South American Ranch Stay

This family run estancia is an exclusive 6,500-acre working organic cattle and stud farm, delightfully secluded at the top of the ‘Sierras Chicas’ in the heart of the beautiful region of Cordoba. Guests are welcomed to share the home and lifestyle, providing a unique and unforgettable vacation in first hand contact with the rural traditions of Argentina. Hospitality here is second to none; where no request is too much trouble and is a refined, sophistictaed and genteel place to spend your holiday.

Your stay at the estancia

Every day at the estancia is different, and guests are encouraged to watch and participate in the daily activities of the farm. For the riders amongst you, 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; take an overnight trip north into the sierras during the summer; watch the horse-breaker at work or try your hand at lassoing. Informal polo is usually played weekly on the estancia, so guests should have the chance to be introduced to this fun, fast and highly addictive game. Regular polo weeks are also run for beginner and novice players, with daily tuition, chukkas and a mini-tournament. A new package now offers 3 consecutive half days on the polo ground where guests are introduced to the basics of the game.  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, and all horses are willing, soft-mouthed and ridden ‘Western style’ with a loose rein. 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.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation on the farm is simple and traditional but beautiful, providing you with all creature comforts. Rooms are individual and tastefully furnished in keeping with the history and style of the estancia, and have their own private bathrooms. Antiques and books abound, and crisp winter nights are warmed by wood-burning stoves and open log fires. Meals are European in style, varied and delicious, with plenty of excursions into local favourites, 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, as well as offering Argentine wines to accompany the meals.

Spring has arrived in the sierras of Córdoba  and a spring clean has brought a freshly painted exterior, new duvets and sheets for that extra comfort in the rooms. In addition, three of the rooms will now have king-sized beds for taller guests.

UPDATE 

From October we are also delighted to be able to offer two new guest rooms in a separate cottage ‘La Casita de Carpintero’ (Little Woodpeckers House). Formerly owners accommodation, the two double rooms have their own private bathrooms, and benefit from a shared sitting room, verandah and front garden area.

We are looking forward to a busy season, so please find below an overview of our availability for the rest of the year, through into the start of 2012.

  closure for 2012 are 6^th May until 6^th June.

Day 1

Arrive at the estancia 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 the famous wine-tasting, and sample some of the wines of the region..

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 the estancia 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 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.

Additional notes:

The itinerary is flexible, and subject to weather, particularly in the case of playing polo. There are over 80 riding horses, with the herd being a mixture of Criollos, Paso Peruanos and polo ponies, which are forward-going, responsive and sure-footed.  A two day/one night overnight trail ride can usually be arranged for guests who are staying with us for 5 nights or more, with sufficient notice in advance.  Guests can expect to be in the saddle between 4 – 6 hours per day, with a morning and afternoon ride or a full day picnic ride. Sunday afternoons are free for guests to relax, allowing staff and horses to take a well-earned rest.

2012 dates: Open all year apart from May 6th - June 6th

2012 prices:

January to April, 7 nights full board, £1770pp

May to September, 7 nights full board, £1590pp

October to December, 7 nights full board, £1840pp

Polo Weeks 2011: £1,865pp for 7 nights full board from 21st-28th March, 7th-14th Nov, 21st-28th Nov 2011

Polo weeks 2012: £2010pp for 7 nights full board from 29th october 2012 - 5th November 2012 & 19th Novmber 2012 - 26th November 2012

Not Included: Flights and Travel Insurance

Single Supplement:

30% unless willing to share

Other:

20% discount for children under 16

50% discount for non-riding children under 6

Includes: all meals, drinks & other activities

Meeting Point: Cordoba

Indicative flight price: London to Cordoba £700 - £1100pp return depending on time of year

Transfer: Included from Cordoba

Hours In Saddle: Up to 6 per day

Max Weight: 95kg

Group Size: 4-6

Suitable for non-riders: Yes

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.