General Info

This 6,500 acre working cattle estancia and organic farm, dating back to 1573, lies at the top of the Sierras Chicas in the heart of the beautiful region of Córdoba. The ranch feels remote and rural, and yet is only an hour's drive from the Cordoba Airport. During your stay at this South America estancia, you are welcomed into the family home by the Anglo-Argentine owners whose family have lived on the estancia for four generations.

The rugged hills, home to wild boar and deer and covered in a tall grass called 'paja brava', give way to lowland meadows and woodlands and make for beautiful and varied riding. These contrasting terrains are home to a wide diversity of birds from the condors with their three metre wingspan to tiny brightly coloured hummingbirds. Every day is different on the estancia: canter along grassy hilltops; take a dip in natural rock pools; visit local churches on horseback; help the gauchos round up the young horses in order to protect them from the elusive puma; during the summer take an overnight trip north into the sierras; watch the horse-trainer at work or try your hand at lassoing. Informal polo is usually played weekly on the estancia, so you have the chance to be introduced to this fun, fast and highly addictive game. Dedicated polo weeks are also run for beginner and novice players, with daily tuition, chukkas and a mini-tournament.

Estancia Los Potreros is a popular destination for single women travelers and caters to riders of all abilities. With a herd of over 80 well-loved riding horses, there is something for everyone. The herd is a mix of Criollos, polo ponies and Paso Peruanos most of whom have been bred on the farm. The Paso Peruano has a fifth 'gait', a running walk, which is extremely comfortable to ride. All the horses are soft-mouthed and ridden Western style with a loose rein. At all times during your stay the first class hospitality of the Begg family is evident. When not riding relax in a hammock with one of the many books found at the estancia, take a dip in the swimming pool on a hot summer’s day or enjoy a wine-tasting followed by a delicious supper made with fresh organic produce from the farm’s vegetable gardens and orchards.

Packing

Cordoba is known for its good weather. 'Siempre de temporada' - always in season is the old slogan. The weather can vary but is generally sunny and warm with the rainy season taking place in the summer months. The winter (June to Aug) is short and dry and can be cold at night, although usually mild and sunny in the middle of the day.

Please ask us about the best things to pack for this vacation.

About the Horses

Riding on the estancia is suitable for all abilities. There are some 140 horses and a pool of around 80 are available to the guests, but all the horses spend some time working on the farm, moving cattle over the terrain, which makes them sure footed and willing animals. The horses are chosen to suit the ability of the rider, and each rider usually has the chance to try several different horses during their stay. There are horses gentle enough for beginners but also ones suited to experienced riders.

The horses, all bred on the estancia, have exceptionally soft mouths, are well mannered and in excellent condition. They are responsive and sure-footed. Most are either "Criollos" or "Paso Peruanos" with some crossbreeds.

The pace of the rides is varied. Sometimes you are on tricky, steep rocky paths, sometimes on tracks, sometimes on grassy, open hill tops, sometimes on dirt roads. There are opportunities to canter each day, either on the top of the ridges on the tracks or dirt roads, but most of the riding is at a moderate pace. Each ride is different due to the variety of country through which you ride - sometimes open and grassy, cooler up in the hills, slightly balmy on the edge of them, beautiful rivers and waterfalls to swim in and wonderful bird life to observe.

The tack is mainly English (ex British army saddles and polo saddles) with sheepskins over the saddles. The riding is Western style, neck reining with a relaxed seat.

Informal polo is normally played once a week on the estancia (minimum age of 12).

Activities/Events

Out of the saddle, the cattle and horse trails make for wonderful walking and trekking, taking guests to hidden rock pools and spectacular viewpoints, whilst observing the colourful and plentiful birdlife. The serenity and landscape lend themselves to those who enjoy painting or writing, or simply curling up with a book, whilst good conversation is never far away.

Slightly further afield, there are three excellent golf courses, world-class dove shooting, mountain biking and paragliding. All can be accessed with relative ease from the estancia, along with a number of unusual and historic buildings in the area.

Special Weeks for 2016
What? National Rodeo and Folkloric Music Festival
When? 8th January – 17th January 2016
Where? Jesus Maria, approximately 1 hour from Estancia Los Potreros
Description: This festival combines two of the gauchos biggest loves – horses and music. The national rodeo championships are combined with the best in Argentine folklore music at this annual spectacle. Outside of the scheduled events there is a large fair outside of the arena selling all sorts of local goods.
Special Offer: For guests staying 7 nights or more covering the weekdays of 11th January we will include a night at the rodeo, including transport, entrance fee and supper

What? Dia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria
When? 2nd February 2016
Where? La Estancita, local rural church to Estancia Los Potreros
Description: This very local and rural event is a celebration to the Virgin Mary. A mass is followed by a procession, carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary around the stations of the cross, with followers both on foot and a gaucho cavalcade on horseback.
Special Offer: For guests staying with us over this date, we include a day picnic ride to visit the church and see the gaucho procession

