Private Horseback Riding at the foot of The Andes

Private horseback riding in Mendoza at the foot of the Andes is one of those days where you feel like you switched worlds, from city morning to ranch life fast. I especially love the gentle, hands-on horse guidance from Tobias, and I also love that the day is built around real food, including homemade breakfast and asado lunch.

One thing to consider: this is a long, early start kind of outing (about 10 hours total), and it runs only when weather cooperates.

If you want the day to feel personal, that’s a big plus. It’s a private tour/activity, so it’s just your group. And the hosts, including Tobias and Kate, make it feel warm and unhurried, even if you are not an experienced rider.

Key highlights to watch for

• Private ranch time on an estancia setting, with only your group
• Baby horse interaction at arrival, plus coffee and a homemade breakfast
• 2.5-hour ride with lessons about native plants and animals in the semi-desert
• Authentic Argentinian meals featuring empanadas and classic asado, with vegetarian options too
• Choice after lunch to rest by the river or ride again
• Canter practice for experienced riders on the second ride option

Why This Private Ride Works So Well in Mendoza

Mendoza gets most of the attention for wine. This experience gives you a different side of the region, the ranch-and-mountains side, with the Andes sitting in the background for a lot of the day. What makes it work is the pacing. You get a farm morning, a real ride, then food, then another chance to ride, instead of a rushed, check-the-box tour.

I like that you are not stuck “only sightseeing.” You are out on horseback for about 2.5 hours, and you get small, practical learning moments along the way, like how the ecosystem looks and what animals and plants are part of it. That turns the ride into more than just time in the saddle.

The other advantage is how personal it feels. Even though it is offered in English, it does not feel like a lecture. Tobias is the kind of host who teaches by doing, and it shows in how smooth the day feels for riders who are new to this.

Morning Pickup and the Valle de Uco Drive to the Farm

You start at 7:30 am in Mendoza city. A driver picks you up from your preferred location, and they work out the exact pickup details after booking. If you are flexible, you can usually adjust your pickup location later, which is handy if your lodging is in a busy spot.

From Mendoza, you head south for about 2 hours through the Valle de Uco area. This is a part of Argentina known for wineries, vineyards, and small towns, and the drive gives you that gradual shift from city traffic to open views. The big value here is timing. Leaving early helps you reach the estancia while things are calm and the morning energy is good.

Practical tip: plan to be ready at pickup time, because you are committing to an early start. If you hate waking up fast on vacation, this might be the only hard part of the day.

Baby Horses and a Homemade Breakfast at the Estancia

Around 10 am, you arrive at the farm for a homemade breakfast. This is not just coffee and a pastry thrown at you. The menu includes a country breakfast with homemade bread and marmalades, tea and coffee, tortafritas (a traditional fried suit bread), and seasonal fruit.

Then comes a fun, surprisingly grounding moment: meeting adorable baby horses. You can interact with them and pet them. It is a short break before the ride, but it also sets the mood. You are not jumping straight into the activity. You get to see the place you’re riding from.

This is also where Tobias’s approach matters. If you are new, you are not left to figure it out alone. The day is designed so you can learn while doing. That balance is what turns a “try horseback riding once” moment into something you actually feel good about.

2.5 Hours on Horseback Through Semi-Desert Life

Your main ride lasts about 2.5 hours. You will be in a semi-desert ecosystem, and along the way you learn about native plants and the animal life that lives there. You will feel the difference between this kind of terrain and what you might imagine from greener regions. The ground can be dry, and the scenery can look open and spare, but that is exactly why it is interesting.

What I like most about this portion is that the learning is tied to what you can see right in front of you. Instead of generic “nature facts,” you get explanations that match the plants around you and the animals that are part of the setting.

Riding skills note: the day is described as suitable for most travelers, but there is a specific weight limit to ride the horses, 90 kg. If you are above that, you may not be able to participate in the riding portion as intended.

Comfort tip: wear closed-toe shoes or boots and plan for dust. Even if it is not hot, ranch rides tend to be practical, not delicate.

Argentinian Asado Lunch, Empanadas, and Mom’s Ketchup

After the morning ride, lunch is a proper Argentinian meal. You get empanadas as a starter, including both meat and vegetarian options.

For the main event, it is asado with grilled vegetables and salads. The menu calls out prime quality Argentinian meat, plus grilled vegetables, and salads. There is also a homemade ketchup made by the host’s mom, and that small detail matters because it signals how “home-cooked” this is meant to feel.

