Top 8 Estancia Day Trips in Mendoza

1.Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $89Our pick

Join local host Fede in his Mendoza home for a four-hour Argentine asado at 8 p.m. You will make empanadas, help prepare the fire, taste wine, beer, and Fernet-Cola, and share a meal of chorizo, morcilla, pork matambre, and beef. The small group is capped at five, with an indoor option in bad weather.

“Fedo’s asado was absolutely amazing! We had the pleasure of enjoying delicious, homemade Argentinian food while making new friends in the process. The experience was so fantastic that we decided to join him for another trip the very next day. I can’t recommend Fedo’s asado highly enough!”

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2.Horseback riding and barbecue in a private ranch – La Carrera, Mendoza

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $200

Spend about seven hours at El Pico Palma ranch in La Carrera, riding well-cared-for Criollo horses with Gilda, Lucía, and Ángel. The private 2.5-hour ride reaches 2,000 meters in the Andes, followed by empanadas, high-altitude wine, an Argentine asado, and regional desserts. Pickup from Mendoza and lunch are included.

“Really great experience! First of all nice personal contact right away together with a quick confirmation of the trip. The Ranch is beautiful, the surrounding is so spacious, I found it breath taking. The horses are super well behaved and well taken care off! The ride itself is beautiful and we enjoyed every bit of it. The food afterwards was excellent. You just feel that they have a heart of liking good products. We geld so relaxed. And next to that we even got really nice tips for the rest of our stay. Thank you so mutch!”

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3.The Real Gaucho Day Trip from Mendoza – Don Daniel Ranch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $290

Leave Mendoza for Don Daniel’s ranch, where you’ll learn the mate ritual, eat homemade sopaipillas, and saddle up for roughly 3.5 hours on mountain trails. Guides such as Matias, Martin, Noemi, and Timotheé have led guests through the Andes, with an asado or cold lunch at 2,700 meters, weather permitting.

“Indico para os amantes da natureza. Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única! Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única!”

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4.Make An Argentine Asado With A Local & Taste Malbec

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $89

Join Fede in central Mendoza for a four-hour, small-group asado at his home. Help prepare empanadas, build the fire, grill chorizo, morcilla, pork, and beef, then share Malbec, dessert, and Fernet with a city and mountain view. The experience is limited to five people and can move indoors if it rains.

“Myself and a friend shared a fantastic evening with Fede. The food was delicious, the conversation and wine flowing, and we even got a lesson in building the asado fire! I would highly recommend this activity to those who are keen to enjoy a traditional Argentinian asado!”

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5.Full Day Gaucho Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 9 hours

Leave Mendoza at 8:30 AM for a ranch near the Andes, passing Cacheuta and Potrerillos on the two-hour drive. At the ranch, enjoy tortitas and mate before a three-hour horseback ride with a gaucho guide. Return for an open-fire asado, wine, salads, bread, and dessert, then reach Mendoza around 6:30 PM.

“Daniel et sa famille sont adorables Le guide était parfait plein d’informations Petit regret car pas de trot ni de galop. Mais un très bon moment passé ensemble dans la nature”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 hours · from $180

Spend eight hours in Mendoza’s La Carrera Valley with Gilda and the Estancia El Pico team. Ride calm Criollo horses through private mountain country, reach views of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano, then sit down to empanadas, an asado criollo, homemade dessert, and selected wines. Pickup is available from Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato.

“Gilda and her team provided an unforgettable experience. Riding through the stunning valley was a true highlight, and the delicious meal paired with excellent wine afterward made it even more special. The horses were calm, gentle, and clearly well-cared for, making the ride peaceful and enjoyable. This is an amazing way to take in the beauty of the Mendoza countryside. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area. Thank you, Gilda, for such a memorable day!”

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7.Sunset Horseback Ride and Asado in the Andes

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 6 hours · from $159

You’ll leave central Mendoza for a six-hour sunset ride through Andean scenery, guided in Spanish by a local host such as Santiago. Gentle horses, a well-kept ranch, a full asado with salads and roasted vegetables, seasonal fruit, wine or juice, transport, and insurance are included.

“This sunset horseback ride was great! Santiago did an amazing job explaining everything & guided us throughout the adventure! His horses all well taken care of & very beautiful! The ranch was incredible & very well maintained! Our family had a lovely experience & would recommend this activity to anyone!”

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8.Olive Oil Factory + Wineries + Full Asado Lunch (Full Day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $212

Join Futuro Travels for a seven-hour Mendoza food and wine day with pickup, an olive oil factory visit, tastings at CarinaE, and a full lunch with wine at Antigal Winery. Guides may include Fran, Boris, or Rocio, and tours run in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

“With Olive Oil I liked that the woman who gave the tour was informative and enthusiastic. The wine tasting was great and much improved my knowledge of wine and ponchos! The lunch was fabulous, good cooking in a wonderful location.”

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