Learn to Play Polo week
29th Feb – 6th March 2016
Based at Estancia Los Potreros
Aimed at beginner or novice players, a chance to learn this fun, fast and highly addictive game in a truly unique environment

Accommodations/Food

Accommodations
The estancia has 7 guest bedrooms, all with private bathrooms. The maximum number of guests is 12. Accommodation is in the beautifully restored farm house, which is steeped in family history with many references to the Jesuits who first organised farming in the area. There are seven bedrooms each with private bathroom and tastefully decorated in traditional style. In December 2009 Los Potreros was included in the Sunday Times Travel Magazine "100 Best Hotels in the World". There are seven bedrooms each with private bathroom and a wood burning stove for chilly winter nights. The estancia benefits from wind and solar generated electricity. There is a swimming pool to dip into at the end of a hot day in summer or you can just relax on the veranda and enjoy a cup of tea or a gin and tonic.

There is free wi-fi in the main buildings on the estancia. Wi-fi is satellite based and as such can be slow and/or intermittent. In addition kindly note that wi-fi is turned off during drinks and mealtimes on the estancia. There is limited mobile coverage on the estancia.

Food
Meals are homestyle, varied and delicious, with plenty of local favorites, with homemade dishes supplemented by the estancias own organically grown vegetables, fruit and free-range eggs. The excellent chef can cater for a range of special dietary requirements, and there are Estancia Los Potreros ‘own label’ Argentine wines to accompany the meals.

The estancia has skilled cooks who are delighted to cater for any specific dietary requirements, including vegetarians or any gluten food intolerances, given sufficient notice in advance. Please note that Estancia Los Potreros is a working cattle farm located in one of the most renowned countries in the world for beef production and are very proud of their heritage. Beef forms an integral part of the daily menu, although there is plenty of variety with chicken, pork, pasta and vegetarian dishes. The ranch also upholds the Argentinian tradition of the asado or barbeque.

The Ideal Traveler

Anyone who wants to visit Argentina and learn about life on an estancia. All levels of riders and non-riders are welcome! Those seeking polo instruction will also enjoy this intimate Argentina Estancia.

Estancia Vacation Options

Estancia Los Potreros is open year round usually with the exception of May and June, and has no set arrival days so you can stay for as long as you want. The minimum stay is three nights (five nights over Easter, Christmas and New Year). We recommend at least a seven night stay.

Estancia Stay Vacations*
Jan – April 2018 - estancia stay – per person per night
3 – 6 nights Gross Rate: $508 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $464 USD
7 nights or more Gross Rate: $472 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $431 USD

May – Sept 2018 – estancia stay – per person per night
3 – 6 nights Gross Rate: $454 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $414 USD
7 nights or more Gross Rate: $418 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $381 USD

Oct – Dec 2018 – estancia stay – per person per night
3 – 6 nights Gross Rate: $520 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $475 USD
7 nights or more Gross Rate: $484 USD, Rate Post Tax Refund* $442 USD

‘Learn to play polo’ weeks 
Fixed dates: 7 nights starting 16th April, 15th October, 3rd December or by arrangement for 2+ people 
Gross rate USD $3556
Final cost after Tax refund* USD $3248*

* All rates are quoted in US dollars and are per person per night (Estancia Stay) with local taxes included. In the case of Estancia Los Potreros, 50% of the standard rate is eligible for the tax refund. The rates marked with an asterisk * are the final rates payable by any non-resident of Argentina.

Included in rates: 
Estancia stay:
Transfers to and from Córdoba airport, between 08:00 and 20:00; accommodation at the estancia; full board (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, supper, soft drinks, house wine, beer and local spirits); daily riding (4 – 6 hours), guides and equipment; all other activities whilst on the estancia. 

‘Learn to play polo’ weeks:
As for ‘estancia stay’ plus half day ‘stick and ball’ and practice chukkas; tuition; in-house tournament on final day; daily trail ride. 

Not Included:
Travel and medical insurance; discretionary gratuities. 

Additional pricing notes:
Child discounts
20% off standard rate for children aged 10 to 16

Single accommodation:
There is no single supplement providing one of the three allocated single occupancy rooms is available. A guaranteed double room for single occupancy attracts a supplement of 30%.

Riding at the Estancia
There are between 4-6 hours riding daily on the estancia, consisting of either a morning and afternoon ride, or a day/picnic ride. On Sunday there is a morning ride but no afternoon ride. All outdoor activities are weather dependent and we do not ride in extreme weather conditions such as storms or high winds. Riding does not need to be arranged or booked in advance. 

Polo
Informal polo with tuition is normally available once a week on the estancia, at no additional cost, and all guests can participate. Bespoke polo packages with tuition can be designed on request, minimum 2 people.

