Learning to ride a horse in Argentina

By: Virginia Imberti Posted: 06/11/2020

Horseback riding with gauchos in Cordoba

Many nature lovers would love to learn how to ride a horse.

Is it your dream too?

Don't restrain yourself, come and spend your holidays in Argentina and we will teach you to ride so that we can go horseback riding together in the Traslasierra Valley.

Horseback riding is a recreational activity that continues to grow and enables us to reach those places that are inaccessible by bus or by car.

But what if you can't ride a horse?

Or maybe you rode as a kid or a teenager but you have forgotten?

If you like horses and nature, don't hold back your desire to learn how to ride! You can live a different experience, taking advantage of your vacations to fulfil your wishes.

A 7 to 10-day holiday gives you enough time to learn the basics of riding, unhurriedly and with lots of fun. At the same time, you can see different places, cultures and people to disconnect and enjoy life.

Learning this new skill will enrich your life and also your future holidays, wherever you go.

Argentina is an ideal country to fulfil your horseback riding dreams, immersed in a breath-taking landscape of rivers and mountain views.

Why learn to ride in such a faraway country like Argentina?

Because Argentina, in addition to having all kinds of landscapes and climates in its territory, is a country that was built on horseback and the "Man-Horse-Nature" relationship is firmly consolidated. Besides, even today, the horse is used as a means of transport in rural areas, remote from urban centres, where local people go to work, to school or grocery shopping on horseback.

To be in contact with the gaucho is to learn about his traditions and his relationship with the horse. You can learn a lot about horses from them, while enjoying a different holiday.

This special connection that exists between Argentines and horses is an essential part of our culture. We preserve the equestrian wisdom of our people and we are very much aware of all the care and affection that horses deserve.

For all that, added to the imposing and unparalleled landscapes that we have in Argentina, you will find learning to ride in this country especially gratifying, not to mention all the knowledge and training that we’ll offer you.

Since our natural areas are very spacious, it will be easy for you to put into practice everything we teach you.

The Traslasierra Valley

The place where you are invited to learn how to ride a horse is located in the Province of Córdoba, Argentina. More precisely, in the Traslasierra Valley.

In the valley, local productions are preserved and made in the traditional way.

Traslasierra stands out for its alfajores (sandwich biscuits), handmade jellies, pastries and handicrafts.

You can find all these crafts in the main square of Nono. You will be dazzled by the creativity of local artisans.

Estancia Haras Ampascachi

The Estancia Haras Ampascachi is located in the Traslasierra Valley. This is where you will stay and learn to ride, spending four days of intensive training on the riding arena with our instructors, "Ramón, Manuel or Pablo".

Before you start riding, one of them will teach you a range of basic notions about how to relate to horses, riding equipment and the basics of horseback riding. For our riding lessons, we use Criollo trotting horses, as well as Peruvians.

You will learn all you need to know to go out hacking so you can make the most of these three days riding through the Traslasierra Valley, perfecting the skills you have learned, but most of all, enjoying the scenery and the adventure of riding cross country.

There is one thing we need to be clear about. In only one week, you won't become an accomplished rider, but we know from experience that, if you're not afraid of horses, you'll be able to take your first steps as a rider and go out hacking in the fields.

You will surely grow to like horseback riding in the countryside and practice makes perfect! To expand your knowledge, you can continue with your riding practice back at home.

Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for horseback riding as a fantastic hobby and as a sport.

The old manor house of Haras Ampascachi, where you will be staying during this program experience, is a beautiful colonial style house that was built in the mid nineteenth century. The property was preserved and remodelled, much to the delight of our guests. Here you will savour the best regional dishes, such as the Argentine barbecue, empanadas and other delicacies prepared by the chef at the estancia.

The Traslasierra Valley on horseback

Once our instructor makes sure that you have developed the necessary riding skills and practiced enough, you will go out for a hack in the beautiful landscapes of the Traslasierra Valley.

To begin with, you will ride up to a place called Los Algarrobos and visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima. Along the way, we will take in the beautiful sights, cross rivers and meet some friendly locals.

The chapel is of great cultural and religious interest locally, since it was built to pay homage to José Gabriel Brochero, a priest that was beatified in 2013.

Another day, you can reach the mouth of the Los Sauces River riding a Peruvian horse, after visiting the village of Nono and having a drink in a typical bar. From there, our route will take us to the farm of the Ramirez, a family of gauchos.

On our way back to the estancia, you will have the chance to visit an authentic “pulpería” (local convenience store), a place that functions as a tavern where gauchos from all around used to gather for a drink and entertainment.

On the last day of your Traslasierra riding experience, you can challenge yourself riding up to the highest mountain chain of Cordoba, the so-called “Altas Cumbres” (High Peaks).

You will pass through a trout farm, located in the centre of a micro-climate formed by the sheer walls of the cliffs. Once you have visited the fish farm, you will go on riding all the way up to the top to meet the Mercado family, who call this place home.

They breed cattle, sheep and goats, and they will be happy to share their gaucho wisdom and stories with you while enjoying a delicious picnic lunch with typical local products.

The village of Nono

Nono is a charming village in the sierra of Cordoba, surrounded by beautiful scenery, 150 km from the city of Cordoba.

The word Nono comes from the Quechua root word Ñuño, which means woman's breasts. In effect, two beautiful hills that look like "maternal breasts" rise in a very curious way on the banks of the Chico River.

Although the Quechua Empire did not cover this area of the valley, there a few words of Quechua origin, because during the conquest, these South American Indians were brought here by the Spanish.

However, the predominant indigenous civilizations at the time of the conquest were the Comechingones and the Sanavirones.

The rivers of Nono

Nono is surrounded by the Chico River and the Los Sauces River and you can enjoy their beautiful sandy beaches in the summer.

The main square of Nono

Time seems to have stood still around the main square, the church and the nearby buildings.

In this square, local artisans sell their handicrafts and regional products at the Municipal Crafts Fair, which is regarded as one of the best in the Traslasierra Valley.

Museo Rocsen

Another flagship attraction of the Traslasierra Valley is the Rocsen Museum. Located 5 km from Nono, it was founded in 1960 by the collector Santiago Bouchon.

It is a very particular museum, the only one of its kind in Argentina, and it has more than 18,000 pieces collected in different regions of Argentina and different parts of the world. An exhibition that represents the evolution of hominids.

The diverse collections of the Rocsen Museum reflect a wide variety of subjects relating to chemistry, physics, history, anthropology, etc.

Due to its characteristics, it has been rated with four stars in some international guides.

Why learn to horseback ride in the Traslasierra Valley?

Because the Traslasierra Valley – with all its beauty, its trails, its fresh aroma of herbs, its rivers and its people – is a place where you can unwind and get away from it all.

Because Ampascachi's professional team of instructors will give you everything you need to take your first steps in horseback riding, in a safe way.

Because teaching a guest how to ride is one of the things that we are most excited about. We will tell you and show you what our equestrian spirit is like, the same spirit as you have, which is yet to be satisfied.

Because you can fulfil your desire, not only to ride in an enclosed riding arena, but also to go out hacking in the countryside, riding the one and only Peruvian Paso horse.

Learning to ride in the Traslasierra Valley
is an experience that will please your soul and senses.

What is most important is that you will make contact with the horse, riding in the midst of this breath-taking natural setting, and will be awakened to your equestrian soul – the same as ours.

Do you like Argentina as your next horse riding holiday destination?

We encourage you to download the catalog of our horseback riding tours in Northern, Central and Western Argentina. Discover Argentina on the back of a Peruvian horse and with our team of equestrian tourism experts.

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