Mendoza: Sunset Horse Back Riding in the Mountains and BBQ

Mendoza’s best sunset may come from the back of a horse. This outing takes you from the city to a remote family ranch, then up mountain trails to a viewpoint at about 2,100 meters. The horses are chosen for your height and experience, and the guides stay close on the steeper sections.

I like the calm, well-trained horses and the warm family welcome from Stella, Estrella, and the ranch team. I also like the generous asado dinner, with beef, pork, salads, vegetables, wine, and dessert. The main drawback is the rough road to the ranch, plus a ride that can last nearly three hours and includes steep climbs and descents.

Key points at a glance

• A mountain ride, not a short pony circuit: Expect roughly two and a half to three hours in the saddle, with trails leading to a high viewpoint.
• Horses are matched to you: Beginners receive calm mounts and clear instruction before setting off.
• The final road is bumpy: The transfer takes about an hour overall, with the last stretch often rough enough to bother anyone prone to motion sickness.
• The asado is part of the experience: This is a proper ranch dinner, not a quick snack after riding.
• Small groups feel personal: Numbers are limited to 14, with guides helping riders along the route.
• The steep sections are real: You can expect mountain slopes, narrow paths, and downhill riding, even though the horses are trained for the terrain.

From Mendoza city to a remote family ranch

The day begins with pickup outside your hotel in Mendoza. Be ready 10 minutes early, but allow some patience: the driver may arrive 15 to 30 minutes later depending on the distance and other pickups. The drive toward the mountains takes about an hour in total.

The first part is ordinary road travel. The last section is not. Several riders describe a rough, bumpy road for roughly 30 to 35 minutes, with the driver moving slowly and stopping when needed. If you get carsick, take your usual motion sickness medicine before leaving and sit where the ride feels easiest.

That rough approach is part of the trade-off. You are not being taken to a polished riding center beside the city. The ranch is remote, quiet, and surrounded by open mountain country. The setting gives the outing its character, but getting there requires accepting a little shaking and rattling.

On arrival, you may be offered tea, coffee, lemonade, biscuits, cookies, or a sweet snack while the group gathers. This pause is useful. It gives you time to meet the family, look around the ranch, and settle your nerves before handling a horse.

Meeting the horses and gauchos

The ranch team does not simply hand you the nearest horse. Stella, also referred to as Estrella in some accounts, asks about your height, riding background, and comfort level before assigning a mount. That matters if you have never ridden, or if your last ride was years ago.

First-time riders should not assume they need experience. The horses are repeatedly described as calm and well trained, and the guides explain the basics in English or Spanish. You learn how to sit, guide, stop, and respond to the horse before heading onto the trail.

The gauchos are an important part of the experience. They ride with the group and help when a rider feels uncertain, especially on uneven or steep ground. The support is close enough to make beginners feel safer, but the outing is still a real mountain ride rather than a flat, controlled ring.

I would still be honest about the physical side. You remain on the horse for a long time, and a first ride can leave your legs, hips, or back tired. Wear long pants, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen is essential because mountain light can be strong, even when the air feels cool.

The climb toward the 2,100-meter viewpoint

Once everyone is mounted, the group follows mountain trails at a steady walking pace. The ride is designed around scenery and quiet rather than speed. You smell the dry mountain air, watch the horses pick their way along the trail, and gradually leave the ranch behind.

The terrain changes as you climb. Much of the route is manageable, but the final part can be steep. Some riders find the uphill sections exciting, while others feel more nervous on the descent. The horses know the ground, but you still need to listen carefully to the guide and avoid sudden movements.

The most striking views come near the high point, around 2,100 meters above sea level. There is a planned break of about 15 minutes for photos and a rest. This is your chance to look back across the mountain country, catch the changing evening light, and give your body a brief pause.

The sunset timing adds something special. You are not simply riding through the mountains in the middle of the day. The fading light softens the slopes and gives the stop a peaceful feel. Still, the exact sunset experience depends on the season, weather, and starting time, so you should not treat a perfect sunset as guaranteed.

The route can include narrow paths, steep drop-offs, and slopes that feel more serious when going down. A few riders describe those moments as nerve-wracking, even while praising the horses and guides. If you are afraid of horses or uncomfortable with heights, this is not the gentle introduction you might expect from a short ranch ride.

Returning to the ranch for an Argentine asado

After the ride, you return to the ranch and sit down to dinner. The meal is a major reason this outing offers good value at $120 per person. You are not paying only for transport and a basic horseback session. The price includes the ride, a full barbecue, wine, water, juice, and dessert.

The asado centers on Argentine-style beef and pork, usually served with salads and roasted vegetables. The food is prepared at the ranch and served generously, often with the group seated together. Wine helps turn the meal into a social evening rather than a simple post-activity refuel.

