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Corrientes is a place where gauchos
still drive cattle and horses from one place to another. It's a place
where men on horseback calculate distances in terms of the hours they
think they'll need to ride them. The Corrientes hinterland is a flat
grassland that hides water in many places and where the only signs of
civilization are fences and occasional outpost houses that have the keys
to Padlocks on pasture gates.
It's the land of EL DORADO (the mythical realm of a gold-attired king
sought by the Spanish conquistadores), a place where the lone rider's
only companions are the fat cattle in the lush green fields, the owls on
the fence posts, the water birds and frogs in the marshes and an
occasional Cayman that was left in a lake by the crest of some flood.
The ride is an introduction to spice and adventure of Corrientes' rural
life, with comfortable overnight stays at four different estancias. The
flat terrain make this ride an ideal experience for people who like to
canter and gallop during their riding vacations. More than 20 miles are
covered each day; mostly at a trot or canter.
 IT-ARRT10
Rates: All inclusive
accommodations and meals, overnight luxury sleeper bus with meals, 7 riding days
including last day Polo introduction.
9 days/
8 nights $ 1,860
Single+ 25%
waived
if willing to share
2008 Dates:
03/16-03/24
05/10-05/18 06/01-06/09
07/20-07/28 09/07-09/15
10/03-10/11
11/14-11/22
... additional dates available
for groups of 4+
... please ask us for add on
program
to the Iguaçu Falls
... see
video
Meeting: Corrientes
Airport: Santa Fe / Buenos Aires
Transfer: included from Buenos Aires by
luxury sleeper bus.
Pace: Trots, canters and gallops
Level:
Intermediate+
Tack:
Argentine type
saddle with sheepskin
Horses:
Criollo
crosses, bred on the Estancia.
Min/Max Riders: 3-14
Note:
You can add days at the ranch for $145 per night
(+$30 for single) including overnight, meals and
riding program with the gauchos.
Itinerary
Day 1:
At 8:55 PM you take the luxury sleeper bus transfer from Buenos Aires ...
arriving the next day at 4:30 AM.
Day 2: Arrival in Esquina
and transfer to Estancia La Rosita. After
resting up and good breakfast, choose your
steed, saddle up and go on a short introductory
trail ride. After lunch more riding or you can opt
for some Polo training at the nearby Polo Club. La
Rosita is an isolated ranch house where you forget all city problems.
The opulent forest of native trees around the main houses and barbecue
area is so tall that the flat landscape around it peeks through between
the tree trunks; beneath the dense tree tops. Later, enjoy a luxurious
candlelight dinner in the dining room of the 19th century wing of the
ranch house.
Day 3: Today you start your horseback adventure with a ride from
‘La Rosita’ to ‘La Amistad’ covering approximately 22 miles. Riding time
is five hours. At lunch time you are treated to a fabulous lamb barbecue
picnic. In evening the hosts will spoil your at the ranch with a
relaxing massage session (included).
Day 4: The second part of your journey on horseback takes you to
‘Buena Vista’ Farm. It’s again a long day in the saddle with lunch on
the way consisting of delicacies like pate and sausages. You can rest
under the trees at the entrance to the property, and later, at the
swimming pool; have tea under the Magnolia tree and visit the owner’s
pheasant and wild duck raising operation. Approximately five hours of
riding.
Day 5: Leaving ‘Buena Vista’ Farm very early in the morning you
ride towards ‘La Teresita’ Farm. On the way you have lunch in a typical
roadside general store called ‘Boliche de Campo’ or ‘Pulperia’. This
night you spend at ‘La Teresita’ Farm where you can choose between a
special moonlight ride on horseback or a ride in a
sulky – if you still have the energy - or to have a
drink in a general store with other gauchos -
otherwise just spend a quiet evening at this remote
farm house. Approximately six hours of riding.
Day 6:
Today’s ride takes you through pastures, pampas grasslands
and native forests to the Corrientes River. Lunch and siesta at the
river's bak overlooking this beautiful stretch of
water - “Carrera de sortijas”. Arrival at Estancia
La Teresita. Return journey to Estancia La Rosita by
van. Dinner accompanied by a regional folkloric
group. Landscape of the day: native forest, lagoons,
Pampa (extensive plain) and the Corrientes River.
Approximate 3 riding hours today.
Day 7: Today you start with a leisurely morning to relax from
the long riding days of the week. Laze around, go for a swim and enjoy a
last canter in the now well known countryside. Depending on your
preferences today’s ride takes you to marshes or lagoons; through large
native and planted forests. If you prefer you can spend the day with
Oscar (the chief of the gauchos, Capataz in Spanish), who probably has
already become your friend over the last days. Round up cattle, ride
fence or ride the range for strays.
Day 8: After breakfast,
if you are interested in Polo, we will take to the
Polo field and teach you the basic rules and hits of
Polo. We practice and make an attempt for your first
Polo match. After lunch we practice some more and
participate in a "Polo Match". After everyone is
tired, we enjoy a cup of tea at the edge of the polo
field - relax and get ready for our farewell dinner
at the estancia. We then take you to your overnight
luxury sleeper bus at 10:30 PM. Snacks are provided on
the bus.
(the ranch has a pure Argentinean Polo stallion for
their breeding program)
Day 9: Arrival in Buenos Aires at 6:30 AM
- end of services.
.. If you prefer to add on a few days and make your
way up to the Iguaçu Waterfalls, we can arrange a
departure in the morning of Day 6 ... we will then
transfer you through the Pantanal area of Corrientes
with stopovers at estancias, wildlife areas, Jesuit historic sites ...
until we reach Iguaçu with its breathtaking waterfalls.... ask for
details ....
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see
Slide Show
Estancia La Rosita
Estancia Amistad
Estancia Buena Vista
Estancia La Teresita
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