Accommodations & Meals

The Lodge — Where You Stay in Córdoba

The estancia sits on top of a hill with magnificent views, nestled in a beautiful country setting within the working farm that surrounds it. Renovated and modernized, it retains the warmth of traditional Argentine lodge décor while offering the comfort you would expect from a property built for guests who appreciate both the hunt and what comes after it.

The main estancia has six large bedrooms with en suite baths. A separate casita a few steps away adds three more bedrooms with private baths. Total capacity is 8 to 14 guests, with exclusive use available for groups of 8 or more hunters.

The property’s many porches, large swimming pool, and sunken fire pit lounge give you every reason to stay outside after dark. There is also a charming private Jesuit-style chapel on the grounds — a detail that is genuinely rare among dove lodges anywhere in Argentina, and that gives this estancia its particular character.

Meals are a centerpiece. Every dinner is prepared fresh by your dedicated chef — Argentine beef, Argentine wine, served to your group at your pace. The lodge also shares recipes from the kitchen: chimichurri, coconut flan, marinated dove, empanadas, and others that reflect the care put into every meal here.

On-site massage therapists offer manicures, pedicures, facials, and massage after each day in the field. When you have put three cases of shells through a gun, this is recovery, not indulgence.

Hunting

The Dove Hunting — 20,000 Acres, Privately Managed

Córdoba’s combination of dense hillside roosting cover and vast grain valleys has produced an estimated dove population of more than 30 million birds — which is why this region has been the world’s dove hunting destination for decades.

The difference here is land control. The outfitter owns or controls more than 20,000 acres of the province’s best habitat — native Piquillin tree roosting cover, natural streams, and vast valleys planted with sorghum, millet, sunflower, corn, and wheat, with additional crops planted exclusively for dove production. No-till farming keeps food in the ground year-round. Fields are rotated and rested deliberately. No other outfitter uses these properties.

There are two hunting options depending on the season.

Field hunting runs approximately February through July and resembles dove hunting in the American South. This area is in the center of Argentina’s agricultural breadbasket — large fields of sorghum, millet, and sunflower as far as you can see. Field hunts begin around daybreak as the birds pour in for breakfast.

Hill hunting runs approximately August through February and is what most experienced wingshooters consider the premier dove experience. Hunts begin around 8–9 AM. The terrain allows you to choose your shot — stay low for high passing birds, or climb to the top and have the birds directly over you. More variety, more challenge, more memorable.

If there is a true prime time, it is August and September: the best mild weather months combined with the shot variety that the hills provide.

Pigeon hunting is available as an add-on, best between late March and early August. There is an additional fee of $200 per shooter per day, with a limit of 200 birds.

A Day in the Field

Your day starts with breakfast at the estancia, then heads to the fields by 8 AM — air-conditioned transport, refreshments on board, and a driver who knows where the birds are. Drive time is 20 to 60 minutes depending on the season.

Each hunter works with a dedicated bird boy who loads your second gun, retrieves your birds, and keeps a cold drink within reach at all times. You shoot until noon, when the group gathers under the trees for a traditional Argentine asado — open-fire grilled meats, fresh salads, wine, and a siesta if you want one. The afternoon shoot runs until roughly 6 PM. Evenings back at the lodge are yours — cocktails, dinner, the fire pit, a massage, or all of the above.

Rental guns, shells, and all field logistics are arranged for you. Full details are in the pre-trip planner we send after booking.

Activities

Beyond the Hunt — Activities & Experiences

The lodge is designed for more than hunting. Non-shooters are genuinely well accommodated, and the surrounding region offers enough to fill several days comfortably.

On-site and nearby:

• Professional massage therapist — manicure, pedicure, facials, and massage
• Large swimming pool and sunken fire pit lounge
• Private Jesuit-style chapel on the grounds
• Bird watching with an expert nature photographer
• Night sky observation — learn the southern constellations with a local astronomer
• Evening entertainment: Tango, Folklore, or Latin Music
• Silversmith lodge visit — handcrafted silver garments, jewelry, and knives
• Trekking

Off-site touring (additional fees):

• Private Córdoba historic and shopping tour — historic architecture and leather goods
• Golf at Ascochinga Golf Club, 18 holes
• Boutique winery tasting in Colonia Caroya — the Italian colony connected to Argentina’s wine history
• Observers may arrange a private driver back to Córdoba city for the day

Extending your trip — we arrange everything:

• Mendoza wine country — a direct flight from Córdoba; we arrange sommelier and culinary guides, private cellar access, and curated tasting itineraries
• Buenos Aires — city tours, private guides, and restaurant reservations before or after the hunt
• Patagonia — mountain landscapes and quaint towns for groups who want to extend further
• Private charter flights available: Buenos Aires to Córdoba (approx. $6,300, 2 hours); Córdoba to Mendoza (approx. $5,500, 2 hours)

Nannies are available on request for families with younger children. Family Expeditions plans the full itinerary — hunting, touring, flights, and hotels. Contact us to start building yours.

Length of Stay / Itinerary

How Long Should You Stay?

