Horseback riding in Mendoza: Mountain trails with gaucho guide

Ride gentle horses through peaks where rivers begin, then taste fresh bread and salami made by your gaucho host

Horseback riding in Mendoza pairs 3 hours of riding through the Plata Mountain Range with a full day at a family-run mountain post, guided by Don Daniel, an authentic Andes gaucho. You ride at your own pace through panoramic terrain, then sit down to homemade meals: mates and sopaipillas on arrival, a picada of cheese and cured meats before the main event, and a complete asado (barbecue) cooked at 2,850 meters with Mendoza wine. Transportation from Mendoza, all food and drink, riding equipment and a professional guide in English or Spanish are included. Minimum age is 14.

The experience

The Plata Mountain Range rises between 4,000 and 6,000 meters, and the ride takes you through that terrain at a pace that lets you absorb it. Don Daniel, who has spent his life in these mountains, leads the way on trails most visitors never find. The horses are raised on the property with the care that makes the ride safe and steady, so you can focus on the landscape instead of managing the animal.

The day builds around food and altitude. When you arrive at the mountain post, Marisa, the family cook, welcomes you with mates and homemade sopaipillas. Before the main barbecue, you'll eat a picada of local cheese, bread and salami. Then comes the asado itself: a full Argentinean barbecue cooked in the mountains and paired with Mendoza wine. The meal happens at 2,850 meters, so the views and the altitude frame everything you taste.

Pickup and return transport from Mendoza are included, along with bottled water throughout the day. The whole experience runs 10 hours, so you leave early and return with time to rest before dinner in town.

What’s included

• Transportation to and from Mendoza.
• horseback riding equipment.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• breakfast (mates and sopaipillas).
• picada (cheese, bread and salami).
• full barbecue lunch with Mendoza wine.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Rancho Don Daniel

Is this one for you?Small groups ride together with Don Daniel, so you're never alone on the trail but the group stays intimate enough that the gaucho can adjust the pace and stops to the riders present. This works best if you're comfortable spending a full day in the saddle and at altitude, and want the real experience of a mountain gaucho's day rather than a quick ride with city views.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

How much of the day do I actually spend riding?

The horseback riding itself is 3 hours, moving through the mountain trails at a steady pace. The rest of the 10-hour day is spent at the family post, eating, resting and taking in the views.

What kind of horses are used for this ride?

The horses are raised on the property and trained for mountain riding. They're chosen for steadiness and safety, so the experience works for riders of different levels.

Will I be riding alone or with other people?

You ride as part of a group with other travelers, all guided by Don Daniel. Group size varies by departure.

What's included in the meals?

Breakfast consists of mates and homemade sopaipillas when you arrive. A picada of cheese, bread and cured salami comes before the main event: a full Argentinean barbecue cooked in the mountains and served with Mendoza wine.

What's the altitude like during the ride?

The mountains reach between 4,000 and 6,000 meters, and the barbecue happens at 2,850 meters. The ride itself moves through high terrain, so you'll feel the altitude. The activity is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or if you're pregnant.