1. If you can, ask for Sofia. She was an excellent guide, full of energy and enthusiasm. Her English is perfect! 2. We had a very good time at the Guacho Ranch, which offered a choice of horseback riding or horse drawn carriage, followed by a sumptuous lunch of empanadas, steak and dessert. They had a plentiful Vegetarian option too. Then came the Guacho and guest dancing with music, and a horse whispering performance by a Guacho. IMO, this and a city tour are must do excursions
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Horseback riding
- Hotel Pick-Up and Drop-Off
- Traditional BBQ lunch
- Professional Local Guide
- Live entertainment & gaucho show
Excludes
- Tips
- Souvenirs (available for purchase)
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Start your 9-hour journey with a comfortable transfer from your hotel in Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco, passing through the vast pampas while your guide shares insights into the local landscape.
First, stop at a silversmith’s studio to see how mates and buckles are still crafted by hand. Then, treat yourself to local chocolates at a nearby shop, highlighting Areco’s artisanal charm.
This historic church on Segundo Sombra Street traces its roots to Don José Ruiz de Arellano’s first oratory. The present structure was founded in 1869 and holds a time capsule under its central door.
At the corner of Don Segundo Sombra and Zapiola streets, a peaked house rises from its peeling walls. This is the grocery & drinks store where peasants and country people who came to town to provide themselves and do errands to the cereal house, the store, the doctor, the bank, used to meet. Don Segundo Ramírez, the gaucho who was later a character in the novel by Ricardo Güiraldes, used to stop here. Nowadays, it continues to be a meeting place and has a long history of typical people from the countryside.
At the estancia, take in the rural scenery with optional horseback rides. Enjoy appetizers and drinks before a delicious barbecue, followed by a cultural gaucho show.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
It was such a fun and cool experience. The stop in the town with history and then the day at the farm. The meal was fantastic and the singing and dancing was an added bonus!
We enjoyed our ranch day. Transport was on time and in a nice vehicle. Our guide Emilia was friendly, informative and helped make the trip lots of fun. She even shared mate with us in the van. Ranch empanadas were delicious. Balance of the asado food and drink was fine, although I wish they had had chinchulines and riñones. The horseback riding was fairly short and the 'gaucho' horse demonstrations were the weakest part of the day. The tour company made an error with our reservation and did not send us to the specific ranch we paid extra for. They did provide a partial refund. Overall, we were glad we had the experience. Also, they had two guitar players and two dancers, the music was great and the dancing was lots of fun to watch and participate in.
The tour was very pleasant and enjoyable . I would have preferred to have been picked up in the same by minibus that left Palermo .
This was a most wonderful experience from start to finish. Our tour guide Cata was knowledgeable, fun, punctual and organized. The Estancia at San Antonio de Areco grounds were breathtaking, we were able to appreciate it during our very relaxing horseback ride. The staff was very attentive, we danced with them, were entertained with a wonderful horse tail and ate very delicious food.
Absolutely Brilliant day. Massive thank you to Buenos Aires Gaucho Tours for being so accommodating when we had to Cancel while leaving on day of tour. Big thanks to the guide Emilia for being so helpful. When we went on tour a couple of days later our guide Aime was excellent through out. The hosts at the Ranch were so welcoming and we had a great group of people on tour. Food was delicious ( so was the Malbec 🍷) Was a fun day.
I really wanted to do an authentic Gaucho experience and this tour wasn’t exactly that. I don’t think it’s currently a working estancia (I’m sure it was once) I asked our guide and she didn’t know. We didn’t receive any information or history on gauchos, how the ranches work or anything really. It was a chilled, relaxing day and the people who owned the ranch were extremely lovely and the food was delicious but would’ve been nice to have some sort of explanation about the whole system. The town we stopped in on the way had the famous chocolate shop closed which was a shame. Luckily at the estancia there were so many beautiful dogs and cats who were friendly and that was the highlight of the day. The gaucho show didn’t have an explanation so although it was cool to see the horse do a couple of things, none of it made sense. I think if you are after a more authentic experience, try get to a working ranch or something offering more information.
Worth every penny! Guide was amazing, la Estancia was beautiful, and the food and culture was divine.