This trip can be as long or as short as you need. It typically begins with an afternoon hunt on your arrival day and finishes with a morning hunt on your departure day. Most guests choose two to four full days of hunting.

For reference:

• A 3-night / 4-day trip includes 2 full days of hunting (6 hunts total)
• A 5-night / 6-day trip includes 4 full days of hunting (10 hunts total)

Sample 3-night / 4-day itinerary:

• Day 1: Leave home in the afternoon or evening; arrive in Córdoba around noon the following day; hunt that afternoon
• Days 2–3: Full hunting days — morning shoot, asado in the field, afternoon shoot, evening at the lodge
• Day 4: Morning hunt; return to the lodge for lunch; pack and depart on an evening flight home

All itineraries are customized. Add Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or Patagonia to any trip.

Travel Details & Location

Your destination is Córdoba, Argentina. The lodge is approximately 45 minutes from the Córdoba airport, and the lodge transfers you by road on arrival. You can fly directly into Córdoba or connect through Buenos Aires — which also opens up a Buenos Aires stopover if you want one.

Family Expeditions coordinates your flights and transfers. Full airline and flight details are included in the pre-trip planner we send after booking.

Internet & Communications

Cell service is spotty.  Complimentary Wi-Fi is available.

Rates

2026 Nightly Rates — Subject to change until booked. Contact Family Expeditions for current availability.

• Dove Hunting — double occupancy: $650 per night per shooter
• Dove Hunting — single occupancy: $700 per night per shooter
• Pigeon Hunting — double occupancy: $900 per night per shooter
• Pigeon Hunting — single occupancy: $950 per night per shooter
• Observers / non-hunters: $350 per night

Full details on what is included, what is not included, alcohol, and suggested gratuities are provided in the pre-trip planner we send after booking.

Trip Insurance & Cancellation Info

Trip insurance is highly recommended to protect your investment on this trip. We will assist you with trip insurance upon booking. See links at the bottom of this page for the two providers we suggest for our clients.

Family Expeditions, LLC confirmation and refund policy:

If your trip is more than 90 days out from date of departure, a 50% non-refundable deposit confirms your reservation and must be received within 10 days of booking to confirm your dates. All trips must be paid in full at least 90 days prior to the departure date. If your trip date is within 90 days, FULL payment for the trip is required. All payments to Family Expeditions are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule or cancel your trip, we will do everything in our power to assist you in finding a suitable substitute or transferring your dates per the lodge/providers/government requirements. Trip insurance protects your investment!

FAQ

Is there a season for dove hunting in Córdoba?

No. Dove hunting is available year-round — there is no closed season. The birds do not migrate and reproduce up to four times annually, which is why shooting stays consistent across all twelve months. The character of the hunt shifts by season: from February through July, hunting takes place in the grain fields — sorghum, millet, and sunflower — with field hunts starting at daybreak as birds pile in for breakfast. From August through February, hunting moves to the hills, which most experienced wingshooters consider the premier setting for high, varied shots. If there is a prime window, it is August and September — best mild weather combined with the shot variety the hills provide.

How many hunters can this lodge accommodate?

8 to 14 guests total. Exclusive use is available for groups of 8 or more hunters. Contact Family Expeditions and we will match your group to the right dates.

What makes this different from a large commercial dove operation?

This lodge hosts one group at a time, but that does not mean the property is always exclusively yours. If your group books 8 or more hunters, the lodge is yours alone for the duration of your stay. Smaller groups may share the property with one other party — but at a maximum of 14 guests total, the lodge is intimate enough that it never feels crowded, and the staff’s attention stays personal regardless.

Your host, chef, and field staff are focused on your party for the duration of your stay. Meals are prepared for your table. The day adapts to your group. For couples, families, small friend groups, or corporate parties who want dove hunting that feels personal rather than packaged, this is the right choice.

Can non-shooters come along?

Yes. Non-hunters are $350 per night and are genuinely well accommodated. Activities include massage and spa services, swimming, bird watching with a nature photographer, night sky observation, private Córdoba city tours, boutique winery tastings, Tango and Folklore evenings, silversmith visits, and golf nearby. Nannies are available for families with young children. We also arrange Mendoza wine touring and Buenos Aires city touring for non-hunters who want to extend the trip.

What gun rental options are available?

Rental guns are available at $100 per night: Benelli Montefeltro semi-automatics and Beretta Silver Pigeon over-unders in 20-gauge, with 28-gauge and Browning .410 over-unders as well. Two guns are provided per shooter per day — one in hand while the other is being loaded by your bird boy. Stock extensions, shorter stocks, and shoulder pads are available.

What airport do I fly into?

Córdoba, Argentina. Direct flights operate from Miami. You can also fly into Buenos Aires and connect to Córdoba — a route that opens up a Buenos Aires stopover if you want it. The lodge meets you at the Córdoba airport and transfers you to the property.

How far in advance should I book?

This lodge fills quickly, particularly for peak season and holiday dates. We recommend reaching out as early as possible. Contact Family Expeditions and we will check availability and hold your dates.