Jakotango
Patagonia Trail
Jakotango -
Horse Riding Patagonia
Travel to the heart of the Patagonian Andes and experience an exclusive mountain trek on horseback that will sizzle your senses. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Horse riding in Patagonia allows you to meander through the wild and overwhelming landscape. A volcanic paradise covered with crystal clear lakes that you will explore in the company of gauchos, making this a genuine and unforgettable journey.
Your journey will be outfitted by Jakotango and led by Jakob Von Plessen or one of his fellow 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.
Your journey through the Argentine wilderness commences at Estancia Tres Lagos, a privately owned Estancia of 12000 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 which a cosy and picture-perfect refuge. From here you will trek on your sturdy Creolle horse into the mountains for two nights of fly camping before continuing to your final destination – The Golf at Estancia El Boquerón.
Estancia El Boquerón once belonged to the aristocratic Anchorena family and is now the private holiday home of Jakob’s family. The Golf, which sits privately within in its expansive grounds offers a library, pool, pool house, lounge area, large beautifully decorated rooms, and gardens to relax in. Across the estancia of 100 acres of rolling parkland, sweeping lawns and beautiful views across the valley there is a challenging point to point course and polo field for anyone wishing to try their hand at a chukka or two. Tennis courts, a putting green and croquet lawn are also yours for the taking.
You will love
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Patagonia’s immense mountain scenery
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Asados, woodsmoke and malbec
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Jakob von Plessen and his 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
Let us design your perfect itinerary.
8 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS | HORSE RIDING IN PATAGONIA
DAY 1 | BARILOCHE | 2 NIGHTS
Depart Buenos Aires, flying 2 hours south to Bariloche in Patagonia to commence your journey horse-riding through Patagonia. Transfer by road 1½ hours to the shores of Falkner Lake where you will be taken by a small motorboat across the lake to meet with your horse. The ride to camp is not long, just over an hour but long enough for you to get used to your horse and Gaucho saddle. Enjoy dinner in a cozy log cabin overlooking the beautiful Filo Huahum River.
DAY 2 | BARILOCHE
The mornings are so beautiful it is worth rising early to enjoy them. Breakfast is ready from 7am and you’ll set off shortly after 9am to ride down to Filo Huahum valley. This is a full days ride and takes approximately 6 hours – 3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon with a traditional Argie BBQ (an Asado) during the middle of the day along with a mandatory siesta! Return to camp at approximately 6pm and enjoy a hot shower and sundowner at the river shore.
DAY 3 | WILDERNESS FLY CAMP | 1 NIGHT
Departing after breakfast, you will set off for your overnight fly-camp. Today you will face the “Pass of Tears”. It is possibly the most amazing scenery on the whole horse riding in Patagonia experience, but not for the faint hearted. You will ride up the mountain in the morning until you pass the tree line where there is a stop for lunch on a rocky outcrop. After lunch, it is a further 3 hour ride to our fly camp spot, a spectacular area overlooking the “Buque” mountain. Join the gauchos around the campfire and enjoy a delicious stew in this amazing wilderness setting.
DAY 4 | BARILOCHE | 2 NIGHTS
After breakfast you will mount up and ride down into the valley to a lovely spot by the river where you can enjoy a swim and another delicious asado. The ride will take approximately 3 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon, arriving back to Jakotango Base Camp for a hot shower, dinner and well deserved glass of Malbec.
DAY 5 | BARILOCHE
It is important to have a little R&R while horse riding in Patagonia. Today is a recovery day. There is no fixed plan for today, generally there is an easy morning ride followed by lunch in camp, with plenty of time for relaxing, siesta, swimming or a walk in the afternoon.
DAY 6 | FELIPE’S FLY CAMP | 1 NIGHT
Today is a full day ride with spectacular scenery and views over the volcanoes of Chile and Argentina. Overnight at Felipe’s Fly-Camp, where you will stay in a spacious tent within a magnificent location. Felipe is third generation from a settler family that built their home in this magical spot. The old corrals are surrounded by huge Nothofagus Dombeyi or Cohiue in Mapuche language which are the largest of the Beech tree species.
DAY 7 | FELIPE’S BARN | 1 NIGHT
After a hot breakfast you will set off on a 4-hour ride to Felipe’s house on the shores of Lake Traful. Enjoy a light lunch on arrival and get settled in at Filipe’s Barn which has been converted into simple sleeping accommodations with shared showers. His house, old barns and corrals are like something out of a fairy tale. The only access he has is by boat or on horseback. A delicious lamb “al asador” will be served for dinner.
DAY 8 | END OF ITINERARY
Enjoy a morning ride along the lake and a swim before lunch. You will be picked up by boat to cross over to Villa Traful where your luggage and transport will be waiting to transfer you to Bariloche airport.
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
A selection of the finest safari camps
NEED TO KNOW
Start: Bariloche, Argentina
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Finish: Bariloche, Argentina
2026 Costs ex Buenos Aires
- 5 night ride : from USD $7,150 per person twin share or $8,550 as a single (if unwilling to share)
- 7 night ride : from USD $8,575 per person twin share or $9,975 as a single
2026 Departures
- Departure 1: 22 Nov – 27 Nov 2026 – 5-night ride SOLD OUT
- Departure 2: 29 Nov – 04 Dec 2026 – 5-night ride
- Departure 3: 06 Dec – 13 Dec 2026 – 7-night ride
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 2026 – these departures fall over the usual period of play.
