The Gaucho Way of Life

Welcoming at Ezeiza International Airport and transfer to San Antonio de Areco in a private vehicle. Transfer with an English-speaking guide. Around lunchtime, you reach the Estancia El Ombu de Areco, located in San Antonio de Areco. A mere one-hour drive away from the capital, this small peaceful village is the heart of the gaucho rural culture and Pampa.   Walk below the hundreds-year-old trees : oaks, araucarias, palm-trees, eucalyptus... 300 hectares are reserved for cattle - after the traditional Asado, ride one of the horses of the property to give a hand to the gauchos, try one of the sulkies or walk around. Depending on the working calendar, you can observe or participate in the tasks of the estancia: vaccines, cows gathering, branding ...   Night at the Estancia Ombu de Areco in a standard room with Full Board.   Included: arrival transfer, arrival transfer with english-speaking guide, dinner, guided activities, lunch, room & breakfast

Breakfast and morning at the Estancia. Enjoy the activities available at the estancia: swim in the outdoors pool, walk, ride in the park... Wake up your inner gaucho!   Today is the starting point of a 3-day horseback adventure - a true initiatic journey across the Pampa's infinite horizon into the heart of the culture, customs and traditions of the Buenos Aires Province. A gaucho greets you in the small town of Carlos Keen - he will be your knowledgeable guide for the next three days. Once you are confortable in your saddle, head to the hamlet of Villa Ruiz a few kilometers away. Lunch in the village's pulperia, iconic place for the gaucho culture.   Every small town in the region has its own pulperia, which is both a meeting point (almost like your neighbourhood's favourite pub) and local grocery store. It used to be a key place for social gatherings, where gauchos met after a long period of solitary work.   Ride on until the Cucullu village, across wide endless flat grasslands - cattle and cereal crops are the main activity. A complete immersion in the Pampa's lifestyle!   Night and dinner in Cucullu in a countryhouse. Included: dinner, local english and spanish speaking guide, horse riding, insurance, picnic lunch, room

Today, follow your horse and your guide to Azcuenaga village. In the middle of the argentinian Pampa, these wide grasslands were occupied by the first gauchos in the 17th century. Follow their footsteps on the old dirt paths that connected the first villages - a journey back in time following the free, solitary gauchos into the moving frontier of Argentina. They came to these lands for cattle farming (cows and horses): cattle used to escape from the owner's lands, gauchos horseriding alone across the whole Pampa to seek, guide and care for them. They fed on the numerous, free animals around them, and this is how the gaucho iconic figure was born. The homeless, long-distance nomadic worker rode all day long and slept on his horse under the stars. Many traditional songs and literature celebrate them.   Light lunch on the go and dinner in Azcuenaga. Night in a small inn in Azcuenaga.   Included: dinner, local english and spanish speaking guide, horse riding, insurance, picnic lunch, room

This three-day ride allowed you to dive deep into the Pampa's traditions and the gaucho culture, to experience their connexion with nature and their horse.   For this last day with your horse, ride across the horizon like a seasoned gaucho, your heart full of authentic moments in the Horses' Land.   Leave Azcuenaga to lunch in Villa Ruiz. Ride back to the Carlos Keen village in the afternoon. Bid goodbye to your guide, and your horse.   4pm: end of the excursion   (4 to 5 hourse horseback riding per day) Night at the Legado Mitico Buenos Aires hotel in standard room "Clasica" (it can be "The Firts Lady room", "The Argentine Polo room" or "The Tanguero room"). Included: local english and spanish speaking guide, horse riding, insurance, picnic lunch, private transport, room & breakfast

Transfer from your hotel to Buenos Aires Domestic Airport in a private vehicle. Domestic flight Buenos Aires*- Bariloche. *National o international airport depending on time schedule and availability.   Transfer from the Bariloche airport to your hotel in a private vehicle with an English-speaking guide. Leaving from the domain, crossing paths that enter cohue forests we reach the first panoramic point of the slope of Clocher hill, from where you can see Lake Nahuel Huapi and the San Pedro peninsula. Around the hill, you can see different views of the lagoon: El Trébol, Moreno Lake, the Bella Vista hills, Goye, López and Capilla. Then proceed back through the galloping forests and pampas.   Night at the Aldebaran Hotel & Spa in standard room "Bosque de Coihues". Included: departure transfer, airport tax, domestic flight, arrival transfer with english-speaking guide, local guide, horse riding, private transport, room & breakfast

