Gaucho Day Tour Ranch at an Estancia from Buenos Aires

This was a wonderful day trip. Our driver to and from Buenos Aires was a very careful driver and knew some English and conversed. Our guide, Faco, although he is a flight attendant in Buenos Aires, also has family in San Antonio de Areco. He clearly loves his home town and was anxious to communicate his enthusiasm for the town and its history. He was extremely knowledgeable, and told us all about the landmarks and even the flora and fauna. Faco was provided to us by the estancia, but feel free to contact him to guide you through Buenos Aires. Just contact me for his mobile number. As to the pampas tour, all I can say is be certain to select this tour-one of many offered. The grounds are magnificent and well maintained. Our first stop was a small table on the lawn where the most delicious empanadas I have ever eaten were served. Then, you could either go horseback riding or take a gaucho driven carriage ride into the fields. At 75, our horseback riding days are behind us, but the carriage ride was nice. Following this and taking photos of the horses and resident dogs, we were escorted to a table clothed with a white tablecloth in the trees for lunch. Super lunch with grilled meats and Malbec, which was on the table. Even a delicious dessert was provided. I had told Faco that I wanted try the popular drink, mate, so I tried it, with Faco's encyclopedic knowledge of its history. The lunch table faced the main house, which is also a hotel. You can find it by Googling Estancia El Ombu de Areco. The information Facu provided about the history of culture of the gauchos in town and at the property were invaluable. A gaucho folk dance was presented with the spectators encouraged to participate (which they did) It was great fun with gaucho musicians providing the background music. The finale came when a gaucho presented his horse, which he had been training for 12 years. Gauchos don't break horses like we do in the US. The stay with the horse, sleep with the animal, and play classical music for it. What the horse could do willingly was amazing. Afterward, you could ride again, or just hang out, which we did. Epic experience.

Even on a rainy day, my husband and I had a lovely experience with Diego driving out to the pampas and sightseeing in the small town. They offered us to reschedule because of the rain, but we had only one opportunity to go, so we made the best of it and had a lot of fun. Lots of food and drinks and lots of music. The small town was charming with beautiful special shops and some museums. Diego was extremely informative and flexible.

The horseback ride through the fields and among the cattle was longer (about an hour) and better than we thought. The food which was served was excellent. Our guide was very good.