Golden pampas grasses, poolside lounging, bird-watching, hosted meals, pasos AND criollos, polo, cattle work, and picnics

Stay at Estancia Los Potreros in Argentina

Who this ride is for:

Exceptional Hospitality Seekers

If Estancia Los Potreros is known for one thing, it’s this. From the moment you arrive (actually from the moment you step off the flight), someone at Los Pots is waiting with a cold drink, a smile, and a lively conversation. Kevin Begg, the 4th generation owner of Los Pots, is often around, riding, hosting wine or cooking nights, or dining with guests. Georgia, who arrived as a chef, and now works as the general manager, is also sure to bring out many laughs. Sadly, I don’t have enough space in this section to go through each of the absolutely extraordinary, warm, and welcoming folks (from the gauchos to the chefs to the housekeepers) that make Los Pots so special — you will have to visit to meet them for yourself!

Beginner - Advanced Riders

Riding at Los Pots can be personalized for any rider, from first-time beginner to Olympic champion, and there are plenty of activities to keep the non-riders (crazy, right?) happy.

Quick Stats

Ride Length: A minimum of three nights (5-7 days recommended)

Location: One hour from Cordoba, Argentina

Pricing: $675/person/night for 3-6 nights, discounted rate of $595/person/night for 7+ nights

Solo travelers, families, couples, and friends welcome!

Dates: Any dates between August and April

The Riding Experience

Living up to the “On A Long Rein” name, horses at Los Pots are ridden gaucho-style with loose reins and a relaxed manner. Saddles for trail riding and cattle work are the traditional Argentine-style made up of a frame and a thick sheepskin pad, extremely comfy for long hours in the saddle. Polo practice uses English-style saddles.

The riding at Los Pots is sure to be the favorite activity regardless of your experience level. Horses from the 200+ herd are carefully selected for each rider to ensure safety, comfort, and enjoyability. Rides generally are scheduled for the morning and the afternoon, with a siesta during the middle part of the day. Criollos, the typical chunky, loyal breed found throughout Latin America, are generally ridden in the morning and for cattle work. Peruvian Pasos, with their smooth, gliding gait, are ridden in the afternoon.

The trails are extensive throughout the Estancia, ranging from mountaintops to river valleys and waterfalls. A favorite ride ventures to a swimming hole, where you can take a dip then eat a picnic lunch.

Help the gauchos with cattle work, from round up to branding to medicating, there is always something to be done. Test your skills in gaucho games, a series of fun horseback obstacles and tasks that’s sure to have you smiling (even if you lose). Try polo for a day, or join a polo-focused week for daily polo lessons and a final polo tournament.

A Week at Los Pots

Arrive at anytime. Get picked up in Cordoba city center or right from the airport. Then it’s about a 1 hour ride to the estancia.
Depending on arrival time, settle in, have a drink, eat some cake and tea, or even go for an introductory afternoon ride on the pasos. Then gather with the rest of the guests for a family-style dinner on the veranda. After, have a glass of wine (Argentine of course) and watch the stars.
Breakfast is anytime between 7-9, but if you are up earlier, coffee and tea are available. Get prepared for your first ride through the estancia on a criollo. These guys are smooth and sturdy and sure to get you safely up and down the grass-covered hills. Ride out through the cattle pens, stopping for a tea and biscuit. Then have a nice fast canter back to the estancia for a lemonade and siesta.
Lunch may be pizzas grilled over the hearth - a speciality is the blue cheese pizza (hey, don’t knock it til you try it). Then go for a swim or nap in a hammock before heading out on the shorter afternoon ride.
Upon your return, a hot shower and a glass of wine are waiting for you.
Today is cattle day! Get up, eat breakfast, and jump in the saddle to help the gauchos round up the cows from all over the estancia. Learn a bit about herding from horseback and then trail the herd to the pens over hills and through river valleys.
Watch the gauchos do some roping while they medicate the cows. Then head to a shaded knoll for a picnic lunch. Hammocks are placed through the pasture where the horses contentedly roll and graze.
Tired from a long day of cowboying, head back to the estancia. Tonight is wine tasting and live music! Then dig into a three course dinner before falling into bed.
Set out for the morning ride heading in a new direction to the highest point of the estancia.
Back at the house, decide to spend the afternoon lounging by the pool with a G&T.
Polo day! Head out to the polo pitch for some beginner instruction on playing polo. Once you have the hang of it mount up for a friendly (and probably hilarious) game.
Today is one of the best: a long ride to a waterfall and swimming hole where you can cool off before eating a picnic lunch.
This afternoon, go for a birding walk around the estancia - don’t forget your camera!
For your final dinner, you’re the chef. Help prepare breads, empanadas, and raviolis as well as beef filets. Make sure to catch the sunset before heading to bed.
Depart at anytime. We are happy to help with transfers to Cordoba city center, airport, or wherever your next destination is.

Stay

Estancia Los Potreros is simply stunning. Nothing overly fancy, but just dripping with character, rich detail, and typical Argentine decor.

Every room faces the garden where the garden herd freely roams and there are many hammocks and chairs throughout the grounds. On chilly spring and autumn nights, a fire will be lit for you in your fireplace before your return from dinner.

Each room has an ensuite as well as a small sitting area for relaxing. However, with the outside looking this stunning, you’ll probably only be in your room to sleep.

Eat

From grilled meats and veggies, to pizza and pasta, and always a yummy Argentine dessert, you may need to loosen your belt. Meals are eaten family-style at a large table on the veranda or within the traditional estancia dining room. All guests staying on the estancia dine together along with the hosts and/or owner which makes for a great place to share your days adventures. Breakfast is served between 7-9am, lunch around 1:30pm, and dinner at approximately 7pm. Drinks are available at any time.

Out-of-the-saddle Activities

This is your holiday. Go birdwatching, take a walk on one of the estancia’s trails, read a book, tan by the pool, go out for a drive on the old gravel roads, play a game of cards, or chat with one of the Los Pots team.

Practical Information

Los Pots is located in the Sierras Chicas, north-west of Cordoba City, less than one hour’s drive from the international airport (Pajas Blancas – Ambrosio Taravella). The airport has hourly flights to both of Buenos Aires main airports (AEP & EZE). Other domestic flights include Iguazú, Salta, Mendoza, Bariloche, Calafate and Ushuaia. International flights go to Chile, Peru, Paraguay, Brazil, Panama and Spain. It is recommended to stay 1-2 nights in Buenos Aires or Cordoba before and after your stay.
Yes! The chefs will be happy to accommodate vegetarians or food intolerances with sufficient notice.
Free Wi-Fi is provided in and around the estancia buildings. There is no cell phone service on the estancia. At least one guide on each ride carries an emergency satellite phone.
Yes, the weight limit for criollos is 200 lbs and the weight limit for the Peruvian pasos is 183 lbs.
A selection of helmets are available at the estancia and are always recommended, though not required for adults. Please remember to check your travel insurance to verify if you need to wear a helmet for coverage.
Yes! A child discount of 20% applies for children between 10 and 16 years of age. There is a minimum age limit of 10 years except by prior arrangement. There are 2 cottages with interconnecting rooms ideal for families. Kids love the pool, ponies, horseback riding (helments required), and walks around the estancia. Special kid-friendly meals can also be arranged for picky eaters.