Leave in a private vehicle to follow the famous Road 40, the backbone of Argentina, running alongside the Andes Cordillera. The drive across the steppe takes you to "El Sapucai" refuge. Welcome to Tammy and Dominik's secret refuge ! Tammy has spent her life in the countryside, eversince her childhood in the Entre Ríos province where she became passionate about horses. Tammy's love for nature, mountains and animals is contagious and she treats all her guests as friends.   Dominik was born in Switzerland and settled down in Argentinian Patagonia about 20 years ago after riding across its valleys. Experienced rider and Pre-Cordillera expert, he knows everything about horses and the surrounding landscapes and gladly shares his knowledge with travellers.   Afternoon exploration of the refuge's surroundings - walk until a panoramic view over the mountains and the Chubut river. Meet your horses and English-speaking guide.   Night at the Sapucai Refuge. Lunch and dinner included.

This first horseriding day takes you to the Andes mountain, following the first Patagonia's gaucho tracks. They rode the same criollo horses as you are, the perfect animal to take you through all kinds of terrains during your ride up. Today you will pass through small communities, most of them descendants of the original Mapuche natives.   The Criollo horses ancestors were the spanish horses imported by the conquistadores in the 16th century. They are famous for their endurance and capacity to adapt. Their characteristics and energy also make them ideal for practical works - patient, agile and obedient, they are the gaucho's best companion.   Ride back to the Sapucai Refuge by another path in the afternoon.   Night at the Sapucai Refuge. Full board included.   5-6 hour horseride.   Included: box lunch, dinner, english speaking guide, horse riding, room & breakfast (shared bathroom)

Our second day of riding takes us to the high peaks of the mountain range. The panorama that is simply breathtaking : the endless steppe ; views of the high peaks, the dry steppe and the flat plateau. We enjoy our lunch on the shore of a lagoon, surrounded by the rocky peaks of the high cordillera. We have enough time to explore the area on foot.   In the afternoon we return to the "Sapucai".   Night at the Sapucai Refuge. Full board included.   Included: box lunch, dinner, english speaking guide, horse riding, room & breakfast (shared bathroom)

We will continue along an old road that will take us to the Arroyo Las Minas. As we approach this village, we will see a very typical landscape of the Patagonian eco-tone. We head towards the Ex - School No. 100, where our transfer takes us for 3 hours along the famous Route 40. Lunch included.   4-5 horseride. Night at the Aldebaran Hotel & Spa in standard room "Bosque de Coihues". Included: box lunch, english speaking guide, horse riding, private transport, room & breakfast

Transfer in a private vehicle from your hotel to Bariloche Airport. Domestic flight Bariloche - Calafate.   Afternoon arrival at the Estancia Nibepo Aike, taking the regular transfer from El Calafate. After settling in, the guide will explain the programme. The horses will be prepared and other equipment made ready to set off early the following morning. Nibepo Aike is one of the oldest estancia within the Glaciares Park, maintaining cattle and farming activities alongside tourism. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy the estancia, exploring its surroundings by bike or on foot, finding one’s own way along the footpaths and tracks and also taking part in the sheep-shearing demonstration using traditional hand shears.   Evening meal and night at the Estancia Nibepo Aike. Included: private transport, airport tax, domestic flight, dinner, local english and spanish speaking guide, room & breakfast, shared transport

