Bariloche Horseback Riding & Traditional Argentine Barbecue Tour

The best part of this Bariloche day trip is the pairing: a slow horseback ride through the Andes foothills followed by a generous Argentine asado at a working ranch. You pass from forest to Patagonian steppe, with a lake and open views along the way. The horses are calm, and the gauchos take time to match each mount to your size and riding experience.

I like two things in particular. First, the ride is gentle enough for a first-time rider but still enjoyable if you already know your way around a saddle. Second, the meal is not an afterthought: you get grilled meat, salad, bread, dessert, and wine in a former countryside school. The main drawback is that English instruction may be uneven, especially during talks about local animals, so a little Spanish helps.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours on quiet horses: The ride suits beginners and experienced riders, with gauchos leading the group at an easy pace.
• A real ranch setting: San Ramón covers 62,000 acres and reaches into the Argentine Andes foothills.
• Asado is the main event: Expect grilled meats, including steak and chorizo, plus salad, bread, dessert, wine, soft drinks, and water.
• Breakfast comes first: Morning departures begin with pastries, coffee, juice, and mate tea before the ride.
• Morning or afternoon timing: The meal order changes, so an afternoon tour begins with lunch and ends with snacks.
• Allow about five to six hours: The ranch lies roughly 45 minutes to an hour east of Bariloche.

From Bariloche to San Ramón Ranch

Your day begins with a drive east from Bariloche in an air-conditioned coach or minivan. The trip takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the pickup arrangements, and gives you time to meet the other people in your group before reaching Puesto La Fragua de Estancia San Ramón.

San Ramón is one of the area’s oldest working ranches. Its 62,000 acres, or about 25,000 hectares, stretch toward the foothills of the Argentine Andes. That size matters. You are not riding around a small fenced attraction. The setting feels open and rural, with room for horses to roam and trails that pass through several types of terrain.

Pickup is advertised from most Bariloche hotels, though the practical information also lists Villegas 222 as the meeting point. Confirm your exact pickup point when you book. The tour has a maximum group size of 20, although one account describes a group of 24, so the number may vary by departure.

The drive is part of the appeal, but it also means this is not a quick activity you can squeeze between other plans. Give it most of a day. If you have a fixed afternoon reservation in Bariloche, leave plenty of space.

Welcome at the old countryside school

At the ranch, you enter an old rural school that has been converted into the dining area. It is a fitting place for the meal, with a setting that feels tied to the working life of the estancia rather than built solely for tourism.

Morning departures begin with a light breakfast. Expect sweet pastries, coffee, juice, and mate tea. Some people also describe the welcome as including tortas fritas, a fried Argentine pastry. It is not a full meal, but it is enough to take the edge off before riding.

The mate is a nice touch because it gives you a small introduction to a central Argentine social custom. If you have never tried it, ask about it. The ranch team is happy to explain how it is prepared and shared.

This first stop also gives you time to meet the staff and hear about the ranch and its animals. Nico is the host frequently named in connection with the experience, and the gauchos handle the riding portion. Their friendly, calm manner is important because the group can include children, older adults, complete beginners, and practiced riders.

Learning to ride before the trail

Before setting out, the guides explain basic riding technique and safety. The horses are selected according to each rider’s experience, size, and weight. That matching process helps explain why first-time riders tend to feel at ease.

The horses are described as gentle and quiet, with a steady pace that works for a mixed group. You should not expect a fast, athletic ride. The group stays together, and the gauchos guide the horses along the route. For most people, that is a benefit: you can look around instead of worrying about controlling a nervous animal.

If you already ride regularly, the pace may feel slow. The point here is access and scenery, not galloping or technical horsemanship. Experienced riders should book this for the ranch setting, the views, and the chance to ride with gauchos, not for an intense equestrian workout.

Wear clothes you can move in and shoes that make you feel secure. The tour provides the necessary riding equipment, but the supplied information does not list a specific clothing package. Also note the health warning: riding is not recommended for people with back problems, heart complaints, or other serious medical conditions.

Two hours through forest, lake, and steppe

The horseback route takes about two hours. It passes a picturesque lake, moves through transition forest, and then opens onto the Patagonian steppe. That change in scenery is what gives the ride its character.

The forest section feels enclosed and sheltered. As you move toward the steppe, the view opens up and the scale of the area becomes easier to appreciate. The steppe is the most striking part for many riders, with wide Patagonian views and a sense of space that you cannot get from the dining room at the ranch.

Keep an eye out for native wildlife. The guides talk about local animals, including red deer in the mountains. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so treat the animal discussion as part of the setting rather than a promise of a safari-style encounter.

The trail is described as relaxed and scenic. Several people found that the two hours passed quickly, which says more about the route than the pace. You have time to settle into the saddle, watch the horses, and take in the scenery without feeling rushed.

One practical point: do not count on the staff taking photos for you. Bring your phone or camera, and ask someone in the group to take a few pictures. The guides may be focused on safety and the horses rather than acting as photographers.

