Gaucho Experience in Patagonia4 Days on Horseback in Los Alerces
Ride with local gauchos through native forest and across the Carrileufú. Every night, back to the fire, a chef's dinner and a table full of stories.
The trip at a glance
- When
- November to April. You pick the dates
- Duration
- 4 nights, 4 days on horseback
- Trip type
- A small group, guided by local gauchos, from a family-run lodge
- Group size
- 10 riders at most
Your hosts, and your family for the trip
We're Tristán and Iñaki, two brothers who grew up in Patagonia, and our cousin Tomás, who everyone calls Toto.
In 2024 we traded our home in Villa La Angostura for this lodge on the Carrileufú River, and plenty of people told us it was a crazy idea. But La Pilarica was founded in 2009 by a fisherman who wanted his guests to feel at home, and the first time we walked through the door, that's exactly how we felt. So we stayed.
Since then, we've made it ours. We renovated the lodge, started the horseback rides and lit the first fires ourselves, learning as we went. We're young, we run every part of the lodge ourselves, and we put everything we have into it. Our guests notice, and you'll see it in our reviews.
Iñaki is a trained chef and runs the kitchen with Toto, and one of them rides out with you. Tristán is a mechanical engineer, and his eye for detail is why everything else just works. It's our project, our work and our home. We'd like it to feel a little like yours too, even after you leave.
Why ride with us
Gauchos who grew up here.
Your guides are baqueanos, local horsemen from the valley. They know these trails the way you know your own street. And Iñaki or Toto ride out with you, making sure everyone is comfortable and enjoying the ride.
Never ridden? That's fine.
Our horses are calm, sure-footed and used to the mountain. The guides set an easy pace for anyone just starting out.
A chef cooks for you every night.
Iñaki trained as a chef, and he and Toto run the kitchen together. Three courses made with what's local and in season, some of it from our own garden, with Argentine wine and spirits from an open bar.
You just show up.
Horses, guides, meals, wine. We take care of all of it. Your only job is to get here.
Patagonia, the gaucho way
Gauchos have ridden these valleys for generations, and that's how you'll ride them: with baqueanos who grew up here, at the pace of the group, with no rush. Native forest, river fords, lookouts most visitors never see. Lunch on a beach inside Los Alerces, or at the top of a mountain slope with the whole valley below.
Then you ride home. And it really is a home. We're a small, family-run lodge, and the whole idea is that you feel like a friend staying over, not a guest checking in. The fire's going, a bottle's open, Iñaki and Toto are in the kitchen making dinner, Tristán is setting the table. Some nights, when there are enough of us, the asado (Argentine barbecue) gets going, and we join the group too!
Moments from the saddle
Your trip, day by day
Day 1 · Arrival and La Momia
Get here by noon. We'll greet you, show you our home, sit down to lunch together and introduce you to your horse. In the afternoon, a short first ride up to La Momia viewpoint, with the whole Carrileufú valley below. Dinner at the lodge and your first night by the fire.
Day 2 · A beach inside the park
Ride south through native forest to a beach inside Los Alerces. Lunch by the water, time to rest and a swim if the day is warm. You come back along the lakeshore.
Day 3 · The river crossing
River day. You cross the Carrileufú, follow the shore of Lago Rivadavia, stop at a gaucho outpost that belongs to our guide's family and climb a mountain slope for some of the widest views of the trip.
Day 4 · A last day on new trails
Your guides choose the route that morning, depending on the weather and the trails: a hidden waterfall inside the park, or a different valley you haven't ridden yet. Or, if you like, a kayak float down the Carrileufú. Lunch on the trail, then home for your last night by the fire.
Day 5 · Departure
A slow breakfast, goodbyes that always take longer than planned, and the road back to Esquel or Bariloche. But before you go, we'll ask you to leave a few lines in our guestbook, the same one our mother kept for friends and family at home, long before La Pilarica.
The weather and the river set the order. Your guides adjust it day by day, and they know what they're doing.
In our guests' words
Cannot recommend highly enough. This lodge sits in the most quaint and magical area of Patagonia, and is operated by the nearest brother duo, Tristan and Inaki. They filled our mornings with hearty breakfast, lovely coffees and our days with riding to nearby lakes and overlooks with a neighbor gaucho. Our evenings were spent enjoying the tastiest cuisine (Inaki is a world class chef!) and live guitar music sung by Argentine neighbors. The only complaint would be we didnt stay long enough. Don’t delay in booking your stay here. Enjoy!!Fantastic experience. Thank you to Iñaki and Toto for your hospitality, the nice pause from life, and showing me this beautiful region through your eyes. Excellent cooking, comfortable rooms with stunning views, and overall excellent hospitality.
