Full-Day Estancia Tour from Buenos Aires: Gaucho Culture & Asado

Nine hours on the pampas: ride horses, watch gauchos work, eat an Argentine barbecue

A full-day estancia tour from Buenos Aires takes you to a working ranch in San Antonio de Areco with hotel pickup and a professional guide. You'll ride horses, tour the village, visit a silversmith's workshop and a historic church, then spend the afternoon at the estancia for horseback riding, local cheeses, a full asado barbecue, and a live folklore show with gaucho demonstrations. The tour runs nine hours total and includes all transport, meals, beverages and entertainment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day estancia and cultural tour

• Drive from Buenos Aires to San Antonio de Areco
• Visit silversmith’s workshop and chocolate shop
• See historic parish on Segundo Sombra Street
• Arrive at estancia for horse riding and tasting
• Enjoy Argentine barbecue with folklore show

The experience

The day starts with a drive from your Buenos Aires hotel through the pampas (the flat grasslands that define the Argentine interior) with your guide explaining the region as you travel. The route takes you to San Antonio de Areco, a small town that preserves gaucho heritage. You'll stop at a silversmith's workshop to see traditional metalwork, then a local chocolate shop, before visiting the parish church on Segundo Sombra Street, which dates to 1869 and marks where the town was founded.

The core of the day happens at the estancia itself. You get to ride horses across the property, then settle in for the main event: an asado, the Argentine barbecue tradition. Before the meat comes out, you'll taste local cheeses and cold cuts. During dessert, a live folklore show and gaucho demonstration unfold: riders on horseback performing traditional skills and music. Beverages flow throughout, and the guide stays with you the whole time to answer questions and provide context.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport to the meeting point. The tour runs nine hours from start to finish. Your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on the group. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a valid passport. You'll need it for the booking and to have on hand the day of travel. If you have dietary requirements, mention them when you reserve so the estancia can prepare accordingly.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Buenos Aires accommodation.
• professional guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• transport to and from the estancia.
• horseback riding at the ranch.
• full asado barbecue lunch with local cheeses and cold cuts.
• beverages throughout the day.
• live folklore show and gaucho demonstration during dessert.

Options for this experience

3 options

Traditional Farm DayGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:30This option takes you to either La Margarita or Las Dueñas, both family-owned ranches in Buenos Aires for over 50 years. Pickup is included.

Original farm dayGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:30With this choice, we will visit El Ombu de Areco. If availability does not permit, we will offer another option. Pickup is included.

Private farm dayGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:30By choosing this option, you will receive private tour service. Other groups may be present at the estancia. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Child (under 3)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Tours Buenos Aires

Is this one for you?Pick this full-day tour if you want hands-on time with horses and gaucho traditions at a working estancia, plus a folklore show and asado lunch: all in one outing from your hotel.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 3).

What exactly is an asado and what will I eat at the estancia?

An asado is the Argentine barbecue tradition, and at the estancia you'll have grilled meats as the centerpiece of lunch, preceded by local cheeses and cold cuts, with dessert to follow. Beverages are included throughout the day.

Will I actually ride horses, or just watch?

You ride horses yourself at the estancia. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, so even first-time riders can participate.

What is San Antonio de Areco and why do we visit it?

San Antonio de Areco is a small town in the pampas that preserves gaucho culture and craftsmanship. You visit the silversmith's workshop to see traditional metalwork, a chocolate shop, and the historic parish church on Segundo Sombra Street, which was founded in the 1800s and anchors the town's heritage.

How long is the drive from Buenos Aires to the estancia?

The tour is nine hours total from hotel pickup to drop-off, which includes the drive to San Antonio de Areco, the village stops, and the full afternoon at the estancia with riding, lunch and the folklore show.