Horseback riding, barbecue and wines in Tupungato, Uco Valley

Andes views come with lunch. This seven-hour outing pairs a calm horseback ride near Tupungato with mountain scenery, a high-altitude toast, and a proper Argentine asado back at the ranch. I like the personal feel of the Estancia Los Coirones setting, where Walter, Facundo, Trinidad, and their family welcome you into a working rural home rather than a large tourist complex.

I also like the ride itself. You spend two to three hours near streams, open country, and the foothills of the Andes, with views toward Tupungato Volcano and the Cordón del Plata. The main consideration is the price, $280 per person, plus a small uncertainty in the schedule: one account did not include the promised toast and cheese tasting at 2,400 meters, so I would confirm that detail before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• The ride covers roughly 14 kilometers: One account describes a long, peaceful ride with plenty of time in the saddle, not a quick photo stop on a horse.
• The high point is about 2,400 meters: You may toast and taste regional cheese, cold cuts, and enjoy broad mountain views from the viewpoint.
• The food is a major part of the day: Expect empanadas, roast meat, salads, dessert, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks at the ranch.
• The setting feels family-run: Walter manages the ranch and also prepares the barbecue, while Facundo and Trinidad may guide the ride.
• The group is capped at 14 people: That keeps the outing smaller than a standard bus excursion, though it is not a private tour.
• Weather matters: The ride can be moved or refunded if poor conditions make it unsafe or impractical.

Arriving at Estancia Los Coirones in Tupungato

The experience takes place in the Uco Valley, a wine country area west of Mendoza, with the Andes rising nearby. Your meeting point is Estancia Los Coirones in Tupungato, and the activity ends there after lunch.

The published information gives two different morning times. The meeting details list a 9:00 a.m. start, while the day plan says you arrive at 10:30 a.m. for coffee or mate, with riding beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pickup is offered, and one person described a prompt hotel pickup, but you should confirm your exact collection time and meeting arrangement after booking.

That timing matters. If you are coming from central Mendoza, the drive can take a sizable part of the morning, while someone staying in Tupungato may have a simpler start. One person specifically noted that the ranch was convenient because they were staying in Tupungato.

Once you arrive, the pace is meant to be easy. You begin with coffee or mate and food, giving you time to settle in before handling the horses. That is a better approach than rushing straight from a vehicle into the saddle, especially if you have little riding experience.

Coffee, mate, and a gentle start with the horses

The welcome is part of the appeal. Walter and his wife greet you at the rural house, and the morning begins with a hot drink and something to eat. Mate is a useful Argentine touch here. It is not simply tea, but a social ritual often shared in a relaxed circle.

Before the ride, you receive instructions on how to lead and manage the horse. The horses are described as calm and safe, which makes this more approachable for a first-time or occasional rider. You still need to be comfortable sitting on a horse for several hours, but this is not presented as a fast or technically demanding riding lesson.

The family-run setting also shapes the mood. You are not being moved through a string of unrelated stops. The same ranch community handles your welcome, ride, and meal, so the day has a clear rhythm.

A practical note: wear comfortable clothing and bring a coat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Mountain weather can shift, and the combination of sun, wind, and altitude makes a jacket useful even on a pleasant day. Closed shoes and long trousers would be sensible, although the supplied details do not set a formal dress code.

Riding beneath Tupungato Volcano and the Cordón del Plata

The horseback ride begins at about 11:00 a.m. and lasts two to three hours. It takes you through the Andean foothills around the Uco Valley, with streams, open fields, mountain views, and chances to spot wildlife.

The ride is the heart of the outing. You are moving at the pace of the horses, with time to notice birds, hear hoofbeats, and watch the country pass without the distraction of a vehicle. One person described the day as peaceful and relaxed, with Walter’s dogs joining the ride and happily exploring along the way. The dogs are not guaranteed as part of the program, but their presence gives you a sense of the open, informal character of the ranch.

The route covers about 14 kilometers according to one account. That gives you a useful idea of scale, but the exact distance may change with conditions and the group. If you have never ridden before, two to three hours can feel long. Tell the guide about your experience and any concerns before setting off.

Facundo is praised for being patient and friendly, and he knows the area well. Trinidad has also guided the ride. Walter may lead the horses as well, depending on the group and the day. The important point is that the guides are closely connected to the property, rather than being detached escorts brought in only for the activity.

You should not expect a galloping adventure. The appeal is the quiet ride and the scenery. If you want speed, jumps, or formal riding instruction, this is probably not the right choice. If you want a calm way to see the foothills, it fits much better.

The 2,400-meter viewpoint and high-altitude toast

The route climbs to a viewpoint at about 2,400 meters above sea level. From there, you are meant to look across the Uco Valley and toward the Andes while tasting regional cheeses and cold cuts.

This stop gives the ride a clear destination. You are not simply circling the ranch. The climb adds a sense of progress, and the view helps explain why horseback riding works so well here. A vehicle can get you to a lookout quickly, but arriving on horseback gives the place more time and scale.

The planned toast is also a nice bridge between rural Argentina and Mendoza’s wine culture. You get a small tasting moment in the mountains before returning to the ranch for the main meal.

