ACTIVE ARGENTINA

Arrive into Córdoba international airport, where you will be met and driven to Estancia Los Petreros, your home for the next three nights. The drive to the estancia takes roughly an hour, as you head into the foothills and steppe of the Sierra Chicas mountains.

Estancia Los Potreros is a charming and authentic estancia, dating back to the early 20^th century and owned by Kevin Begg. Over the next three days you will be made to feel at home and experience life on a traditional Argentine farm. Riding, bird-watching, exploring the beautiful scenery, swimming in waterfalls or simply relaxing, Los Potreros is a magical place to start your Argentine adventure.

Kevin is originally from the UK with his team at the estancia is the perfect host. You will have chance to contribute to life on the estancia, from rounding up herds of their Aberdeen Angus cows to practicing your lassoing and other gaucho skills. Whether you have ridden before or are a complete beginner, Estancia Los Potreros gives all its guest an opportunity to experience life in the saddle.

One of the highlights of any stay at Los Potreros are the mealtimes, which are taken ‘family’ style in either the dining room or on the terrace. Guests eat together with Kevin hosting and more than happy to discuss all kinds of topics, from life in Argentina to Kevin’s love of Boca Juniors. You’ll get to experience the traditional Argentine ‘asado’ or barbeque, plus freshly baked bread and homemade dishes, all supplemented by the estancia’s home-reared beef and organically grown vegetables, fruit and free-range eggs. Before dinner you may even have chance to make your own delicious empanadas, a delicious pasty and an Argentine speciality.

Stay: Three nights at Estancia Los Potreros – full board

After breakfast on day 4 you will leave Estancia Los Potreros and be driven back to Córdoba airport, for your direct flight to el Calafaté, the entry point to Argentine Patagonia.

On arrival you will be met and driven north, towards the frontier town of el Chaltén. The drive takes around 2 ½ hours and the final section is magnificent, as the Fitz Roy mountain range appears on the horizon.

El Chaltén is the trekking capital of Argentina and over the next two days you will have chance to explore some of its trails, which make the area so famous. Your base is a cosy B&B in the centre of el Chaltén and the perfect starting point for trekking in the Los Glaciares National Park.

There are trails of all lengths and difficulties from town and on one of the full days you will be taken on a guided hike along one of the most scenic routes within the national park, to Laguna de los Tres. Through forest and past waterfalls, this full day hike is relatively demanding, but worth it for the wonderful views of Mt. Fitz Roy along the way. After a delicious packed lunch, you will return to el Chaltén and your charming B&B.

Stay: Three nights at Hostería el Puma – bed & breakfast

On day 7 you will be driven back to el Calafate airport for the direct flight to San Carlos de Bariloche, in the heart of the Argentine Lake District. On arrival you will be met and driven 3 hours north, along a scenic route towards the town of San Martin de los Andes.

Estancia Tipiliuke is located in the lower Chimehuín river valley, between the towns of San Martin de Los Andes and Junín de los Andes. A completely different setting and style of estancia to Los Potreros, Estancia Tipiliuke fuses the character of a traditional estancia, with the amenities and gourmet cuisine of a modern hotel. In the foothills of the Andes, surrounded by forest and world class trout fishing rivers, the next three days you will have the opportunity to fish, ride, hike and mountain bike in this pristine part of Argentina.

A huge variety of activities are possible from the estancia, including the nearby Chapelco golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and one of the few courses in Patagonia. White-water rafting on the Chimehuín river can be organized, as well as visits to the nearby Lanín and Nahuel Huapi National Parks.

With just 9 rooms, service and activities at the estancia are incredibly personalised and for those who prefer to relax, they have a massage and yoga room, hot tub and wood burning sauna.

Evenings can be spent around the fireplace enjoying a glass of Malbec or learning how to tango in a private tango lesson. After a delicious dinner you can then retire to your room before tomorrow’s adventure awaits.

Stay: Three nights at Estancia Tipiliuke – full board

oday you will be driven to the nearby airport of San Martin de los Andes, for the direct flight to Buenos Aires.

On arrival you will be met and driven to your chic boutique hotel, in the fashionable neighborhood of Palermo Soho. Your final night in Argentina is spent at the highly acclaimed Rojo Tango, an intimate tango show in the impressive Faena hotel. After dinner the show begins and you will be swept back in time to Buenos Aires in the early twentieth century. A live band accompanies the dancers and at the end of the award-winning tango show, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Stay: One night at Legado Mitico – bed & breakfast

After breakfast you will be driven back to Buenos Aires international airport for your international flight home.