General Info

Visit a family owned Argentina estancia in northern Patagonia in the foothills of the Andes mountains close to the Argentina / Chile border. Experience life on a working estancia in northern Patagonia, horse riding the foothills of the Andes and into Lanin National Park. Help the gauchos work cattle for true adventure!

Traverse beech forests and bamboo thickets and ride the tops of the ridges where there are breathtaking views.  Always magnificent, the snow-capped volcano "Lanin" dominates the entire area. This estancia has been run by four generations of the Wood family that have worked on the 15,000 acres of Patagonian Steppe, a peaceful oasis of green surrounded by the orchards planted by the family. There is an awareness throughout the region of the fragile environment in which they live. Many guests find the self-sufficiency of the estancia fascinating, from the water driven turbine, to the home grown produce. 

For those who want to combine riding horse with other non-riding activities, staying at the ranch on a base trip allows you to try many activities and provides a way to sample typical Patagonian life at an estancia. Hike, horse ride, see the Indian burial caves one day or go rafting on the River Alumine another. Go down to the river to fly-fish or swim before a BBQ dinner on the bank. Bird watch, paint, or read and relax. You can also try your luck at fishing and hunting. There is a hot-tub, a sauna, a plunge pool, and for the energetic, a tennis court near the house.
 

Packing

Packing Tips for Argentina Estancia Vacation

Estancia Riding

In the summer months the weather at the Argentina estancia is generally hot and dry during the day with a maximum temperature between 70 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit.  Being at a high elevation, the temperture always cools down at night. It rarely rains - however it is necessary to be prepared with adequate raingear.

Please see Equitrekking Travel’s General Packing List and ask us about packing tips when you book this Argentina riding vacation.

About the Horses

This Argentina estancia is home to about 80 horses and with 15,000 acres, where they live as 'wild' horses' as much as possible. The Argentina Patagonia Estancia & Progressive Trek's prize-winning Crillo stallion, a beautiful 'lobuno' color, can be seen taking care of his mares and foals in the fields. The horses are criollo crosses, part anglo-normando, of about 15.5 hh. They are bred and trained on the Estancia and are sure-footed and well behaved. When not being ridden they are out enjoying the freedom of the water meadows which makes for an exciting ride rounding them up!

There is a selection of horses that can accommodate all riding abilities and confidence levels. They are neck-reined and the riding is similar to western riding.

Tack
The saddles used are "montura de monte" which are similar to old English army saddles with a sheepskin on top. Following traditional gaucho methods, you will find only the stirrups have buckles on these saddles. The saddles are sinched using leatherhide, a custom not forgotten from the days when gauchos, like the American cowboy, would ride into the wilderness unable to replace a broken buckle. The gauchos continue to practice this and you will see them fully equipped with their lassos, gaucho knives, and boleros. When you set off into the mountains for your pack trips, your saddle becomes your bed and the sheepskin is a favorite when it is time to take an afternoon siesta in the shade.

Activities/Events

Various trips are available to add on to your vacation from a trip to San Martin, to a visit to Lanin National Park, or to explore one of the Indian reservations, ideally located for the 'Seven Lakes Route', a natural wonder of the world. Other activities are listed below:

Walking
There is plenty to explore on foot on the 15,000 acres. Climb to the top of ridges to watch the condors or set off hiking to see the Indian burial caves. Sample walks include a walk around the homestead visiting burrowing parrot nests, the dam, the corrales which takes about 2 hours. Walk to the top of the cliff where the condors roost for about a 4 hours hike. Walk to the top of Stony Hill which has a remarkable view over the estancia and for relatively little effort, about 2 hours. Walk to the Indian Burial caves, having lunch at the far end of the estancia and returning over the top of Chenque Hill, about 25kms or 6 hours or walk over the top to where the Alumine River enters the estancia, returning along the river, again about 25kms or 6 hours.

On the River
The estancia lies on the River Alumine, perfect for swimming, fishing, or even a BBQ on its banks. Take a stroll to the river in the evening or spend the day rafting. Junin de los Andes is famous for its fishing and the river contains good populations of wild brown and rainbow trout. No supplemental stocking of hatchery fish is done. One to three pound trout are common and there are reasonable numbers of three to five pounders. There is mostly wet, but some dry fly fishing. The fishing is on a catch and release basis. The season runs from mid-November to mid-April.

Birdwatching
For those bird watching enthusiasts amongst us, join the ornithologist on site to learn more about the birds often seen at Huechahue.

Golf
For those who love golf, a spectacular and challenging 18 hole (72 par) Jack Nichlaus course has recently opened at Chapelco, about a 45 minutes drive away.

Accommodations/Food

Argentina Estancia 
The Argentina estancia is a working cattle ranch in Argentine Patagonia. Four generations of the Wood family have worked on the 15,000 acres of Patagonian Steppe to produce a self-sufficient oasis and thriving cattle operation. The estancia breeds Hereford cattle and it is all extensive farming with natural grazing. No fertilizers or pesticides are used. Most of the food is produced on the estancia and all the meat is home reared! There is dairy cow for milk, chickens for eggs, and a large organic vegetable garden which is fertilized with horse manure from the corrales. There is extensive fruit and nut orchards and all surplus fruit is either dried in the sun, bottled or made into jam. There are also pigs who eat all the organic waste.

