Roping & branding cattle with the gauchos of Argentina

In 2011, Estancia Ranquilco is proud to offer a cattlework program during our annual branding. This riding holiday is for horse enthusiasts seeking an adventure vacation that will test and enhance their riding skills and offer them a glimpse into the lives and work of the world’s last cowboys on the world’s last frontier.

“…and then there are the gauchos: the people of the last frontier, the true cowboys. Now, their ways are amazing: from their horsemanship, to their cooking, their shyness, their humour, love for a party and their own generosity in sharing their often solitary life with a bunch of westerners.” Helen, 2009

THE ADVENTURE

The annual branding of calves on an Estancia calls for a huge party – called a Yerra . At Ranquilco, we slaughter a cow for a grand asado and gauchos and friends come from all over the surrounding countryside for the feast. Of course, before the great food, wine, music and dancing, we have to work long hard and dusty days in the saddles and corrals.

Our cattlework programs are all inclusive horse riding adventure vacations that include accommodation at our luxury lodge and staying in simple dwellings near grazing meadows with the gauchos. Our horses are energetic and responsive, suitable for both experts and beginners.

Join us to live and work with the gauchos in Patagonia!

“Ranquilco is literally out of this world: one day’s ride from the nearest Argentine town and 4 days ride to the Chile border, you’ll find the estancia perched on a cliff overlooking a canyon and the river below, with the Andes all around…” Riding guest, 2009.

View photos from the 2009 and 2010 Yerras at our Flickr Stream.

DATES & PRICES

January 31st -  February 6th, 2010
$2500 per person, 7 days, 6 nights

RESERVATIONS

Reserving your riding holiday at Estancia Ranquilco is easy, just e-mail Ashley Carrithers at ashleykentc@hotmail.com.

PLANNED ITINERARY

Day One. Meet at 10am in the small city of Zapala in Neuquen Province, Argentina. Grab any last minute luxury items before jumping into our truck and heading to Vilu Mallin. Vilu is a mountain and river valley crisscrossed with grazing meadows where gauchos watch cattle during the summer months in northern Patagonia. After a quick lunch, we exchange the truck for horses and mules and we begin our 3 hour ride to Estancia Ranquilco. We will ride through amazing canyons with breathtaking views alongside the Trocoman River. Condors nest here and we may be fortunate enough to see some. At Ranquilco, get settled in to your cottages and meet up at Casa Grande for our first meal together. Our chef Georgie will prepare traditional Patagonian fare.

“Another important aspect of my stay at Ranquilco was working with the cattle side-by-side with the gauchos. As inexperienced as I was in horsemanship and cattle herding I was made to feel like a valuable member of the team. At times it was hard, dusty work, but I enjoyed every minute of it. Making the task even more rewarding was the fact that the round-ups for branding were always followed by a big “asado”, or barbeque, with some of the gauchos providing guitar music, much dancing by guests, volunteers, gauchos and their families, and lots of wine. Those parties would go into the wee hours of the morning!” John, 2008

Day Two. Breakfast on homemade granola and yogurt or eggs made to order. Then join one of our gauchos for a horse and tack lesson. Out on the range you will be responsible for your own horse and saddle. Learn the parts of our traditional Argentine saddles and how to care for your horse on overnight trips. Then you will be matched with the beautiful criollo horse who will be your partner on this journey. After lunch and siesta, ride out with a gaucho for a tour of the estancia (about 2 hours).

Day Three

In the morning, go on a round up with our gauchos and practice cutting out animals on horseback. In the afternoon, take lasso lessons in the corral.

Day Four. You will have full day to rest and relax and enjoy the comforts of Ranquilco. Sauna, swim in the pool or the river, or just relax in a hammock. Optional day or half day rides will be available with the gauchos that work at Ranquilco.

Day Five. Early, tack up and ride out to our gaucho camp Buta Mallin where all the mothers and calves graze. You will be carrying everything with you, just like the gauchos. Tie your sleeping bag to the back of your saddle, fill your saddle bags with water and snacks, throw a poncho over the saddle seat and you are all set. You will spend the next two nights there with the gauchos. The branding is tomorrow, but the gathering and separating must be done today. After drinking mate, saddle up and ride out into the large mallin with the gauchos and work the cattle. After work, join the gauchos at the firepit for an asado, traditional music and dancing.  Stretch out on your saddle blankets under the stars. Tomorrow will be another long and dusty day.

