Horseback riding in Mendoza: Andes foothills with Asado lunch

Ride through semi-desert scrub at the foot of the Andes, then eat grilled Asado at a working farm.

Private horseback riding at Estancia Tierras Andinas in Mendoza combines 2.5 hours of riding through native plants and semi-desert terrain with Gaucho culture, authentic Argentinian food and wine. Groups stay under four people. A driver picks you up in Mendoza city, takes you south through Valle de Uco Valley to the farm, where you start with homemade breakfast and time with young horses before the ride. After returning, you eat Asado, grilled vegetables and empanadas, then choose to rest by the river or ride again if you're experienced.

The experience

Estancia Tierras Andinas sits in Valle de Uco Valley, a two-hour drive south of Mendoza through vineyards and small towns. The day starts at 7:30 am with pickup from your hotel, and the farm welcomes you around 10 am with homemade breakfast. Fresh bread, marmalades, tortafritas and seasonal fruit. You'll spend time with the baby horses before saddling up for the main ride, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours and takes you through the semi-desert landscape at the foot of the Andes. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and shares what to look for in the native plants and animal life as you ride.

After the ride, the farm prepares lunch: prime Argentinian Asado meat grilled with vegetables and salads, served with homemade ketchup, plus traditional meat and vegetarian empanadas. House wine and beer from Mendoza accompany the meal. If you're an experienced rider, you can take a second horseback ride in the afternoon to practice cantering. Otherwise, you can rest by the river. The return to Mendoza city leaves around 6 pm, making this a full day that eats most of your schedule but leaves the evening free.

The farm maintains its horses to high standards and keeps all riding gear in top condition. Weight limit to ride is 90 kilograms. The experience is built for small groups of up to four people, so you're not competing for the guide's attention or the horses' comfort.

What’s included

• Horseback riding for approximately 2.5 hours.
• homemade country breakfast with tea and coffee.
• Asado lunch with grilled vegetables, salads and empanadas.
• house wine and beer.
• bilingual guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• hotel pickup and return transportation from Mendoza city.
• time with young horses at the farm.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Tierras Andinas EcoTurismo

Is this one for you?The full day (pickup at 7:30 am, return around 6 pm) fills most of your schedule, so book this when you want to commit to one major activity and have the evening free for Mendoza's restaurants and wine bars. Groups stay under four people, which means the guide focuses on your group and the horses aren't overworked.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the Valle de Uco Valley like, and why does the farm sit there?

Valle de Uco Valley lies south of Mendoza and is known for its picturesque wineries, vineyards and charming towns. The farm sits at the foot of the Andes in semi-desert terrain, where you'll see native plants and diverse animal life during the ride. The location gives you the Andes as a backdrop and the valley's geography as the landscape you move through.

What happens if I'm not an experienced rider? Can I still do the second ride?

The source describes the optional second ride as "for more experienced riders" who want to practice cantering and enhance their equestrian skills. If you're a beginner or intermediate rider, you can rest by the river instead while others ride again.

What kind of food and wine do I get, and is it included in the price?

Breakfast includes homemade bread, marmalades, tortafritas and seasonal fruit. Lunch is prime Argentinian Asado meat grilled with vegetables and salads, plus traditional meat and vegetarian empanadas. House wine and beer from Mendoza are included. The minimum age to drink is 18 years old. All food and beverages are part of the package.

Does the farm pick me up from my hotel in Mendoza?

Yes, the driver picks you up from your preferred location in Mendoza city at 7:30 am and returns you around 6 pm. Transportation is included.

What's the weight limit for riding, and are there other physical requirements?

The weight limit to ride the horses is 90 kilograms. The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels, but it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.