The family setting is part of the appeal. You get time to talk with the hosts and other people in the group after spending hours outdoors. Names connected with the team include Stella, Estrella, Gabriel, and Ezequiel, with drivers such as Fernando also receiving praise for careful service. The exact staff member you meet can vary, but the family-run feel is central to the experience.

Dessert is included, and alfajores have been singled out as a memorable finish. If you have dietary needs, tell the provider at least 24 hours ahead. Vegetarian, vegan, and celiac requests can be accommodated when arranged in advance. Do not wait until dinner begins.

How the small group affects the day

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is large enough to create a friendly shared meal, but small enough for the guides to keep an eye on individual riders. Beginners benefit most from this arrangement because help is nearby when they need a correction or a confidence boost.

The experience is structured. You ride as a group and follow the guides, so you will not have much freedom to choose your own route or pace. One experienced rider wished for more flexibility, while recognizing that the careful structure makes the activity safer for most people.

That balance is worth understanding before booking. If you want a fast, independent trail ride, you may find the format too controlled. If you want a scenic introduction to mountain riding with clear support, the structure works in your favor.

The activity is offered in English and Spanish. Communication before pickup is described as clear, and instructions at the ranch are given in both languages. You should still tell the team early if you feel nervous, have riding experience you want to use, or prefer to avoid the more challenging section.

Who should book this horseback ride?

This is a strong choice for:

• First-time riders who want a memorable setting and patient instruction
• Couples looking for a sunset outing with a long dinner afterward
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Solo visitors who want an activity that naturally creates conversation
• Experienced riders who enjoy mountain scenery and do not need a fast pace
• Anyone who wants more than a standard winery visit in Mendoza

Families have taken children as young as eight on the outing, while another account recommends it for people from teenagers through age 75. That does not mean every child or older adult will find the ride easy. Fitness, balance, comfort with heights, and tolerance for a long time in the saddle matter more than age alone.

You should skip it if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or weigh more than 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. You should also think twice if you strongly dislike steep paths, horses, rough vehicle rides, or long periods of sitting in the saddle.

Is $120 a fair price?

I think the price is reasonable for an eight-hour outing, especially because several separate costs are bundled together. You receive hotel pickup and return, transport into the mountains, horse selection and instruction, a long guided ride, drinks, a full barbecue dinner, and dessert.

The value is strongest if you want a full evening rather than a short activity. The ranch is far enough from Mendoza to require real transport, and the dinner is substantial. You also avoid arranging a taxi, finding a remote ranch, and organizing a separate meal after riding.

The price feels less attractive if you only want a brief introduction to horses. You spend much of the day on the road, and the riding portion may be too long for someone who wants a quick scenic stop. The rough transfer is another cost in comfort, though it is not an extra charge.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve without paying immediately. The tour is canceled only in extreme bad weather, so plan for changing mountain conditions rather than assuming a cancellation for light rain.

Practical preparation for the ride

Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Jeans or sturdy outdoor trousers are more suitable than shorts, and shoes should give you a secure feel in the stirrups.

Bring sunscreen and water protection for your phone or camera. The 15-minute viewpoint stop is made for photos, but you should keep your belongings secure during the ride.

Tell the provider about dinner requirements at least one day ahead. This is especially important for vegan, vegetarian, and celiac meals.

For the transfer, prepare for a slow, bumpy final road. If you are prone to motion sickness, take precautions before pickup. Drivers wait a maximum of 10 minutes once they arrive at your hotel, so be ready outside rather than making the driver search for you.

Most important, be candid about your riding experience. The team can match you with a suitable horse and explain what to expect, but the guides need accurate information before choosing the route.

Should you book El Relincho Cabalgatas?

Book it if you want Mendoza’s mountains, a quiet sunset ride, and an authentic ranch meal in one long outing. The calm horses, attentive gauchos, family hosts, high viewpoint, and generous asado make this more memorable than a simple city excursion.

Do not book it if you want a smooth road, a short ride, or complete control over the route. The bumpy transfer and steep mountain sections are genuine considerations, not minor footnotes.

For most people who are comfortable with those limits, I would choose this over another routine afternoon activity in Mendoza. Tell the team if you are a beginner, prepare for the road, and keep enough energy for the ride back down. The reward is a peaceful mountain evening followed by a proper Argentine dinner.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, transport to the ranch, horseback riding, dinner, and the return trip to Mendoza.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride is commonly around two and a half to three hours, with a break of about 15 minutes at a mountain viewpoint.

How high does the ride go?

The route reaches a viewpoint at approximately 2,100 meters above sea level.

Is horseback riding experience required?

No. Beginners can take part, and the team provides basic instruction and chooses horses according to your height and experience.

What food and drinks are included?

Dinner includes Argentine barbecue with pork and beef, salads, roasted vegetables, wine, water, juice, and dessert.

Is the activity available in English?

Yes. The tour has live guides who speak English and Spanish.

What should I bring and wear?

Bring sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare for the bumpy road to and from the ranch.