“We gathered about 200 cattle pairs from about a 500 acre pasture. There were seven of us gringos, Skye and Chipe. Two of us had some cattle experience and I spent the drive in the middle of the herd trying to push the lead cattle to keep them from turning around. I ate a lot of dust. It was awesome. We then separated off the fats, this can only be described as an event. Sorting was a little wild, but a lot of fun. The cattle respected the fences as poor as they are. One gaucho guarded the gate like a hockey goallie. I got chased by the mean bull…. let´s see twice or was it 3 times in 2 days. They gauchos loved that.” Theresa, 2008

Day Six. At dawn, the real work begins. Sip mate with the gauchos and then mount up and continue to round up and separate the cattle. Then dismount and rotate through the corrals. After the calves are separated from their mothers, they are funneled ten by ten into a round corral where they are roped and tied. Put your lasso skills to work or try your hand at branding. Each and every calf must be roped, tied, castrated if male, ear marked, branded, vaccinated and dewormed before your work is over. Usually, over 200 head!

“The action started at daybreak when the gauchos brought the cows in (After mate of course). I helped sort, they assigned jobs, then the branding began. Imagine 8 ropers on the ground, no horses, grass ropes and 150-350 lb calves. The object of this game was to rope the calves, released 2 at a time, tie them down and get 2 more… Much laughter, teasing and dedication to the job! These guys are tough. Not the easiest way to work cattle, but done for generations.” Darlene, 2008.

In the late afternoon, shower and gather for the party. Feast on beef ribs, salads and fresh bread. Listen to traditional folk music and start dancing! It will go on all night.

Day Seven.

For those leaving us at the end of the program, a truck will take you from Buta Mallin to Zapala, to arrive by 3:00 pm. From there, catch a bus back to BA or head to Bariloche or San Martin… or even over to Chile.

If you have added days onto your stay at the ranch, ride back to Ranquilco after you wake up. You may chose make your journey solo, and discover the peace of being alone in these lands with just your horse. Back at the lodge, you can enjoy a hot shower, a sauna, swimming and rest.

“It was sad to leave the ranch, Buta Mallin in particular. We stepped back in time, touched the lives of simple people, were touched and moved by our experiences and emerged changed. We are excited to continue our journey, but saddened to leave our new friends behind. They welcomed us into their lives, and offered us all they had to share. We are humbled by the experience. We are looking forward to the new experiences ahead.” Theresa, 2008

MORE INFORMATION

You may want to…

Learn about the accommodations available at the ranch. We offer a variety of lodging options for our horse riding tours, from luxury private cottages to simple adobe houses.
View our photo gallery.
Read testimonials from many of our horse riding guests.

Who is this trip for?

Previous guests have included a 72 year old retired navy man and a 14 year old new rider! This trip is for beginner or advanced horse enthusiasts who want challenging, adventure filled rides. It is for those riders who want to immerse themselves into the culture and landscape of Patagonia and the Andes.

What’s included?

This is all all-inclusive horse riding vacation beginning when we pick you up in Zapala. Prices includes transportation to and from the city of Zapala and the ranch, your guides, transportation of luggage and food with mules, all meals and alcohol, tents & camping equipment, and personal horses. While at the Estancia, it includes day rides, accommodation in our luxury guest cottages, all meals and wine, and ranch activities. It does not include airfare to Argentina or transportation to and from Zapala from within Argentina.

I have a traveling companion who is a non rider?

The estancia has lots to offer. E-mail Ashley to ask about special rates and activities for partners, children and parents.

Can I stay longer at the ranch?

Yes! E-mail Ashley to add days at the ranch on to this program for a reduced fee.

Is this trip difficult?

This horse riding holiday is of moderate difficulty and is for the more experienced rider. You will be taking care of your own horse and tack. Our horses are strong, sturdy, calm and surefooted.The weather in the mountains is highly changeable, from warm sunny days to rain and hail and often strong winds.