Patagonian Estancia

Life at this northern Patagonian working cattle ranch, nestled at the foot of the Andes, is always an adventure - especially where horses are involved.  The region is unfeasibly beautiful, rugged and wild and most importantly the estancia maintains traditional values and customs whilst welcoming visitors into a unique world where horses and cattle still roam free and food is home grown.

The estancia is almost entire self-sufficient and breeds Hereford cattle.  No fertilizers or pesticides are used and most of the food is produced on the estancia and all the meat is home reared! There is a dairy cow for milk, chickens for eggs and a large organic vegetable garden which is fertilized with horse manure from the corrales. There are 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 and in the winter sausages, hams, and bacon are made from these fattened animals.

There are three guest lodges just a stroll across the lawn from the main farmhouse, accommodating eight twin/double rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and communal sitting room areas.

Meals are usually served in the dining room of the main house and guests gather for drinks in front of the fire in the living room. 

For those needing some rest and recreation there is a hot-tub, a sauna, a plunge pool and for the energetic a tennis court near the house.  You can also swim in the river, go hiking, birdwatching or fishing.

The Horses

The Estancia is home to about 80 horses and with 15,000 acres, as much as is possible they live as 'wild' horses.  The riding horses are criollo crosses, part anglo-normando and are about 15.5 hands. They are bred and trained on the Estancia and are sure- footed and generally well behaved. As much as possible they are out enjoying the freedom of the water meadows which makes for an exciting ride rounding them up! 

Although the mix of horses allows us to cater for all riding abilities we do recommend that you are at an intermediate level or above. The horses are neck-reined and the riding is similar to Western style. 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 our 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. Our gauchos continue to practice this and you will see them fully equipped with their lassos, gaucho knives and boleros.

The weather

In the summer months the weather is generally hot and dry during the day with a maximum temperature between 22 - 35 deg. C.  Due to the altitudude it cools down at night to between 5-10 deg C and on treks it can be colder. 

Whilst our programs depend very much on our guests, below is a sample of a weeks’ riding with us:

Day 1

You will be met at Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes and tranfered to the estancia (approx. 40 mins). After lunch there will be an afternoon ride with a chance to familiarise yourself with the horses and tack.

 
Day 2

A full day’s ride on the estancia with a picnic lunch.  You will follow the Huechahue stream through its basalt canyons, riding as fast as you want across the water-meadows sending the plovers and ibis screeching. You will enjoy a leisurely lunch beneath the poplars, an idyllic spot for both yourself and your horse to recharge and slumber in the afternoon heat. Return over the top of Chenque Hill with the promise of a cold drink and a hot shower.

Day 3

A day spent working cattle with the gauchos. Lunch with the gauchos on strips of beef ribs threaded onto sticks and cooked over the open fire. A siesta in the shade is followed by a chance to separate the cows on horseback or try your hand at lassoing.

Day 4

A full day’s ride on the estancia to visit the Indian burial caves, formed when the glaciers carved the valley, opening an entrance to the lava flow tunnels. Here the Tehuelche Indians laid out their dead, surrounded by their weapons and decorated the walls with designs and although their remains have disappeared the petroglyphs and the view are virtually unchanged.

Day 5

A morning's ride to see the stallion with the mares and new foals, and a chance to herd horses. After a late lunch enjoy an evening ride to the cliffs where the condors and eagles nest. Here you will drink cocktails while the sun goes down waiting for the condors to return for the evening.

Day 6

A day’s ride through the neighbouring Indian reservation.

Day 7

A full day’s 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 by the river, and on the way home there will hopefully be the chance to see guanaco, deer, wild boar and "peludos" - the baby armadillo.

Day 8

A farewell ride before transferring to the airport.

Pack trips

A riding holiday at the Estancia can include a pack trip into the heart of the high Andes and the dramatic scenery of Lanin National Park.  These run from November to March.

Here you ride through dense beech forests and bamboo thickets. From the tops of the ridges there are breath-taking views.  Always magnificent, the snow-capped volcano "Lanin" dominates the entire area. Ride through forests of the only indigenous Monkey Puzzle trees in the world and across lunar landscapes of black volcanic ash, a legacy of the volcanic region.

Pack trips are between three and five days long. You are required to have at least one day's riding on the Estancia before leaving on a trek to ensure that you are happy with your horse, comfortable in your saddle and that the planned trek is one that you will enjoy. Allow a minimum of a 5 night stay in order to incorporate a pack trip.

Whilst on pack trips, you stay in two-man tents and good quality clean down sleeping bags are provided. The camp staff arrange all the setting up of camp, cooking and care of the horses. You will be provided with a set of saddle bags for your possessins (change of clothes, toiletries etc) and jackets and pullovers can be tied to the back of the saddle.

2012 prices:  £275 pppn

2011/2012 dates: the Estancia is open from September 2011  - April 2012

Accommodation: twin/double rooms with ensuite facilities within a lodge with a shared sitting room

Minimum stay: 3 nights

Single supplement: 25% unless willing to share with an appropriate guest

Includes: full board, vegetarians catered for, all drinks including alcoholic ones, transport & activities whilst there.

Not included: flights and personal travel insurance, tips/gratuities ($20 per night is an average)

Meeting Point:  Chapelco airport, San Martin de los Andes

Transfers: included in the price from the airport

Suitable for non-riders: Yes

Max: 12 guests or one group of up to 16

Weight limit: there is no weight limit

Other activities: birdwatching, hiking, fishing, swimming in the river

Other: the cost of fishing on the Estancia is included in the price although a professional guide is £175 pp per day, mimimum two people

Call us on +44 (0)1225 424413 or email contact@redlandsequestrian.com to check the ride availability and dates, once we have confirmed availability you can download and fill in a booking form:

• UK Rides Booking Form
• Worldwide Rides Booking Form

Each rider in the party must also complete a riding ability questionnaire before we can complete the final confirmation of your holiday booking.