You do not just eat and run. Lunch sits between riding sessions, which helps you recover without losing the day’s momentum. And if you are vegetarian, you are not stuck with bread and cheese. The vegetarian empanadas and grilled vegetables are part of the planned meal.

If you are deciding what kind of “food day” you want in Mendoza, this is one of the more authentic ways to do it. You get asado, but you also get the farm setting that makes it feel earned.

After Lunch Choices: River Relaxing or a Second Ride

Once you finish lunch, you get a choice. You can relax by the river, or you can go for another horseback ride.

I like this setup because it respects different energy levels. Some people want to slow down after a full morning. Others want the ride time to keep going. And because the experience is private for your group, you are not trapped into one option just because someone else wants it.

If you choose the second ride, it can be a big moment if you have more riding experience. The plan notes that for more experienced riders, this is a great chance to canter and work on equestrian skills. If you are newer, you still get to ride, but the focus may be different depending on how you are guided.

Either way, you are still at the estancia, still in the ranch rhythm. That helps the day feel cohesive rather than like a series of transfers.

Back to Mendoza by Early Evening

Around 6 pm, you start the return drive to Mendoza city. That timing matters because it keeps the total day to about 10 hours, not a stretched-out ordeal that eats your entire next morning.

The return is also a chance to decompress. After horseback riding, food, and time in a rural setting, the ride back gives you that “okay, I’m done for the day” feeling without pushing too late into the night.

Price and Value: Why $195 Feels Fair for What You Get

At $195 per person, this is not a bargain-basement activity. But the value checks out when you look at what’s included in that price.

You are paying for a full-day ranch experience with:

• Private participation (only your group)
• Pickup from Mendoza city
• About 2 hours of scenic driving through the Valle de Uco area
• Homemade breakfast plus a full lunch with asado
• About 2.5 hours of horseback riding, plus an optional second ride
• On-site instruction and interpretation of the ecosystem during the ride

When you compare it to the cost of piecing together ranch entry, a guide, and food elsewhere, this price makes more sense. You are buying a complete block of time with the animals, the meals, and the guiding all handled.

It also helps that the day is offered in English, which can matter if you want explanations of plants and animals rather than just riding and hoping you understand everything.

Who Should Book This (And Who Might Want to Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want:

• A hands-on Mendoza day outside of wineries
• A private experience with a host who teaches you how to ride with patience
• A real lunch, not a snack, with meat and vegetarian options
• A chance to interact with baby horses before you ride

It might be less ideal if:

• You really dislike early mornings, because 7:30 am pickup is part of the deal
• You want a very flexible schedule (this is a structured day)
• You are concerned about the 90 kg weight limit to ride the horses
• You are expecting a “wild west” adventure with zero guidance. This is more guided and instructional, which is usually a plus, but it is not an unguided ride.

Things to Know Before You Go: Weather, Timing, and Comfort

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are poor, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That matters because horseback riding can be unsafe or unpleasant in bad weather.

Plan for comfort:

• Wear shoes with a secure grip for the stirrups
• Bring sun protection for the ride and dry conditions
• Expect dust if the ground is dry
• Dress in layers, since early ranch mornings can feel cooler than later in the day

Also check the riding fit. The tour states that most travelers can participate, but the 90 kg weight limit applies for riding the horses.

If you are traveling with a service animal, service animals are allowed. And the experience is near public transportation, which can help if you are not staying right where pickup is easiest.

Should You Book This Horseback Day at the Foot of the Andes?

If you want a Mendoza day that feels authentic, not staged, I think it’s an easy yes. The combination of a farm morning, a real 2.5-hour horseback ride with learning built in, and then a proper asado lunch is exactly the kind of “Argentina in one day” that stays in your memory.

Book it especially if you appreciate instruction. Tobias’s gentle, informative teaching style is a major part of why first-timers seem to feel comfortable quickly. And the homemade food, including empanadas and asado, makes it more than just a riding excursion.

I would only hesitate if you know you are not up for a long day with an early start, or if you are concerned about the 90 kg weight limit.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 am in Mendoza city.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered in Mendoza, and pickup details are arranged after booking. You can change the pickup location later.

How long is the horseback riding?

The main horseback ride lasts about 2.5 hours. After lunch, you can choose to relax by the river or take another horseback ride.

What food is included in the price?

Breakfast is homemade and includes items like bread with marmalades, tortafritas, fruit, and tea or coffee. Lunch includes empanadas (meat and vegetarian options) and asado with grilled vegetables and salads.

Is there a weight limit to ride the horses?

Yes. The weight limit to ride the horses is 90 kg.

Is this tour private, and is it offered in English?

Yes, it is a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. It is offered in English.