Reviewed · 2-DAY EXPERIENCES
Two day ride through the Sierras
The best views arrive at a slower pace. This two-day horseback ride from Córdoba takes you through the Sierras Chicas, across the ranch, and into the surrounding mountains, with enough time to let the scenery unfold. I like the careful horse matching, with 28 horses chosen according to your ability and needs, and I like that the price includes lodging, all meals, and drinks.
The overnight stay at El Rosal ranch gives this outing more character than a standard day ride. You sleep in the countryside among farm animals and share a traditional asado, local salami, and wine. The main consideration is the physical demand: you should be in good shape for about six hours in the saddle each day, and the pace may include waiting while the group is organized.
In This Review
- The essentials at a glance
- Why two days make sense in the Sierras Chicas
- Choosing the right horse for your ability
- Riding six hours a day through mountain country
- The ranch experience at El Rosal
- Food, wine, and a proper Argentine asado
- The gaucho atmosphere and the riding team
- Who should book this ride?
- Practical details before you reserve
- Should you book the two-day Sierras ride?
- FAQ
- How long does the horseback riding last each day?
- Where does the experience start?
- Where does the tour finish?
- Is accommodation included?
- Are meals and drinks included?
- Can beginners join?
- How many horses are available?
- Is this a private activity?
- What is the cancellation policy?
The essentials at a glance
- Six hours of riding each day: This is a serious two-day ride, not a short introduction to horseback riding.
- A horse matched to your ability: The ranch has 28 horses, with options for beginners and more experienced riders.
- Overnight at El Rosal ranch: You stay in a country house surrounded by nature and farm animals.
- Meals and drinks included: Salami, wine, and an Argentine asado are part of the experience.
- Private group format: Only your group takes part, giving the outing a more personal feel.
- Start and finish near El Manzano: The meeting point is on Ruta Provincial E53, in Córdoba’s Sierras Chicas.
Why two days make sense in the Sierras Chicas

A single horseback ride can show you a pretty view and little else. Two days allow you to settle into the horse, learn the feel of the ranch, and see several types of scenery around the Sierras Chicas.
The ride is designed for people staying in Córdoba and nearby areas who want more than a few hours in the saddle. You visit the interior of the ranch, the surrounding mountains, and different geographic areas around the property. The stated aim is to reach the mountain summits and take in the views from several points.
That extra time matters. On day one, you are still getting to know your horse and the guides. On day two, you can pay more attention to the countryside instead of thinking about every movement in the saddle. I would choose this format if horseback riding is a central part of your holiday, rather than an activity you want to squeeze between city visits.
The setting also gives the outing a strong local feel. This is not simply a horse ride through a scenic area followed by a return to town. The ranch, the animals, the food, and the overnight stay are all part of the experience. You get a better sense of rural Córdoba and the gaucho tradition by spending time in the place where the horses are kept and cared for.
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Choosing the right horse for your ability

The first important step is the meeting between you, the riding team, and the horses. The ranch has 28 horses, and the goal is to match each rider with an animal suited to their experience and requirements.
That is good news for beginners. You do not need to arrive as an accomplished rider, and the experience welcomes different ability levels. At the same time, more experienced riders are not being asked to ride a single, basic lesson horse. The range of horses is intended to accommodate both ends of the group.
The horses have been described as noble, safe, and well trained, but each has its own character. That detail is worth taking seriously. A horse’s personality can shape your whole ride, especially when you spend two full days together. A calm, steady horse may suit a first-time rider, while a more experienced person may prefer a horse with a little more spirit.
Still, all ability levels welcome does not mean no physical effort required. Six hours of riding each day can be tiring even if you are comfortable around horses. Saddle time works muscles that you may not notice until the second morning. If you rarely ride, be honest about your condition and tell the team what you need during the initial introduction.
Riding six hours a day through mountain country
The ride covers the ranch, the Sierras Chicas, and the mountains around the property. You can expect the focus to remain on views, open country, and the changing geography of the area rather than on a checklist of named attractions.
The route is intended to bring you toward the mountain summits, where the scenery opens up. You will have time to look around and enjoy the views at horseback speed, which is one of the main pleasures here. A horse carries you far enough to see more than you would on foot, but slowly enough to notice the character of the countryside.
The practical tradeoff is time. The route may include pauses as horses and riders are organized, and one account of the ride noted some waiting. That is not necessarily a flaw on a private rural outing, but it does mean you should not expect a tightly timed itinerary. Bring patience and enjoy the slower rhythm.
The private format helps. Only your group takes part, so the ride is not built around a large line of unfamiliar riders. The team can focus on matching horses and managing the needs of your party. The exact feel will depend on your group, but the format should suit families, couples, and friends who want a shared outing without joining a large public group.
The ranch experience at El Rosal
The overnight stay is the feature that turns this into more than a long ride. You sleep at the El Rosal ranch country house, in the middle of nature and surrounded by farm animals.
The accommodation is intended for people who want to disconnect. That means you should think of it as a rural stay rather than a conventional hotel night. The supplied information does not describe room types or a detailed list of facilities, so ask about comfort options if you need something beyond the standard country-house arrangement.
This stay also gives you a better connection to the horses and the working ranch. Instead of ending the day in town, you remain close to the animals and the countryside. That is especially valuable if your main interest is an authentic gaucho experience.
