Los Potreros
Land of the gaucho, wide open spaces, the finest beef and some of the world's best wine. Where horses are used for work and transport, and where cattle roam free. Where your hosts, The Begg Family wait to welcome you for a taste of authentic estancia life.
The estancia is easy to reach from Córdoba but away from the tourist trail. Offering a unique insight into rural culture and traditions, the family invite you to share their home and lifestyle. Whether your passion is horseback riding, bird-watching, exploring scenic walking trails or simply relaxing amongst local tradition and culture, guests enoy a once in a lifetime holiday. Come and fall in love with Argentina as you eat, drink and breathe it alongside the gauchos.
Riding at Los Potreros is an experience not to be missed, whatever your ability. The horses are ridden ‘gaucho style’, in a relaxed manner with loose reins, which is very intuitive and easy to pick up. Each with their own personality, the horses take on the task of ensuring each guest has a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Trail riding is tailored to suit ability and the hills provide a surprising variety of landscapes and terrain. Rocky outcrops give way to open hillsides. Hidden valleys lead to tumbling waterfalls and wooded paths.
Trails take you to swimming holes and spectacular viewpoints, or further afield to neighbouring lands that offer a glimpse of rural life, past homesteads, churches and remote schools.There are between 4-6 hours of riding a day. The itinerary is flexible, and subject to weather, particularly in the case of polo. On Sundays there is only a morning ride, but there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in the afternoon.
- Ride on a 6500 acre working organic cattle farm
- Ride “gaucho-style” across varied and scenic terrain
- Enjoy authentic estancia hospitality and Argentine cuisine
- Ride a variety of well-trained horses suited to all levels
- Home to some of the world's best wine and finest beef
- Easy to reach from Cordoba but away from the touritst trail
itinerary
Day 1
Your transfer will meet you at the international airport of Córdoba. Just under an hour from your pick-up you will arrive at Estancia Los Potreros in time for a late lunch. An introductory ride to get used to the ‘gaucho’ style of riding – long legs, deep seats and neck reining, whilst enjoying the comfortable sheepskins on the saddles. After your ride, the Begg family invite you to dinner in what has been the family home for over 100 years.
Day 2
Ride to the ‘Top of the World’, the highest point on the estancia, to appreciate the spectacular views out over the Sierras Chicas. The trail along the ridge is perfect for condor and eagle spotting, before returning to the estancia in time for lunch on the veranda. Demonstration and introduction to the very special Peruvian Paso horse. Learn more about this amazing 5- gaited horse, before trying out their super smooth paces yourself. All of these horses are home-bred on the estancia and are forward-going and extremely comfortable.
Day 3
A long morning’s ride to the far south of the farm, dropping into the local village to visit a unique and unusual chapel and museum that was built as a memorial to his wife and daughter by Guido Buffo, an art and science lover. Enjoy a traditional Argentine ‘asado’, sampling several different cuts of the estancia’s home-reared beef, washed down with plenty of Malbec. Take the rest of the afternoon to relax by the pool, and in the evening you are invited to an informal wine tasting, sampling local wines of the region before sitting down to a candle-lit dinner.
Day 4
Cattle day! Discover your inner gaucho as you help the boys round up our herd of award-winning Aberdeen Angus, collecting them and moving them across the hills to our cattle station. Following lunch ´gaucho style´ under a shady tree, see if you can master the art of the lasso in the corrals, before some lovely long open canters along the top of the hills as you return to the estancia for tea and cake on the veranda.
Day 5
The ride this morning drops down to a hidden waterfall where you can take a dip or just take a few moments to relax in the cool shade. From there a wonderful long canter takes you up to ‘Potrero de Niz’, the original family home of the Beggs, and a delicious picnic lunch on the porch. Perched on the top of a hill, the house has stunning views over the valleys, and we warn you that once there you will never want to leave! In the afternoon you will ride back via the ‘Bellstone’ which will have the geologists amongst you scratching your heads. Tonight, the chefs open the farm kitchen doors and invite you to join them in preparing some traditional local dishes whilst sampling some more fabulous Argentine wines.
