Equus Argentina

Equestrian advisers and horse lovers. Unique and exclusive experiences on horseback, tailored to our clients, especially selected by horse lovers.

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Unique & Outstanding Horse Riding Experiences

Parana River Island Adventure

per person

Horseback riding in El Raigon is very special because the trails were designed by us, Equus Argentina. Being passionate about horses, we know exactly what our clients are looking for to have a unique and unforgettable experience.

 

We chose this destination because we already knew it well — in fact, Majo spent many years riding alongside the gauchos of Corrientes, exploring every corner of this estancia. A few years ago, the lodge was reopened with excellent facilities and great attention to detail. When we heard the news, we immediately thought it would be a great opportunity to create a new horseback riding program and offer a truly unique riding destination.

 

Estancia El Raigon — a ranch of about 4,000 hectares — is located on the banks of the Gran Parana River. The landscape here is incredibly diverse, including jungle, cliffs, pampas, cultivated fields, and completely wild areas. The main activity is cattle ranching, and therefore the gauchos are the true main characters.

 

We love everything related to travel, horses, and adventure. While many of our experiences include camping or overnight stays in remote mountain outposts, we also highlight places that offer stunning scenery for riding, new places to discover, authentic experiences, and also great lodging to rest and enjoy the finest local cuisine. This program is also a gastronomic experience.

 

This horseback ride is only available five times a year. The departure months are September, October, November, March, and April. For this reason, prior booking is required. The maximum number of guests is 10, with a minimum group size of 6 riders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Destination
  • Departure
    Piedras Blancas
  • Departure Time
    10 am
  • Return Time
    16 pm
  • Included
    Accomodation
    Advanced
    Alcoholic Drinks
    Breakfast
    Equipment
    Full Board Accomodation
    Intermediate
    Lunch
    Luxury
    private Guides
    Riding Horses
    Spa
    Transport
  • Not Included
    Beginner
    Caballos de equitación
    Dinner
    Economic
    Endurance Horses
    Gimnasio
    Half Board Accomodation
    Jumping Horses
    Local Tours
    Polo Horses
    Tickets to National Parks
1

Itinerary

Day 1:The first day of this incredible experience in the Argentine Litoral is all about getting to know the horses and relaxing after the journey, so you’re well-rested and ready for the upcoming adventure. Guests typically arrive from midday onwards.

There are several ways to reach the estancia, but at Equus Argentina we recommend flying into the city of Parana (capital of the province of Entre Rios) or the city of Santa Fe (capital of the province of Santa Fe). A previously arranged transfer will be waiting to take the riders to the town of Piedras Blancas, where the lodge is located.

Upon arrival, we will greet you with a welcome drink and, depending on the time, either a light snack (picada) or lunch. Each guest will be assigned one of the estancia’s luxurious and spacious rooms.

Then it's time to enjoy. We recommend arriving early to take part in a short ride around the area to test the horses and assess each rider’s level. The estancia also has a swimming pool with beautiful, tree-lined views and a games room for guests to enjoy.

Dinner is served at 8:00 PM. During dinner, it will be time to share horseback riding stories and get to know each other better — a perfect moment to connect over a shared passion for horses.

 

Day 2:This will be one of the most exciting days! Breakfast will be served early so that riders have enough time to get dressed and prepare for the adventure. The highlight of the day is the estancia’s island — a stunning 2,000-hectare island bordered on one side by the San Feliciano River and on the other by none other than the majestic Parana River.

The island hosts a rich ecosystem and is home to countless birds and native species such as deer, yacarés (caimans), and carpinchos (capybaras).

We’ll leave the main house by truck and head toward the dock, which is about 1.5 km away. The road itself is a scenic journey, winding through towering trees until it reaches the San Feliciano River. Once at the dock, a boat will take us from the mainland to the island. This first crossing is a great opportunity to admire the beauty of the river landscape. On the other side, we’ll be welcomed by Ruben — a local gaucho who looks after the island — and the horses.

Once mounted, we’ll ride towards the first lagoons and marshlands. The serenity of the surroundings is priceless, with only the sound of dry grasses under the horses’ hooves and the birdsong — especially from the chajás (Southern screamers) — filling the air. As we ride deeper into the island, we’ll approach the Parana River shoreline.

 

We’ll follow the river’s edge for a while, and then head inland across a vast pampa, ideal for our first long gallop — a chance to truly feel the rhythm and power of our horses.

Eventually, we’ll arrive to the point of the island, a natural lookout offering sweeping views of the Parana. Lunch will be waiting for us here, along with a glass of wine to enjoy while taking in the scenery. Those who wish can also take a short boat ride along the river.

After a short siesta, we’ll mount our horses again and head toward the opposite side of the island — the San Feliciano shoreline. From there, we’ll catch a glimpse of the next day’s destination: Puerto Algarrobo.

