Raising beef cattle is the agricultural activity best suited to the northern Patagonia of Argentina.
Here the grazing system is to winter in the sheltered plains of the pre-cordillera, and in summer to graze the excellent tender natural grasses to be found in the mountain valleys.
This grazing system makes good use of the excellent pastures in the cordillera during summer, while accumulating reserves of forage on the plains for winter.
This means that the herds have to be moved every year, and the only way to do this is on horseback.
Herds of up to 1,000 head are driven for days along trails and the open Andean countryside.
It is a time-honoured custom, and the getting together of people in such a sparsely populated area as the Patagonia is always a joyful occasion.
The programme consists of two hard day's cattle driving, plus another four days riding round the summer pastures.
SATURDAY: Reception and a welcoming meal in the Hotel Nevado in Caviahue.
SUNDAY: A journey in minibus to the estancia; selection of saddles and horses; a 4-hour ride to where the cattle have been gathered; spend the night in Maloñehue with the three or four gauchos who will be working on the drive.
MONDAY: Droving to the hot springs where we will spend the night.
TUESDAY: A ride round the herd and a recount to check that all are present. Trekking in the afternoon after which we will spend the night at the springs.
WEDNESDAY: A ride to the Laguna del Cuero and back to spend another night at the springs.
THURSDAY: On horseback to the waterfall; bathing in the river Agrio.
FRIDAY: A descent to Manzano where the minibus will pick us up and take us to the Hotel Nevado, where we will spend the night.
DISTANCE FROM BUENOS AIRES
1498km
DISTANCE FROM CORDOBA
1460km
DISTANCE FROM NEUQUEN
344km
OTHER OPTIONS
- Bus to Zapala + transfer
- Flight to Neuquén combined to a
charter flight to Loncopué + transfer