The ranch remains almost entirely self sufficient. Each generation has introduced new sustainable technologies, not only because of their love of the land but also because they had no choice! The water (both for irriagation and in the house) is gravity fed from natural springs and means that it generates electricity with a water driven turbine. Over the years large numbers of trees have been planted. This on-going program now provides enough firewood for all our heating and hot water and also makes carbon neutral regarding the use of fossil fuels.

While staying at the estancia, meals are usually served in the dinning room of the main house and guests gather for drinks in front of the fire in the living room. Alternatively use of the 'quincho' is made, the function room, with an open fire pit perfect for 'asados' and dancing if the occasion arises!

When you are not eating "asados" (bbq's) or picnics by the river, meals are served in the dining room of the main house. Lunch and dinner are large meals in Argentina. Ham and bacon from our pigs are cured in the smoke-house, eggs come from the chicken run, milk and home made yogurt from the dairy cow and of course you will enjoy local beef, venison, and wild boar. With the large orchards, fruit is in abundance and all the preserves, bottle fruit, even the apple juice are homemade! There is a large vegetable garden and bread is freshly baked on a daily basis!

Argentine wines are finally achieving international recognition and  local wines from the province are served. The beers and spirits are good too ensuring that there is always a siesta!

The accommodation on the Estancia is very comfortable. There are three guest lodges a stroll across the lawn from the main farmhouse, which between them provide eight twin/double bedded rooms with private bathrooms. There is also a hot tub and a cold water pool for jumping in on hot days.

While on the pack trips, you stay in two-man tents and good quality down sleeping bags are provided. The camp staff arrange all the setting up of camp, cooking and care of the horses.

The Ideal Traveler

Intermediate to Advanced riders who want to experience an Argentina riding vacation and life on a working estancia in northern Patagonia.

Argentina Estancia Based Vacation

Learn about life on a working Argentine estancia! During October and April, the condors are particularly spectacular near the Estancia and there are more interesting, varied and fun horse and cattle work to be done than in the summer (November - March).

Dates & Rates Jan 2013 - Apr 2014

7 nights $2,870 USD*
Pack trips are an additional $100 USD* per person (minimum of 2 people).
No single supplement if prepared to share; otherwise $103 USD* per night to request a single room.

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking.

Included
Accommodation; full board; drinks; riding; ranch activities; ranch fishing; transfers from San Martin de los Andes. We can also arrange transfers from Bariloche at c. $255 USD* each way for 1 or 2 people.

Not Included
Fishing guides (USD360* per day or USD180* per person per day if two people sharing a guide); off ranch fishing; airport departure taxes; tips. International flights to Buenos Aires; internal flights from Buenos Aires to San Martin de los Andes/San Carlos de Bariloche; hotel nights in Buenos Aires; transfers between airports in Buenos Aires.
 

While estancia vacations depend very much on our guests, below is a sample of a weeks’ riding vacation:

Day 1: On arrival there will be a late lunch followed by an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride in Argentina.

Day 2: A full days ride on the estancia with an "asado" lunch. Follow a stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows sending the plovers and ibis screeching, before returning over the top of Chenque Hill, where the Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you.

Day 3: A day spent working cattle with the gauchos. Lunch with the gauchos is strips of beef ribs threaded onto a stick and cooked over the open fire. A siesta in the shade and a chance to separate the cows on horseback or try your hand with a lasso.

Day 4: A full days ride on the estancia to visit the Indian burial caves. The caves were formed when the glaciers carved the valley opening an entrance to the lava flow tunnels formed during previous eras of volcanic activity. The Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead, surrounded by their weapons and always somewhere where they could see their enemies coming. They decorated the walls with designs. The remains have disappeared, but the petroglyphs and the view are still there.

Day 5: A morning's ride to see our stallion with the mares and new foals, and a chance to herd horses. After a late lunch there will be an evening ride to the cliffs where the condors and eagles roost. While we have a cocktail and the sun goes down, the condors return, they soar above and below us before settling for the night.

Day 6: A days ride through the neighboring Indian reservation. Our saddle rugs and saddle bags are woven by some of the Indian women and the skins from the cows we butcher are worked into rawhide and then bridles and halters by the men. We will pass by to see what progress is being made and to share a "mate" on our way through.

Day 7: A full days ride to a different part of the Estancia. There are 15,000 acres in all so there is still plenty left to explore. Lunch will be on the river. On the way home a chance to see guanaco, deer, wild boar and “peludos” - the baby armadillo.

Day 8: A farewell ride on the estancia before transferring to the airport
 

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.