There is one detail to watch closely. One person had a wonderful day but said the toast and regional cheese tasting at the viewpoint did not take place. That did not ruin the outing, but it means you should treat this part as planned rather than absolutely guaranteed. Ask about weather, route conditions, and the viewpoint toast when you confirm your booking.

At 2,400 meters, bring water and protect yourself from the sun. The supplied information does not list a formal altitude restriction, and most people can participate, but anyone with a medical concern should make their own judgment before booking.

Returning to the ranch for an Argentine asado

After the ride, you return to Estancia Los Coirones for lunch. This is not a rushed boxed meal. The menu begins with meat empanadas and cold cuts, followed by roast meat, vegetables, and salads. Dessert and non-alcoholic drinks are included, and selected wines accompany the meal.

The asado is a strong reason to choose this outing over a basic horse ride. In Argentina, barbecue is not just food placed on a plate. It is a social meal that rewards lingering, conversation, and another glass of wine. Here, the meal gives you a chance to slow down after the ride and enjoy the rural house at its best.

Walter is both ranch manager and cook, and that connection matters. The food is tied to the place and the family hosting you. The wine and fresh food add a clear Mendoza touch without turning the day into a formal winery visit.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is not a vineyard tour with cellar tastings, varietal lessons, or several winery stops. The wine is part of the lunch, and the main focus is the ride, ranch, and asado. For many people, that balance is more appealing than spending the day moving between tasting rooms.

The schedule ends around 4:00 or 4:30 p.m. That makes this a full day, but not an exhausting late-night activity. If you have evening dinner plans in Mendoza, leave room for the return drive and any pickup arrangements.

What the $280 price gives you

At $280 per person, this is a premium half-day or extended day outing. The value depends on what you want from a Mendoza visit.

You are paying for a small-group rural experience, a two-to-three-hour ride, the guides, the ranch welcome, the meal, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and possibly hotel pickup. The group maximum is 14, which is far more personal than a large coach excursion. The family-run setting also gives the day a sense of contact with local life that a standard sightseeing loop may not provide.

The price is easier to justify if you value several activities in one package. Booking a separate horseback ride, meal, wine tasting, and transport could cost more and involve more coordination. It is less attractive if you mainly want a short ride or a quick introduction to horses.

Pickup is an important part of the value, but confirm exactly what is included for your hotel and location. The details say pickup is offered, while the listed meeting point is the estancia, so the practical arrangement may depend on where you are staying.

The small number of published ratings means you should not treat the perfect score as a guarantee for every date. Still, the praise is consistent on the points that matter most: the horses are calm, the guides are warm and patient, the scenery is beautiful, and the asado is excellent.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this for someone who wants a quiet outdoor day with food and wine, not a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with suitable riding ages, and anyone who prefers a personal rural visit to a large commercial attraction.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Tupungato or planning to spend several days in the Uco Valley. The outing gives you a different view of the area beyond wineries and tasting rooms.

You should think twice if you dislike horses, cannot sit comfortably in the saddle for two to three hours, or want a strong focus on wine education. You may also prefer another activity if you need a guaranteed high-altitude stop, since the viewpoint toast may depend on conditions and the day’s operation.

Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 14. The available information does not give age limits, weight limits, or detailed mobility guidance, so ask before booking if any of those factors apply to you.

Weather, cancellation, and useful planning tips

This activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can take another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Bring comfortable clothes, a coat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. I would also carry water and keep your phone protected from dust or a fall during the ride. Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book.

The experience is offered in English. If you want to ask about the horses, riding pace, food, or viewpoint stop, do so before departure. Clear questions are especially useful here because the start time and pickup details appear differently in the published information.

Should you book Horseback Riding, Barbecue and Wine in Tupungato?

I would book it if you want your Uco Valley day to feel personal, peaceful, and rooted in the countryside. The combination of Andean views, calm horses, a family-run estancia, and a generous asado is stronger than any one element alone.

The main reasons to hesitate are the $280 price, the long time on horseback, and the possibility that the high viewpoint toast may not happen. Confirm the pickup time, start time, and tasting stop before paying.

If those points work for you, this is a fine choice for a slower Mendoza day. You get fresh air, open mountain views, Argentine barbecue, and direct contact with a rural family. That is a lot more memorable than simply checking another winery off a list.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience take place?

It takes place at Estancia Los Coirones in Tupungato, Mendoza, in the Uco Valley near the Andean foothills.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about seven hours. It begins in the morning and ends at the ranch between 4:00 and 4:30 p.m.

What time does the activity start?

The meeting details list a 9:00 a.m. start, while the day plan describes arrival at 10:30 a.m. and horseback riding at 11:00 a.m. Confirm your exact time after booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The exact arrangement depends on your location, so confirm the pickup time and place when your booking is confirmed.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride lasts about two to three hours. One account described a total route of roughly 14 kilometers.

What scenery can I expect during the ride?

The route includes mountain views, streams, open fields, wildlife, Tupungato Volcano, and the Cordón del Plata.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes meat empanadas, cold cuts, roast meat, vegetables, salads, dessert, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. Coffee or mate and food are provided at the morning welcome.

Is the high-altitude toast included?

The planned visit includes a toast at about 2,400 meters with regional cheeses and cold cuts. This stop may depend on conditions and the day’s operation, so confirm it before departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time.