Bariloche: Horseback Riding & Asado Lunch at Patagonian Ranch

Horseback ride Bariloche’s wild steppe then feast on asado

You’ll ride gentle horses across Bariloche’s wild steppe with a local guide who knows every hill and bird by name. Share mate tea in a converted schoolhouse before your horseback journey through forests and past lakes. Afterward, relax over an Argentine asado lunch with wine at one of Patagonia’s oldest ranches—and maybe leave feeling like you’ve made new friends.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup in Bariloche by air-conditioned coach to San Ramón Ranch.
• all necessary riding equipment.
• guidance from local experts.
• a light breakfast with sweets, coffee, juice and mate tea.
• a two-hour horseback ride through lakeside forests and steppe.
• then a traditional three-course Argentine asado lunch with an open bar of wine, sodas and mineral water before heading back to town.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback ride and traditional barbecue

• Hotel pickup in Bariloche
• Travel one hour east to San Ramón Ranch
• Light breakfast at old countryside school
• Learn horseback riding techniques
• 2-hour guided horseback ride into Andes foothills
• Admire lake, forests, and Patagonian steppe
• Spot condors, swans, guanacos, and deer
• Return to ranch for 3-course Argentine asado lunch
• Enjoy open bar with wine and soft drinks
• Transport back to Bariloche hotel

The Experience

“You see those hills? My abuelo used to say the wind here never tells the same story twice,” our guide Martín grinned as he handed me the reins. I still remember how the air smelled—like dry grass, woodsmoke, and something sweet from the mate tea they poured for us in that old schoolhouse-turned-dining room. It was early but already bright, and I could hear distant laughter from ranch hands somewhere behind the stables. The drive from Bariloche took about an hour, but out here it felt like we’d crossed into another world—just open sky and those Andes foothills rolling out forever.

I’m not really a rider (last time was… maybe a pony at age six?) but Martín showed us how to hold ourselves so the horses did most of the thinking. We set off past a lake that looked almost too blue, with cypress trees crowding its edges. At one point, a pair of black-necked swans glided by—Martín pointed them out with this quiet pride, like he knew every bird personally. The horses’ hooves made this soft crunch on the path, and when we reached the Patagonian steppe, everything opened up—just wind and silence except for someone’s jacket flapping behind me.

Lunch back at San Ramón Ranch was… honestly, I didn’t expect it to feel so communal. Plates of asado kept coming—beef that tasted smoky and rich, plus salads and bread that disappeared fast after two hours in the saddle. Someone poured me more Malbec than I probably needed (I won’t lie), and we all sat around swapping stories in half-Spanish, half-English. One of the cooks tried to teach me how to say “chimichurri” properly—Li laughed when I butchered it. The whole thing felt less like a tour and more like being invited into someone’s weekend.

I keep thinking about that quiet moment riding through those forests before we hit open grassland—the way sunlight flickered through cypress branches onto my hands. If you’re looking for some polished adventure or fancy gear, maybe this isn’t it. But if you want real people, real food, and a couple hours where time just slows down… well, you’ll find it here outside Bariloche.

Top questions

How long is the horseback ride near Bariloche?

The guided horseback ride lasts about 2 hours through forests and steppe outside Bariloche.

Is lunch included on the Bariloche horseback riding tour?

Yes, a 3-course traditional Argentine asado lunch with drinks is included at San Ramón Ranch.

Are beginners welcome on this horseback riding tour?

Yes, riders of all experience levels are welcome; guides provide instructions before setting off.

What animals might I see during the ride?

You may spot condors, black-necked swans, guanacos, deer, and other native wildlife along the route.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Bariloche?

Yes, round-trip hotel transport from Bariloche is included in your booking.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated for lunch?

If you have dietary restrictions, mention them when booking so accommodations can be made.

How far is San Ramón Ranch from Bariloche?

The ranch is about an hour east of Bariloche by air-conditioned coach.