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

At 2,000 meters above sea level, El Pico Palma ranch gives you a rare combination: a private horseback ride in Mendoza’s Andes followed by a long Argentine lunch. The Palma family has cared for this ranch for more than 250 years, and the setting feels far removed from the wine-country circuit.

I like the well-trained Criollo horses and the careful attention from guides Gilda, Lucía, and Ángel. I also like the rhythm of the day: a two-and-a-half-hour ride, then empanadas, high-altitude wine, asado, and regional desserts. The main drawback is the price, $200 per person, which makes this a special-day splurge rather than a casual outing.

Key points at a glance

• Private ranch setting: Only your group takes part at El Pico Palma in La Carrera.
• Two-and-a-half-hour ride: You ride within the ranch, with views of the Cordón del Plata and Pre-cordillera.
• Criollo horses: The horses are well cared for and paired with traditional tack and good saddles.
• Support for first-time riders: Ángel helped a first-time rider feel comfortable, while a more experienced rider was able to canter near the end.
• Full Argentine meal: Homemade empanadas, high-altitude wines, asado, and regional desserts follow the ride.
• A full seven-hour outing: Private transportation from Mendoza is included, along with time to relax or walk after lunch.

Reaching the high valley near Tupungato

This is not a quick ranch visit squeezed between two wineries. From Mendoza, private transportation takes you toward Carrera Tupungato and the La Carrera valley, where the Andes begin to feel much closer and the built-up parts of the province fall away.

The ranch sits at about 2,000 meters above sea level. That altitude helps explain the open views and cooler mountain setting, but it also means you should treat the day as a full outing. You are not simply being dropped off for a short ride and rushed back to town.

The private format matters here. Your group is the only group taking part, so the day can feel more personal than a large horseback excursion. Lucía handles contact around the booking, while Gilda and Ángel are among the people who may ride with you and help manage the experience.

The transfer is included in the $200 price, which makes the cost easier to assess. A self-drive visit might look cheaper on paper, but the ride, meal, wine, private setting, and transport are bundled together. You are paying for a complete day in a remote mountain valley, not just saddle time.

El Pico Palma, a family ranch with a long past

The Palma family has owned El Pico Palma for more than 250 years. That fact is useful not because you will receive a formal history lesson, but because it helps explain the character of the place. This is a working family ranch opening its doors for a small number of private experiences, not a staged western show built for crowds.

The ranch sits among the Cordón del Plata and the Pre-cordillera. From the property, you can expect broad mountain views and a strong sense of space. The scenery is the reason to come, but the quiet is almost as valuable. There is room to pause, look across the valley, and let the day move at a slower pace.

The setting also gives the outing a stronger sense of place than a standard riding lesson. You are in Mendoza province, but this is a different side of Mendoza from the cellar doors and vineyard lunches. The combination of horses, family ranch life, mountains, and Argentine cooking feels more grounded in local tradition.

Getting comfortable in the saddle

The ride lasts about two and a half hours. You stay within the ranch, touring private areas with mountain views rather than following a crowded public trail. The horses are top-level Criollo horses, a breed closely tied to rural life in Argentina, and they are fitted with good saddles and traditional equipment.

This matters if you are new to riding. A first-time rider was able to feel comfortable with the horse, and the guides appear to adjust their attention to different levels. If you are an intermediate rider, you may have the chance to canter during the final part, as one rider did with Ángel.

That said, you should not book this expecting a long, fast equestrian workout. The core promise is a scenic ride through a private mountain property. The pace may vary with the group, the horses, and the conditions. If you want a technical riding clinic or hours of open galloping, this is probably not the right choice.

The horses themselves are one of the strongest parts of the experience. They are described as well behaved and well cared for, which is important for both confidence and comfort. Good equipment also makes a real difference over two and a half hours. Even an easy ride can become tiring if the saddle is poor.

You should tell the guides your riding level at the start. A beginner may want a calm pace and extra reassurance. A more confident rider can ask what is possible later in the ride, but any faster riding will depend on conditions and the guides’ judgment.

Mountain views without a crowded trail

The best part of the ride is the combination of privacy and scale. The Cordón del Plata and Pre-cordillera provide a dramatic backdrop, while the ranch setting keeps the outing personal. You are not looking at the Andes from a restaurant terrace. You are moving through the ranch on horseback, with the horses’ steady pace giving you time to watch the mountains change around you.

I like that the ride is long enough to feel like an actual activity. A short photo stop with horses can be pleasant, but it rarely gives you a sense of the place. Two and a half hours lets you settle into the saddle and enjoy the contrast between the open valley and the mountain slopes.

The tradeoff is that the experience depends heavily on weather. The ranch requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. This is sensible for a horseback outing at altitude, but you should keep some flexibility in your Mendoza schedule.

After the ride, you can also choose to walk or simply sit and contemplate the mountains. Those extra options are not a second organized excursion, and no fixed schedule is promised. Think of them as useful breathing room after the saddle and before the meal.

