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Historic Estancias, Esteros de Libera and Iguaçu Falls
This is a combination of our El
Dorado Ride with crossing Mesopotamia's Panatanal region - ending up at
the breathtaking falls of Iguaçu.
The ride starts in the Corrientes of Argentina - a place where gauchos
still drive cattle and horses from one place to another. It's a place
where men on horseback calculate distances in terms of the hours they
think they'll need to ride them. Ride from estancia to estancia and
experience their traditions and history. You stay with "real" people
that are deeply connected to this land. The Corrientes hinterland is a flat
grassland that hides water in many places and where the only signs of
civilization are fences and occasional outpost houses that have the keys
to Padlocks on pasture gates.
The ride is an introduction to spice and adventure of Corrientes' rural
life and continues to the world renown Pantanal of Mesopotamia with its
riches in flora and fauna. The last two days are set aside to experience
the breathtaking vistas of the Iguaçu Falls.
 IT-ARRT12
Rates: Inclusive
accommodations and all meals at the estancias - breakfast at the
falls, 7 riding days, boat excursion and Iguaçu tour.
12 days/ 11 nights $
3,445
Single:+$750
based on a minimum of 2 participants
2008 Dates:
03/16-03/27
05/10-05/21 06/01-06/12
07/20-07/31 09/07-09/18
10/03-10/14
11/14-11/25
... additional dates available
for groups of 4+
... see
video
Meeting: Buenos Aires
Trip Ends: Iguacu ... ~ $105 for flight to BA
Airport: Buenos Aires / Iguaçu
Transfer: Included from Buenos Aires and to
Iguacu.
Pace: Trots, canters and gallops
Level:
Intermediate+
Tack:
Argentine type
saddle with sheepskin
Horses:
Criollo
crosses, bred on the Estancia.
Min/Max Riders: 2-10
Itinerary
Pre Departure:
We can arrange airport transfers, city tour, tango
show, etc for you in Buenos Aires.
Day 1:
At 8:55 PM you take the luxury sleeper bus transfer from Buenos Aires ...
arriving the next day at 9 AM.
(meals available, but not included)
Day 2: Morning arrival in Esquina and transfer to Estancia La Rosita.
After lunch choose
your steed and saddle, and go on a short introductory trail ride. La
Rosita is an isolated ranch house where you forget all city problems.
The opulent forest of native trees around the main houses and barbecue
area is so tall that the flat landscape around it peeks through between
the tree trunks; beneath the dense tree tops. Later, enjoy a luxurious
candlelight dinner in the dining room of the 19th century wing of the
ranch house.
Day 3: Today you start your horseback adventure with a ride from
‘La Rosita’ to ‘La Amistad’ covering approximately 22 miles. Riding time
is five hours. At lunch time you are treated to a fabulous lamb barbecue
picnic. In evening the hosts will spoil your at the ranch with a
relaxing massage session (included).
Day 4: The second part of your journey on horseback takes you to
‘Buena Vista’ Farm. It’s again a long day in the saddle with lunch on
the way consisting of delicacies like pate and sausages. You can rest
under the trees at the entrance to the property, and later, at the
swimming pool; have tea under the Magnolia tree and visit the owner’s
pheasant and wild duck raising operation. Approximately five hours of
riding.
Day 5: Leaving ‘Buena Vista’ Farm very early in the morning you
ride towards ‘La Teresita’ Farm. On the way you have lunch in a typical
roadside general store called ‘Boliche de Campo’ or ‘Pulperia’. This
night you spend at ‘La Teresita’ Farm where you can choose between a
special moonlight ride on horseback or a ride in a sulky – if you still
have the energy - otherwise just spend a quiet evening at this remote
farm house. Approximately five and a half hours of riding.
Day 6:
Today’s ride takes you through pastures, pampas grasslands
and native forests to the Corrientes River. On its shores you enjoy
another spectacular barbecue lunch before you head back to Esquina by
boat, which is again close to ‘La Rosita’ from where you started your
ride. In Esquina you have dinner in a restaurant to the sounds of a
local Folklore music group. The night is once more spent at ‘La Rosita’.
Day 7: Departure to Mesopotamia
Early in the morning we will begin our tour in 4x4 vehicles to Ibera
marshes −Mesopotamia’s heart.. We have 400 km of pure nature to roam
as we head toward our next stop, an historic ranch of the Jesuitic
Missions dating from 1638, with about 240 horses. Lunch and a rest stop
at the ranch. Accompanied by wildlife experts we spend the next two
hours cruising the marshes. The Ibera marshes are an old ditch of the
Parana River, today a shallow depression full of water, formed by a few
floating islands that move with storms or strong winds, taking with them
all the flora and fauna living in them. This is a region of diverse
flora and fauna in their natural habitat. Over 245 different spices of
birds and 80 varieties fish. Notable is the biggest Heron in South
America, two species of caimans, carpinchos; as well as the river wolf
, the aguará guazú as well as the pampas and the marsh deer.
Day 8:
Today it is the day to experience the life of the peon (gauchos), the
Estancia cowboys. Ride with the gauchos as they sort calves and move
the herd; watch as they vaccinate animals, washing them, among other
activities. After lunch, we will ride into the marshes, but this time
from the coastline and through the wild forests where, if we are lucky
enough, we might see a monkey or a marsh deer.
Optional night ride into the marshes, where the night is full of life
between the sounds and colors of the animals.
Day 9:
As we leave Ibera behind the landscape changes dramatically. Misiones
Province is characterized by its hills and particular red land. Just
before arriving at Estancia Santa Ines, we can observe plantations of
Yerba Mate - famous in all of South America. Stop at the ranch
for lunch. In the afternoon we will ride along the plantations and
forested areas of the ranch until we arrive at a natural swimming pool.
We spend the night in this English-style ranch.
Day 10:
After breakfast we will go to San Ignacio’s ruins, an old remains
designed by the Jesuits and built by the Guarans (natives from the
region) over 400 years ago. We will have lunch in front of the ruins
(not included) and finally will be heading out for the last trench of
the trip to the Falls. Ambiguous feelings arrive, the trip is ending and
the falls are almost in sight. We spend this night at the Sheraton near
the falls. (Dinner not included)
Day 11:
Finally, Iguazu Falls are before our eyes. As an exception to the rest
of the journey, today we travel by foot instead of horseback.
Excursions: Iguaçu Waterfalls: Interpretation Center, Green Path,
Environmental train to the Waterfalls station, upper circuit, lower
circuit. We suggest you also take the Green Passport ticket that
includes sailing along the Parana River, jungle drive in, and nautical
adventure. (USD$50)
Note: Expect rain at any time in Iguacu, but overall rainfall is
moderate at 1200mm annually. Thunderstorms are common. Today only
breakfast is included.
Day 12:
Breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight out to Buenos Aires
around noon. |
Estancia La Rosita
Estancia Amistad
Estancia La Teresita
Esteros del Ibera - Pantanal:
Jesuit Mission:
Iguaçu Falls:
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