For visitors based in Córdoba, the ranch provides a change of pace without requiring a long multi-day expedition. You meet at Ruta Provincial E53, near El Manzano, and return to the same meeting point at the end of the activity. Transfer details are not specified, so confirm how you will reach the start if you are not arranging your own transport.
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Food, wine, and a proper Argentine asado
All meals and drinks are included, which adds real value to the $240 price. You are not paying only for the riding hours and then arranging food and a bed separately. The package covers the overnight stay, meals, and drinks during the two-day experience.
The food is part of the local character. You can try salami and wine, and the overnight stay includes a great asado. For many people, the shared meal will be one of the strongest memories of the outing. Argentine asado is not just a practical dinner after a day outdoors. It is a social part of rural life, and it fits the gaucho theme far better than a generic restaurant meal.
I would still check dietary needs before booking. The information confirms that all meals and drinks are included, but it does not specify vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or other alternatives. Do not wait until arrival to raise an important food requirement.
The included meals also make the price easier to judge. At $240 per person, you receive two days of riding, accommodation, food, drinks, horse selection, and the services of the riding team. The value is strongest if you want the full rural package. It is less compelling if you only want a brief ride and do not care about sleeping at the ranch.
The gaucho atmosphere and the riding team
The experience aims to make you feel like one more gaucho, rather than a visitor passing through for a quick photo. That goal comes through in the combination of horses, countryside, ranch life, and food.
Salvador Gimenez is the named provider and gaucho guide connected with the experience. One account describes two days with Salvador and a French crew, with volunteers who were friendly and experienced. It also notes that Salvador did not ride with the group on that occasion. This is a useful detail to clarify before booking if you specifically want the owner or named guide to be in the saddle beside you.
That point does not cancel out the quality of the outing. The horses were praised for being well educated, appealing, and individually spirited, while the volunteers were described as capable. Still, guide arrangements can affect the feel of a private tour, so ask who will lead your particular departure.
The English-language offering should help international visitors communicate during the activity. The information confirms that it is offered in English, though the exact language mix may vary depending on the team and your group.
Who should book this ride?
I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want horses to be the main event of your Córdoba visit. It suits riders who enjoy unhurried days outdoors and who like the idea of spending the night at a working country property.
It is also a good fit for families, since all ability levels are welcome and one private group can take part together. The note that most participants can join suggests the activity is broadly accessible, but the six-hour riding days remain the key test. A beginner who is fit and comfortable trying something new may do well. Someone with limited mobility or little tolerance for extended saddle time should ask more questions first.
More advanced riders may appreciate having a choice among 28 horses and covering mountain country over two days. Just keep expectations sensible. The description promises scenery and an authentic ranch experience, not fast riding, technical instruction, or a competitive trail ride.
I would not choose this if you want a tightly scheduled tour with a constant stream of activities. Waiting can occur, and the countryside pace is deliberately relaxed. I also would not book it simply because you have one free afternoon in Córdoba. The two-day format deserves room in your schedule.
Practical details before you reserve
The experience costs $240 per person and lasts approximately two days. It has a mobile ticket and is offered in English. The average booking point is about 12 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last moment if your Córdoba dates are fixed.
You meet at Ruta Provincial E53, near El Manzano, Córdoba, and return there when the ride ends. The exact information does not include hotel pickup, so treat the meeting point as an important planning detail.
Confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is private, with only your group participating. A minimum number of participants is required, and if that minimum is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.
Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. A cancellation made inside that period is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted. That is a fair policy, but make sure your transport and Córdoba plans are settled before the final day.
Pack for a full day outdoors, and tell the team about your riding experience at the start. The most useful preparation is not fancy equipment. It is arriving ready for long hours in the saddle, changing mountain scenery, and a country stay with fewer standard comforts than a city hotel.
Should you book the two-day Sierras ride?
Book it if you want a genuine horse-centered stay near Córdoba, with mountain views, a carefully chosen horse, a ranch overnight, and food included. The strongest parts are the individual attention to horse selection, the safe and well-trained animals, and the chance to eat asado and sleep among farm animals at El Rosal.
Think twice if you are not fit for six hours of riding each day, need a tightly timed schedule, or expect Salvador himself to ride with the group. Confirm the guide team, accommodation comfort, dietary arrangements, and meeting-point transport before paying.
For the right rider, $240 is a solid package price. You get far more than a scenic ride: two full days in the Sierras Chicas and a taste of gaucho life that would be difficult to reproduce on a short city excursion.
FAQ
How long does the horseback riding last each day?
The ride involves approximately six hours of horseback riding per day.
Where does the experience start?
The meeting point is Ruta Provincial E53RP E53, El Manzano, Córdoba, Argentina.
Where does the tour finish?
The activity ends back at the original meeting point.
Is accommodation included?
Yes. You stay at the El Rosal ranch country house in Agua de Oro, in the Sierras Chicas area of Córdoba.
Are meals and drinks included?
Yes. All meals and drinks are included, with local salami, wine, and an Argentine asado among the food highlights.
Can beginners join?
Yes. The experience welcomes beginners and more advanced riders, with horses selected to suit your level and requirements.
How many horses are available?
The ranch has 28 horses available for matching with riders.
Is this a private activity?
Yes. Only your group participates.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.
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