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Gaucho Experience in Salta
There is a great and exceptional Gaucho experience you can’t miss in the province of Salta, in Argentina. Pampa Grande is a working ranch that lays in a beautiful fertile valley. Here you can live the real Gaucho experience and get to know all about them.
It opens to the public from Monday to Friday. The weekends are precious to the Gauchos, they rest during these days.
Pampa Grande is completely dedicated to cattle work and farming. Furthermore, in 2015 it was officially certified an organic farm. They do a really great job in doing sustainable agriculture.
Location
The Estancia is located near the town of Guachipas, about 100 km away from the city of Cafayate. More than half of the land is covered by a dense forest that is rarely visited by man. This is the home of many rare tree species and a huge variety of birds and wildlife.
The ranch is very interesting from a cultural and historic point of view. The region where the Estancia is located used to be part of the Inca Trail. When the Spanish colonizers arrived at this land, the family of Hernando de Lerma (founder of Salta’s capital city) took possession of it.
A little history
General Arenales bought the place in the early 19th century. He was one of the key military leaders who contributed to the birth of the new nation. The gauchos took part in the uprising against the royalists. They were under the banner of General Guemes and wore the famous black and red ponchos. During this period, Pampa Grande produced a lot of mules which were crucial for moving military gear. It can be said this region was the place where the European and Indian cultures clashed.
It was in this ranch that Gauchos, Indians and European landlords coexisted for many years. As a consequence of this fusion the gaucho culture was born. Gauchos dress partly like Indians when they use their ponchos. Also, they have similar beliefs, like Pachamama. Apart from this, it’s also a catholic and a fervent Argentinian nationalist culture.
The Gaucho tradition is manifest in the dexterity the gauchos display in the handling of cattle: gathering cattle on horseback, the wielding of lassos and all the work in the corrals. Several times a year, the gauchos attend the “Fiestas Patronales”. Here they wear their best attire and display their best leatherwork and horses.
- Destination
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Departure
La Viña
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Included
AccomodationAdvancedBeginnerBreakfastDinnerEquipmentFull Board AccomodationIntermediateLunchLuxuryprivate GuidesRiding Horses
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Not Included
Alcoholic DrinksCaballos de equitaciónEconomicEndurance HorsesGimnasioHalf Board AccomodationJumping HorsesLocal ToursPolo HorsesSpaTickets to National ParksTransport
From our gallery
Itinerary
- Pick up in Salta city or Cafayate (this transport is charged separately). The way into the estancia is very easy, only when it rains a lot it can be complicated to enter the ranch.
- Check in at the estancia. When arrival guests will be assigned one of the 10 comfortable rooms of the main house. The old “Casco” (name given to the main houses of the big estancias in Argentina) has 10 double rooms and 2 single rooms, all of them are in suite and have a chimney place.
- Full board accommodation included in the rate (breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, picadas and dinner).
- Ranch Activities: guests can choose among different activities related with horses such as horse rides, cattle herding and watch and learn to work with gauchos. Horse rides can be of different duration it all will depend on the riding experience of each guest; there is also the option to do a horse ride with camp overnight (this must be required in advance). Other activities guests can do are trekking, bikes, fishing and boat navigation. The estancia has a heated swimming pool.
- It's very interesting to visit the “Capilla de Santa Rosa de Lima”, located in the property.
Location
The estancia is located 70km away from the town of la Viña (situated in National Road 68, km 101).
Other activities for riders and non riders companions
La Viña town was founded in 1886; along other northern towns (Cachi, San Carlos, Molinos, Cafayate) is part of the Salta´s Wine road.
The estancia has a strategic location because it is near very interesting destinations such as Cafayate ( 100 km away), Cachi ( 3 hours from La Viña), the National Park “Los Cardones” (a desert landscape full of cardon cactus). Traveling the roads of the north is one of the best ways to get to know this region; for example when going from the estancia to Cafayate, on the way travelers will bump into spectacular archeological landscapes like Garganta del Diablo, el Anfiteatro, La Punilla and Los Castillos.
Is a must to go and visit the Colome wine cellar; here visitors will be able to taste their exquisite wine and also visit the James Turrell Museum.