Alexjandra, our tour guide, was a jewel in Buenos Aires . She was in our hotel on time (little early) and showed us lots of places with valuable information of Buenos Aires and surrounding areas . She was very attentive, kind and approachable. I highly recommend this tour with Alejandra. The tour was flawless from start to finish. The tour was bilingual: English and Spanish which she handled very well. Before the lunch we rode horses. After lunch, we enjoyed BBQ lunch in a very intimate setting followed by Gaucho folk shows dancing, singing and horse performances. I highly recommend this tour anyone who wish to experience gaucho with a personal touch.
We had a good day at the ranch. Our guide was know ok egeable and well organized. The round trip on the shuttle went well. The horse whisperer demonstration was the best. We had plenty of wine (helped us try traditional dances😁). It was a good day
Veronica, our guide was spectacular. Alfredo was so kind and helpful. All the staff at “El Milagro Ranch” were so kind.
Flor was an amazing guide, and this was exactly as advertised. Well-organized, nothing gimmicking to squeeze more money out of and culturally thoughtful. The food is really good and plentiful--you will not go hungry here.
Fantastic experience for the whole family out of Buenos Aires! Beautiful estancia, high quality food and hospitality.
There are options to take a carriage if you do not want to get on a horse, but the horses are very calm and chill. Horseback riding is short, only around 10-15min. Lunch is amazing and so is the show. Guide was amazing, knowledgeable and bubbly, which helped perk us up in the morning.
What a fun and memorable day, we opted for the upgraded experience and it was worth every penny. Firstly, skip breakfast. You won't be leaving your anywhere near hungry. Empanadas are served to tide you over before your sumptuous lunch. As for the horseback riding it was enjoyable and short but well worth the experience. As a matter fact a nickname I will be using from now on was given to me by one of the gauchos who helped me off my horse: "Guapo Gordo" 😂. The highlight for me however was the Asado lunch, what an amazing feast and don't be shy in asking for second as there is more than plenty. After loosening a couple buttons you are made to dance with the gauchos, just got with it and have fun! Wholeheartedly recommended
This day trip was an excellent way to explore a side of Argentina that is not available in the city. From pickup in the morning to drop off in the late afternoon everything was perfect. Our guide Micaela was knowledgeable, personable and enthusiastic.
Great day out at an estancia. Hospitality was awesome, food delicious and wine plentiful. Had a bit of difficulty getting on the horse but with the assistance of two lovely gauchos I was up and on in no time. 🤣 Entertainment was fun and the ‘horse whisperer’ had to be seen to be believed.
Our guide , Sabrina was fantastic. The trip exceeded expectations. The driver was great , everything was punctual, the horses were gentle and performers were so entertaining.
Great way to learn about gaucho culture. Food was delicious and our host was kind and welcoming. Our tour guide Nicholas had excellent English and was easy to understand.
Was a great experience from start to finish. Really got to see the whole way of living in a day trip. Veronica our host was amazing and very kind.
Excellent guide Sophia provided varied experiences eg horse riding, dance demonstrations, huge traditional Gaucho lunch. Fun day all round with interesting stops along the way, providing an opportunity to see the country nearby.
Was a full day of activities, great experience, the horse whisperer was amazing and a really lovely cultural show , showcasing local/ traditional dancing. Our guide Sophia was lovely and very knowledgeable
This was such a rich and wonderful experience from a cultural standpoint, but it was Enrique’s warmth, knowledge, and familiar style that made it special and memorable. He felt like a friend more than a guide as he told us about the history and stories about everything noteworthy along the way to Areco; the town itself, and took us to wonderful artisanal shops where people still handmade things. Such a meaningful experience to buy from local small town artisans! He is clearly a friend of the Ombu de Areco estancia, as everyone greeted him and us warmly like VIPs, and we left feeling like we got to meet some new friends! I can’t recommend Enrique enough, and would definitely ask for him by name for this private experience that was worth every penny!
Incredible experience made better by Annae who was so much fun. Never felt more welcome it was like entering a home rather than an experience. Beautiful food and wine.
This gaucho tour was our favorite part of the whole trip! Veronica was an incredible guide. We learned a lot about Argentina’s history & the ranch was such a peaceful break from the city. Pick up was incredibly easy. The food was easily the best we had all trip. And it was so cool getting to ride the horses and watch the gaucho performance. Everyone there was kind and welcoming. Highly recommend.
We had a fabulous time on this tour even with the rain. We felt like we had the full experience with the music, dancing, food, and horse back riding at the beautiful ranch. One of our favorite experiences of our trip! The empanadas were top notch.
