Trip of a lifetime – Six day Argentine photography and horseback adventure.

With a maximum of 8 participants and 2 tour leaders, this exclusive adventure has been designed to cater for all levels of photographic and riding abilities.

Estancia Los Potreros is the ultimate escape. Remaining in the same Anglo-Argentine family for four generations and situated high in the Sierras Chicas in North West Argentina, this secluded estancia is an idyllic retreat where luxury stands for a good feast at the end of a long day of exposure to the elements, it stands for condors soaring above, grasshoppers whirring below, wild mint smells rising as they are crushed underfoot and crystal-clear starlit skies enveloping the world by night. Estancia Los Potreros also has a reputation for excellent horses. You will enjoy responsive and sure-footed mounts suited to your riding ability.

The delights of Los Potreros are combined with the knowledge that you will be shown around and looked after by competent leaders who understand and know land, country and local custom. Prepare to be taken ‘off-piste’ with the certainty of experiencing something rare and raw, magical and truly unique.

High in the Sierras Chicas de Cordoba, a mountain range older than the Andes, the estancia is a protected sanctuary and both birds and animals roam free, safe from hunters. Condors, burrowing owls, monk parakeets, southern lapwings, turkey vultures, cuis (guinea pigs) and the occasional pumaare; their presence enriching the landscape and your own experience of this unique destination.

Estancia Los Potreros is an organic 6,000-acre working cattle and horse breeding farm and one of Argentina’s leading environmental establishments.

The estancia has a long commitment to sustainability and was recently recognised with a nomination as Argentina’s top eco friendly destination by Sarah Siese in her book “Heaven On Earth: Green”*. ‘When staying at Los Potreros you can rest assured that the produce you eat is fresh from the garden; your lamps are lit from alternative energy systems; local people are employed and your money is helping to support the local school.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival: You are picked up by private transport from Cordoba airport and whisked up into the rugged sierras. After arrival at the estancia and welcome drinks you will receive your Adventure: Argentina information pack and plenty of time to settle and acclimatise. Dinner, relaxation and an informal preparation session for Day 2 will follow.

Day 2 - A morning ride, a little local history and a taste of gaucho life: Today we enjoy country life, Los Potreros’ style. After breakfast we set off for a ride through the hills

This is a very relaxing and scenic ride and a perfect introduction to estancia life. Lunch is served back at our homestead. The afternoon is kept aside for our first creative session, photographing gauchos either at work or in full traditional attire as they demonstrate the different horse breeds of the estancia.

Day 3 - Sunrise photo shoot, nature walk, meeting the mares and foals, wine tasting: This morning we watch the sunrise from ‘Top of the World’ - the estancia’s highest vantage point, which offers perfect dawn-shooting opportunity. We wrap up the morning shoot with a creative session at the estancia. Free time after lunch provides time to unwind by the pool, read or catch up on sleep. This afternoon’s photo shoot is pure delight as we meet the estancia’s equine family. Every evening the mares, foals and yearlings are brought into secured yards to keep them safe from pumas. This provides ideal opportunity to watch gauchos at work and snap resting horses in the corrals. At dinner we relax in the company of Kevin and Louisa Begg (owners of Los Potreros) and enjoy a tasting of Los Potreros’ wines. We will sample a variety of local wines including the world famous Argentine Malbec and Torrontes.

Day 4 - Galloping gauchos and polo: Our adrenaline day. Today, we first try our hand at the Sport of Kings – polo! After a short lesson and practice, we play a few chukkas. Tailored for beginners, everyone is encouraged to play, but for those who do not wish to ride, this makes a superb ‘action’ photographic session! Later, we will be chasing running horses for our afternoon photo session. With flying manes and pounding hooves, our hosts will put on quite a spectacle to ensure we capture unique and exciting shots of galloping gauchos! This will be highly enjoyable whether or not you take photographs. Before dinner we have time to download and review the days’ photos.

