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 mountain estancia at about 2,000 meters, then climb toward wide views of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano. Gilda hosts the day with a local gaucho and bilingual guide, so you get both a relaxed ride and a sense of the family property’s long connection to the valley. I especially like the calm Criollo horses and the generous meal of empanadas, grilled meat, salads, wine, and dessert.

The main consideration is the long transfer from Mendoza. You spend roughly 100 minutes each way in a Jeep or SUV, and the full day lasts about eight hours. That is a fair trade for a private mountain setting, but it is not a quick activity squeezed between winery visits. The ride is also listed as lasting between one and a half and two hours, so confirm the exact timing when you book.

Key points

• Ride inside a private family estancia: The route passes plantations, mountain paths, and open viewpoints rather than busy public riding trails.
• Calm, well-cared-for Criollo horses: The horses are described as gentle and tame, with comfortable saddles and traditional riding equipment.
• Reach high Andean viewpoints: The route rises from about 2,000 meters to roughly 2,400 meters, with views toward Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano.
• Eat a full Argentine asado: Homemade empanadas, selected meats, salads, clay-oven vegetables, regional dessert, and high-altitude wines fill out the meal.
• Meet your host, Gilda: She handles the welcome and hospitality, while a local gaucho leads the horseback ride with a bilingual manager.
• Built for a private day outdoors: The experience suits adults who want rural culture, mountain scenery, and food in one well-paced outing.

Reaching Estancia El Pico from Mendoza

Estancia El Pico sits in La Carrera Valley near Tupungato, about 95 kilometers from Mendoza City. The drive takes around 100 minutes by Jeep or SUV, depending on your pickup point and road conditions.

Pickup is available in Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. The team confirms the exact time and meeting point through WhatsApp, so keep your phone available before the tour. This flexible arrangement helps if you are staying outside central Mendoza, though you should not expect a fixed city departure schedule.

The drive is part of the day’s character. You leave the city and wine-country traffic behind for a more remote corner of the province, where the Andes and the Pre-Cordillera frame the valley. If you prefer to spend the morning moving between downtown sights, wineries, and restaurants, this excursion may feel too long. If you want a full day in the mountains without arranging your own vehicle, the included transport adds real value.

A family estancia at 2,000 meters

Estancia El Pico, also called Estancia El Pico Palma, has belonged to the Palma family for more than 250 years. The property is attended by its owners, which gives the day a personal quality that you rarely get at large commercial ranches.

On arrival, you are welcomed at the owners’ house with coffee or tea and homemade pastries. This small opening matters. It gives you time to settle in, meet the people looking after the day, and adjust to the high-altitude setting before mounting a horse.

The estancia is surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and the Pre-Cordillera. The setting is not polished like a hotel garden or a purpose-built attraction. It is a working rural property with plantations, mountain paths, local products, and views that change as you move higher.

The family’s approach is tied to slow tourism. Much of the food is homemade, vegetables and other products are sourced locally, and community-made crafts are sold in a showroom later in the day. You are not just passing through for a photo stop. The visit connects the ride, the meal, the family home, and the local community.

Riding calm Criollo horses through the mountains

The horseback portion lasts about one and a half hours according to the main schedule, while the included details describe a ride of up to two hours. Ask Gilda or the team for the exact duration on your date.

The horses are first-class Criollo horses, equipped with comfortable saddles and traditional implements. The descriptions and direct feedback about the experience consistently point to calm, tame horses that are suitable for a peaceful ride rather than a fast or demanding one.

A local gaucho leads the group, accompanied by a bilingual hospitality manager who speaks English. The gaucho provides the local riding presence, while the bilingual guide explains the property and its history. That combination is useful if you want more than a silent walk behind a line of horses.

The route follows a dirt trail made through the mountain. It passes plantations and viewpoints inside the private estancia, so the ride has a sense of space and privacy. The route can also be adjusted to match your experience and comfort level, an important point if you are new to horseback riding.

You should still be comfortable sitting in a saddle for a long stretch. Wear long pants and closed, comfortable shoes. Bring a jacket even on a sunny day, since the elevation can make the air feel cooler than it does in Mendoza.

The high point near 2,400 meters

The ride reaches about 2,400 meters, where you can look toward Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano from a broad viewpoint. The 360-degree view is the day’s main visual payoff.

This is also where the altitude and sun deserve attention. Wear sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and warm layers. The supplied guidance also recommends outdoor clothing, a camera, and drinks. You may see condors, foxes, hares, and many kinds of birds, though wildlife sightings are naturally not guaranteed.

The route is not presented as a technical mountain ride. Its appeal is the quiet pace, gentle horses, and changing views. You get a taste of Andean country life without needing advanced riding skills or a strenuous hike.

If you want galloping, difficult terrain, or a competitive riding lesson, this is not the right choice. The experience is built around steady riding, scenery, conversation, and a gradual connection with the property.