This is a super enjoyable day in the countryside! Emilia was a wonderful guide and very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Las Dueñas ranch was so peaceful. They provided super tasty vegan alternatives for me and vegetarian alternatives for two other women in our group. The wine was delicious, dancing was fun, and horseback riding/whisper was great. My boys also enjoyed playing with the dogs. Finally, be sure to get an alfajor from the chocolate shop in San Antonio de Areco. It won an award for best alfajor in the world! This is a great tour and gives you a wonderful feel for the gaucho culture of Argentina.
We had a fantastic time at our estancia tour. The outing was well supervised and food fantastic. Highly recommend it!
This is such a cool experience and a must do! Shout out to our guide, Leandro, who was fantastic. The transport van was very comfortable. The ranch itself was amazing with horse riding, dancing and great tasting food. All in all, very glad to have done this tour! Communication from the tour company could have been a bit better. I had to message them multiple times to confirm pick up.
It was a good experience & we’re pleased we went. The food was delicious, the family welcoming & the guide very friendly. It just felt expensive for what it was, and then tips are encouraged too. If it wasnt so expensive we would have been more willing to tip!
It was nice to see the Pampas and the small village of Areco; however, the silversmith shop stop was underwhelming. The estancia was lovely and peaceful, even with all the other guests around, there were plenty of places to take a walk. All the staff were very friendly and the short horseback ride brought back memories of my childhood. The BBQ lunch was tasty and very plentiful. Even with a light drizzle, everyone enjoyed dancing, after lunch, on the covered patio. The “horse whisperer” gaucho demonstrated his unique relationship, with his horse. I would definitely recommend this experience and really think it’s a great activity for a single person, or a whole family.
This was my favorite tour (out of six) while in Buenos Aires. Everything was exceptional: the ranch, the horses, the food, the wine, traditional dances, music, the horse whisper performance. Our guide Sabrina was excellent, and provided an abundance of information regarding history and culture.
This has been the best tour of our Argentine trip! First of all our tour guide Oriana was fantastic! She explained points of interest and made sure we were comfortable. She was very sweet and friendly. The gaucho experience and ranch was beautiful! The meal was top notch and meat kept on coming and the wine flowed freely!! The gauchos played music and did traditional dances after dinner. It was a wonderful day overall.
As a meat eater, I loved the variety of meats for lunch. The horse ride was fun. Participating in the dancing was fun too.
Very nice ranch. Short easy horseback ride sound a meadow, and lunc, wine, and gaucho dance demo. Lists of friendly animals! Loved the experience and our guid Aime~ was very friendly and informative
The overall experience was super positive. The pick up by Mike was timely, the tour guide - Veronica was great. She managed all aspects of the tour perfectly. The bus driver - Emmanuel was also great. The gaucho show, the horse riding, the food was excellent. Additionally, this is a great tour as you are away from the big city in a very peaceful environment. Don’t hesitate booking this tour
Great day...music,horses,food,wine etc
Excellent trip. Well organised. Helpful staff. Great day out
This gaucho (cowboy) estancia tour was honestly one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Argentina. From start to finish, everything was seamless and thoughtfully done. Our guide, Oriana, was incredible. She picked us up right on time from our hotel in a clean, air-conditioned 12-passenger van with a fantastic driver. From the moment we met her, her energy was warm, bubbly, and welcoming. She kept checking in to make sure everyone was comfortable, even offering a phone charger if anyone needed one. It may seem like a small detail, but it made a big difference, especially on the roughly 2-hour ride to the countryside. On the way, we made a stop at a really nice coffee shop for drinks and snacks, and later explored a charming historic town filled with cafés, souvenir shops, and even a beautiful church. It was such a picturesque stop and perfect for photos. The final stretch to the ranch was an adventure in itself. We transferred into 4x4 jeeps for a short ride down an unpaved road, which added to the whole experience. When we arrived at the estancia, the property was absolutely breathtaking. We were welcomed with freshly made empanadas and drinks (wine, beer, soda, or water). And I have to say, these were hands down the BEST empanadas we had during our entire trip. Don’t hold back, they keep bringing them! We then had the option of horseback riding or taking a covered carriage ride. My husband and I chose horseback riding, even though we are complete beginners. The gauchos were amazing. They helped us get on safely, gave clear instructions, and made sure we felt comfortable. The horses were very well-trained and followed each other in a calm, single-file line, which made it feel very safe. It ended up being one of our favorite parts of the day. They even offered to take photos and videos for us, which was such a nice touch. Lunch was incredible. We got to see the asado being prepared, which added to the authenticity. The spread was huge with multiple salads, and then came the meats. Pork, chicken, beef, sausages, everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. The homemade chimichurri was next level. Wine was flowing freely, and the whole meal felt relaxed and communal. Sitting with fellow travelers and chatting made it feel like a big family-style gathering. Oriana continued to check in and engage with everyone, which made the experience even more special. After lunch, there was live music and traditional dancing. At first we were a little shy, but after a bit of wine, we joined in and had such a fun time learning the dances. It was such a joyful and authentic cultural moment. A few tips: • It is a full day (we left at 8:30 AM and returned around 6 PM) • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting a little dirty • If it rains, the grounds can get muddy • Definitely wear sunscreen Overall, this was an unforgettable experience. Beautiful scenery, amazing food, warm hospitality, and such a fun way to experience Argentine culture. If you’re even considering this tour, DO IT. You won’t regret it. And if you can, request Oriana as your guide. She truly made the day extra special.