Estancia Base with Horse Pack Trip

Ride deep into the Lanin National Park in the heart of the Andes, where the snow-capped volcano “Lanin” dominates the entire area. Enjoy an estancia riding vacation and pack trip. From November to March, it is possible to include a three day pack trip. Please call us for dates of pack trips already scheduled. In November, if there is still a lot of snow around, then the pack trips might be two day/one night camping. There is a minimum of two riders for a pack-trip to run.

8 night sample itinerary for Argentina riding vacation with pack trip
Day One

You will be met at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and driven to Estancia Huechahue (approx. 30 mins.). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride. A chance to familiarize yourself with the horses and tack and the way we ride.

Days Two to Five

Four days riding based on Huechahue. Whilst riding across barren rolling hills, through narrow rocky gorges, galloping across water meadows you visit Indian burial caves, see petroglyphs, work cattle and herd horses with the guachos, have lunch "asados" by the river, surprise guanacos, deer, armadillos. You climb to the tops of the mesas where the mighty Andes rise up behind you and the vastness of Patagonia stretches out before you, whilst eagles and condors float high above. See the suggested weekly itinerary for more details.

Days Six to Eight

A three day pack trip in the Andes mountains. The exact itinerary will depend on the time of year and weather / snow conditions. You may depart from the estancia itself or you may go into the mountains by vehicle. You will ride through the spectacular scenery of the southern Andes with its snow capped volcanoes, crystal clear lakes and pristine forests. Nights on route are spent camping in carefully chosen, picturesque campsites by a lake shore or at a stream's edge, with tea brewed over the fire or a traditional "mate" when you arrive, a chance for a refreshing swim before a good dinner and evening spent relaxing around the campfire. These are rids into the wilderness.

For most of the time, the terrain in the National Park itself dictates a slow pace, but whenever possible you will have the chance to go a bit faster. While you only occasionally need to lead the horses, there are some steep hills to descend and traverse and so the rides are not for the nervous or those with vertigo. At the end, return transport will be waiting to bring you back to Estancia Huechahue for baths, dinner and good beds!

Day Nine
A farewell ride on Huechahue before transferring to the airport.for your flight to Buenos Aires or your onward journey.
 

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

Lunches were always lazy affairs on the trek. The gauchos went on ahead to light the fire for the asado, ribs of beef or lamb skewered on to bamboo stakes and barbecued slowly over the charcoal. We'd munch on the juicy ribs, accompanied by salad and followed by bottled fruit from the estancia, washed down with cold beers, or mugs of Argentine wine from the flagons that bumped along on top of the sturdy packhorses.
--Alison Criado-Perez for The Independent

Galloping alongside the cows, keeping them in line with shouts and lassos, I couldn’t help but feel like I had missed my calling as a gaucha. I also felt like I earned my last lunch: a traditional asado of BBQ ribs and sausage, served with thick slices of homemade bread and eaten with a knife only.
- Lauryn Axelrod for GoNomad.com

The horse still plays a vital role in Argentine country life; the nation has one of the world’s great equestrian traditions. The self-sufficient estancia at the foothills of the Andes enables guests to see how gauchos actually live and to ride with them, providing an unusual chance to understand this powerful culture. The ranch is a base for pack trips high into the Andes.
-- #10 in the National Geographic book The 10 Best of Everything

For the next two hours we ride up through a series of giant plateaus. The highest feels as though it's the top of the world, partly because of the view of the perfectly white, perfectly triangular peak of Lanin volcano, one of the highest peaks in the Andes, about 70 miles distant, and partly because the wind is utterly insistent on relieving me of my big leather cowboy hat... Wonderful though the trek is, it's not the highlight of my trip. That prize goes to the day, back down on the estancia, we have to bring 350 head of cattle in from another of the farm's gigantic pastures so they can be sprayed for red fly. For me, nothing could touch the feeling I had when, after a couple of hours encouraging whatever cows I could find through the remote section of landscape I'd been assigned, I crested a rise to see cattle from all over the area pouring into the valley ahead of me in one giant dusty brown confluence, the toy figures of my fellow riders behind them, hollering and waving them on.
-- James Flint for The Observer

Reading List

In Patagonia (Penguin Classics) by Bruce Chatwin

In Patagonia is Bruce Chatwin's exquisite account of his journey through "the uttermost part of the earth," that stretch of land at the southern tip of South America, where bandits were once made welcome and Charles Darwin formed part of his "survival of the fittest" theory. Chatwin's evocative descriptions, notes on the odd history of the region, and enchanting anecdotes make In Patagonia an exhilarating look at a place that still retains the exotic mystery of a far-off, unseen land. An instant classic upon publication in 1977, In Patagonia remains a masterwork of literature.

Trekking in the Patagonian Andes (Walking) by Carolyn Mccarthy

This vast, varied region is home to some of the world's great treks, with trails that take you through pristine forests to the rims of glaciers, under granite monoliths and over rickety suspension bridges, well beyond the crowds. Our expert author has chosen the best of Patagonia's trekking, from the luxuriant rainforests of the Lakes District to the spectacular wildernesses of Tierra del Fuego. Whether you are an experienced trekker or a first-timer, you're sure to find the ultimate trekking experience here.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.