Horseback Riding Uco Valley Mendoza: 3.5-Hour Mountain Ride

Ride the Uco Valley foothills and eat what you catch in the mountains

A full-day horseback riding activity in the Uco Valley, located in the Andes foothills near Mendoza, where you spend 3.5 hours in the saddle with a professional guide, then finish with a traditional Argentine asado lunch. Round-trip minivan transport from your Mendoza hotel is included, and groups stay under 12 people. Minimum age is 12; a moderate level of fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horseback riding and lunch in Uco Valley

• Meet at downtown Mendoza point
• Transfer to Uco Valley
• Arrive at horseback riding start location
• Horseback ride through Uco Valley
• Enjoy traditional Argentine lunch
• Return transfer to hotel

The Experience

If you land in Mendoza with a free afternoon or a morning to spare, this ride fills the day without you arranging transport or a meal. The minivan picks you up at your hotel in downtown Mendoza and drives you into the Uco Valley, where the foothills of the Cordón del Plata rise around you. You meet your guide at the riding station and spend the next 3.5 hours in the saddle, moving through the landscape at a pace that lets you take it in—the mountains stay visible the whole time, and condors circle overhead while you ride.

The ride itself is the core of the day. Your guide is bilingual and experienced with the terrain; they set the pace and handle the route so you can focus on the horse and the view. The group stays at 12 people maximum, which means you are not part of a crowd and the guide can actually see who needs help. After you finish riding, you head to the lunch spot, where an Argentine asado—a full grilled steak meal cooked over fire—is waiting. Drinks are included. The minivan takes you back to your hotel afterward, so the whole day is contained and you do not have to think about getting anywhere.

The main constraint is fitness: you need at least a moderate level of it to spend 3.5 hours on a horse. Spinal injuries and pregnancy are not compatible with riding. The minimum age is 12. Bring a passport—the operator needs your name, number, expiry date, date of birth and country at booking for all participants.

What’s included

• Round-trip minivan transport from your Mendoza hotel.
• professional bilingual guide.
• 3.5 to 4 hours of horseback riding through the Uco Valley.
• traditional Argentine asado lunch with drinks.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Kahuak

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to spend most of your day in the saddle rather than traveling—the 3.5-hour ride is the main event, with transport and lunch as bookends.

Traveler reviews

4.60★★★★★★★★★★

15 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

How long is the actual horseback riding part of the day?

The horseback riding lasts 3.5 to 4 hours, moving through the Uco Valley foothills at a pace your guide sets based on the group's comfort level.

What happens after the ride ends?

After you finish riding, you eat a traditional Argentine asado—grilled steak cooked over fire—with drinks included. Then the minivan returns you to your hotel in Mendoza.

Does the tour include getting to the Uco Valley from Mendoza?

Yes, round-trip minivan transport from your hotel in downtown Mendoza is included in the price. The driver picks you up and drops you back at the end of the day.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide is bilingual in English and Spanish, so they can lead the ride and explain the landscape in either language.

What is the Cordón del Plata?

The Cordón del Plata, or Silver Cord, is a mountain range in the Andes that forms the backdrop of the Uco Valley. You ride through its foothills and see it throughout the day.

Is this tour suitable if I have never ridden a horse before?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness and assumes you are comfortable on a horse for 3.5 hours. If you are a complete beginner, check with the operator about your readiness before booking.