Other activities:
There are a range of other activities available on the estancia (guided walks, farm drives, wine tastings, etc) that can be organised with the hosts on arrival, or guests can express their interest at the time of booking. 

Children
There is a minimum age limit of 10 years. We have 2 cottages with interconnecting rooms ideal for families.

Sample one week itinerary**

Arrive at Estancia Los Potreros and settle into your room. Take a sunset ride to ‘The Top of the World’ to get your bearings and enjoy the spectacular views, and look out for condors. In the evening take part in Kevin Begg ́s famous wine-tasting, and sample some of the wines of the region, including Los Potreros own label wine.

Day 2

Ride to the waterfall, and take a refreshing dip in the pool. Return to the estancia for lunch on the veranda, and after a well-earned siesta help the gauchos to round up the horses.

Day 3

A full day picnic ride to a local Dominican church, and to visit the local one-teacher rural school which is supported by Estancia Los Potreros and the kind contributions of its’ guests. The fabulously smooth and forward-going Paso Peruano horses make sure that the day in the saddle doesn’t feel quite so long!

Day 4

No horse-riding holiday to Argentina would be complete without trying your hand at the ‘Sport of Kings’ – polo! Ride down to the polo field, have a short lesson and some practice ‘stick and ball’ and then play a few chukkas of this highly addictive game. A barbeque lunch at the polo field is followed by a visit to ‘El Vergel’, the oldest building on the estancia dating back to 1639. If that wasn’t enough, try your hand at ‘sortija’, a gaucho game on horseback that involves threading a stick through a small ring at speed!

Day 5

Ride to the north of the farm – Potrero de Niz – to soak up some of the family history of the farm. This was the original family home of the Begg’s some four generations ago, and the landscape is peppered with shrubs along running streams. Take to the corrals in the afternoon for some lassoing and to see our horse-breaker at work. 

Day 6

Another full day’s ride to the far south of the farm, enjoying a picnic by the stream next to a small museum in what used to be the house of Guido Buffo, an art and science lover, who built a unique chapel as a memorial to his wife and daughter.

Day 7

Visit Chiviquin on horseback, the main working cattle part of the farm, perhaps seeing the gauchos in action with the Aberdeen Angus cattle which are the backbone of the farm today. Ring the ‘Bellstone’ on the way back, and on returning to the estancia enjoy a traditional Argentine ‘asado’ and a leisurely afternoon dip in the pool.

Day 8

After a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs, depart for your onward travel. 

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

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Traveler Reviews

Multidimensionally glorious! Just super!

-- PK, 2015, NYC

Your fabulous horses made us feel like great riders! We have experienced Argentina in a most spectacular way. Incredible hospitality, delightful conversation, condors, birds and feeling part of your most generous family.

-- JH, 2015, Washington DC

Thank you again for such a memorable and fabulous holiday – one we’ll never forget. Your hospitality, kindness and generosity has made this trip definitely one of the best so far I have had.

-- AH, 2015, Washington DC

We have never ridden such consistently lovely horses. Los Potreros is a magical place owned and operated by extraordinary folks. Longing to return!

-- T&RB, 2014, Wyoming

What a week! I could say it was a dream come true, but the plural would be more exact! I lived my dreams throughout the stay: rode with gauchos, herded horses and cows, in fantastic landscapes, played polo and so much more. I shall remember the birds replacing my alarm clock, the fabulous time around delicious meals and especially your warm welcome, your attention to detail, your wonderful, witty, talented horses, your cheerful guides and your brilliant ensemble.

-- DG, 2014, California

Beattiful location, great staff, friendly owners, good food, plenty of wine and the rest I should keep secret, so as not to spoil it if you go. However being a horse owner with a non-riding partner, we had a great time and probably as close to authentic riding with Gauchos as it gets.

-- Clare, United Kingdom

Loved every minute we stayed at this beautiful ranch! Welcomed warmly by the owners, Kevin and Lou and shown to our wonderful room! They have 150 riding horses here for all levels of riders. Wonderful employees, fantastic meals, and loved the horse rides! The hospitality is second to none!

-- Cheryl, Idaho

We just returned from an outstanding family holiday. Louisa and Kevin were incredible hosts and together with all their guides, gauchos and staff made for an amazing vacation! The horses were best ever - smooth, responsive and wonderful to ride. Setting was stunning too...can't ask for much more. Loved it!

-- Boston, USA

This is a magical place, full of magical people and magical experiences. It far surpassed all expectations. We will return!

-- Lee & Lauren

Sublime. If you want to escape to paradise then head out to Los Potreros. Fabulous scenery, incredible horses, outstanding hospitality, food to die for. I have always wanted to ride with the gauchos and this experience surpassed my expectations. I travelled alone but never felt lonely; Kevin, Lou and their wonderful staff make you feel like one of the family.

-- Mark, United Kingdom

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.

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.