Authentic Country Day

Leave the city behind for a family ranch day. Vivacs del Plata gives you a close look at rural Mendoza through horses, home cooking, mountain scenery, and time with the Palma family. The day feels personal rather than packaged, with a maximum of 12 people and plenty of room to set your own pace.

I especially like the three-hour horse ride and the way wine and snacks are served during a scenic stop in the foothills. I also like the family welcome, which includes coffee, local pastries, and a chance to meet the people and animals who make the ranch feel like a working home. The main consideration is distance and timing: this is a full country day starting at 10:00 a.m., and the listed price of $228 per person may feel high if you only want a short ride.

Key points to know before you book

• A three-hour ride through the foothills: The route can include creek beds, pastures, and hills, generally at a slow, comfortable walking pace.
• Wine with Andes scenery: Your horse ride includes a stop for wine and snacks, giving the outing a welcome pause.
• Family-hosted Argentine asado: Lunch centers on a traditional three-step meal, with asado as the main course.
• Several ways to spend the afternoon: Choose trekking, a 4×4 outing, or quiet time at the house.
• A small group setting: The experience accepts no more than 12 people, which suits anyone who prefers a calmer day.
• An optional overnight stay: The evening includes drinks by the fireplace, usually fresh trout for dinner, starry skies, and breakfast the next morning.

Arriving at a family ranch near Tupungato

The ranch is at Vivacs del Plata, La Carrera, on Provincial Route 89 in Tupungato, Mendoza. The activity begins and ends there at 10:00 a.m., so you need to plan your own way to the meeting point. Public transportation is listed as nearby, but no hotel pickup is included in the information provided.

That detail matters. You are not joining a city tour with a polished transfer service and a tightly controlled schedule. You are heading to a ranch outside Mendoza, where the point is to slow down and spend the day in the country. Check your route and allow enough time to arrive without rushing the morning.

The small group limit is a real advantage. With no more than 12 people, introductions, questions, and conversation with the Palma family can feel natural. If you want a quiet day rather than a large commercial outing, this setup should suit you well.

Coffee, pastries, pets, and a warm welcome

The suggested schedule begins at the family’s new house with coffee and local pastries. This is more than a quick snack before the main activity. It gives you time to meet the Palma family, hear about ranch life, and get comfortable around the property.

Fabian, Carolina, Camila, Juan Cruz, and the wider Palma family are central to the appeal. Their hosting style is warm and informal, and you are invited to see the ranch as a family place, not simply a starting point for a horse ride. You may also meet the household pets and other animals around the farm.

I like this beginning because it gives the day a human center. The countryside is beautiful, but scenery alone does not make a memorable visit. Hearing about a family connected with this land for seven generations adds meaning to the food, the horses, and the setting.

The house also serves as a place to rest during the day. You can use the quiet spaces after lunch, and the property has been described as cozy, with a fireplace and comfortable areas where you can take a nap. That makes the outing easier for families or anyone who prefers a relaxed rhythm.

Three hours on horseback in the Andes foothills

After the morning welcome, you head to the corrals for the main outdoor activity. The horse tour lasts about three hours and takes you into the foothills around the ranch.

The ride is described as a slow walk rather than a fast or technical horseback adventure. You may pass through creek beds, pastures, and hills, with broad views toward the Andes. That pace is good news if you are new to riding or simply want time to look around instead of concentrating on speed.

The horses are described as well trained, and guides accompany the ride. Still, horseback riding always requires some physical comfort and confidence. If you have never ridden before, tell the guides. The information does not promise a specific riding level, so it is sensible to ask about the route and horse suitability when you arrive.

The scenery can change with the weather. One outing included light snow before arrival and during the ride, while another included a condor flying overhead. These moments cannot be scheduled, but they show how open and exposed the setting can feel. Bring clothing that works for changing mountain conditions, since the ride lasts several hours.

This part of the day is probably the best reason to book. You are not simply looking at the Andes from a vehicle window. You are moving slowly through the foothills, with the sounds and feel of the ranch around you.

Wine and snacks with a mountain view

During the ride, you stop for wine and snacks in a scenic spot. It is a small detail, but it changes the mood of the outing. Instead of treating the horse ride as a single block of activity, the pause gives you time to sit, talk, and take in the view.

The wine also connects the day to Mendoza’s wider food culture. You are still at a ranch rather than a vineyard, but the pairing of local wine, simple snacks, horses, and mountain scenery feels very much of the region.

Keep your expectations sensible. The available information does not specify the wine label, snack menu, or exact viewpoint. You should see this as a relaxed country stop, not a formal tasting. Its value is in the setting and the unhurried break.

After the stop, you ride gently back to the ranch. The return is part of the experience, not just transport back for lunch. By this point, you will have spent a substantial amount of time outdoors, so the meal should feel well earned.

A three-step lunch built around Argentine asado

Lunch is the day’s food centerpiece. The meal has three steps, with a classic Argentine asado as the main course.

Asado is more than grilled meat. In Argentina, it is a social ritual tied to family, time, and hospitality. Here, the Palma family prepares and serves it at the ranch, which makes the meal feel connected to the place rather than added as a standard tour lunch.

The food receives some of the strongest praise associated with this experience. The descriptions point to careful preparation, a wide range of flavors, and one especially memorable bite. You can expect the meal to be a major part of the day, not a basic plate served between activities.

The exact courses are not listed, so do not book expecting a published tasting menu. The important point is the format: a multi-step lunch, generous country cooking, and time to eat in a family setting.

