IMAGES: TEGAN CUNNIFFE; ALAMY


ARGENTINA


RANCHES Life on the plains


Argentina’s estancias — its famed cattle and sheep ranches — have been central to the country’s economy, culture, cuisine and national identity for centuries. Many welcome guests, with options ranging from hardscrabble working farms to luxurious rural retreats.


BEST FOR HORSE-RIDING Estancia Los Potreros Between the Pampas and the Andes, on the rippling hills of the Sierras Chicas in Córdoba province, Estancia Los Potreros is a memorable place to ride, thanks to its incredible landscapes, expert guides and beautiful Peruvian Paso horses. You can work alongside its gauchos, try your hand at traditional games such as corrida de sortija (a race to hook a ring off a T-bar) and learn to play polo. From US$1,008 (£800), all-inclusive. estancialospotreros.com


BEST FOR HISTORY Estancia Harberton Tierra del Fuego’s oldest ranch, Estancia Harberton was founded in 1886 by British missionary Thomas Bridges. A national historic monument, it’s still owned by his descendants. On the shores of the Beagle Channel, its walking tours and history museum whisk visitors through the region’s tumultuous past; the accommodation is provided in atmospheric cottages and excursions run to its own penguin colony. From US$240 (£190), B&B. estanciaharberton.com


BEST FOR ISOLATION Estancia Cristina Accessed via a catamaran journey across an icy lake in the majestic Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, Estancia Cristina immerses guests in the wilderness of Patagonia without scrimping on luxury. Hikes, horserides and 4WD trips through subpolar forests and windswept steppe provide close-up, crowd-free views of one of the planet’s largest ice fields, with the magnificent Upsala Glacier among the highlights. From US$1,800 (£1,440), all-inclusive. estanciacristina.com


BEST FOR WILDLIFE Rincón del Socorro In the Parque Nacional Iberá, close to the Paraguayan border in northeast Argentina, tranquil Rincón del Socorro is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding wetlands, grasslands and subtropical forests, which are home to a profusion of wildlife. A lavishly restored estancia, originally founded in the late 19th century, it offers guests an array of safaris and birdwatching trips. From US$972 (£780), B&B. rincondelsocorro.com.ar SHAFIK MEGHJI


Horse-riding at the Estancia Los Potreros From top: A bedroom at Los Potreros; capybaras at Rincón del Socorro


JAN/FEB 2024 79


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