Argentina's vastly varied climatic zones and topography provide ideal conditions for all sorts of sporting activities and special interest excursions. Choose from winter sports in the snow-capped Andes or on Tierra del Fuego, to excellent fishing on the country's wealth of pristine lakes and fast-flowing rivers. There is an abundance of bird life along the rivers and coast and on the Pampas grasslands, while the Patagonian coast is home to a whole host of marine life including penguins, sea lions, sea elephants and whales. The country's fascinating history is observed in spectacular rock formations and fossils, while a popular way of gaining a real taste of Argentinian culture is to experience life on one of the country's many estancias.


Estancias
Generally speaking, an estancia is a farm but the term covers a wide range of establishments from extensive cattle ranches in the Pampas and lakeside sheep farms in Patagonia to vineyard estates in the western provinces. Gain an insight into the culture and economy of rural life while enjoying close contact with nature. Many estancias offer a variety of activities such as riding, polo lessons, fishing, canoeing, walking and birdwatching. Or for the real cowboys, you can even help the gauchos out on a genuine cattle drive.


Riding & Polo
There are few places in the world where the horse still plays such a pivotal role. From the painted deserts of the northwest to Tierra Del Fuego in the south, the horse is king and remains unsurpassed as the chosen mode of transportation in rural areas. Getting to grips with the landscape from the back of a horse is an unforgettable experience in Argentina and regardless of experience should be tried. A number of Estancias, particularly in The Pampas, also offer polo lessons with experienced players tailored to all levels of rider.


Wine
The area in and around the city of Mendoza is Argentina's main wine area producing nearly 80% of the country's total output, including the distinctive and world-renowned Malbec wines. Many of the wineries offer free tours and tastings and touring the surrounding countryside in a hire car visiting vineyards along the way is recommended. The main winemaking season is March/April and Mendoza hosts the national wine harvest festival at the end of February.

There are also several major Argentine vintners who have vineyards in and around the town of Cafayate in the northwest region where the warm, dry and sunny climate is ideal. The wines in this area tend to be very dry. The fruity and dry local torrontes white, said to be an excellent accompaniment to lunch, is worth sampling.


Tango
The Tango has long been synonymous with Argentina and Buenos Aires in particular, and an evening's entertainment at one of the excellent tango shows that put on spectacular nightly tango performances is definitely not to be missed. The tango remains a sensual and exotic dance, and for those who would like to try for themselves, tango lessons can be arranged during your stay in Buenos Aires.


Climbing
The Andes provide superb climbing terrain for all levels. Among the most popular peaks is Aconcagua (6,959m/22,826ft), the highest peak in the Americas, in Mendoza province. The best time to make the ascent is between December and February. Other excellent climbs include Pissis in Catamarca and Lanín and Tronador reached from the Lake District. The monstrous Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre mountain clusters in Los Glaciares National Park are considered to be among the most spectacular peaks in the world, providing some challenging climbs.


Skiing & Winter sports
Las Leñas, south of Mendoza, is of international standard and major ski/snowboarding resorts exist on Cerro Catedral and Cerro Otto near Bariloche, as well as Chapelco near San Martín de los Andes. Tierra del Fuego is a prime location for cross-country skiing on the coastal plains between the Beagle Channel and Fagnano Lake. Here you will find major winter sports centres that offer a host of exciting activities including husky-drawn sleigh rides. The skiing season runs from around May to October.


Wildlife
Because Argentina is so large and varied, it supports a wide range of wildlife that will be unfamiliar to most visitors from the northern hemisphere. From guanacos, vicuna and flamingos in the high northern Andes, to swamp deer, capybara and caiman in the swampy lowland forests of the northeast; and from rheas, condor and puma in Patagonia to penguins, elephant seals and southern right whales around Peninsula Valdez, Argentina's wildlife is incredible.


Fishing
The main fishing areas in the Lake District are located in the northern zone around Junín de Los Andes, extending south to Bariloche, and around Esquel in the central zone. In the southern zone, head for Río Gallegos and Río Grande. Some of the best lakes are found in the Los Alerces and Lanín national parks. Río Limay and rivers further north offer good trout fishing. The Nahuel Huapi National Park in the Lake District contains a 190 miles2 of glacial lake and there is also good fishing on the Lago Argentina in the far south. You can fish for giant dorado among other species on the banks of the Paraná river in the Corrientes province. Tierra del Fuego also offers some rich fishing grounds where lagoons teem with trout and salmon. The National Fishing Contest is held in nearby Formosa in July. All rivers operate a "catch and release" system and to fish anywhere in Argentina you require a permit. The fishing season runs from early November to the end of April for salmonoids, or to end of July for pejerrey, perch and carp. In the rivers of the Formosa province, you can fish enormous catches such as the dorado, surubí and manguruyú. Río de las Cuevas, Río Mendoza and their tributaries are popular fishing areas in the north. Valle Hermoso with trout-filled lagoons.


Boat trips
Between October and March you can cruise around the stunning wilderness of Patagonia, a perfect platform from which to enjoy the fascinating geology, huge glaciers and towering snow-capped mountain peaks of this awe-inspiring region. Lake cruises can be taken in and around Bariloche on Lake Nahuel Huapi, while longer tr ips to Cape Horn and Chilean Patagonia depart from the southern port town of Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego and last from 4-7 days. Expeditions to Antarctic also depart from Ushuaia during the summer months.