Full day Horseback Riding in the Andes and BBQ

Quiet mountains, good horses, and a smoky asado. This full-day ride from Mendoza takes you about 80 kilometers southwest to the Cordon del Plata mountain range, where local gauchos guide you through valleys, ridges, and streams. I like the gentle, well-trained horses, especially for first-time riders, and I like the chance to eat a traditional gaucho-prepared barbecue far from the city. The main concern is the weather: conditions can change quickly at higher elevations, and the ride requires moderate physical fitness.

The tour runs about 10 hours, begins at 9:00 a.m., and includes private round-trip transportation from your hotel in Mendoza town. The maximum group size is just two people, which gives the day a personal feel, but the $248 price is a serious commitment. You are paying for a long mountain outing, specialist guides, transport, equipment, and food, not simply an hour on a horse.

Key points to know before you book

• Gentle horses suit beginners: The horses are described as easy to control and well trained, making this less intimidating if your riding experience is limited.
• The Andes scenery is the main event: You travel toward the Cordon del Plata range with views of El Plata and Tupungato volcano.
• Local gauchos lead the ride: Guides such as Daniel, Agustin, and Cristina have been praised for their care, local insight, and communication.
• The group is capped at two people: This is a private-feeling outing rather than a large trail ride.
• The asado is part of the culture: The meal, prepared by the gauchos and served with drinks, gives the day a strong Argentine flavor.
• Pack for changing conditions: Higher mountain weather can shift quickly, so the clothing advice from the operator matters.

From Mendoza to the Cordon del Plata range

Your morning begins with pickup at your hotel in Mendoza town. The drive heads southwest for roughly 80 kilometers toward the base of the mountains. This is not a quick transfer to a riding stable near the city. The journey is part of the day, carrying you from Mendoza’s urban and wine-country setting into the open Andes.

Along the route, you may see El Plata, one of the high peaks of the range, as well as the imposing Tupungato volcano. The views give you a sense of scale before you even reach the ranch. Mendoza is often treated as a wine destination, but this excursion shows the other side of the province: broad valleys, dry mountain air, and high peaks that shape the region.

The ranch house sits at the foot of the Cordon del Plata range and within the natural reserve of the same name. That location gives the ride a more remote setting than a standard countryside horse outing. You are not simply circling a farm. You are heading into a mountain area where the scenery changes as the trail rises and bends through the valleys.

The driving time is worth considering. If you want a short activity between winery visits, this is the wrong choice. If you want one full day devoted to the Andes, the drive helps make the excursion possible.

Meeting the horses and gauchos

At the ranch, local gauchos meet you and prepare the horses. The horses are described as being in excellent condition, easy to drive, and well trained. That matters because a mountain ride can feel demanding even before you leave the ranch, particularly if your experience with horses is limited.

You do not need to be an accomplished rider to consider this tour. Several accounts describe people with little riding experience feeling comfortable on the horses. One person said they barely had experience with horses and still felt at ease. That is a strong sign for beginners, although you should still be honest about your fitness and comfort around animals.

The guides are a major part of the outing. Daniel, also called Don Daniel, is praised for his riding experience and knowledge of the area. Agustin is singled out for making the day enjoyable, while Cristina is praised for her warm manner and clear communication. The supplied information also identifies the guides as local baqueanos, a word used in the Andes for people who know mountain routes and conditions through experience.

This is useful in practical terms. A local guide does more than point out scenery. The guide helps match you with a suitable horse, explains how to handle it, and keeps communication open during the ride. The tour includes VHF radio and phone communication, plus a first aid kit. Those details may not be exciting, but they are reassuring when you are riding away from the city.

Riding through valleys, ridges, and streams

The ride takes you through the valleys and mountain country around the Cordon del Plata range. The route described in the available information includes valleys, ridges, and stream crossings. Those changes give the ride more variety than a flat loop through open fields.

The best part for me is the pace. Horseback riding lets you notice the quiet details of the mountains. You can look across a valley, watch the trail rise toward a ridge, and take in the scale of El Plata and Tupungato without the rush of a vehicle. The experience is about being in the setting, not checking off a long list of stops.

The mountain scenery is also why you should bring suitable clothing. Weather at higher elevations can change quickly. The operator provides packing advice, and you should follow it closely. Personal hygiene items and clothing are not included, so those are your responsibility.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. The information does not provide a precise riding distance, speed, or elevation gain, so you should not assume a gentle, short outing. Even a calm horse ride can leave you tired after several hours. If you have limited riding experience, the well-trained horses are helpful, but they do not remove the physical demands of sitting in the saddle and spending a full day outdoors.

The ride may suit you if you want an active mountain day and are comfortable with a little uncertainty in the weather. It may not suit you if you want a highly polished sightseeing trip with fixed stops, paved paths, and plenty of indoor time.

The gaucho asado in the mountains

The barbecue is more than a meal added to the end of a trail ride. It is one of the reasons to choose this experience instead of a standard horseback outing. The gauchos prepare a traditional Argentine asado, with drinks included. Daniel receives particular praise for the beef, and the food and wine are repeatedly described as highlights.

The timing deserves a small note. The tour description calls it a BBQ dinner, while the detailed experience descriptions refer to the meal as lunch after the ride. The practical point is clear: you receive a substantial barbecue meal during the day, but the exact timing may depend on the route and conditions.

