Private Experience: Horseback Riding and BBQ in the Mountain – Estancia La Carrera

The best part of this day is the setting: you ride through a private estancia at about 2,000 meters, with the Andes rising around you and a route reaching about 2,400 meters. The horses are calm, the pace is gentle, and a local gaucho leads the way while a bilingual guide explains the area. The mountain views and the relaxed, personal hosting by Gilda are the two strongest reasons I would consider booking it.

I also like the full meal afterward. You get homemade empanadas, a proper asado criollo, selected high-altitude wines, dessert, and coffee or tea at the owners’ home. The main drawback is the long road journey, about 95 kilometers from Mendoza City, plus a ride time described as roughly one and a half to two hours, so this is a full country day rather than a quick horseback outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride to 2,400 meters: The route climbs through the private estancia toward wide views of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano.
• Calm Criollo horses: The horses are described as tame and well cared for, with comfortable saddles and traditional tack.
• A real asado lunch: Expect empanadas, grilled meats, salads, clay-oven vegetables, regional dessert, wine, and water.
• Personal pickup and hosting: Gilda and her team arrange pickup by WhatsApp from Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato.
• Private and bilingual: A local gaucho leads the ride, with an English-speaking hospitality manager accompanying you.
• Best for adults who like a slow day: Children under 12, pregnant people, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, those over 75, and people with recent surgery cannot take part.

Reaching Estancia El Pico from Mendoza

Your day begins with pickup in Mendoza City, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. The exact pickup point and time are arranged by WhatsApp, which is useful because hotel locations and road conditions can affect the start of the day.

From Mendoza City, the estancia is about 95 kilometers away. The drive takes roughly 100 minutes by jeep or SUV, according to the planned schedule. That is not a minor transfer. You spend a good part of the day on the road, but the distance is also what takes you from the city and wine-country center into a quieter mountain valley.

Estancia El Pico is in La Carrera, near Tupungato, surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and the Pre-Cordillera. The Palma family has owned the property for more than 250 years, and the experience is still run from the family home. That gives the day a more personal feel than a large ranch attraction with a fixed stream of coach groups.

When you arrive, you are welcomed with coffee or tea and homemade pastries. This small opening matters. You have time to settle in, meet the people running the day, and get a first look at the mountain setting before climbing into the saddle.

A private estancia with Andes views

The property sits at around 2,000 meters above sea level. The ride climbs to about 2,400 meters, where the views open toward Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano. The elevation makes warm clothing and sun protection important, even when the lower parts of Mendoza feel hot.

This is private estancia country, not a public park trail. The route passes through plantations and mountain scenery, with a path made between the mountains. You also have the chance to see local flora and fauna. Condors, foxes, hares, and many bird species are listed as possible companions, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

I like that the route is described as adjustable to riding experience and comfort. That came through clearly in the experience provided by Gilda, where the horses were calm and the route could be adapted to how comfortable the riders felt. Still, you should be honest about your ability before setting out. A mountain ride is not the place to pretend you are an experienced rider if you are not.

Riding calm Criollo horses with a gaucho

The horseback portion lasts about one and a half hours in the main description. The included details describe it as two hours, so you should plan for a ride in the general range of 90 minutes to two hours. The exact timing may depend on the pace of the group and the conditions that day.

The horses are first-class Criollo horses, fitted with comfortable saddles and traditional equipment. The most repeated praise is for their calm nature. That makes a major difference if you are a beginner or an occasional rider. You can pay attention to the scenery instead of worrying about an anxious horse.

A local gaucho leads the route. The bilingual hospitality manager accompanies the ride and explains the history of the estancia and the surrounding area. This pairing gives you both practical support in the saddle and some context for the land, plantations, family property, and local traditions.

The route is not presented as a fast or technical ride. It follows a dirt trail through the mountains and aims for scenery, fresh air, and a connection with rural Mendoza. You should expect an outdoor activity rather than a lesson in advanced riding.

Wear long pants and closed, comfortable shoes. Bring a jacket even in warmer months, since the altitude can bring cooler conditions. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a camera are sensible additions. The supplied advice also includes drinks and warm clothing, so do not rely only on the weather at your hotel in Mendoza.

The high point at 2,400 meters

The strongest riding moment comes when you reach the higher point of the route. From there, you can take in a 360-degree view of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano. This is the place to pause for photographs and look at the scale of the Andes rather than rush back toward lunch.

The scenery is the real reason to choose this ride over a shorter outing near the city. You are not simply circling a corral or riding along a vineyard lane. You are moving through a private mountain property, with plantations below and high peaks around you.

The height also brings practical limits. Sun exposure can be strong, weather can shift, and the ride may feel more tiring than its clock time suggests. If you have recent surgery, are pregnant, have an animal allergy, or have mobility limitations, this activity is not suitable. It is also not offered to children under 12 or people over 75.

Empanadas, wine, and a proper asado criollo

After the ride, you return to the owners’ house for food. First comes an aperitif with homemade empanadas and tapas made from local products. The empanadas are baked in a clay oven, a detail that fits the rural setting and gives the meal a clear local character.

