Overview
Ride with gauchos
North of the city of Córdoba, in the Sierras Chicas hills between the Pampas and Andes, Estancia Los Potreros is an authentic and warmly welcoming retreat for a taster of rural Argentina.
Family owned for over a century, and with a permanent team with a collective combined experience here of about the same, this is a home as much as it is a working farm. Hosting no more than 12 guests at a time, solo travellers, couples, families and groups can all look forward to a personalised stay.
Horseback riding alongside the gaucho cowboys and girls is the main draw here but there’s something to be said for falling into the rhythm of the place on walks, wild swims or learning traditional dishes in the kitchen. Food and wine are, naturally, another highlight with flowing Malbec and convivial asados of the farm’s produce a staple at Potreros.
Facts
At a glance
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Hosting up to 12 guests
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Swimming pool
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Dining room and kitchen
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Stables and polo field
Experiences
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Horse riding
Riding here is an experience not to be missed, whatever your ability. Trails provide a surprising variety of landscapes and terrain, taking you to swimming holes and spectacular viewpoints, or further afield to neighbouring lands that offer a glimpse of rural life, past homesteads, churches and remote schools.
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Ranching with gauchos
As a working cattle estancia, there is often the chance for guests to ride out alongside the gauchos and help them with their daily tasks. Bringing in the young horses to protect them from the elusive puma, rounding up stray cattle, moving the herd into the corrals for counting or vaccinating, or taking salt out to the herd are just some of the day-to-day estancia activities in which guests can be involved with.
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Polo
Polo is a much-loved sport in Argentina and the estancia loves introducing this extremely fun and highly addictive sport to guests who wouldn't normally have a chance to try it.
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Walks
You can either join a guided walk with a staff member, or head out on your own - our estancia dogs will be happy to join you! Wildflowers throughout the year are spectacular, and you shouldn't be surprised at crushing wild mints and herbs underfoot, releasing the most incredible fragrances.
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Birdwatching
Andean Condor from your Black Chested Buzzard Eagle? You might well, after your visit with us. The estancia is blessed with plentiful and varied birdlife all year, with notable species including Andean condor, black chested buzzard eagles, peregrines and black vultures. The wonderful ‘burrowing owl' is a regular sight, eyeing passing visitors from fence posts, while other smaller birds include herons, hummingbirds, nightjars, plovers and mockingbirds.
Community & Culture
Estancia Los Potreros has long supported the local rural school, and its guests can help too via a small shop on the estancia. The farm is also a part of the ‘Pack for a Purpose’ initiative, which encourages travellers to think about ways they can positively impact local communities when they travel.
Conservation
Located on a provincial reserve, the estancia's style of farming encourages local wildlife, including pumas, wild boar, foxes, hare and the majestic Andean Condor. They are currently working in conjunction with local authorities to re-introduce endangered wildlife to the hills, and access is provided to local university research groups who are studying the effects and control of non-indigenous plant species. There is also an active tree-planting programme.
Footprint
The majority of energy used at the estancia is generated from renewable resources (mainly wind, water and solar power) and all farming on the estancia is undertaken with organic principles.
They operate with a strong ‘farm-to-table’ ethos when it comes to food, too, providing home-reared beef, free-range eggs, and fruit and vegetables from the estancia gardens.
There's also a zero food waste policy. Even the wine bottles are transported back to the winery, where they're filled again with our Los Potreros' own label wine.
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
