Authentic Country Day

This country day near Mendoza is interesting because you get ranch life, not just scenery. You start with a family welcome, ride into the foothills, then slow down with real Argentine food and tea as dusk rolls in.

I love the 3-hour horseback tour into the foothills, including a scenic stop with wine and snacks. I also love the lunch, a classic Argentine asado served as a three-step meal after a gentle ride back.

One possible drawback is that the day is very outdoors and active, so if you want mostly indoor time or you do not enjoy horses, you might feel a bit out of sync.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group ranch time (max 12): You are not packed into a bus crowd, and the hosts can actually talk with you.
• Horseback-first morning: You get a guided ride plus a scenic wine and snack stop.
• Asado built into the day: The meal is part of the rhythm of the ranch, not a separate, rushed detour.
• Afternoon choice: You can trek, do a 4×4 excursion, or relax at the house.
• Tea time at dusk: The day ends with a calm ranch moment, not another scheduled stop.
• Overnight upgrade if you book it: Sunset drinks by the fireplace, dinner that often includes fresh trout, then a quiet night and breakfast.

Getting Oriented at Vivacs del Plata (and Why It Feels Easy)

Your day starts at Vivacs del Plata, La Carrera, RP89, in Tupungato, Mendoza. The start time is 10:00am, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

What I like about this setup is how simple it is. You show up once, then you are handled from there, with the ranch family taking the lead. The group size is capped at 12, so you get a calmer flow than you will on bigger tours, and service animals are allowed.

Because it is a ranch in the Andes region, you should assume the day will run on ranch time. That means you spend longer on each moment, from coffee to the final tea, and you are not constantly moving just to check boxes.

Coffee, Pastries, and Meeting the Palma Family

When you arrive, the ranch begins right away. You start at a new house with coffee and local pastries, then you get a chance to meet the pets and the family who runs the place.

This is not a quick handshake moment. You learn the ranch culture through personal stories, and the family history matters here because the land is worked and lived in, not just displayed. In the names shared by hosts, you may meet people like Juan Cruz and other members of the Palma family, including Fabian, Carolina, and Camila.

This early time is more than comfort fuel. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. You are not just watching ranch life from a distance, you are being folded into it, which makes later parts like the asado and horse riding feel connected instead of random.

Practical tip: arrive with at least a light hunger. Coffee and pastries are a start, but the main food happens later after the ride.

The 3-Hour Horse Ride to the Foothills, Plus Wine and Snacks

Next comes the corrals and your 3-hour horse tour. The timing is long enough to actually feel like you are riding, not just getting a quick photo and a pat on the neck.

You will ride into the foothills, guided and paced in a way that is meant to be comfortable. One key detail that stands out from the experience is that riders are taken at a slow, walking pace through varied terrain. Depending on conditions, you might see creek beds and pastures along the way, and you could even catch unexpected weather changes, like a light sprinkling of snow, if the season brings it.

There is also a scenic stop for wine and snacks. This matters because it breaks up the ride naturally, giving you a chance to cool down, look out across the mountains, and enjoy a small ranch-style tasting moment without it turning into a lecture.

What to watch for: if you are sensitive to cold, plan for layers. The Andes can shift quickly, and at least one day included snow during the ride. Also, wear footwear that works well for being on and around horses.

Back at the Ranch: Gentle Return and a Classic Argentine Asado Lunch

After the ride, you return home on horseback in a gentle way. Then the meal comes right after, structured as a three-step lunch.

The centerpiece is the classic Argentine asado, the ranch BBQ style that is central to how many Argentines think about outdoor cooking. This lunch is not just about taste, although it clearly has a strong reputation. It is also about pacing. You ride, you work up an appetite, then the food shows up as part of the day rather than a separate event.

From the way people describe it, the asado experience includes authentic flavors and careful cooking. You are eating in a family setting, which is a huge part of why the meal lands so well. If you care about food that is local to Mendoza’s rural world, this is where the value really stacks up.

One note: you are outdoors, so come ready for a meal that feels like part of a ranch afternoon. If you want a silent, white-tablecloth dining atmosphere, you may not get that here. If you want warmth, smoke, and real hospitality, you will.

Afternoon Choices, Trekking or 4×4, and Tea at Dusk

The afternoon is built around choice. After lunch, you can pick from trekking, a 4×4 excursion, or relaxing at the house.

This is a smart way to design a day. Not everyone wants the same type of movement after horseback riding. If you still want active time, trekking keeps you in the outdoors. If you want a change of pace, the 4×4 option adds a different kind of adventure, and people describe it as next level in how it complements the horse ride. And if you want a slower afternoon, relaxing at the house is also part of the plan.

Then, as the day cools, you get tea time at dusk. That calm end matters because it turns the experience from a sequence of activities into an actual day you live through. It gives you time to sit, talk, and look toward the mountains without rushing to the next thing.

If you are traveling with mixed groups, this afternoon choice is also helpful. Different people can get what they want, without splitting into separate tours.

