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

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You leave Mendoza’s city life behind and ride gentle Criollo horses through Estancia El Pico, a family property high in the Andes. The reward is not just the scenery, but a long lunch at the owners’ home with asado criollo, empanadas, homemade desserts, and selected wines.

I especially like the small private setting and the calm horses, which make this a good introduction to riding in the mountains. I also like that the day connects you with a local gaucho, the Palma family’s 250-year-old estancia, and food made on site. The main consideration is the long drive from Mendoza and the high altitude, so this is a full day rather than a quick horseback outing.

What makes this mountain day special

• A 2,000-meter-high family estancia: Estancia El Pico has belonged to the Palma family for more than 250 years.
• Gentle Criollo horses: The horses are described as calm, tame, and well cared for, with comfortable saddles and traditional equipment.
• A ride toward 2,400 meters: The route passes plantations and mountain trails before reaching broad views of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano.
• A serious Argentine lunch: Homemade empanadas, clay-oven vegetables, selected meats, regional dessert, and high-altitude wines follow the ride.
• Personal hosting by Gilda: She meets the group, helps shape the day, and can adjust the riding route to match riding comfort.
• A private, flexible format: Pickup and return are arranged from Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato by WhatsApp.

Leaving Mendoza for La Carrera Valley

The day begins with pickup in Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. From Mendoza City, Estancia El Pico is about 95 kilometers away, and the transfer takes roughly 100 minutes by jeep or SUV. That is a fair amount of road time, but it is part of what makes the outing feel like a real move into the countryside rather than a short activity near town.

I would treat the transfer as part of the day’s rhythm. Bring a jacket, water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The mountain air can feel cool, while the sun at altitude can be strong. Pickup details and the exact time are arranged by WhatsApp, so keep an eye on your messages before departure.

The property lies in La Carrera Valley near Tupungato, surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and the Pre-Cordillera. Estancia El Pico sits at about 2,000 meters above sea level. The setting is open, quiet, and agricultural, with plantations, mountain trails, and views toward the high Andes.

On arrival, you are welcomed at the owners’ house with coffee or tea and homemade pastries. This small touch matters. You get time to settle in, meet the people hosting you, and understand that the day is built around a family property rather than a large commercial ranch.

Meeting the Criollo horses

The ride uses first-class Criollo horses with comfortable saddles and traditional tack. The horses are chosen for a calm temperament, which is important if you are new to riding or have not ridden in mountain country before.

A local gaucho leads the ride, accompanied by a bilingual hospitality manager who speaks English. Gilda is the host named in the experience, and she is involved in welcoming and caring for the group. The riding route can be adjusted according to experience and comfort, which gives this outing a useful degree of flexibility.

The published details describe the riding time as one and a half hours, while the inclusions also refer to two hours on horseback. I would plan for roughly 90 minutes to two hours, with the exact time depending on the route and conditions. If the length matters to you, confirm it when arranging pickup.

The path runs through the private estancia, along a dirt trail made through the mountain area. You are not riding on a busy public route or moving in a large line of horses. Instead, you follow the gaucho through plantations and open mountain country, with the group format allowing the pace to remain comfortable.

Riding toward the Andes at 2,400 meters

The ride reaches about 2,400 meters, where you can take in a 360-degree view of Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano. This is the visual high point of the day. The mountains provide the backdrop, but the experience also includes smaller details such as local plants, birds, and the chance of seeing condors, foxes, and hares.

You do not need to be an expert rider to appreciate this route, but you should be comfortable spending time outdoors and sitting on a horse. Long pants and sturdy, comfortable shoes are sensible. A sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a warm layer belong in your day bag.

The altitude is worth taking seriously. You are not being asked to climb a peak, but the estancia is already high and the ride goes higher. Move at a steady pace, drink water, and tell the guide if you feel uncomfortable. The route is designed for safety, yet mountain riding still involves uneven dirt trails and changing weather.

For photography, this is an excellent part of the day. Bring a camera or phone, but keep it secure while riding. The best pictures will likely come during the stop at the higher viewpoint, when you can give your full attention to the mountains rather than trying to photograph from the saddle.

Empanadas first, asado next

After the ride, you return to the owners’ house for an aperitif. Homemade empanadas and tapas made with local products are served while the main meal is prepared. The empanadas are cooked in a clay oven, adding a clear regional touch to what could otherwise be a standard ranch lunch.

Then comes the main event: an asado criollo with selected meats, fresh salads, vegetables baked in the clay oven, wine, and a regional dessert. The meal is substantial, and the two-hour food and wine portion gives you time to eat slowly rather than rush back into a vehicle.

The wine is selected for the group and comes from high-altitude vineyards. It is paired with the barbecue and served as part of the meal. This is not a formal winery tour with a long technical tasting. It is a relaxed country lunch where wine belongs naturally on the table.

One useful detail is the vegetarian accommodation. A vegetarian meal was handled well for one booking, so tell the team about dietary needs when you arrange the pickup. The supplied information does not list a full range of dietary options, so advance notice is the smart move.