What the language support is like

The tour appears to work well for English speakers in many cases, particularly when Nico gives personal attention to English-speaking participants. Still, language support may not be consistent at every part of the day.

One important caution involves the animal talk before the ride. If the presentation is given in Spanish, you may miss much of it unless you understand the language or someone translates. A bilingual handout would help, but none is specifically promised.

You can still enjoy the ride without understanding every explanation. The safety instructions and horse handling are the parts where clear communication matters most, and the gauchos are described as helpful with beginners. If you want detailed information about the ranch, local fauna, or gaucho traditions, ask when you book whether an English-speaking guide will be present for your departure.

The asado at La Fragua

After the morning ride, you return to the former school for the main meal. The lunch is a three-course spread built around traditional Argentine asado, with a first course, a main course, and dessert.

The grilled meat receives the strongest praise. Steak and chorizo are commonly highlighted, and the portions are described as generous. Expect the meat to be accompanied by salad and bread, followed by a dessert such as a dulce de leche pancake. The open bar includes wine, soft drinks, and mineral water.

This is a good example of why the tour costs more than a basic trail ride. You are paying for transport, guides, horses, equipment, breakfast or snacks, a substantial meal, drinks, and access to a large working estancia. At $204 per person, it is not a budget activity, but the price includes far more than two hours in the saddle.

The meal also changes the feel of the day. Instead of getting off the horse and returning immediately to town, you sit down and spend time with the group. Shared food and wine make the experience more social, and the ranch team remains involved after the ride.

If you select the afternoon departure, the order is reversed. You begin with lunch, then ride, and finish with snacks. This may suit you if you prefer to eat before riding or want to keep your morning free. Check the exact departure time when booking because the information lists 9:30 a.m. for the morning option but also advertises a choice of morning or afternoon departures.

Tell the operator about dietary restrictions when booking. The meal centers on meat, so advance notice is especially important if you need a vegetarian, allergy-aware, or otherwise modified menu.

How the group size affects the day

The stated maximum is 20 people. That is manageable for a guided ranch ride, but it is large enough to affect the rhythm of the outing. A mixed group may move at the pace of its least experienced riders, and the trail can feel less personal when many horses are together.

That said, the slow pace is also why the ride works for families and first-time riders. The guides can keep everyone together and focus on safe handling. If you want a private ride or a faster pace, this is probably not the right format.

The group setting can be enjoyable at lunch. You may meet people from several countries, and the relaxed meal encourages conversation. The social side is a real part of the value, but you should not expect a quiet private ranch visit.

Morning or afternoon: which should you choose?

Choose the morning departure if you want to ride before lunch and spend the middle of the day at the ranch. You will receive the light breakfast first, ride for about two hours, and then sit down to the asado. This schedule feels natural and leaves the richest meal as the reward for the ride.

Choose the afternoon departure if you prefer a slower morning in Bariloche or want to eat before getting on the horse. You will begin with lunch, ride afterward, and finish with snacks. That may be more comfortable for people who dislike riding on an empty stomach.

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m. for the morning tour. Since pickup and drop-off details can vary, confirm the timing and meeting point before the day of the activity.

Who will get the most from this ranch day?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a low-pressure introduction to horseback riding and care as much about the meal and setting as the ride itself. It is a strong fit for couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people over a long lunch.

It also suits riders with different experience levels. Beginners receive simple instructions and calm horses, while experienced riders can enjoy the scenery and gaucho-led format. Families should still consider each person’s comfort with riding and the health restrictions.

You may want another activity if you want a fast ride, advanced riding instruction, or a small private group. You should also think twice if you have back or heart problems, another serious medical condition, or a strong need for fully English-language guiding.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the San Ramón horseback ride?

Book it if your ideal Bariloche outing combines Patagonian scenery, gentle horses, gaucho hospitality, and a serious Argentine barbecue. The strongest parts are the calm horse selection, the changing terrain from forest to steppe, and the generous meal with wine afterward.

Before paying $204, confirm three things: your pickup location, the language support for your departure, and the afternoon schedule if you do not want the morning start. If those details work for you, this is a worthwhile full-day-style outing that offers more local character than a simple city excursion.

FAQ

How long does the Bariloche horseback riding tour last?

The experience takes approximately six hours, while the riding and ranch portion is listed as about five hours. Plan on roughly 45 minutes to an hour of travel each way between Bariloche and San Ramón Ranch.

Is the horseback ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride is designed for beginners and experienced riders. The guides provide basic instruction, and the horses are matched to riders by experience, size, and weight.

What food and drinks are included?

Morning departures include a light breakfast of sweets, coffee, juice, and mate tea. The main meal is a three-course Argentine asado with grilled meats, and the open bar includes wine, soft drinks, and mineral water.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are advertised from most Bariloche hotels. The practical meeting information also lists Villegas 222 in Bariloche, so confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

Can I choose an afternoon departure?

Yes. The experience offers morning or afternoon departures. On the afternoon option, you begin with lunch, then take the horseback ride, and finish with snacks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. If bad weather cancels the activity, you are offered a different date or a full refund.