It was a wonderful day. The food was phenomenal! The estancia is beautiful. The people friendly and helpful. The only negative was the rain made the last bit of road very slippery and bumpy. But it was amazing that the ranch workers pitched in and volunteered their trucks to ferry the guests from the vans to the ranch with their 4 wheel drives !!! This delayed us a bit in starting the activities.
The tour overall was great. It was a long day (bit of driving) but the parts we enjoyed most were the lunch and horseback riding. Once we got there it was amazing. The tour was on the expensive side so I would keep that in mind when booking.
Leisurely day trip with excellent guide, Emilia. Leather, chocolate and silver shopping opportunities. Delicious empanadas upon arrival on the ranch. The horse riding was sketchy because there is no traditional western saddle, enabling easy sitting or getting up on the horse. The meal was outstanding. Lots of asado and other barbecue meats. Gaucho, singing and dancing and audience participation. The horse whisperer was amazing. Would’ve liked to see a few customary gaucho activity performances.
We loved our tour! We were a family party of six and took the private tour option, which cost slightly more but meant we were picked up and dropped off from our hotel without any other stops, saving time. Our guide and driver were both excellent and we learned so much about the history of the gauchos and ranching in Argentina. We thought that the Estancia itself might feel hokey or overly touristy, but that was not the case. Yes, there were tourists there and the day was designed for them, but it felt very authentic. We had an excellent lunch, rode horses (fairly briefly), saw and then learned about traditional dances and then saw a very moving and impressive horse show. This was a great day and one of the highlights of our family trip to Argentina!
This tour is fabulous. It has a wonderful combination of things to do. I really enjoyed the walk around San Antonio, the chocolate shop, and the church. Then it was off to the Gaucho Ranch. The horseback riding was incredibly fun, the show was good and the food was really delicious. Highly recommend.
On time, excellent driver. Tour guide was engaging and informative. She was clear in communications and made sure we felt comfortable and having fun. Her own enthusiasm was infectious. The wine flowed and the courses of meats were brought by gauchos with coin belts and knives, periodically bring out the next tray with chunks of different meats and cuts of meat. By the end we were all joining in traditional dances with our tables of new friends.
The estancia was great. The driving, however, was too long. There were 5 groups that had to be picked up at their hotels before heading to Areco. It was almost a 3 hour drive there and back. We only had 10 minutes at San Antionio de Areco. Also some on the group were strange.
Very efficient pick up very relaxed day Veronica our guide was very informative about Argentina and enthusiastic we loved the dancing and the guitar playing there was so much food all day don’t peak to early the meat just keeps coming and lovely vegetarian options too for each course riding was a relaxed walk no previous riding required
Anna and Charlie, our guide and driver were excellent. Anna gave us a lot information on history of Argentina and Gaucho. The experience was great including wagon ride, lunch and performance in which we all participated. It was fun with option to ride horses and vegetarian food instead of lots of different kinds of meat, and desserts. We also visited a small town with church.
They picked us up, right on time. The ranch was, beautiful, and while I know it was it was suppose to be a short ride, we would have enjoyed more. The asado was delicious and the food didn't stop coming. The dancing was fun and they managed to get everyone up. It was a fun day, and we recommend it!
Oriana was very well informed about the history of Argentina and the Gauchos. She helped us put together the pieces of the puzzle with what we already knew. She was also very attentive to our needs all through the tour. Emmanuel, the driver was also excellent and very helpfull. Thank you for the excellent day…
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