Jakotango's Patagonia
& the pinnacle of polo...
An Argentine adventure through the mountains accompanied by gauchos is something truly spectacular and combining this with the most exciting event of the sporting calendar makes this itinerary an unmissable foray into Argentinean culture.
The itinerary starts in Buenos Aires where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the city with plenty of opportunity to explore the city in between the games held at the annual Argentine Polo Open.
Venturing to Patagonia you will join your guide, Jakob Von Plessen or one of his trusted gauchos, to ride through the Argentine wilderness. You’ll stay at Estancia Tres Lagos, a privately owned estancia of 12,000 hectares bordering the Nahuel Huapi and Lanin National Park in an area known as The Lake District. Here you will witness all aspects of life on the property from cattle farming to red stag hunting, and stay in boutique log cabins – a cosy and picture-perfect refuge. Mounting your sturdy Creolle horse you’ll trek into the mountains to scale dizzying peaks and windswept passes, with a night of fly camping allowing you to soak up the stunning scenery and warm gaucho culture in the most authentic way possible.
Your Argentine adventure will be outfitted by the Jakotango team and gaucho-guides, all of whom bring age-old knowledge, horsemanship and good old fashioned charisma. Brought up on the land, all have spent their days between horses and cattle, learning the language of nature. Jakob has led and guided rides in the wildest and most unspoiled areas of our world and riding with Jakotango in his homeland is a true privilege.
Returning again to Buenos Aires you’ll catch the final games of the Argentine Polo Open as the tournament comes to a head and the passion and drama intensifies. In between games you’ll have time to try the many fabulous restaurants, shop for leatherware, browse the famous fleas markets, visit the theatre, dance in a tango hall or visit any number of other attractions – there is plenty to see and do in this cosmopolitan city.
You will love
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World class polo at the Argentine Open
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Patagonia’s immense mountain scenery
- Horses like no other
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Asados (barbecues) & malbec
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Jakob von Plessen and his band of gauchos
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Cosy mountain cabins
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Post-tour extensions to Iguazu Falls, Mendoza, Brazil, Peru, Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia etc. Almost anything is possible – please enquire.
11 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS
DAY 1 | BUENOS AIRES | 2 NIGHTS
Welcome to Buenos Aires. Clear C&I before private transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure.
DAY 2 | BUENOS AIRES
Enjoy a morning City tour of Buenos Aires with a private guide (approx 4 hours). After lunch and a refresh, make your way to Palermo, the location of the Argentine Polo Open. Pending your dates enjoy and afternoon of world class polo. These games will be Preliminary matches (Dep 1) or Semi Finals (Dep 2). Evening at leisure.
DAY 3 | JAKOTANGO RIDE - ESTANCIA TRES LAGOS
NORTHERN PATAGONIA | BASE CAMP - 3 NIGHTS
Take a domestic flight to Bariloche in Northern Patagonia, followed by a scenic road transfer via Villa de Angostura to Lake Falkner. Commence the Jakotango riding adventure with a boat ride across the Lake to Estancia Tres Lagos. Meet your gaucho guides and trusty steeds, taking a leisurely ride up the valley to Estancia Tres Lagos & the Jakotango Base Camp. Settle into your cabin before enjoying an Argentine asado (BBQ) & siesta. Remainder of day & evening at leisure.
DAY 4 | ESTANCIA TRES LAGOS - BASE CAMP
Your guides will lead you off on a full day of ride, exploring the valley and mountains of Estancia Tres Lagos. En route you will stop for a picnic lunch & siesta. Return to the base camp for time to relax before dinner.
DAY 5 | ESTANCIA TRES LAGOS - BASE CAMP
Explore more of Estancia Tres Lagos on horseback returning to base camp for lunch & a siesta. Take a river swim and/or explore the surrounds on foot during an afternoon and evening at leisure.
DAY 6 | JAKOTANGO RIDE - FLY CAMP | 1 NIGHT
Today is a full day of riding moving from the base camp to your mountain fly camp, nestled in a protected mountain valley. Stop for lunch & a siesta en route. Camp fire dinner and sleep‐out (weather permitting).
DAY 7 | JAKOTANGO RIDE - FELIPE'S BARN | 1 NIGHT
Ride into the Traful Valley to Felipe’s house nestled in a forest by Lake Traful. Afternoon exploring Felipe’s farm and dinner in Felipe’s house.
DAY 8 | BUENOS AIRES | 3 NIGHTS
A relaxed morning before departing by boat across Lago Traful to the village of Traful, then onward travel to Buenos Aires. Evening at leisure.
DAY 9 | BUENOS AIRES
Morning to visit art galleries, markets, museums, restaurants and shops. Argentine Polo Open ‐ Semis (Dep 1) or Finals (Dep 2) in the afternoon.
DAY 10 | BUENOS AIRES
Argentine Polo Open ‐ Semi Finals (Dep 1 only) and time to explore Buenos Aires.
DAY 11 | END
Today marks the end of the itinerary. A morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport or continuing with your private arrangements.
