Estancia Don Joaquín Argentina

How do I start... My wife and I booked 3 days at this Estancia pretty last minute and it's one of the best things we've ever done. My wife had prior riding experience and I didn't. Angie was fantastic with organising our bus from Buenos Aires as well as explaining the activities on offer and how things can be tailored to our needs. I arrived having never ridden a horse, and left loving it. I couldn't have wished for a better place to learn. The horses are extremely well looked after with a wilderness in which to roam. If I was a horse I'd want to live here. We went on a wildlife safari to see Capybara, Cayman & lots of birds, as well as a fishing trip to catch Golden Dorado. Everything was incredible; the food, the people, the scenery, nature, pool.... I could go on! Thank you Angie, Diego & Josephina for such a magical stay ❤️

Wow where do I start, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the first to last day I was treated as royalty. The hosts and the gauchos really made me feel like I was part of a family. I met some lifelong friends, ate some of the best food I have ever eaten. Soaked in the outstanding natural beauty, horses were exceptional, well trained and well kept, the room luxurious and tremendously comfortable. The only negative I have for Escancia is having to leave this absolutely magical place.

We had a fantastic stay lasting 8 days . The trip was organised by Farandride horse riding holidays and so the focus was of course on the superb horse riding but every aspect of the stay was outstanding. Thank you to the whole family for making us feel so welcome. Argentinian barbecue, fishing, bird watching, cattle and horse herding , cookery lessons, cocktails, wine tasting- all in a wonderful luxury setting and amongst such friendly hosts. This was an experience of a lifetime.

Where do we begin ! We had the most amazing bucket list experience at the ranch and would love to return. The family the gauchos the other lovely staff who looked after us were just so friendly and helpful. The horses were fantastic and seeing them being rounded up and cantered into the hitching line every day right outside our window was spectacular. We felt so looked after and cared for and the gauchos are so skilled and experienced. My husband an experienced horse man was out with the head cattle man most rides searching for hidden cows whilst I had gentle rides with other guests. And as for the food WOW The ranch catered for vegetarian and coeliac diets when we visited and every meal was a feast. You will leave a lot heavier than you started ! An experience of a lifetime that we hope to repeat again soon ❤️

When you arrive at Estancia Don Joaquin, at 04:00 in the morning after I must say the most comfortable busride I’ve ever had, you have no idea what to expect. The first things you’ll see are the beautiful rooms of the estancia and a fully covered breakfast table with the best food there is. You might even feel a bit uneasy because of all the luxury, it’s amazing! Later however, you’ll learn that’s not what the estancia is all about. The beautiful interior and meals cannot prepare you for what’s next. During your stay you’ll experience true craftsmanship. You’ll see it in the owners, their children, but also in the gaucho’s. Those young and extremely talented guys will fly with you through Argentinian landscapes. They will show you how to ride, how to herd, how to lasso but most of all: how to enjoy. I have never seen anything like it. Although my Spanish is absolute rubbish and not all of the gaucho’s speak perfect English, a couple of words, hand gestures and smiles were enough. Enough to show appreciation for a life so different than my own ánd enough to see how much they appreciate life’s basics: fresh air, nature, animals and company. During my stay at Estancia Don Joaquin the owners, the guests and the gaucho’s felt like one family. Eventhough your stay will be a temporary one, I can guarantee you it will be hard to say goodbye.

My daughter and I stayed at Estancia Don Joaquin for 4 days in August 2023. As many others have written, the food and rooms are truly 5*. As for the horse riding, the reason we visited: my daughter is an experienced rider and loved the freedom to follow the gauchos in their daily rounds; for me, a beginner rider, they took it easy and provided lots of learning opportunities...the gauchos are really awesome. We were usually 5 or 6 hours in the saddle every day, a morning and an afternoon session. Angie and Diego have a top notch operation and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic Argentinian cowboy experience. They also have a very well respected river fishing camp run by their adult kids which we did not participate in but from the pictures would be terrific.