South & Central America

Estancias of Argentina

Not only is the accommodation of an excellent standard, but horse riding on the farm and in the surrounding hills, walking, swimming, wine tasting and cultural visits to old Jesuit churches are just some the variety of activities that will keep guests busy for days. This estancia is also highly recommended for families.

This is one of the finest estancias for horse riding, which is generally centred around estancia life with overnight excursions possible either in local farmsteads or camping. Longer trail rides of up to a week are also possible (guests must be 12 years or over for trail rides). There is also a polo pitch for some informal games of polo.

North West Province - Jujuy

Los Lapachos, the home of Richard & Caroline Leach, is one of Argentina’s largest privately owned sugar cane plantations, located in the north east of Argentina, not far from the town of Jujuy. Cotton, beans and tobacco are also grown here and they also breed cattle and horses on the property.

The home was built in the late 18th Century in the Spanish colonial style, with two large high ceilinged double rooms that share a bathroom and set around a central courtyard. There is also an independent guest house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area and dining room. The property is set within extensive and colourful gardens and there is a swimming pool and a tennis court.

Los Lapachos is an ideal place from which to visit various places of interest, such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca, with its colourful scenery and quaint villages or Calilegua National Park on the tropical side of the province of Jujuy.

Other activities include excellent bird-watching in the gardens and at the nearby reservoirs. There is also a polo ground and horse riding can be arranged.

Mendoza

Surrounded by the extraordinary landscapes of the Uco Valley, approximately 60 miles outside of the city of Mendoza, Posada Salentein is a small and exclusive lodge ideally located in the heart of Argentina’s finest wine growing region.

The property has just four traditionally decorated en suite bedrooms and there is also a nearby three bedroom house, which is ideal for family groups.

Guests will enjoy fascinating tours of the vineyards and can also explore neighbouring viticulture enterprises. Trekking through chestnut woods, horse riding along the crystal clear streams and mountain paths, fishing in mountain creeks, white water rafting and 4x4 vehicle excursions are just a selection of the other possible activities to be enjoyed in the area.

Buenos Aires – Pampas

Set in the heart of the Argentine Pampas approximately four hours drive from Buenos Aires, Estancia La Escondida (or ‘hidden lake’) is a lovely historical property with many a fascinating story to tell and it was here that t he Ranquel Indians, who roamed the Pampas, were said to have hidden a troop of white horses belonging to General Villegas during the Indian wars.

The property is owned by the Couper Avendano family who are direct descendants of the original owners who settled in Argentina at the end of the last century and it is still a working farm growing crops and raising cattle and horses, which today are trained as polo ponies and exported to countries around the world.

The accommodation for guests includes 3 double rooms with en suite bathrooms and a family apartment for five with its bathroom, whilst meals are taken with the family in the main dining room.

The property has a very relaxed atmosphere and guests are treated very much as part of the family and can take part in the daily life of the estancia or head out and do their own thing. The main activity is riding on the farm or playing a few chukkas of polo. Even those who have never played will enjoy a game under the expert tuition of Diego and Enrique Avendano or the Gauchos who are also excellent polo players.

Long walks and birdwatching around the property and the lakes are excellent. It is also possible to go rowing on the lakes. Visits to the local town and bombachas factory and old railway station at Pazos Kanki, can be arranged. Otherwise for those who which to merely relax, then a quiet read in the pretty gardens or around the pool is hard to beat.

Northern Patagonia - The Lake District

Set in the Andean foothills in the heart of the stunning Patagonian Lake District and just to the east of San Martin de los Andes, Estancia Huechahue is Jane Williams’ beautiful 15,000 acre working farm.

The estancia has just eight comfortable en suite rooms and here you can enjoy delicious local cuisine and traditional Anglophile hospitality, but perhaps the principal attraction is the superb horse riding that varies from gentle rides through the wide expanses of water meadow and along streams and narrow gorges to fully supported ‘pack trips’ that take you deep into the majestic scenery of Lanin National Park. Dense beech forests, bamboo thickets. rolling hills and volcanic lunar landscapes, all of which is dominated by the snow-capped Lanin Volcano, are just some of the highlights.

The wildlife is also abundant here and red deer, wild boar, rhea, guanaco, armadillos, black-necked swans, ibis, eagles and the Andean condor.

When not on a longer ‘pack ride’ guests at the lodge have the opportunity to ride with the gauchos working the cattle and join in with the everyday life on the ranch, but also enjoy some renowned trout fishing, a game of tennis and some fabulous Argentinean hospitality.

Northern Patagonia - The Lake District

Estancia Arroyo Verde is a stunning property in the heart of southern Argentina’s beautiful Lake District. Set in an enchanted valley of sculpted rock spires, lush forests and the white-capped Andes with the scenic Traful River flowing through it, this estancia is one of the country’s real gems.

This is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with horseback riding through the open valleys, up the mountains through forests to hidden lakes and caves with Indian paintings, a speciality of the ranch. Other activities include superb walking and birdwatching and there are some pretty beaches on the lakes, where you can enjoy an invigorating swim, but it is for its fly-fishing that Arroyo Verde is truly famous.

The Traful river offers some of the finest rainbow and brown trout fly-fishing in the world as well as being the only river in South America to hold an important population of landlocked salmon. The Traful river has been singled out for special praise by many famous anglers and Arroyo Verde is the most exclusive lodge in the area. (Please note that the principal fly-fishing season is from November to March.)

The main house is elegantly appointed and very comfortable with just four en suite bedrooms. A high level of service, delicious cuisine and breath-taking views across Lake Traful to the mountains beyond make this a very special place. There is also a separate, romantic guest cabin set in the forest and perched on a cliff overlooking Lake Traful, with one of the most wonderful views imaginable.

Peninsula Valdes

Situated right in the heart of the Peninsula Valdes Reserve with over 10 kms of private Atlantic coastline with wild stretches of beaches upon which hundreds of elephant seals and sea-lions breed each year, Estancia Rincon Chico enjoys a truly privileged location and is the ideal place from which to enjoy the vastness and mystique of this flat Patagonian countryside and its amazing wealth of wildlife.

This eight-bedroomed estancia belongs to one of the pioneer families of the region who colonized the Valdes Peninsula in 1880 to raise sheep. Augustin Ayuzo and his partner Maria, who will host you here, epitomize their ancestors' strong spirit of endurance, while sharing their home-made specialties of deliciously barbecued Patagonian lamb, superb wines and their own engaging brand of generous hospitality.

The peninsula is a world of flat tussocked steppes, lagoons, sand dunes and endless pebbled-beaches overlooking the vastness of the South Atlantic ocean, but the principal attraction is the rich diversity of resident and migratory wildlife. Lesser rheas, guanacos, armadillos, skunks, owls, petrels and the marine species such as Southern elephant seals, southern sea-lions, penguins, killer-whales and Southern Right Whales complete this remarkable panoply of wildlife. Walks, bike rides, boat rides and excursions by 4x4 vehicle will bring this stunning area to life and give a fascinating insight into its many natural treasures.

The season is year-round, and there is wonderful wildlife to be seen at all times; however the key seasons are:

~Southern Right Whales come to breed from June to December with spectacular viewing.
~Orcas (killer whales) come into Punta del Norte from December to April, and practice their unique and startling beaching skills to catch the sea lions.
~Magellan penguins come to breed from September to April.