The Sierras of Cordoba
In many of our trips we like to mix luxury with a touch of the rustic and at times leaving space for a spontaneous adventure. A great example of this was during a road trip in the Sierras of Cordoba, when, on a whim, we decided to park up and hike off into a section of the Sierras called Los Gigantes. We hiked through the hills and its stunning rock formations for three fabulous days, sleeping under the stars, cooking over an open fire and swimming in the crystalline waters of the rock pools formed by the mountain rivers. It was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had and absolutely made the trip. The sierras principally lie across Cordoba, the central province of Argentina and is a centre of Gaucho culture. It is famous for its mild climate, rolling hills and the good nature of its people. Its geographical position has given it a front row seat in the history of the country, enabling it to become one of Argentina’s most prominent provinces and host to some of the country’s most spectacular ranches.
Where to go & What to do
- Yoga and meditation in the sierras of Alta Gracia and Traslasierra.
- Hiking and swimming in the crystalline rock pools of Los Gigantes.
- Discovering the wineries of the less known wine region of San Javier.
- Get to know the blossoming food scene of Cordoba’s provincial capital.
- Exploring the curiously different towns that dot the province, many of which have their own particular culture, such as San Marcos Sierra where a mismatched hippy community has intertwined with the local Gaucho culture and, despite their apparent differences, have formed their own distinct bubble of culture.
Travel logistics
- The climate is predominantly temperate, with some regional variations. Generally speaking: Summer (December to March) is hot and humid, Autumn (March to June) is pleasant and mild, Winter (June to September) is dry with variations in temperature, and Spring (September to December) is windy and variable. Nights are noticeably cooler in March, which is also the rainiest month, and April often brings very pleasant weather. Starting in May, rainfall gets much lower. The air is often humid in winter, and thick fog is common, and frost is not unusual but snowfall is rare.
- Cordoba city is an 11 hr drive from Buenos Aires or a 1 hr flight. There are also some internationals flights that fly direct to the local airport so you could start your trip in Cordoba and, as the central airport, it connects well with several other regions of Argentina as well as the neighbouring countries of Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.
Things to keep in mind
- Cordoba is a very popular Summer destination for regional tourism so, if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, we advise travelling from mid-October to Mid-December or Mid-March to mid-April.
Example Itineraries
Some examples of our favourite trips that we’ve organised over the years:
