Mendoza: Horseback Ride & Gaucho Roast with Wine in Andes Foothills

Summary

Horseback riding in Mendoza’s foothills, mate rituals and gaucho barbecue

You’ll ride gentle horses through Mendoza’s pre-Andes foothills with local guides, share mate at a family-run gaucho post, spot wild animals from mountain viewpoints, and finish with an open-fire roast dinner and local wine under big skies. It’s not polished—it’s real, warm, and full of small surprises you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I was nervous about the horses at first. We’d just bumped along the last bit of dirt road out from Mendoza city, dust swirling behind us, and suddenly there were these gentle-eyed horses waiting by the old gaucho post. The air smelled like dry grass and woodsmoke. Before anything else, our hosts—actual family, not just staff—handed us steaming mate. I tried to sip it like they showed me (don’t stir the straw, they said), but mostly I just watched them joke around while they saddled up the horses. It felt like we were guests at someone’s weekend gathering instead of some organized tour.

The ride itself was longer than I expected—three hours or so, winding through hills that looked soft from far away but up close were all rocks and little bursts of yellow flowers. Our guide, Martín, kept pointing out things: condors circling way above us (I nearly missed them), a shy guanaco darting off between scrubby bushes. At one point my horse stopped dead to sniff something invisible; Martín just grinned and said she was “gossiping.” The wind up there is sharp on your cheeks but it wakes you up in a good way. When we finally reached the viewpoint—somewhere around 2000 meters high—I got off mostly to stretch my legs but then just stood there staring at the city below. You could hear nothing except maybe your own breath.

Coming back down felt easier somehow, maybe because I was already thinking about food. Back at the post there was this smoky smell drifting from the grill—beef and pork roasting right over coals, vegetables charred around the edges. We ate outside at a long wooden table while Martín poured glasses of Mendoza wine that tasted deeper than what I’m used to back home. Someone tried to teach me how to say “asado” properly; Li laughed when I butchered it in Spanish. By then it was getting dark and cooler, but nobody seemed in a hurry to leave.

I still think about that view sometimes—the silence up there—and how sharing food with strangers can feel oddly familiar after a day like that. If you’re looking for a horseback riding tour near Mendoza that’s more about people than perfect photos… well, this one stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Horseback riding and mountain roast

• Arrive at gaucho post
• Enjoy mates and horse preparation
• Receive horseback riding briefing
• Ride horses for 3 hours
• Stop at 2000m viewpoint
• Take photos of landscape
• Return to gaucho post
• Enjoy typical country roast and wine
• Return to Mendoza city

Top questions

How long does the horseback riding tour in Mendoza last?

The horseback ride lasts about three hours through hills and plains near Mendoza.

Is lunch included on this Mendoza horseback riding day trip?

Yes, a traditional country roast with beef, pork, salads, roasted vegetables, water and wine is included.

Do I need horse riding experience for this tour?

No prior experience is needed; the horses are suitable for all fitness levels.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride starts from a gaucho post at the foot of Mendoza’s pre-mountain range, about an hour from the city.

Are vegetarian options available during lunch?

The meal includes fresh salads and roasted vegetables alongside meat dishes.

What animals might we see during the ride?

You might see guanacos, condors, foxes or hares along the route.

Is hotel pickup included for this Mendoza horseback excursion?

The tour includes pickup from Mendoza city for convenience.

What time does the tour return to Mendoza?

The group returns to Mendoza city around 10 pm after dinner.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Mendoza city out to a family-run gaucho post where you’ll be welcomed with mate tea before saddling up for a guided three-hour horseback ride through hills and plains; after exploring mountain viewpoints you’ll return for an open-fire roast dinner with fresh salads, roasted vegetables and unlimited local wine before heading back in the evening.