Asado is central to Argentine food culture. Beef cooked over fire, served in a mountain setting by gauchos, feels far more connected to the place than a packaged picnic. The wine adds another distinctly Mendoza touch. You are not only looking at the Andes. You are spending time with a local tradition shaped by open land, horses, and outdoor cooking.

I would not book this solely for the food, since the mountain ride is the core activity. But the meal gives the day a satisfying rhythm. You ride through the reserve, stop for a prepared meal, and have time to enjoy the setting before returning to Mendoza.

Why the two-person limit matters

The maximum group size is two people. That makes this a strong option for a couple, friends traveling together, or a solo visitor who wants direct attention from the guide. A small group can also make the ride feel less like a scheduled procession and more like a private day in the mountains.

There is a tradeoff. A two-person maximum helps explain the price of $248 per person. You are not sharing a large vehicle or a busy trail group. The cost includes private hotel transportation, a bilingual professional guide, local riding specialists, technical communication equipment, a first aid kit, horses, barbecue, and drinks.

At nearly $250, this is not a budget activity. To judge the value, compare it with what you want from a day in Mendoza. If you only want to try horseback riding, a shorter local outing would likely cost less. If you want a full-day trip into a natural reserve with private transport, mountain guides, a small group, and an asado, the price becomes easier to understand.

The tour is also booked an average of 23 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your dates are fixed, especially since the group is so small. Confirmation is provided at booking.

A closer look at the itinerary

The only listed itinerary stop is Mendoza, but the day itself has several clear stages.

First comes hotel pickup and the drive southwest. This gives you mountain views before the ride begins, including the Cordon del Plata range, El Plata, and Tupungato volcano.

Next, you arrive at the ranch house within the natural reserve. The gauchos organize the horses and prepare you for the route. This is where you can ask practical questions about handling your horse and the conditions ahead.

The main portion is the horseback ride through the mountain valleys and surrounding terrain. You may cross streams and follow ridges, with the guide setting the pace. The route is intended to show the natural reserve from horseback rather than rush you from one attraction to another.

The final major stage is the barbecue and drinks. The meal is prepared by the gauchos, giving you a chance to rest and enjoy the setting. Afterward, private transportation returns you to Mendoza town.

The overview also refers to natural reserves and historic towns, but the detailed route information focuses on the Cordon del Plata Natural Reserve and the ranch. Do not book this expecting a long town-to-town sightseeing circuit. The strongest promise is a mountain day centered on horses, gauchos, and food.

What to pack and how to prepare

The operator does not include personal items, clothing, or hygiene supplies. Bring what you need for a full day outside, with special attention to changing mountain weather.

You should also plan for moderate physical activity. Comfortable riding clothes and suitable outdoor layers are sensible, though the exact packing list is not provided in the tour details. The key advice is to prepare for temperature and weather changes rather than dress only for Mendoza’s conditions in town.

Your guide has communication equipment and a first aid kit, but you should still take responsibility for your own basics. Bring any personal items you normally need during a long day away from your hotel.

The horses are the reassuring part for new riders. Their training and calm behavior are praised repeatedly. Still, you should tell the operator about your experience level and any concern before the ride begins. A good match between rider, horse, and guide can make a major difference.

Weather, cancellation, and practical limits

This activity depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time.

Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in Mendoza, so plan around that rather than your home time zone.

The tour includes professional bilingual guidance, but the material does not specify the languages beyond that description. It also does not include liability insurance. Any service not specifically listed is outside the price.

Who will enjoy this Andes ride most?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want an active day and care about local character. It suits you if you like mountain scenery, are curious about gaucho traditions, and want to trade a busy schedule for a slow ride through open country.

It is especially appealing for first-time riders who feel nervous about horses. The animals are praised as gentle and easy to control, and the local guides receive strong approval for their care and insight.

Couples may appreciate the small group limit and private transport. Food lovers will enjoy the asado and wine, but the meal works best as part of the wider day rather than as a stand-alone food tour.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, have limited physical fitness, or want guaranteed weather. The ride takes place in the mountains, and the tour description does not promise a specific trail length, exact meal hour, or fixed list of town visits.

Should you book the horseback ride and asado?

Book it if your idea of a great Mendoza day includes quiet mountain views, a well-trained horse, local guides, and beef cooked over fire. The combination is unusually strong: the ride gives you access to the Andes, while the gaucho meal adds a clear sense of place.

The strongest reasons to go are the horses, the tiny group size, and the guides. Daniel, Agustin, and Cristina are all praised for their care and communication, and the horses appear to make the experience accessible to people with little riding experience.

Skip it if $248 feels too high for one day, if you want a short activity close to Mendoza, or if moderate physical activity is not right for you. For the right person, though, this is a memorable way to see the Uco Valley and Cordon del Plata area without reducing the Andes to a quick photo stop.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 10 hours, including transportation from Mendoza town, the mountain ride, the barbecue, and the return trip.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 9:00 a.m.

Does transportation from Mendoza hotels come with the price?

Yes. Round-trip private transportation from your hotel in Mendoza town is included.

Is the tour suitable for someone with little horseback riding experience?

The horses are described as gentle, well trained, and easy to control. The tour still requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

What food and drinks are included?

A traditional gaucho barbecue and drinks are included. The detailed descriptions refer to the meal as lunch, while the tour description calls it dinner, so the exact timing may vary.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.