunch (12 and 1pm): cold meal to be enjoyed on horseback or at the lodge, including pita bread, rillettes, charcuterie, escabeche, pickles, quiches, homemade cake, etc.

Dinner (8 - 9 pm): starter, main course and dessert, traditional French recipes prepared over a wood fire.

Vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free menus available upon request.

Included: Unlimited mineral water, lemonade on return from excursions, local wine with meals.

A la carte wine, beer, cocktails are at an extra cost.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. When visiting Argentina your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/argentina

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

The finca is located in a subtropical mountain zone, in the south of Jujuy. The climate is characterized by a hot and humid summer and a mild and dry winter. Both climates offer two completely different scenarios of life in the jungle-forest.
Rainy season : from December 20 to February 20, the climate is hot and humid with an average temperature of 28 to 30° which can rise to 35°. Storms and torrential rains usually begin at the end of the day. We appreciate the permanent spectacle of dense and abundant vegetation.
Dry season : from March to November, temperatures are mild, with an average of 22°. Nights remain cool, rain is rare. At this time, it becomes easier to meet the wild animals of the finca. At night, the great clarity of the sky allows you to contemplate the incredibly sparkling stars.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel to some parts of the country.

Health authorities have classified Argentina as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

Dengue fever can occur throughout the year. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Argentina and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

In Argentina the supply voltage is 220V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 220V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

The finca and its surroundings are only very partially covered by the mobile network. A Wi-Fi hotspot is available to guests at the reception at the lodges. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then below are your Horse Trip essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant.

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

Suggested for this ride:
- loose-fitting long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt
- wide pants in thick canvas
- wool socks
- sweater for cool evenings
- good high-top walking shoes
- wide-brimmed hat or cap
- lightweight backpack
- swimsuit
- mosquito repellent

5 days / 4 nights / 3 riding days

2025: Available year round on request
Low season: 01 Apr - 30 Jun; 01 Sep - 15 Dec
High season: 15 Dec 2024 - 30 Mar; 01 Jul - 30 Aug

• £
• €
• US $
• SEK

Rough Guide to Argentina - 2nd Edition - Danny Aeberhard

On A Hoof And A Prayer: Around Argentina At A Gallop  - Polly Evans

Footprint Argentina Handbook - Christabelle Dilks

‘Gauchos and the Vanishing Frontier’ –Richard W Slatta,

‘The Drunken Forest’ and ‘The Whispering Land’ – Gerald Durrell,

‘Saddled With Darwin’- Toby Green

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

jungle hiking with birdwatching, empanadas workshop, leather handcrafted workshop

Many species populate the finca, some of which are endangered and only survive in the Yungas: tapir, collared peccary, mountain turkey.
During an excursion in the jungle-forest, with a little luck and a lot of discretion, some animals can be seen: the mono cai monkeys jumping from branch to branch, the terrestrial carpincho with its waddling step or even the toucans on the lookout for some tasty fruit.

Argentina is the second largest country in Latin America after Brazil (almost all the countries of Western Europe and Scandinavia could fit inside Argentina's land mass). The country is diverse and includes rain forest in the north, vast areas of fertile farming land in the centre, the Andean mountain range to the west and the desolate plains of Patagonia in the south, leading down to glaciers at the southern tip. Argentina has the world's southernmost city (Ushaia). Despite Argentina's recent economic woes, its pleasures - stunning natural wonders, an elegant capital and a passionate culture - are still as tempting as ever. Argentina has a distinctly European feel, Argentinians are much more European in temperament than their South American neighbours but their Latin spirit is still evident such as in their love of football and in the tempestuous dance of the Tango. Argentina is three hours behind GMT. Remember in the summer the UK is one hour ahead of GMT and daylight savings is not in use in Argentina. They use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code is +54.