The main lunch is an asado criollo with selected meats, fresh salads, vegetables cooked in the clay oven, regional dessert, wine, and water. This is not a sandwich stop added to a riding tour. The meal is a major part of the day, and the pace allows you to sit, eat, and look back toward the mountains.

The wine is selected for the property and described as high-altitude wine. You can expect tasting to be part of the meal rather than a separate winery tour. That distinction is useful. If your main goal is a detailed lesson on Mendoza’s grape varieties and winemaking, this is not the right tour. If you want local wine served with a long country lunch after riding, it makes much more sense.

Vegetarian food can be accommodated well, based on the experience provided for a vegetarian rider. It is still wise to state your needs when booking, since the information does not promise a full range of dietary options.

After lunch, coffee or tea and homemade pastries are served. You can then spend time looking at the mountain, go for a walk, or simply rest. The slow pace is part of the appeal. You are not pushed straight back into the vehicle after eating.

A small taste of community-made products

The day also includes a perfumed wine experience, combining wine and perfume tasting. There is a showroom with handmade products and handicrafts made by the local community.

These additions are not the main reason to book, but they give the afternoon more texture. You get another way to understand local production beyond horses, meat, and wine. The activity is tied to the estancia and its community rather than being a generic add-on at a roadside shop.

The program also presents the property as part of slow tourism, using local products and vegetables prepared at home. That does not mean the day is rustic in an uncomfortable way. You still have organized transport, bilingual support, selected wine, and good saddles. It means the focus is on time, food, family hosting, and the place itself.

What the $180 price includes

At $180 per person, this is not a bargain-priced horse ride. The value comes from the amount packed into one private day: round-trip transportation, coffee and pastries on arrival, the horseback ride, a gaucho, bilingual support, empanadas, a full asado, wine, dessert, afternoon service, and the additional tasting experience.

Transport is especially important. Hiring a private vehicle for a full-day trip into the mountains would add a noticeable cost and require you to manage the route yourself. Here, pickup and drop-off are arranged from the three listed areas, with the specific details handled by WhatsApp.

The private-group format also helps explain the price. You are not being placed into a large bus group with a rushed meal and a rigid ride. The route can be adjusted around your comfort, and the owners’ home is used for the meal and hosting.

The value is strongest if you want a complete Mendoza countryside day, not just riding. If you only want an inexpensive hour on horseback, the price may feel high. If you want transport, mountain scenery, food, wine, and a personal rural setting in one booking, the package is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend it most to adults and older teenagers who enjoy outdoor activities but do not need a fast or demanding ride. The calm horses and adjustable route make it suitable for people with limited riding experience, provided they can safely mount and ride for up to two hours.

It is also a good choice for anyone who has already visited Mendoza’s central wineries and wants a different side of the province. The combination of family estancia, gaucho tradition, mountain views, and an asado gives you a clearer sense of rural culture than a standard tasting-room visit.

Food and wine matter here. If you prefer a simple picnic or have little interest in Argentine barbecue, part of the day’s value will be lost. The lunch is a central event, not a minor detail.

You should skip it if you dislike long vehicle transfers, are uncomfortable around horses, or need wheelchair access. It is also not suitable for pregnant people, people with animal allergies, people over 75, or those with recent surgery.

Practical details before you go

The experience lasts eight hours, including transport. Pickup and drop-off are available from Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, and Tupungato, with the exact time confirmed through WhatsApp.

English-language guiding is available, and the group is private. Some material may be presented in its original language, so you should not expect every cultural detail to be translated word for word.

Bring long pants, comfortable clothing, closed shoes, a warm layer, a jacket, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a camera, and drinks. Mountain weather and strong sun are the two conditions you should prepare for.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Gratuity is not included, so budget separately if you want to thank the gaucho, guide, or hosting team.

Should you book Estancia El Pico?

Book this if you want a full, private day built around mountain scenery, gentle horses, Argentine food, and personal hosting. The strongest details are the ride toward 2,400 meters, the calm Criollo horses, Gilda’s warm attention, and the generous asado served with selected wine.

Think twice if you want a short excursion, a technical riding lesson, or a focused winery tour. The road trip takes time, and the ride duration may vary between about 90 minutes and two hours.

For the right person, the $180 price is reasonable because it covers transport, riding, guiding, a substantial meal, wine, and a private setting. I would choose it as a change of pace from Mendoza’s vineyards, especially if you want to spend one day close to the Andes rather than moving from one tasting room to the next.

FAQ

How long does the horseback ride last?

The activity details describe the ride as one and a half hours, while the included services describe it as two hours. Plan for approximately 90 minutes to two hours in the saddle.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from Mendoza City, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. The exact pickup point and time are arranged with you by WhatsApp.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation to and from Estancia El Pico is included. The estancia is approximately 95 kilometers from Mendoza City, with the planned vehicle journey taking about 100 minutes.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes homemade empanadas and tapas, an asado criollo with selected meats, salads, clay-oven vegetables, regional dessert, wine, water, and coffee or tea with homemade pastries.

Is the experience available in English?

Yes. The activity includes an English-speaking live guide. A local gaucho leads the horseback ride, accompanied by the bilingual hospitality manager.

Who cannot take part in this experience?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, people over 75, or people with recent surgeries.