Day 6
No horse-riding holiday to Argentina would be complete without trying your hand at the ‘Sport of Kings’ – polo! Ride down to the polo ground where you will be given a short lesson followed by some practice ‘stick and ball’ and then play a few chukkas of this highly addictive game. After a barbeque lunch, challenge the gauchos to some gaucho games – barrel racing and ‘sortija’ – a race that involves spearing a small ring with a stick at speed!
Day 7
On your final day, ride through plunging gorges and over soaring mountain tops to reach ‘Las Tasas’ – a gorgeous natural swimming-hole where you can dive, swim or just take a snooze in the sun. After a shady picnic lunch, help the gauchos round up the mares and foals to protect them from the elusive puma. Tonight, enjoy some live traditional Argentine music with a glass of wine in the garden before sitting down to a fabulous farewell dinner.
Day 8
After breakfast depart for your onward travels.
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Los Potreros
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
All levels of rider are catered for, from beginner to experienced. Rides and horses tailored to suit. The pace is dependent on ability, from walking, ‘pacing’ and plenty of opportunities to canter. The weight limit is 95kg.
There is a maximum number of 12 guests at any one time. Due to the flexible itinerary the group size varies, but it is normally 4-6 riders plus 2 guides.
There are over 80 riding horses, with the herd being a mixture of Criollos, Peruvian Pasos and polo ponies, which are forward-going, responsive and sure-footed. Your hosts tend to change horses during a guest's stay, giving guests the opportunity to try several different horses.
There is a strict riding weight limit of 95kgs and 85kgs for polo and the Peruvian Paso breed.
For trails you will ride in traditional Argentina tack - wooden saddles with sheepskin layers on top for comfort and simple snaffle bridles. For polo you will ride in English tack.We recommend that riders wear a helmet and bring your own to ensure a proper fit. A hard hat must be worn when playing polo, during gaucho games or for children. A limited supply of hard hats and half chaps are available to borrow at the estancia.
Price includes
- Transfers to/from Córdoba airport
- All accommodation, food and drink (including alcoholic beverages) on a full board basis
- Riding and all other estancia based activities
- Guides
- Local taxes
Price Excludes
- Flights
- Personal insurance
- Discretionary tips (10 to 20% per day is customary)
Accommodation
The estancia has comfortable but simple rooms, traditionally furnished with plenty of antiques, all individual and with private bathrooms. Rooms are heated with wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. You can expect top quality beds, linen, dressing gowns and amenities, with a maid service 3 times per day. Wifi is not available in the bedrooms and is in the main house.
Meals are held together in the main dining room or on the veranda, with lunch and dinner hosted by the Begg family. Breakfast includes bacon and eggs, toast, cereals, yoghurt, fruit and porridge. Lunch and supper consist of two courses with coffee and a combination of international and traditional Argentine cuisine. Afternoon tea is tea and homemade cake or biscuits. There are regular picnics and ‘asados’ (barbecues).
Meal times are one of the highlights of a stay at the estancia as they are highly sociable and the hosts are always keen to share their insights into Argentine life. There is a swimming pool which is open mid-Oct-April.
Los Potreros
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Flight and transfer information
Do Not book your travel before receiving SaddleTravel.com's booking confirmation email.
- Arrival airport: Cordoba (ODB)
- Arrival time: The estancia is a one hour drive from the airport and we recommend arriving in time for lunch at 13.00 so that you can join the afternoon ride at 16.30 on your arrival day.
- Departure time: Betweent 8:00 - 20:00
- Transfer arrangements: Can be arranged between 8:00 - 20:00 - transfers will be charged at £60 per car each way (max 3 ppl) this amount can change based on the time of booking.
Single room supplement: There is no extra charge for a single room when they are available.
The estancia offers any day arrivals all year round excluding May, July & August when they are closed. The best time of year to visit is the warmer months of October to March. The price displayed is for a 7 night itinerary but you can choose the length of stay (3 night minimum)
Children aged 10 to 16 years are welcome at the estancia and receive a 20% discount on the cost of the ride.