The 7 Best Estancia & Gaucho Day Trips in Argentina

1.Gaucho and Ranch Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 809 reviews · 9 hours · from $168Our pick

Spend nine hours beyond Buenos Aires with a guide such as Victoria, Oriana, or Facundo, visiting San Antonio de Areco before heading to an estancia. Expect empanadas, horseback or carriage rides, a large asado, folk music, dancing, and, with the Premium option, a skilled gaucho horse demonstration.

“Victoria was a very nice and knowledgeable guide Enjoyed talking to her. She knew how to communicate with all 16 people The Ranch was amazing the atmosphere was just breathtaking every one in there costume outfit which felt very authentic Food fantastic more than enough Wine good quality Over all a great day.”

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2.Gaucho Day Trip from Buenos Aires: Santa Susana Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 272 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $313

Spend about eight hours trading Buenos Aires for Estancia Santa Susana near Los Cardales. Ride or take a carriage, tour the chapel and museum, eat an unlimited asado lunch with wine, and watch tango, folk dancing, boleadoras, and gaucho horse skills. Guides such as Sofia, Eileen, and Alan have earned praise for friendly service.

“Was a great day start to finish. Our guide, Eileen, and our driver were excellent. Very enjoyable. They accommodated a vegetarian on the trip - even in the meat loving experience of the gauchos.”

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3.Gaucho Experience: A Day Trip to Don Silvano Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 148 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $244

Spend about eight hours traveling from downtown Buenos Aires to Estancia Don Silvano for empanadas, a short horseback ride, asado lunch, folk music, dancing, mate, and gaucho horse games. Hotel pickup is included from central hotels, with guides such as Santiago and Soledad noted for warm, helpful service.

“Such a charming place. Beautiful grounds. Interesting antiques and authentic buildings. The people and activities were super. Santiago, our host and expert on many topics was completely enchanting. Worth every penny!!!”

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4.Estancia Cristina Mirador del Glaciar Upsala

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $285

Spend a full day crossing Lake Argentino to remote Estancia Cristina, cruising past icebergs toward Upsala Glacier, touring a historic ranch, and choosing a 4x4 glacier viewpoint or Los Perros Waterfall walk. Hotel transfers, a guide, boat snacks, and lunch are listed as included.

“Great experience. Seeing floating icebergs was crazy and the historic ranch was so interesting. Be prepared for very cold wind and rain so pack a hat and rain poncho. Do the discovery tour over classic. The ride in the 4x4 gave us a break from the weather and the views from above were the highlight of the trip.The reason I'm not giving it a five is because there was so much travel time involved getting to the glacier that I wasn't expecting. l it was a total of more than 6 hours on bus and boat round trip but there is no other way to see this amazing glacier! Everything…”

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5.Full Day Tour of Cabo San Pablo and Estancia Pirinaica

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $180Top rated

Travel from Ushuaia along National Route 3 and remote Route A to Cabo San Pablo, the leaning lighthouse, Desdémona shipwreck, and Estancia Pirinaica. Expect long vehicle stretches, a small group of up to 12, local fish dishes, ranch life, and guides such as Lucas.

“I really liked the beach and visiting the farm. Great people on my trip and the guides were helpful and kind. I would suggest a picnic snack on the beach and to stay a bit longer there. Nice place to relax.”

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6.The Real Gaucho Day Trip from Mendoza – Don Daniel Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $290

Leave Mendoza at 8:30 am for Don Daniel’s ranch, where you’ll learn the mate ritual, eat homemade sopaipillas, and ride well-behaved horses into the Andes. The small-group outing includes about 3.5 hours on horseback, mountain lunch, bilingual guiding, and hotel transfers.

“Indico para os amantes da natureza. Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única! Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única!”

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7.Tailor-made Day Tour to San Antonio de Areco & Estancia El Ombu

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $270

Spend nine hours beyond Buenos Aires with a bilingual guide in San Antonio de Areco, Argentina’s gaucho heartland. Visit its parish, colonial town hall, silver museum, chocolate shop, and gaucho museum before heading to Estancia El Ombu for horseback or carriage riding, asado, music, dancing, and gaucho horsemanship.

“San Antonio de Areco is a beautiful city and worth seeing, we wett disappointed with Estancia Onbu. Even though the natural setting of the Estancia was beautiful, the food and the dance show were not up to par. We have been to Estancia Santa Susana on previous visits and the food, dancing, and Gaucho shows were much better.”

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