The Polo Experience
Pilar, Argentina
La Pampa Argentina is a vision to the eyes, mind, and soul!
Known for its dynamic African like landscapes and storms, La Pampa is a place of dreams for those seeking to experience a true Argentinean Gaucho lifestyle.
What to Expect
✔ Authentic estancia living
✔ Hands-on gaucho experiences
✔ Horseback riding & cattle work
✔ Traditional asados & local cuisine
✔ Evenings under the Pampas sky
Meet the Host
The Novillo family are big in Polo having won the Open in Palermo in 2003. Cruz Novillo will be our fabulous host in this experience.
His family owning the farm we will be staying in highlights the authentic experience required to truly understand Patagonia.
The Experience
4 Nights at the Farm in La Pampa (Name?)
Min 6 people - Max 8 people per group
Dates (flexible):
October
December - March
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Animal watching
Hunting (March)
Horse riding
Learn to lasso
Heard the cows around and work with them in ‘la manga’, which is the location where the cows are branded, vaccinated, etc.
Sleeping under the stars..
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Day 1
You will be picked up from Santa Rosa, which is X km from the farm. Once you arrive at the farm, you will have a chance to decompress and organise your things. After an asado for lunch you will heading out for a ride to get to know the area.
Watch?
Dinner will be served family style for an authentic gaucho experience.
Day 2
Wake up to a fun morning of herding cattle. You will be moving cattle from around the farm and taking them to ‘La Manga’, which is the name of the station where all the work is done on the cattle.
After a lunch and a well deserved siesta, saddle up again to help the gauchos with the cattle work in La Manga from artificial insemination, to vaccination, branding, and other veterinary or separation needs.
The day ends with taking the cattle back to a coral for the evening.
Day 3
Relaxing ride in the morning to go look around for any injured cattle and animal watching throughout.
Prepare for an amazing full gaucho Asado for lunch.
After the daily siesta you will learn how to throw a lasso and take part in a lasso throwing competition.Day 4
More cattle work to be done so you will saddle up early in the morning and spend the day with the gauchos doing what they do.
Dinner under the stars with a classic Malbec to end the trip in La Pampa.
Day 5
Last morning ride with an early lunch to catch afternoon flights back to Buenos Aires. Most flights leave Santa Rosa around 4/5pm.
We recommend taking a hotel in Buenos Aires before heading off to your next destination the following day
We are able to add the Polo experience to the beginning or end of this trip.
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Cruz’s farm is located in ? in La Pampa
How to get there:
Flight to Buenos Aires and then take a connection to Santa Rosa.
On your arrival, a car will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the farm. We would recommend flying into Buenos Aires the day before and taking the first flight out the following day. We would also recommend taking a hotel for the day you fly back to Buenos Aires before taking your flight to wherever you might head after. We have recommendations for Buenos Aires so let us know if you require this.
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Cost per person with your own bedroom: $6,500
Included:
Accommodation for 4 nights at the farm with full board.
All lunches and dinners in Bariloche and the farm.
All Transfers to/from the farm from Santa Rosa Airport.
Horseback riding at the farm.
All excursions explained within the itinerary, equipment and guides.
Not Included:
Flights to and from Buenos Aires
Flights to and from Santa Rosa
Tips
Hotel in Buenos Aires
Any experience in Buenos Aires (we have a lot of recommendations and can help with this if required)
ACCOMODATION
Nurpur House, lovingly owned by the Noon family for several centuries, is an exquisite example of traditional Mughal architecture.
The interiors are beautifully designed with a blend of equestrian and colonial themes.
The house, which will serve as your residence, features 20 ensuite rooms with AC and provides full-board service, including all meals, drinks, and activities.
ITINERARY
5 DAYS
Day 1: Welcome to Las Pampas
Morning: Your adventure begins with a pick-up from Santa Rosa, located approximately X km from the estancia. Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive as you transition from city life to the boundless countryside.
Midday: Upon arrival at the estancia, take a moment to decompress, settle into your accommodations, and soak in the serene surroundings.
Lunch: Your first taste of estancia life comes with a traditional asado, where slow-cooked meats, fresh chimichurri, and local wines set the tone for the days ahead.
Afternoon Ride: After lunch, saddle up for a leisurely ride, exploring the vast landscape and getting familiar with the terrain, your horse, and the rhythm of the estancia.
Evening: As the sun sets over the plains, enjoy a family-style dinner for an authentic gaucho experience, complete with stories, laughter, and local flavors.
Day 2: Cattle Herding + Ranch work
Morning: Rise early for a morning of cattle herding. You’ll ride out with the gauchos to gather the herd and move them across the estancia to ‘La Manga’, the central station where all the essential cattle work takes place.
Lunch & Siesta: After an exhilarating morning, return to the estancia for a well-deserved lunch and siesta—a cherished tradition in the Pampas.
Afternoon: Get hands-on with the cattle work at La Manga, assisting with key ranch tasks such as:
• Artificial insemination
• Vaccination & branding
• Veterinary care & sorting the cattle
Work alongside experienced gauchos, gaining insight into their skills and traditions.
Evening: As the day winds down, ride back to the corral to settle the cattle for the night before enjoying another hearty dinner under the stars.
Day 3: Scenic Ride & Lasso Competition
Morning: A relaxing ride through the estancia, keeping an eye out for injured cattle and experiencing the local wildlife up close—watch for guanacos, deer, and the majestic carancho birds soaring above.
Lunch: Prepare for an unforgettable gaucho-style asado, where whole cuts of meat are slow-cooked over an open flame while you sip on local wines and share stories.
Afternoon: After your siesta, it’s time to channel your inner gaucho—you’ll learn the art of lasso throwing and put your skills to the test in a friendly lasso competition.
Evening: Enjoy a relaxed evening at the estancia, perhaps with a sunset mate ritual, as the gauchos do.
Day 4: A Day in the Life of a Gaucho
Morning: Time to saddle up early and get back to work—today, you’ll spend the day alongside the gauchos, helping with the cattle and experiencing the true day-to-day life on the ranch.
Lunch & Afternoon: A well-earned midday meal and siesta before continuing with the last of the ranch work.
Evening: As your adventure nears its end, gather for a special farewell dinner under the stars, accompanied by Argentina’s finest Malbec—a toast to an unforgettable experience in La Pampa.
Day 5: Lahore Polo Club & Museum
Morning: Enjoy one last sunrise ride, soaking in the landscapes before returning to the estancia for a farewell brunch.
Midday: You’ll depart for Santa Rosa Airport to catch your afternoon flight to Buenos Aires (typically departing around 4-5 PM).
Evening: We recommend spending the night in Buenos Aires before continuing your journey the next day.
Optional Add-On: Polo Experience
For those looking to extend their adventure, we can add a Polo experience either at the beginning or end of your trip, giving you the chance to learn and play Argentina’s most prestigious sport.