After lunch, you can relax and look toward the mountains, go for a walk, or take part in another offered activity. The afternoon includes coffee or tea with homemade pastries. There is also a perfumed wine experience combining wine and perfume tasting, plus a showroom with handmade products and crafts made by the local community.

What the private format adds

A private group changes the feel of the day. You are not trying to keep up with a large procession of riders or fit lunch into a fixed mass schedule. The riding route can respond to your comfort, and the host can spend more time explaining the property, its history, and local customs.

That does not mean every part of the day is completely open-ended. Pickup times, the drive, the riding period, and lunch follow a planned structure. Still, the personal attention is valuable, especially if you are visiting an estancia for the first time or feel unsure about riding.

The English-language support is another practical advantage. The local gaucho leads the horses, while the bilingual manager helps explain the history and surroundings. You get more than a silent trail ride, but the experience remains rooted in the local setting rather than turning into a lecture.

The Palma family has held the property for over 250 years. That does not mean every detail of the family story is presented as a museum display. Instead, the sense of continuity comes through the home setting, the traditional food, the gaucho-led ride, and the use of local products.

Is $180 a fair price?

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest horseback ride you can find around Mendoza. The price makes more sense when you count the full day: transportation from the city or nearby wine areas, coffee and pastries, a private mountain ride, English support, empanadas, a complete barbecue, dessert, wine, afternoon refreshments, and time at the estancia.

You are also paying for the distance and the private format. The property is far enough from Mendoza to require a proper transfer, and the group is not a large coach excursion. If you only want an hour on a horse, this is too much. If you want a complete countryside day with a meal and personal hosting, the value is much stronger.

The reviews attached to the experience give it a five-star rating from nine bookings, with repeated praise for Gilda, the food, the wine, and the gentle horses. That pattern is useful because it points to the parts of the day most likely to matter: the hosting and meal are not filler between activities. They are central to the experience.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this day to you if you want a slower, personal side of Mendoza beyond vineyard tasting rooms. It suits couples, families with older children, and private groups who enjoy scenery, food, and cultural contact in equal measure.

It is especially good for:

• Riders with beginner or moderate experience who want a calm pace
• People interested in gaucho traditions and country cooking
• Wine drinkers who want a mountain meal rather than a formal cellar visit
• Visitors who prefer a private outing over a large scheduled group
• Photographers looking for Andes views and open countryside
• Anyone willing to spend most of a day away from Mendoza City

It is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, people over 75, or anyone with recent surgery. Those restrictions are important because the day includes a long transfer, outdoor riding, uneven trails, and time at altitude.

Practical packing advice for the ride

Wear long pants and comfortable outdoor clothing. Closed, comfortable shoes are a better choice than sandals, and bring a jacket even if Mendoza feels warm when you leave. The mountain setting can be cooler, especially during the ride and after lunch.

Pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera. The activity information also suggests bringing drinks, though water and wine are included with lunch. I would still carry your own water for the transfer and ride.

Do not plan this as a quick stop between other appointments. The total duration is eight hours, and the drive alone takes a significant part of the day. Give yourself room to enjoy lunch, the mountain views, and the relaxed pace.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Mendoza plans depend on weather or changing transport arrangements, but you should still check the exact start time and pickup point by WhatsApp.

My call: book it for the full-day experience

I would book this if you want one day that combines horseback riding, Argentine food, local wine, and a family-run mountain setting. The strongest features are the calm horses, Gilda’s personal hosting, the gaucho-led route, and the long lunch with homemade food.

I would skip it if you want a short riding lesson, a formal winery tour, or a low-cost activity close to central Mendoza. The drive is real, the day is long, and the altitude and outdoor conditions require suitable clothing.

For the right person, $180 buys more than a trail ride. It gives you a look at rural Mendoza through horses, food, family tradition, and the Andes themselves.

FAQ

Where is Estancia El Pico located?

Estancia El Pico is in La Carrera Valley near Tupungato, Mendoza Province, surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and the Pre-Cordillera.

How far is the estancia from Mendoza City?

The estancia is approximately 95 kilometers from Mendoza City. The transfer takes about 100 minutes by jeep or SUV.

How long does the complete experience last?

The full activity lasts eight hours, including transportation, horseback riding, lunch, wine, and time at the estancia.

How long is the horseback ride?

The ride is described as lasting one and a half hours, while the inclusions also refer to two hours. Confirm the exact riding time when arranging your pickup.

Are the horses suitable for beginners?

The horses are described as tame, calm Criollo horses with comfortable saddles. The route can be adjusted according to your experience and comfort.

Who leads the horseback ride?

A local gaucho leads the ride, accompanied by a bilingual hospitality manager who speaks English.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation to and from the estancia is included, with pickup and drop-off available in Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato.

What food and drink are included?

The day includes coffee or tea with homemade pastries, empanadas and tapas, a complete asado criollo, selected meats, salads, clay-oven vegetables, regional dessert, wine, and water.

Can vegetarians be accommodated?

A vegetarian meal was provided successfully, but you should tell the team about dietary needs when arranging the experience.

Who cannot take part?

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