Corrientes is a place where gauchos still drive cattle and horses from one place to another. It is a place where men on horseback measure distances in hours they think they need to. The hinterland of Corrientes is a flat grassland that hides water in many places and where the only evidence of civilization is fences and the one or other little house where the keys to the gates are kept.
It is the land of EL DORADO (the mystical kingdom of an ancient king doting in gold, sought by the Spanish conquerors), a place where the only companions of the lonely horsemen are the fat cattle on the lush pastures, the owls on the fences and the water birds and frogs in the swamps, and occasionally a caiman left behind in a lake by a flood.
The ride is an introduction to the spice and adventure of rural life in Corrientes, with comfortable overnight stays at four different estancias. The flat terrain makes the ride a unique experience for those who like to gallop. Every day more than 20 miles are covered, mostly at a trot or canter.

Itinerary

Day 0: By night bus from Buenos Aires to Esquina. Departure approx. 21 o´clock.

Day 1: Arrival early in the morning in Esquina and transfer at the Estancia La Rosita. After a rich breakfast and a little siesta you will start your first ride. La Rosita is an isolated estancia where you will quickly forget the daily grind. The opulent forest with indigenous trees around the house and the barbecue area are so high that the actually flat land only peeps furtively between the trunks. After lunch you can take a little ride around the estate or sign up for a polo lesson at the nearby polo club. Later, enjoy a luxurious candlelit dinner in the dining room of the 19th century ranch house wing.

Day 2: Today you start your adventure from La Rosita to La Amistad, about 22 miles. Riding time about 5 hours. At lunch time a fabulous picnic with grilled lamb is prepared. In the evening your hosts will spoil you with a massage.

Day 3: The second part of the trip brings you to the farm Buena Vista. Again a long day in the saddle with a delicious lunch on the way. You can rest under the trees at the entrance to the property and later on by the pool. Take a tea under a magnolia tree, visit the owner´s pheasant and wild ducks. About 5 riding lessons.

Day 4: Leaving Buena Vista early in the morning you will ride towards La Teresita. On the way you will stop for lunch at a typical general store on the road called Boliche de Campo or Pulperia. At La Teresita farm, where you will spend the night, you can choose between a moonlight ride and a ride in a sulky - if you still have the energy - or have a drink with the rest of the gauchos. But there is nothing against a quiet evening on the farm - the choice is yours. About 5 1/2 hours on horseback.

Day 5: Today´s three hour ride leads through pastures, pampas, grassland and original forests to the river Corrientes. On its banks you will have a barbecue lunch before you set off in a boat to the Esquina. Esquina is located near La Rosita, where the ride began. You will have dinner there in a restaurant with local folklore. You will spend the night on La Rosita.

Day 6: The day begins slowly, relaxing from the many riding activities of the previous days. You can go swimming or gallop again on now known paths. According to your preference you will ride through large forest areas to lagoons or into the swamp area. You are also welcome to spend the day with the gauchos you met in the last days: herding cattle, riding over fences and searching for scattered animals. The gauchos of Corrientes are excellent horsemen and are proud to say that one gaucho from Corrientes (a correntino) is worth as much as 10 gauchos from elsewhere. Do you like polo? Then you might have the opportunity to watch one of the games taking place at the Ranch.

Day 7: If you are interested in polo, Argentina´s national sport, we will take you to the polo field and you will learn the basics. With a little practice you can already play a small match today: there will certainly be a lot of fun, because at least the horses know what they are doing. Then it´s off to 5 o´clock tea and an early dinner. At 22.30 we will take you to the overland comfort sleeper.

Day 8: Arrival in Buenos Aires at about 06.30. Our partner can gladly organize a city tour in Buenos Aires for you. Please ask for prices.

Accomodation
All 8 guest rooms of the estancia are lovingly furnished and each has its own bathroom, towels included, and are cleaned daily. In addition, each room has air conditioning, heating and WLAN. You can also make yourself comfortable in one of the two living rooms, one of which is equipped with a TV. Furthermore, the estancia has its own swimming pool and a restaurant.

Saddle & Tack: Argentine saddles with sheepfur.

Experience: Advanced riders with 2 years riding experience and regular riding in varied terrain.

Horses: Criollo crosses, bred on the estancia

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