Horseback Riding Mendoza: High-Altitude Ranch, Wine & BBQ

Two and a half hours in the saddle, then wine, empanadas, and a Creole roast at the edge of the mountains

Horseback riding at El Pico Palma ranch in La Carrera valley, Mendoza, where you ride Creole horses across private terrain surrounded by Cordón del Plata peaks, then sit down to homemade empanadas paired with high-altitude wines and a full Argentine barbecue menu. The ranch, family-owned for over 250 years and set at 2,000 meters above sea level, is attended by its owners. Pickup is included from your accommodation; the guide speaks English or Spanish. Minimum age is 18.

The Experience

You arrive at El Pico Palma ranch in Carrera Tupungato, where the Palma family has worked the land for more than 250 years. The ranch sits at 2,000 meters above sea level, ringed by the Cordón del Plata mountains and the Pre-cordillera—the landscape that defines La Carrera valley. Pickup from your hotel is included, so you step out of the car already at altitude, already standing where the day unfolds.

The horseback riding lasts two and a half hours. You ride Creole horses equipped with traditional saddles and gear, moving through the ranch's private terrain where the views don't break. The horses are top-level stock, trained for the altitude and the ground. There's no crowd here—the privacy is part of what the ranch offers. After you return, the owners welcome you with an aperitif: homemade empanadas paired with wines made at high altitude, the kind that taste different because of where the grapes grow. Then comes the main event—a full Creole barbecue menu, regional desserts, and time to sit with the mountains in front of you.

After lunch, the day is yours to shape. Some guests rest and watch the light move across the peaks. Others hike the property or ask the owners about the ranch itself. The whole experience runs seven hours from pickup to return, so you're not rushed through any part of it.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• two and a half hours of horseback riding on Creole horses with traditional saddles.
• homemade empanadas paired with high-altitude wines.
• a full Argentine barbecue menu with regional desserts.
• access to the ranch grounds after lunch for rest or hiking.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Estancia El Pico

Is this one for you?Book this if you're arriving without a car—pickup from Mendoza is included, making the high-altitude ranch accessible without extra logistics.

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Top questions

What kind of horses will I ride?

Creole horses, top-level stock suited to high-altitude terrain and equipped with traditional Argentine saddles and gear.

How long is the actual horseback riding?

Two and a half hours in the saddle, moving through the private ranch terrain at 2,000 meters.

What happens after the ride?

You return to the ranch house for an aperitif of homemade empanadas paired with high-altitude wines, followed by a full Argentine barbecue menu and regional desserts.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, private transportation from your accommodation in Mendoza is included in the experience.

What is La Carrera valley?

La Carrera valley is the exclusive corner of the Andes foothills where El Pico Palma ranch sits, surrounded by the Cordón del Plata and Pre-cordillera mountains.

Can I do other activities after lunch?

Yes, after the barbecue you can rest and take in the views, hike the property, or arrange other activities with the owners.