Empanadas first, then a full Argentine barbecue

After the ride, you return to the owners’ house for tapas made with local products and homemade empanadas baked in a clay oven. This is more than a quick snack. It gives you time to come down from the ride and settle into the social part of the day.

Lunch is a complete asado criollo with selected meats, fresh salads, vegetables cooked in the clay oven, regional dessert, wine, and water. The wines are chosen for the group and come from high-altitude vineyards, adding a clear Mendoza connection to the meal.

The food is generous, so arrive hungry. The barbecue is a central part of the experience, not a token lunch added to a riding excursion. Homemade desserts and afternoon pastries follow the meal, with coffee or tea served again later.

Vegetarian needs can be handled well, but you should communicate them in advance. One direct account of the experience notes that a vegetarian meal was accommodated successfully. The information provided does not specify other dietary arrangements, so it is wise to confirm any restrictions when you arrange pickup.

The meal also gives the day a good rhythm. First comes the quiet focus of riding, then the lively table, wine, and conversation. You are not rushed from one short activity to the next.

High-altitude wines and the perfumed wine experience

Wine is served with the empanadas and barbecue, and the selection is described as exclusive to the people attending the day. The focus is on tasting alongside local food rather than on a formal winery tour.

After lunch, the program includes a perfumed wine experience with wine and perfume tasting. This is an unusual extra and gives the afternoon a more sensory, playful turn. The supplied details do not spell out the exact format, so think of it as a guided tasting activity rather than a full technical wine course.

Coffee, tea, and homemade pastries are served again in the afternoon. You can then choose a slower moment to look at the mountains, take a walk, or rest at the property. This free time is valuable because the day already includes a long drive and a substantial meal.

A community showroom also sells handmade products and crafts. It offers a chance to support local makers, though purchases are not included in the $180 price.

What the $180 price really covers

At $180 per person, this is not a cheap horseback ride. The cost makes more sense when you count the whole day: round-trip transport from Mendoza-area pickup points, a private group, the mountain estancia, the guided ride, welcome drinks, snacks, a full asado, wine, dessert, afternoon refreshments, and the perfumed wine activity.

You are also paying for access to a private family property and for a host-led experience rather than a simple transfer to a commercial riding stable. The included food and wine are a major part of the value.

The price is strongest for couples, friends, and small private groups who want several Mendoza experiences combined in one outing. It is less compelling if you only want an inexpensive ride or if you already have a rental car and plan to eat elsewhere.

Gratuity is not included. Carry some cash or ask the team about the preferred way to leave a tip if you feel the host, gaucho, driver, or guide added special value.

Who should book this mountain day

I would choose this experience if you want a day that joins nature, rural culture, food, and wine without planning each part yourself. It is especially suitable for adults who appreciate a gentle ride, a private setting, and a long meal with mountain views.

It also suits first-time riders, provided you are comfortable on horseback and can sit in the saddle for the stated duration. The horses are tame, the route is designed for safety, and the riding pace can be adjusted to your ability.

It is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, people over 75, or anyone recovering from recent surgery. The activity also requires enough mobility for transportation, mounting, riding, and walking around the property.

Bring long pants, comfortable shoes, a warm layer, a jacket, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a camera. At this altitude, the sun can be strong even when the air feels cool.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

The day lasts about eight hours, including transport. Pickup and drop-off are available in Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, and Tupungato, with the exact time arranged by WhatsApp.

The tour is offered as a private group with an English-speaking guide. Some material may appear in its original language, so ask questions during booking if you need a specific part of the experience explained in English.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mendoza plans are still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Should you book Estancia El Pico?

Book it if you want a full countryside day rather than a short activity. The strongest reasons are the peaceful Criollo horses, the high mountain viewpoint, Gilda’s personal hosting, and the large asado with selected wines.

Skip it if you dislike long transfers, do not want to ride, or are mainly looking for a formal winery tour. For everyone else, the $180 price is reasonable because transport, food, wine, guiding, and a private mountain setting are all bundled together. The result is a generous day with a clear sense of place, not just a horseback ride with lunch attached.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including transportation between Mendoza-area pickup points and Estancia El Pico.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available in Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, and Tupungato. The exact meeting point and pickup time are arranged by WhatsApp.

How long is the horseback ride?

The main schedule describes a one-and-a-half-hour ride, while the included details refer to a ride of up to two hours. Confirm the exact duration when booking.

Is the tour conducted in English?

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

What food and drinks are included?

You receive coffee or tea and homemade pastries on arrival, empanadas and local tapas after riding, a full asado criollo with meats, salads, clay-oven vegetables, dessert, wine, and water, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries.

Is wine included?

Yes. Selected high-altitude wines are served with the meal, and the afternoon also includes a wine and perfume tasting.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, long pants, warm clothing, a jacket, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, outdoor clothing, drinks, and a camera.

Who cannot take part?

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