Inclusions
- 7 nights in Patagonia staying at Estancia Tres Lagos – 3 nights base camp, 2 nights fly camping, 2 nights with Felipe
- All transfers between properties
- Professional horse riding Patagonia guide & full compliment of gaucho camp crew
- All meals
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights
- Any taxes and/or visas
- Insurance
- Any extra or additional accommodation or arrangements
- Gratuities and any personal purchases
- Maximum 8 riders
- Multiple departure dates available from November to March annually – please enquire
- Single supplement may apply
- Flights and insurance on request
- Terms and conditions apply – please request a copy of our booking form for all details.
- Price is subject to change due to currency fluctuation and unforeseen changes beyond our control
Frequently Asked Questions
What Level of Riding Experience is Required for the Jakotango Patagonia Trail?
Riders should be comfortable in the saddle and able to handle full days of riding in varied and sometimes challenging mountain terrain. The Pass of Tears section on Day 3 is described as not for the faint hearted, involving steep ascents above the tree line. Guests with intermediate to experienced riding ability will be most comfortable, though the guides are skilled at matching horses and pacing to their group.
What Type of Horses are Used on the Ride?
Riders are matched with sturdy Creolle horses, a breed well adapted to the rugged Patagonian terrain. The Creolle is known for its endurance, sure-footedness, and calm temperament, making it well suited to multi-day mountain riding. Guests ride with a traditional Gaucho saddle.
What is Fly Camping & What Should I Expect?
Fly camping refers to lightweight overnight camps set up in remote wilderness locations, away from the main estancia base. On the Jakotango trail, fly camps are set up by the gaucho crew and offer a genuine immersion in the Patagonian wilderness. Accommodation is in spacious tents, and evenings are spent around the campfire with the gauchos. Facilities are simple but the experience is extraordinary.
How Many Riders are on Each Journey?
Each departure is capped at a maximum of eight riders, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience with genuine access to the guides and the landscape. This small group format is central to the Jakotango philosophy of personalised, immersive wilderness travel.
Can I Extend My Trip Beyond Patagonia?
Yes. Classic Safari Company can arrange post-tour extensions to a wide range of South American destinations, including Iguazu Falls, Mendoza wine country, Brazil, Peru, and Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Enquire at the time of booking and the team will tailor an extension to suit your interests and timeframe.
Glossary of Terms
Andean Condor: The largest flying bird in the world by wingspan, native to the Andes mountain range. A common and iconic sight on horse riding expeditions through Patagonia.
Asado: The Argentine term for a traditional barbecue, central to gaucho culture and social life. On the Jakotango trail, asados are a regular feature of the midday meal, often accompanied by a siesta in the field.
Cohiue (Nothofagus Dombeyi): The largest of the Southern Beech tree species, native to Chile and Argentina. The Mapuche name Cohiue refers to this ancient tree, which forms dense forests around Felipe’s Fly Camp on Day 6 of the ride.
Creolle Horse: A hardy breed of horse developed in South America from Iberian stock, prized for its endurance, strength, and sure-footedness in mountain terrain. The Creolle is the working horse of the gaucho and the mount used on the Jakotango Patagonian Trail.
Estancia: A large agricultural estate in South America, typically used for cattle or sheep farming. In the context of this itinerary, estancias serve as both working farms and luxury bases for guests, combining authentic rural life with refined hospitality.
Fly Camp: A lightweight, temporary camp established in a remote wilderness location by a support crew ahead of the riders’ arrival. Fly camps on the Jakotango trail are set up by the gaucho team and offer an immersive overnight wilderness experience away from the estancia base.
Gaucho: The skilled horsemen and cattle herders of the South American pampas and Andean foothills, equivalent in culture and tradition to the North American cowboy. Gauchos are central to the Jakotango experience, providing expert horsemanship, camp management, and an authentic connection to the land.
Gaucho Saddle: A traditional South American riding saddle used by gauchos, characterised by its layered sheepskin padding and distinctive design. Riders on the Jakotango trail use gaucho saddles throughout the expedition.
Guanaco: A wild camelid native to South America and one of the iconic large mammals of Patagonia, related to the llama. Guanacos are commonly sighted on horse riding expeditions through the region.
Lake District (Argentina): A region of lakes, mountains, and national parks in the Argentine Andes, centred around Bariloche and encompassing Nahuel Huapi and Lanin National Parks. Estancia Tres Lagos, the starting point for the Jakotango trail, is located within this region.
Malbec: Argentina’s signature red wine grape, producing full-bodied, fruit-forward wines celebrated worldwide. Malbec is a staple of the gaucho table and a recurring pleasure on the Jakotango trail.
Patagonia: A vast, sparsely populated region spanning southern Argentina and Chile, characterised by dramatic Andean peaks, glaciers, steppe, and pristine lakes. It is one of the world’s great wilderness destinations and the setting for the Jakotango Patagonian Trail.
Puma: Also known as the mountain lion or cougar, the puma is the apex predator of Patagonia and one of the most sought-after wildlife sightings in the region. Pumas inhabit the same mountain terrain traversed on the Jakotango trail.
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