Cabalgatas – La Soleada Polo Ranch

Horseback riding

We are horse lovers and as such, we understand what riders want when doing a ride. We do not offer just a regular ride around the farm, our programmes are much more than that as we give riders the opportunity to explore the rural towns, its customs and traditions and get to visit old taverns. We have very well trained horses for all levels!

Ride around the old western Taverns

Este programa es ideal para disfrutar de un fin de semana viviendo la cultura y la tradición de los pueblos del Oeste.

Itinerario:

10 am: Welcome reception at Pulperia El Piojo - a small tavern located at the estancia that recreates the old taverns. Riders will be welcome with home made bakery, coffee, tea and mate.
11hs - Comienzo de la cabalgata. Salimos por el camino principal de la estancia, el cual está rodeado de antiguos plátanos. Doblamos hacia la derecha, dirigiéndonos al pueblo de Tomás Jofré.
Andaremos por una distancia aproximada de 2 km. Rodeamos el pueblo para luego tomar un amplio camino arbolado y doblar hacia la derecha por otro camino rural que se dirige hacia el lado de Mercedes.
Luego de andar por caminos rurales por aproximadamente una hora y media, llegaremos a almorzar a las 13 hs en la antigua pulpería de Puri. Esta antigua pulpería data del año 1930. El lugar es muy pintoresco y cuenta con palenques para atar nuestros caballos.
Luego de desajustar cinchas y atar los caballos, degustaremos una picada con salames hechos por el propio dueño de la pulpería y unas empanadas caseras, acompañadas de vino.
15hs - Ya descansados, montaremos de nuevo en nuestros caballos para dirigirnos hacia la antigua estación de tren Alta Mira. Esta es una de las partes más hermosas del recorrido, ya que andaremos por un estrecho camino rodeado de verde hasta llegar a un cruce de vías. Una vez allí, andaremos por encima de las antiguas vías. La paz que acompaña el sendero es única. De pronto, entre la vegetación, vislumbraremos la antigua estación de tren de Alta Mira.
Pasaremos por al lado de la estación y desmontaremos para conocer las instalaciones. Dentro de la estación funciona una librería.
Continuaremos la cabalgata atravesando el pequeño poblado de Altamira hasta llegar a la Pulpería de Curli, parte del patrimonio histórico del partido de Mercedes. Aquí tendremos la oportunidad de un nuevo descanso y de degustar unos quesos y mates.
Once ready, riders will head back to the estancia. This is the perfect moment to enjoy a long canter.
Nos estarán esperando con un asado en el quincho de la estancia. Será momento de compartir las anécdotas del día.
Por la mañana, luego del desayuno, los huéspedes tendrán la oportunidad de relajarse en la pileta antes de partir.

Ride Around the Old Western Taverns (Full Day or 1 Night / 2 Days).

Western Buenos Aires has a long history, and a big part of its story is related to train stations and railways. In the old days, this area was inhabited only by those who lived and worked at the estancias. However, when the English train companies arrived in Argentina and started building the railways, people began settling around the main station of each area. That is how the town of Tomás Jofré started to grow.

It was after this that, in 1948, Ronald Fronteras came to the small village and founded the first Almacén de Ramos Generales—a general store that sold all kinds of goods needed by the people who worked at the ranches. As a consequence, people who lived and worked in the area used to visit the village travelling on horseback, and that is when the first taverns appeared. Western towns are among the few places in Buenos Aires Province where old pulperías (taverns) are still alive. This ride is about these places; it was designed with the spirit of keeping traditions alive.

Itinerary:

10:00 am - Welcome reception at Pulpería El Piojo, a small tavern located at the estancia that recreates traditional country taverns. Riders will be welcomed with homemade bakery, coffee, tea, and mate.
11:00 am - After meeting the guides, riders will be introduced to the horses. The ride will start at the estancia, riding first along the main road of La Soleada, which is surrounded by old sycamore trees. Leaving the estancia behind, we will turn right onto a rural road heading toward the town of Tomás Jofré.
We will ride along this trail for a few miles, crossing an old bridge, until we reach the town. Once there, we will ride around the outskirts of the town and then head toward the Mercedes area. We will arrive at an old tavern dating back to 1930, known as Lo de Puri or Marito’s Bar, as the locals call it. Here we will tie our horses, remove the saddles, and enjoy locally made empanadas while tasting a good red wine.
3:00 - pm - Once ready, riders will saddle up again and ride along a narrow trail under the shade of huge trees. Then we will turn left and follow an old, forgotten railway track that is no longer in use. This railway will lead riders to Altamira Train Station. This scenic building now hosts a library and sells local handicrafts.
We will stop at another old pulpería called Lo de Curli. This tavern is part of the historical heritage of the Mercedes area. Here we will taste locally made salami.
Once ready, riders will head back to the estancia. This is the perfect moment to enjoy a long canter.
At the estancia, the staff will be waiting for dinner, and riders will enjoy a traditional Argentine asado in the quincho.
In the morning, after a delicious breakfast, riders will have the opportunity to relax by the swimming pool before heading back to the city.
End of the ride.

Cabalgata de 2 noches / 3 días “Por las Antiguas Pulperías”

Esta es una opción de cabalgata que incluye un día más, pasando por la antigua estación de tren y la Pulpería La Verde, además de un paseo por el pueblo de Tomás Jofré.

Llegaremos a La Soleada Polo Ranch, donde nos estarán esperando para cenar en el pintoresco patio español, rodeado de boxes. La cena será acompañada de una guitarreada.

Los caballos se quedarán en el Polo Ranch, y los jinetes serán transportados en camioneta hacia La Soleada Estancia.

Por la mañana, los huéspedes podrán disfrutar de las instalaciones de la estancia antes de realizar el check-out por la tarde.

2-Night / 3-Day Riding Programme – By the Old Western Taverns

This riding programme is an alternative to the one-day Old Western Taverns ride. The first day follows the same itinerary as the one-day ride; the difference is that this programme offers a second day of riding, during which riders will be able to explore another tavern: La Verde. This old pulpería is located right beside the abandoned train station known as La Verde.

The ride will start at La Soleada Estancia. We will pass by the polo ranch, heading toward La Verde. This ride covers approximately 10 km.

After lunch at La Verde, we will head to the village, where we will be able to explore the town’s traditional square, the church, and Fronteras, the first general store founded in 1948.

In the late afternoon, riders will head back to the polo ranch, where they will be welcomed with drinks in the Spanish patio and will then enjoy dinner.

The horses will stay at the polo ranch, and riders will be transported back to the estancia.

Check-out: 10 am on the third day.