Empanadas, mountain wine, and the asado

When you return, the food portion begins with homemade empanadas paired with high-altitude wines. This is a good transition from riding to lunch. You get something small first, along with a taste of regional cooking and wine, before the main meal arrives.

The main course is a Creole-style Argentine roast prepared on a traditional disco. The meal is followed by a table of regional desserts. The food is not an afterthought or a basic packed lunch. It is a major part of the day, and the sequence gives you time to sit, eat, and enjoy the ranch rather than rushing through a meal between activities.

The asado is especially valuable for visitors who want more than a generic barbecue. Argentine grilling is tied to social life and rural culture, and the ranch setting gives the meal the right context. You are eating food associated with the country while surrounded by the mountains and the family property that hosts the day.

The wine pairing also helps justify the cost. You are not paying $200 for two and a half hours on horseback alone. You are receiving transport, a private ride, homemade empanadas, wine, a full asado, dessert, and several hours at a private ranch.

Of course, lunch quality can be personal. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied details do not specify substitutions or special menus, so ask before booking. The same applies to wine preferences. The experience includes high-altitude wines, but it does not promise a particular winery, vintage, or tasting format.

How private is the experience?

This is a private activity, so only your own group participates. That is a major advantage if you want a quieter day or are traveling with family or friends. You will not be mixed into a large bus group for the riding or meal.

Private does not mean every part of the day is custom-built. The outing still has a general shape: transport, riding, refreshments, lunch, and time to relax. But the small format should allow the guides to respond to your group’s riding ability and pace more easily than a large commercial tour.

The personal contact begins before the day itself. Lucía has been described as sending a quick confirmation message after reservation, and the team also gives helpful ideas for the rest of a Mendoza stay. That kind of contact is useful when you are arranging a remote excursion and want reassurance that the pickup and plans are understood.

The tour is booked an average of 54 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if the date matters to you. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is recommended for most people, but you should be realistic about spending two and a half hours on horseback.

Is $200 per person good value?

At first glance, $200 is a serious price for a day trip from Mendoza. The value becomes clearer when you list what is included: private transportation, a private ranch experience, a two-and-a-half-hour horseback ride, quality horses and equipment, empanadas, wine, an Argentine roast, regional desserts, and time to relax in the mountains.

You are also paying for exclusivity. A cheaper group ride may provide a horse and guide, but it may not offer a private ranch, a full meal, or the same level of personal attention. If you mainly want a short introduction to horseback riding, this will likely feel expensive.

I think the price works best for someone who sees the meal and setting as equal to the riding. If you love horses but do not care much about food or wine, you may find better value elsewhere. If you want a single polished day that combines outdoor activity, Argentine cooking, wine, and mountain scenery, the package is easier to defend.

The strongest value comes from the overall pace. You are not being hurried from one attraction to the next. The ride, lunch, and time to sit among the mountains form one complete experience.

Who should book this ranch day?

You should consider it if you want:

• A private outing rather than a large group tour
• A scenic horseback ride with a calm, personal pace
• A chance to ride Criollo horses in Argentina
• A proper asado with wine and regional dessert
• A special day outside Mendoza’s city and vineyard areas
• Support as a beginner, with options for more experienced riders
• Time after lunch to relax or take a walk

It is less suitable if you want a low-cost activity, a short ride, or a guaranteed fast canter. It may also be a poor fit if your schedule cannot handle a seven-hour outing or if you need a tightly timed return.

The experience can suit mixed-ability groups particularly well. A first-time rider can feel supported, while an intermediate rider may have a chance to canter near the end. Still, the guides decide what is safe, and the group’s comfort sets the pace.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and weather-related cancellations offer a different date or full refund. Keep that rule in mind when planning around other Mendoza reservations.

Should you book horseback riding at El Pico Palma?

Book this if you want a private Andes day built around horses, food, and quiet mountain time. The combination is unusually complete: a family ranch with a 250-year connection to the land, well-cared-for Criollo horses, attentive guides, private transport, and a serious Argentine lunch.

I would especially recommend it for couples, families, or small groups who want one memorable day outside Mendoza. The main question is not whether the setting is special. It is whether you value that setting and the full meal enough to pay $200 per person.

If the answer is yes, reserve ahead and allow the whole day to unfold. This is not a quick add-on. It is a slow, generous ranch experience, with the best moments likely coming after you stop checking the time.

FAQ

Where is the horseback riding experience located?

It takes place at El Pico Palma ranch in Carrera Tupungato, in Mendoza’s La Carrera valley.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity lasts about seven hours.

How long is the horseback ride?

The horseback ride lasts about two and a half hours.

How high above sea level is the ranch?

El Pico Palma ranch is located at about 2,000 meters above sea level.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, with pickup from Mendoza described as part of the experience.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the tour.

What food and drink are included?

The meal includes homemade empanadas, high-altitude wines, an Argentine Creole roast prepared on a disco, and regional desserts.

Can beginners take part?

Most people can participate, and a first-time rider was able to feel comfortable during the ride. The guides can work with different riding levels.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.