Day 5 - Early morning shoot, a hike, picnic, asado and fiesta: A veritable feast. We are at the corrals early to capture dusty morning action as gauchos ready the horses. Amid calling and hollering, we capture the gauchos moving the horses around with skill and speed. Breakfast back at the estancia precedes a download and post-production session. Picnic lunches are packed and we head off to experience the beauty and vastness of the Sierras Chicas on foot. Those who do not wish to hike may stay at the estancia to relax, swim, read or work on their photos. We are back at the estancia in the afternoon with time to prepare pictures for the evening’s slideshow and festivities. A traditional asado awaits our final night as we celebrate in true Argentine style.

Day 6 - After our final home-cooked breakfast, we bid farewell and depart by private transport for Cordoba airport (or bus station).

Activities will vary according to the weather, light and availability of photo-shooting opportunities, so a flexible and easy-going approach is a must. All rides are optional. We ride together as a group regardless of riding ability. Experienced riders need not worry as there will be a chance for canters ahead of the main group! In our experience, Los Potreros is excellent at accommodating all levels of rider, so we do encourage everyone to enjoy the rides.

ADVENTURE: COMFORTS

Accommodation: Los Potreros is a typical Argentine estancia comprised of several homesteads built in the Jesuit style of architecture. Creative Adventure guests will be staying in beautifully restored accommodation; each lodging with its own picturesque outlook. Delightful rooms of white-washed charm and simple elegance offer you a haven of comfort and serenity at day’s end. Meals and photo sessions are held in the main house where there is also a full bar for your convenience. A short walk from the house is the pool where you can relax and contemplate the quiet of the Sierras Chicas. Secluded and providing for all your creature comforts, you can be assured of a relaxing stay and a true taste of estancia-living at Los Potreros.

Meals: All meals and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) are included. Breakfast will be self-service. Lunches will revolve around activities – you could be dining al fresco at the estancia or munching on a sandwich tucked away at some waterfalls in the hills, having reached the picnic-spot by ‘horseback or hike’. There will be the opportunity to sample some local cuisine, such as home-made ‘empanadas’. Pre-supper canapés will whet appetites for sumptuous dinners, cooked and served by the Los Potreros’ team. Vegetarian options are available throughout.

Your Creative Adventure is priced at GBP £1,650 and includes the following:

• 5 nights full board accommodation at Los Potreros

• Private transfers to/from Cordoba airport/estancia

• Adventure Information Pack

• All meals and drinks as indicated (inclusive of alcoholic beverages)

• All activities on the estancia including photo shoots, horse-riding, polo lesson and game, bushwalking, wine-tasting

• All photographic advice and tuition as requested

• Access to computers and photoshop programs for use during creative sessions is dependant upon you having your own kit/software

• The estancia has a flat screen through which we can show slideshows of our work

• Donation to davidmatherfoundation.org , an Argentine (Salta-based) charity (ref: page 15)

Not included:

• International or domestic airfares

• Transfers organised outside our recommended travel itinerary

• Discretionary gratuities

• Personal travel and equipment insurance

• Personal insurance if you wish to ride or play polo

Astrid Harrisson: Astrid is an equine artist and photographer with a background in marketing and graphic design. Her passion took her to Argentina in 2008 where she worked on Estancia Los Potreros as both guide and photographer. The same passion brought her back to South America where she wants now to be able to share just a little of its magic with others. Astrid divides her time between working in Argentina, the UK and Spain, where she works on private commissions of horses and produces fine art equine prints for exhibit. Astrid is an Associate member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers.

“Astrid is a very rare combination of an extraordinary sense of wildness with a quick eye for framing beauty.”

Romulo Sans, Art Director & Photographer (H Magazine), Cuba, 2008.

Kirsty Noble: Kirsty started BA Boutique Tours after moving to Argentina from Sydney, Australia, where she ran her own design and maintenance company. Kirsty’s career as a qualified horticulturalist and garden designer was rounded off by being a successful writer and photographer in her own right. Kirsty’s move to Buenos Aires allowed her to explore tourism opportunities and the South American garden scene. Boutique Tours offers a unique way to experience Buenos Aires, explore beautiful gardens, meet fashion designers, visit studios, discover. Kirsty’s knowledge of flora and fauna combine with her experiences in Argentina to make her an irreplaceable Adventure Partner if ever there was one. A major asset to any off-the-beaten-track experience. Kirsty has recently made a leap to New York where she is re-establishing her business and selling specialized tours to Argentina and within New York and New Jersey states.