Estancia La Pelada

  About Esquina

LODGING IN ESQUINA

After considering several lodging options in the area we were certain that Estancia La Pelada was the best choice. For group larger than 8 persons, we use Posada Hambre located within the town limits of Esquina.

ESTANCIA LA PELADA Estancia La Pelada sits on the banks of the Corriente River, 35 kilometers north of the confluence of the Corriente and the enormous Parana River.   This Spanish Colonial style estancia has a classical feel, yet it is only about 40 years old. This is a working cattle and horse ranch, with 10 gauchos (cowboys) working year round. Some of the finest and rarest polo horses in Argentina are kept at Estancia La Pelada. Meals are cooked in the traditional Argentine fashion and include delicious specialty meats and fruits from the region complimented by fine wines from the province of Mendoza. During the winter, meals are served in the elegant dinning room. However, in the warmer months, lunch and breakfast are enjoyed outside under the veranda.   Although La Pelada is a ranch, it is quite apparent that you are in someone’s home and one can’t help but feel privileged to be a guest. With gracious hosts, excellent service and incredible views, it will impress the most discriminating international angler. The estancia holds eights guests in elegant European style rooms, all with private baths. Please see our photo album for more pictures of the Estancia La Pelada.

	Posada Hambare

For groups larger than 8 persons we use La Pelada’s sister lodge, Posada Hambare. which is located in the town of Esquina on the Corriente River. Hambare has 20 rooms and can hold up to 50 guests. It is a 3.5 star hotel with great food and a warm, relaxed atmostphere.

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THE ESQUINA AREA

Esquina is located in the southern portion of the Corriente Province close to the boarders of Entre Rios and Santa Fe Provinces. The town overlooks the confluence of the Corriente and the Parana Rivers. The union of these two rivers systems creates an enormous deltas which host a large number of of flora and fauna. Luckily, the city of Esquina and Corriente province have recognized the ecological importance of the area by designating it a natural reserve and have imposed restrictions on hunting and fishing.

One of the most impressive sights is a group of circular plants called Irupe. These plants can have a diameter of 4 feet and produce a large flower similar to a magnolia. The bottom of the plant is laden with sharp spines to protect itself from predation.

Purple Hyacinth are the most common aquatic plant along the Corriente River. When the plant is in bloom its purple flowers stand out against its bright green leaves. Purple Hyacinth is the main vegetation that make up the dammed lands or floating islands of plants which can float the full Corrientes River from the Ibera Marshlands to Esquina. The interlocking plants create a 1-3 meters thick platform sturdy enough to support large animals and even trees. The dammed lands are important habitat for the capybara, caiman, otters, marsh deer, birds and other animals. The two largest and most impressive vertebrates that are commonly observed are the capybara and the black caiman.

The Capybara:
The capybara or carpincho is the largest rodent in the world reaching over 100 lbs.. It is also the largest native herbivore living within the Ibera wetlands and along the Corriente River.The Capybara is well adapted to it's environment having webbed feet and a membrane closing the ear canal when the animal submerges. Its eyes, nose and ears are all located on the top of its head, therefore, concealing almost its entire body as it swims.

Usually the capybara can be seen in groups resting, swimming or eating. Mating and courtship are never observed because they occur under water. The female will bare 1-7 young which develop rapidly and are able to follow her within the first few days of life.

The Black Caiman:
Although there are more similarities than differences between the caiman and its cousins the alligator and the crocodile, the caimandoes not grow as large and is not as aggressive. It will reach lengths up to 2.5 meters and weight over 110 pounds. Caiman grow slowly and reach only 30 centimeters within the first two years.

Male caiman do not play a role in gestation leaving the female to look after 50-60 eggs which she buries in a nest of grasses and branches. The young hatch in January-March and for the first few days they remain in the nest feeding on insect life living within the nest. After the first year, the young leave the safety of the nest.

While floating the Corriente River and its deltas, you may also see Argentines who are descendants of the native indians of the area. A few families still have a subsistent life on the river and you may see them along the shore, outside a straw hut or fishing early in the morning in canoes.

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