Note: see the Key Facts Tab for more important information about this itinerary and the exclusive departures
Jakotango
& Argentine Polo Open 2025
Jakotango 5 night ride : from USD $6,160 per person twin share or $7,200 as a single
Land arrangements only - ex Buenos Aires
Jakotango 5 night ride : from USD $6,160 per person twin share or $7,200 as a single
Land arrangements only - ex Buenos Aires
The Argentine Polo Open is the penultimate polo tournament in the world. This is your chance to live it up with the best of them in Buenos Aires. Combine this with the wilds of Patagonia by immersing yourself in Gaucho culture for an riding adventure like no other . This is a must “do before you die” holiday…
2025 Departures
Departure 1: 23 Nov – 28 Nov 2025 5 night ride (Argie Open – prior to Semis)
Departure 2: 30 Nov – 05 Dec 2025 5 night ride (Argie Open – Semis & Finals)
* Final of the Argentine Open is likely to be December 6th, 2025.
** Notes re the Dates of the Polo Open – the final dates are not set until mid 2025, however these dates are based around what usually occurs with the calendar. The itineraries are designed around the weekends to maximise your polo viewing and what is show above could change
Notes about each Departure & recommended Extensions:
Departure 1 & 2 recommend 10 nights of accommodation. Five (5) in Buenos Aires (BsAs) staying at the Sofitel Hotel in Recoleta & Five (5) nights on the Jakotango Ride in Northern Patagonia. Each departure allows time in BsAs so you can enjoy the city and the Argentine Polo Open. Departure 3 occurs after the finals and is a 7 night programme.
Changes beyond our Control – The Jakotango Patagonian ride itinerary is subject to changes due to inclement weather & conditions beyond our control. If too much snow, one may stay in Tres Lagos base camp for the duration of the ride.
The Argentine Polo Open Dates are still to be confirmed for 2025 and are indicative of what usually occurs. Actual game dates are subject to change & delays due to wet weather or poor field conditions.
Inclusions
- Horses and gaucho guides throughout when with Jakotango
- Jakotango Ride in Patagonia – all inclusive of accommodation, meals, drinks, laundry, horses, treks, guides, boating and shared transfers ex airports
- Private transfers required in Buenos Aires ex the airports & to the polo
- Half day tour in Buenos Aires to get acquainted
- Tips for Jakotango Staff
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights to Bariloche with applicable takes
- Buenos Aires and other accommodation
- In Buenos Aires: Accommodation & optional Tango show and other touring
- In Patagonia: fly fishing permits and fishing gear hire
- Polo open tickets (for preliminaries, semis and finals)
- Additional food and beverages other than specified
- Accommodation upgrades
- Any additional or optional excursions and/or transfers other than specified
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
- Items and/or purchases of a personal nature
- Gratuities and personal purchases
- Any item not specified
Minimum – 4 riders (to confirm the departure)
Maximum – 8 riders per departure (10 if exclusive departure)
Type of Horses: In Patagonia the horses are locally born and bred, predominantly the Argentine ‘criollo’ breed but some have Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred and even Percheron influence.
Non-Riders: We will take non-riders but this needs to be advised and catered for.
Helmets: Helmets are compulsory. Jakotango do not supply helmets. Please check that your insurance cover includes horse riding. Should there be an accident and you are not wearing a helmet, don’t expect there to be any insurance cover.
Length of Rides: 6-8 hours in the saddle. Picnic lunch carried in saddlebags on moving days, with lunch breaks of up to two hours. Some walking on foot may be necessary over very rough terrain.
Meals: Although Argentina is a carnivorous country, apart from the delicious argentine meat we serve a delicious variety of dishes. Even if this might not be the ideal place for vegetarians, we can cater for them if necessary.
Drinks: All alcohol and sodas inclusive. In Patagonia the Pisco Sour is always ranked as the favourite drink. Whisky, Gin, Vodka, wine and beers are always available. Other drinks could be added by request.
Luggage: No luggage limit but we suggest packing in one bag plus carryon luggage. A detailed clothing list will be provided on confirmation. On the fly camping night you will only travel with overnight gear and your bags will be ferried to the last night separately.
Medical and safety: A medical kit is on hand in camp and in the saddle. Except for one day in the Andes where we are out of contact from the rest of the world, every other place has easy access to medical support. Please advise us of any allergies.
Other activities: In Patagonia, fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout is an optional additional activity or can be done in place of riding. For this we would need previous notice since the licenses, rods and maybe a guide need to be organized. This will have an additional cost.
Power supplies: There is power everywhere except at the fly camp. Sometimes power comes from a generator so there might be a time limit. We do recommend taking spare batteries for cameras so you can always have on charge if required. For iphones, a battery pack is also recommend.
Gratuities: A tip of US$ 20 per person per day is recommended.
Accommodation in Buenos Aires: To round out your Argentinean experience, we recommend at least 2 nights prior to and after your ‘Jakotango Riding Safari’ staying at the Four Seasons, the Park Hyatt or Alvear Palace in Recoleta, Sagardi in San Telmo &/or Legado Mitico or Costa Petit in Palermo.
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Judith & Roger WilliamsTo experience the Gaucho culture in Argentina is an absolute treat, especially with Jakob von Plessen as your host - riding through breathtaking scenery and enjoying good company, good food and great Malbec - an unbeatable combination.
Julie McIntosh"In 2017 a group of 9 went to the Argie Open and rode with Jakotango – to do this with my father & son - 3 generations, was quite amazing. I cannot recommend what you do more highly to anyone. We talk about it a lot, we look at the photos a lot & our group of 9, fathers & sons, are very grateful to have experienced it."
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