The afternoon ride brings some of the most varied scenery, which changes from one ride to another depending on the river’s water levels. In any case, the journey always holds surprises. Observant riders may spot deer or other native wildlife along the way.

At sunset, we’ll return to our starting point and guide the horses across the river — one of the most unforgettable moments of this entire ride. Riders will witness something truly unique: horses swimming alongside the boat, guided by the gauchos.

Once back on the mainland, we’ll saddle up again and ride through the wooded coastal area, then ascend the natural cliffs for panoramic views of the islands and the terrain we explored throughout the day.

Tired but fulfilled, we’ll pass by the main house. Riders who wish can dismount here and begin to relax. They’ll have the option to enjoy the spa’s sauna or a massage.

At 8:00 PM, we’ll gather at the bar for drinks and a delicious picada, followed by a three-course dinner where we can reflect and share stories about the amazing day we just lived.

 

Day 3: Puerto Algarrobo. On the third day, after a delicious breakfast, we will saddle up and ride toward the small fishing village of Puerto Algarrobo, located right on the riverbank and facing the famous Laguna Blanca Island.

The first part of the ride takes us along a rugged trail with ups and downs, surrounded by dense vegetation. Then, the path gradually opens into firmer but soft ground — perfect for the first gallop of the day.

We’ll get to a crossroad where we’ll turn right toward the estancia’s feedlot and enjoy a long gallop before turning onto a rural backroad commonly used by locals. This trail stretches for about 15 km and will lead us straight to the village.

One of the most charming parts of this route is passing by the typical houses of local residents, where chickens, goats, geese, sheep, and friendly dogs often come out to greet us. Along the way, we’ll trot and gallop through different sections, keeping a lively pace so we can arrive in time for lunch at Don Beto’s almacén de ramos generales (a traditional general store).

Upon arrival, Beto will welcome us with a delicious picada featuring cured meats (salames), cheeses, and homemade bread. The horses will take a break and recover while we enjoy refreshments and relax — the perfect pause before the afternoon adventure.

Once we’re ready, we’ll say goodbye to Don Beto and mount up again. We’ll walk our horses calmly around the village, passing by the old church and school, and head to the dock.

Then we’ll continue for a few more kilometers before turning to the right onto a wilder path — a perfect stretch for the first afternoon gallop. We’ll take a few detours along narrow trails used only by horses, leading us deep into the estancia, into an area that will amaze with its rich vegetation and landscapes.

 

This is one of the most thrilling parts of the ride: weaving through the jungle along narrow, vegetation-lined paths. We’ll ride up and down through natural corridors until we emerge onto an open pampa filled with espinillos (thorny trees) and chicotes (shrubs), yet with enough space to gallop freely and test the excellent responsiveness of our Entre Ríos horses.

The day will keep surprising us. Suddenly, we’ll leave the jungle behind and arrive at a vast pampa dominated by the old estancia house known as “El Martín Fierro” — named in honor of the legendary gaucho character created by José Hernández, one of Argentina’s literary masterpieces.

But the adventure isn’t over yet. We’ll continue riding for a while longer toward another riverbank, passing by small lagoons and witnessing the spectacular show of the setting sun. We’ll arrive at the dock and take the trail leading back to the estancia’s park, where a generous picada and drinks will be waiting for us at the bar.

Dinner will be held at the quincho next to the fire pit, where we’ll be welcomed with a classic asado. Afterward, we can unwind and enjoy a game of pool in the game room.

 

Day 4: The final day is time to say goodbye to our horses, with a few last gallops through this incredible landscape. The idea for this closing ride is to head out alongside the gauchos of the estancia and accompany them in whatever task they have planned for the day. We'll also ride toward El Fonseca — a section of native Entre Ríos jungle — where we'll lose ourselves in a maze of winding branches and natural paths.

We'll return to the estancia via the old trail, which offers a completely new perspective of the area. We’ll arrive at the stables from the back side, where it will be time to unsaddle, wash our horses, and say our farewells.

 

Check-out is available from midday. For those who wish, late check-out can be arranged to enjoy more time at the pool or spa.

 

Location

The estancia is located just 3 kilometers from the small riverside town of Piedras Blancas. The nearest larger town is Hernandarias, about 20 kilometers away. Major cities such as Parana and Santa Fe are approximately one hour’s drive from the lodge.

Other activities for riders and non riders companions

This experience offers not only an outstanding program for horse lovers but also a range of activities for companions who do not participate in the rides.

 

The estancia itself provides opportunities for other activities such as boat rides or fishing — the Parana River is an excellent spot for catching Dorado and Surubi, two prized native fish. Guests can also visit the nearby town of Hernandarias or enjoy scenic walks through the vast parklands that surround the main house.

 

Relaxing by the pool and enjoying the spa are other highlights. The estancia is a perfect place to disconnect and find some peace.

 
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