Thank you again, dear team at ANDA Travel! Thanks to your research and contacts I finally became involved with the Argentinian network of community-based tourism, or „Red Argentina de Turismo Rural Comunitario“ (RATuRC). This network presents a total of 26 rural communities with families wishing to share their customs, lifestyle and traditions with visitors from all over the world. Think of “farm holidays” Argentinian country-style!
My first contact with community-based tourism in Argentina, on a sunny late summer day near Bariloche.
This particular family specializes in “cabalgatas”, or horse treks into the surrounding land: An amazing experience!
Discover the surroundings of Bariloche with local families
Despite, or even because community-based tourism, is only starting to develop it is really interesting for me coming from an international background of tourism development to see tourism develop here in Nirihuau. This combined with my desire to escape the likes of “mass tourism” activities in the city of Bariloche aimed at young, boisterous backpacker groups, was the main motive for my visit.
Elvira, of ANDA Travel, puts me in touch with Analia Garcia, a very talented employee of the local agricultural ministry who is working directly with the families around the city of Bariloche wishing to develop community-based activities. She refers me to Zulema, Anastasio and their son Facundo, who not only pick me up straight from my hostel but also allow me to witness the beauty of the surrounding landscape on this personal drive to their farm.
Upon arrival at the family home, you are served a “second breakfast”, Mate & lots of good “welcome vibes”: Everything is already included in the price for the full day horse riding excursion.
A little later I’m up on my horse „Chulenga“ (name for a small guanaco).
Second nature: Crossing this riverbed near the family farm on our way into the countryside.
Together with the oldest son Facundo, a 21-year-old Gaucho very able with the horses, I undertake a six-hour horse trek including an “asado” barbecue lunch break, along rivers, through valleys and over hills that I would never have known otherwise. Facundo also doubles as my very own personal guide: Qué suerte!
On this late summer day, we set off happily: Previous horse riding experience is good, but not necessary for this easy trek.
Right in the middle of the forest, we stop for our asado lunch break: Facundo serves me spicy “salchichas” on a stick!
Simply delicious!
These cute little sheep have come to check us out on our way back …
… before we return back to the farm: Six hours of horse trekking leave you somewhat tired, but feeling happy!
One day including transfer, meals (second breakfast upon arrival with local delights such as jam and tortillas, Barbecue lunch with salads and drinks, afternoon snack & tea) and the full-day guided horse trek is available at $550 Argentinian Pesos (ca. € 80-90) when booking with ANDA Travel. I pay the family directly, returning back home with them in the evening where I enjoy a relaxing evening by the lake: A truly memorable, and worthwhile experience on my travels through Argentina!