On coming out of the dense woodland the way opens out into the Valley of the Río Cachorro. Notros (Chilean firebush) and calafate bushes here are unusually tall. We start descending towards the lower land until we reach the riverbed. Surprise views of the Frías glacier and a granite formation called “el Dedo del Cesar” (Caesar’s Thumb) appear in the background. Riding between rocks and pasturelands and avoiding the marshlands, we reach the corrals of the Río Cachorro outpost where the rangers might be working with the livestock.   After a picnic, we horseride to Laguna 3 de Abril (3 de Abril Lagoon), a habitat of flamingos and black-necked swans, kaiken (upland goose) and steamer ducks, as well as of numerous salmonidae. Passing the lake, we come to the outpost, and after unsaddling, there will be time to enjoy the surroundings and the cosiness of the refuge. By the wood-fired stove and a the oven, under the gentle light of the lantern, we will pass the mate round while preparing the evening meal and sharing tales of adventures.   The outpost has a room with 3 bunk beds and a room that serves as dining room and kitchen where there are two other benches that turn into beds. Basic facilities. Evening meal and overnight at the Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril.   Included: all inclusive, local english-speaking guide

We leave after breakfast, riding south to the Balcony of the Glaciers. The track runs parallel to the Southern Arm of Lago Argentino. A little before arriving at the head of the lake, we leave the horses grazing to go up on foot to a viewing point even higher up. From there we will have a panoramic view of the Southern Arm, Laguna Corazón and of the Lago Frías, with glimpses of the Hidden Glaciers Gorra, Frías, Grande and Dickson in the distance. We walk to the beach at the head of the Southern Arm. From there we cross a large pasture, a pristine area. An erratic stone of more than 20 meters in height is our next destination. It is impressive to stand in front of such a huge rock, marked by the force of the glaciers advancing and receding. The footpath starts to run alongside the lower Frías River. Here we will find traces of the area’s livestock rearing past, a hanging bridge over 100 years old, destroyed by the great flooding of Lago Argentino in 1937.   The path passes through dense woodland until discovering the Corazón Lagoon, with crystal clear waters where the deep blue contrasts with the green reflection of the woods. The water is so crystal clear that it is possible to watch the trouts swimming between the rocks. We pause for lunch in this sheltered place. Whoever wants to will be able to carry on a bit further clambering over some stones that prove fairly awkward for crossing, in order to get to the southern end of Frías Lake, the natural border protecting the glaciers hidden in the mountains further south. In the afternoon we return to where the horses were left in order to ride back to the Puesto Laguna 3 de Abril, where the night will be spent. Included: all inclusive, local english-speaking guide

The ride back starts along the shore of the lake until we reach the main buildings of the estancia, about 18km from the refuge. We will arrive just in time for lunch with a typical Patagonian lamb roasted over charcoal embers. After lunch, regular transfer back to El Calafate Night at the Kau Yatun Hotel de Campo in standard room. Included: local english-speaking guide, lunch, shared transport, room & breakfast

At 8 am, your private transfer picks you up at your hotel to take you to the Perito Moreno Glacier, 80km away from El Calafate. This full-day excursion allows you to thoroughly enjoy the exceptional natural surroundings.   Take in the panoramic views from the footbridges : you are facing the whole glacier and its surrounding lenga beech forest.   Return trip to El Calafate around 4:30pm. An English speaking guide will accompany you for the tour. Entrance to Los Glaciares National Park included. Transfer from El Calafate to the Airport in a private vehicle. Transfer from Buenos Aires domestic airport to your hotel in a private vehicle.   Night at the Legado Mitico Buenos Aires hotel in standard room "Clasica" (it can be "The Firts Lady room", "The Argentine Polo room" or "The Tanguero room"). Included: excursion (private), english speaking guide, entrance fees mentioned in the program, private transport, room & breakfast

Free day in Buenos Aires. Suggested itinerary   Today, discover the political and historical centre of the capital. Start with the 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest in the world, dominated by the Obelisk, a symbol of Buenos Aires. You will pass the Colon Theatre, one of the jewels of the Argentine architecture, before arriving on the Capital main square, Plaza de Mayo.   Your visit then takes you to San Telmo: this historical neighbourhood is a dynamic mix of tourists and locals: picturesque alleyways, old typical cafés, antique shops... This lively barrio is animated day and night - a famous flea market takes place every sunday around Dorrego square.   End your visit with the picturesque neighborhood of La Boca, with its small alley of El Caminito : painters, tango dancers and singers meet between the ancient colourful wooden houses.   Return to your hotel after the visit.   Transfer from the hotel to Ezeiza International Airport in a private vehicle. Included: departure transfer