I can’t suggest this lodge enough to anyone who wishes to see this region, ride horses, fish, and experience the great outdoors of Patagonia and the Andes.An unbeatable experience at La Pilarica. A place where you feel at home the moment you arrive: the way they treat you, the atmosphere... The lodge is spectacular and very welcoming. The views are incredible too. But the best part is the trip itself. Iñaki, Tristán and Totó made us feel at home, they are extremely attentive, and they helped us organise every activity: horseback riding, fishing... Something else worth pointing out is the food, different every day, carefully prepared and delicious. An incredible experience and a place I am already longing to go back to.Translated from Spanish
Included
- 4 nights at the lodge, in a double or twin room
- Every meal: breakfast, a packed lunch on the trail and dinner at the lodge
- Open bar: Argentine wine, drinks and spirits
- 4 days of guided riding with local baqueanos (a short ride on arrival day, then three full days)
- One laundry service per guest, handy after the river day
Not included
- Airport transfer (we can arrange one from Esquel or Bariloche, on request, at extra cost)
- Gratuities to staff
- Flights
Gaucho Experience in Patagonia: 4 Days on Horseback in Los Alerces
USD 1,600 per person
Double occupancy, 2026/27 season
Traveling on your own? USD 2,000 with a room to yourself.
- 4 days on horseback with local gauchos
- Every meal, wine and drinks
- 4 nights at the lodge
Want more days, or fewer? Other activities? Tell us, and we'll put it together around your dates.
Check your datesWe only have 5 rooms, so there are never more than 10 riders on any date. That's what keeps the group small and the table friendly. It's also why some weeks fill up early.
Tell us roughly when you'd like to come, and we'll tell you what's still open.
Check your datesBefore you book
What is a gaucho experience in Argentina?+
Gauchos are the horsemen of the Argentine countryside, and the culture around them is still very much alive here. For you, it means riding with local baqueanos who've worked this land all their lives, stopping at a gaucho outpost, sharing yerba mate along the way and ending each day around the fire.
Do I need riding experience?+
No. Our horses are calm and know the mountain, and the guides set the pace for the whole group. If you ride a lot at home, tell us and the guides will take it into account.
When is the best time for horseback riding in Patagonia?+
We ride from November to April, and every month looks different. November and December are green, with long days. January and February are the warmest. In March and April the forest turns gold and red. So it really comes down to what you'd like to see.
What time should I arrive?+
By noon on your first day, so there's time for lunch and the first ride in the afternoon. If your flight lands later, just tell us. You'll miss that short ride, but the rest of the trip stays exactly the same.
How do I get to the lodge from Esquel or Bariloche?+
Fly into Esquel (EQS), about 1.5 hours away, or Bariloche (BRC), about 3 hours. We can arrange a private transfer at an extra cost, or you can rent a car and enjoy the drive.
Show all 14 questions
Can I come on my own?+
Yes. You'll have your own room and ride with the group, so you'll be in good company by the first dinner.
Can my partner come without riding?+
Of course. Some guests come with someone who'd rather read by the fire or walk along the river. Non-riders stay at a lower rate; just mention it when you check your dates.
Is there a weight limit?+
Yes, for your safety and the horses': 100 kg (220 lb) if you're new to riding, 110 kg (240 lb) if you ride regularly.
What should I bring?+
Riding pants without thick seams, boots with a heel, a hat, sunscreen, a warm layer and a rain layer. Here's the full list:
- Comfortable riding pants without thick seams
- Boots or sturdy shoes with a heel for the stirrup
- A hat and sunglasses: the mountain sun is strong
- Sunscreen, even when it's cloudy
- A warm layer for mornings and evenings, even in summer
- A rain layer or poncho, because the weather here changes fast
- A swimsuit, if you'd like a swim at the lake
- Any personal medication: the nearest pharmacy is a long drive away
Do I need insurance?+
Yes. Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and adventure activities.
Can I stay more or fewer nights?+
Yes. Four nights is our standard trip, but we're happy to build a longer or shorter stay. Send us your dates and we'll quote it.
How do I pay?+
A 30% deposit holds your dates. The balance is due 30 days before arrival, or you can pay it in cash at the lodge if you tell us beforehand. Booking less than 30 days out? Then it's paid in full when you book. Prices are in US dollars, and we take bank transfer, card or cash, whatever's easiest for you.
Can I change my dates?+
Yes. With more than 30 days' notice, you can move your dates once, at no cost.
What if I have to cancel?+
Plans change, so here's exactly how it works. Cancel more than 30 days out and your whole deposit becomes credit for a stay within a year. Between 30 and 7 days before, we keep 75% of the total and the rest becomes credit. Under 7 days, the stay is charged in full. You can also hand your booking to someone else with 7 days' notice.
Full terms in our Booking Terms & Conditions.
Check your dates
Tell us roughly when you'd like to come, and we'll tell you what's still open.
USD 1,600 per person
Double occupancy, 2026/27 season
Sending this is an inquiry, not a booking. We reply to confirm availability for your dates.
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