This is also where the $228 price starts to make more sense. You are paying for the horse ride, the hosted meal, the afternoon choice, the setting, and the personal attention of a small family operation. If you compare it only with the price of a basic horseback excursion, it looks expensive. If you value a full-day outing with food and hosting, the price is easier to justify.

Choosing your afternoon: trekking, 4×4, or rest

After lunch, you can choose between trekking, a 4×4 excursion, or relaxing at the house. This choice is one of the most practical features of the day.

Trekking suits you if you want more time outdoors on foot after the horse ride. The available information does not give the walking distance or difficulty, so ask about the route before setting out. You may prefer it if you want to stretch your legs and see the property at a slower pace.

The 4×4 option gives you a different way to reach the country around the ranch. One account describes the 4×4 outing as a highlight, alongside the riding and food. It may be the better choice if you want mountain access without spending more hours in the saddle.

Resting at the house is not a weak option. After a three-hour ride and a substantial lunch, a quiet afternoon may be exactly right. The family home, fireplace, and peaceful surroundings give you permission to do less, which is often the point of a country escape.

The flexibility also makes this outing work for mixed groups. One person can choose more activity while another rests. Families may appreciate that younger children or older relatives do not have to follow the most demanding schedule.

Tea at dusk and the optional overnight stay

Tea time comes as the day begins to cool. It provides a gentle end to the daytime program and gives you one more chance to sit with the family before deciding whether to leave or stay overnight.

The overnight package adds a more atmospheric evening. You can have drinks by the fireplace at sunset, then usually eat fresh trout for dinner. After dark, the quiet setting and starry sky become part of the experience.

The overnight rooms are described as new and comfortable, with modern bathrooms. That is useful if you want rural surroundings without giving up basic comfort. The next morning includes breakfast, so the stay becomes a fuller country break rather than simply an extended tour.

I would seriously consider staying overnight if your schedule allows. Several people who enjoyed the day wished they had booked more time at the ranch. The extra night lets you experience the property after the daytime activity ends, when the fireplace, silence, and stars matter most.

The listing does not state the overnight price, room configuration, or exact dinner menu beyond the usual fresh trout. Ask for those details before booking the overnight option.

How the experience compares with a typical Mendoza day trip

Mendoza is famous for wineries, and the Palma family can arrange visits to wineries close to the ranch. But this country day offers a different side of the region.

You are not spending the day moving from tasting room to tasting room. You are seeing how rural hospitality works, riding through foothills, sharing an asado, and spending time in a family home. That makes it a strong choice if you have already planned winery visits or want a break from them.

The ranch also gives you a sense of place that a quick photo stop cannot. The Palma family’s connection to the land, the horses, the animals, and the food all fit together. You are not merely consuming activities. You are being welcomed into a way of life for a day.

The tradeoff is that the schedule is less formal. Exact route details, meal courses, and afternoon timing are not spelled out. If you want a precise timetable and clearly defined stops, you may find the experience too loose. If you prefer flexibility and conversation, that informality is part of its appeal.

Who should book this ranch day?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want:

• A personal introduction to rural Argentine life
• A calm horseback ride with mountain views
• A traditional asado prepared at a family ranch
• A small group rather than a large coach outing
• Flexible afternoon choices
• A possible overnight stay near Tupungato

Families can enjoy the animals, the open setting, and the option to rest after lunch. Couples may like the wine stop, fireplace, and quiet evening. Food-focused visitors should give the asado serious weight when comparing this with other Mendoza excursions.

You should think twice if you want an advanced riding experience, a fast-paced adventure, or a city pickup and drop-off. The ride is mainly at a comfortable walking pace, and you must arrange your own arrival at the ranch.

The experience is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Since the tour includes horseback riding, trekking, and possible 4×4 travel, ask the operator about your specific needs before booking.

Price, group size, and practical value

At $228 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price is easier to defend because the day includes several elements: morning refreshments, a three-hour horse tour, wine and snacks, a three-step lunch, an afternoon activity choice, tea, and access to the family’s country setting.

The maximum of 12 people also matters. A smaller group can mean more direct contact with the hosts and a less hurried feel. You are paying for hospitality as much as for transport or equipment.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book Authentic Country Day?

Book it if you want Mendoza beyond the wineries. The strongest parts are the Palma family’s welcome, the slow horse ride through the foothills, the wine stop, and the asado. Together, they create a full day with a clear sense of place.

I would choose the overnight package if you can spare the time. For a single day, make sure the ranch location works with your transport plans and understand that the ride is a relaxed walking outing, not a high-speed horseback adventure.

The price is substantial, but the experience offers far more than a short activity. If family hospitality, rural food, quiet scenery, and flexible time sound better to you than a tightly managed itinerary, Vivacs del Plata is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does Authentic Country Day begin?

It begins at Vivacs del Plata, La Carrera, Provincial Route 89, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Vivacs del Plata.

How long is the horse ride?

The suggested itinerary includes a horse tour lasting about three hours.

What is included with the horse ride?

The ride includes a scenic stop with wine and snacks. The route may pass through creek beds, pastures, and hills at a slow walking pace.

What can I do in the afternoon?

You can choose trekking, a 4×4 excursion, or relaxing at the house. Tea time is planned for dusk.

Is an overnight stay available?

Yes. The overnight package includes drinks by the fireplace at sunset, usually fresh trout for dinner, time to enjoy the stars, a quiet night, and breakfast the next morning.