Optional Overnight in the Estancia: Fireplace Sunset, Trout Dinner, and Stars

If you book the overnight package, the ranch continues after dark. The day shifts from riding and cooking to quiet comfort.

You can enjoy drinks by the fireplace at sunset, and dinner is often described as featuring fresh trout. After that, you admire the starry skies, then sleep in a peaceful, quiet setting.

In terms of comfort, overnight stays are described as cozy, with new guest rooms and modern bathrooms. People also mention the place feels warm, like you are staying inside a real home rather than a sterile lodge.

I like the logic of adding the night if you can. A one-day experience is great, but an overnight stay changes the feel. You get the ranch at a different pace, with less time pressure and more time for the family to hang out with you naturally.

Practical note: if you are the type who hates early mornings, this overnight option is still worth considering because it ends with breakfast the next day. The ranch also tends to be quiet, so it is not a party atmosphere.

Price and Value: What $228 Covers and Why It Adds Up

At $228 per person for about one day, you are paying for a full ranch experience, not just a ride or a meal.

Here is what is included in your day plan: coffee and local pastries to start, meeting the pets and family, a 3-hour guided horseback tour with a scenic stop for wine and snacks, a three-step lunch featuring a classic asado, afternoon choice activities (trekking or 4×4, plus the option to relax), and tea time at dusk.

That is a lot of built-in value. You are not paying for each piece separately, and the host-led format matters because you get a smaller group and personal interaction. People consistently connect the experience quality to the family hospitality, and that kind of attention is hard to replicate in larger tour formats.

Could it be pricey if you want only one activity? Maybe. If your goal is just to ride for 30 minutes, this would be overkill. But if you want an entire day of horses, food, and ranch life, the price starts to feel fair.

I would also think about the overnight option if you truly want value. Since the ranch adds fireplace sunset drinks, dinner that often includes fresh trout, and a quiet night with breakfast, the overnight package can turn your visit into a full story instead of a highlight clip.

Who This Ranch Day Is Best For

This experience fits best if you like one or more of these things:

• Food that is tied to place, especially Argentine asado cooked in a family ranch setting
• Horseback riding at a comfortable walking pace through foothills and varied terrain
• Small-group, family-hosted travel, where you actually get to hear the story of the land and how it is lived
• Choosing your own pace in the afternoon, with trekking, 4×4, or relaxing as options

It may be less ideal if you need a very structured schedule with lots of indoor time, or if horseback riding is not your thing. Also, because this is outdoors, plan for weather. One day included light snow during the ride, so pack for changing conditions.

Tips to Make the Day Go Smoothly

A few practical moves will help you get the most out of it:

• Bring layers. The Andes can be chilly, and the ride can include sudden weather changes.
• Wear shoes you trust for uneven ground. You will be around corrals, horses, and outdoor areas.
• If you are booking overnight, consider packing a warm layer for evenings. The ranch night is quiet, and that usually means cooler air.
• Ask questions early, especially during the welcome. If you meet hosts like Fabian, Carolina, or Camila, use that first hour to learn what to expect from the ride and the meals.
• If you are torn between day and overnight, pick overnight. The ranch runs on its own rhythm, and staying adds a whole extra layer to the experience.

Should You Book This Authentic Country Day at Vivacs del Plata?

Book it if you want Mendoza in a way that feels personal and rural, with horse riding, a real ranch asado lunch, and a family welcome that turns a tour into a day you remember.

Skip it if you mainly want big-city sights, museums, or a fast, checklist style itinerary. This is for people who like the outdoors and are happy to slow down.

If you have the flexibility, I would lean toward the overnight package. The fireplace sunset, trout dinner, quiet sleep, and next-morning breakfast turn a great day into a complete ranch stay.

Overall, this is strong value for a small-group, hands-on country experience, especially if you care about food, animals, and actually meeting the people who run the estancia.

FAQ

Where is Authentic Country Day located?

It takes place in Mendoza, Argentina, at Vivacs del Plata (La Carrera, RP89, Tupungato, Mendoza).

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 10:00am.

How long does the experience last?

It is listed as about 1 day.

What is the meeting point and where does it end?

You start at Vivacs del Plata La Carrera, RP89, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What happens in the morning?

You begin at the ranch house with coffee and local pastries, and you have time to meet the pets and family before heading to the corrals.

Is horseback riding included?

Yes. The experience includes a 3-hour horse tour, followed by riding gently back home.

What food and drinks are included?

You get coffee and local pastries in the morning. During the horse tour there is a scenic stop with wine and snacks, and you also enjoy a three-step lunch featuring a classic Argentine asado. If you book overnight, dinner often includes fresh trout.

What can I do in the afternoon?

In the afternoon you can choose between trekking, a 4×4 excursion, or relaxing at the house.

Is there an overnight option, and what is different?

Yes, an overnight package is available. It typically includes drinks by the fireplace at sunset, fresh trout dinner, stargazing, a quiet night, and breakfast the next day.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.