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

Horseback riding meets Argentine barbecue. At Estancia El Pico Palma, you ride gentle Criollo horses through a private mountain property, then sit down to a generous asado with wine and views of the Andes. The day connects nature, gaucho traditions, family hospitality, and local food in one long outing.

I especially like the calm, well-cared-for horses and the personal welcome from Gilda and her team. I also like that the ride stays inside the private estancia, where the setting feels quiet and open rather than crowded with tour groups. The main consideration is the long day: about eight hours, including roughly 100 minutes of road travel each way.

This is not a quick horseback photo stop. You leave Mendoza Province’s city life behind and spend the day at about 2,000 meters above sea level, with the ride reaching around 2,400 meters. If you want a relaxed mountain outing with a serious meal at the end, this is a strong choice. If you dislike long car rides, altitude, or sitting on a horse for an extended period, think carefully before booking.

What makes this mountain day special

• A 250-year family estancia: Estancia El Pico Palma has belonged to the Palma family for more than two centuries, and the owners still welcome visitors at their home.
• A private ride through the Andes: The route passes plantations, dirt trails, mountain scenery, and open areas with views toward Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano.
• Gentle Criollo horses: The horses are described as tame and tranquil, with comfortable saddles and traditional riding equipment.
• A real asado criollo: Lunch includes selected meats, salads, vegetables baked in a clay oven, homemade desserts, wine, and water.
• Personal guidance: A local gaucho leads the ride with a bilingual hospitality manager providing English-language help and background.
• More than lunch and horses: After the meal, you can rest, walk, contemplate the mountains, or try the perfumed wine and perfume tasting.

Reaching Estancia El Pico from Mendoza

Your day begins with pickup in Mendoza City, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. The exact pickup point and time are arranged through WhatsApp, which is useful because hotel locations and traffic can make a fixed public meeting point awkward.

The estancia is about 95 kilometers from Mendoza City. The road portion is listed at roughly 100 minutes in a Jeep or SUV, so I would treat the drive as part of the outing rather than a minor transfer. You will spend a good part of the morning watching the city and wine-country setting give way to mountain terrain.

That travel time is the clearest drawback. For some people, it is a fair trade for a private property in the La Carrera Valley. For others, especially anyone with limited time in Mendoza, it may feel like too much time in the vehicle for a one-and-a-half to two-hour ride.

The setting helps justify the distance. Estancia El Pico sits in La Carrera, in Tupungato, surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and Pre-Cordillera. The property is at roughly 2,000 meters above sea level, with the horseback route climbing toward 2,400 meters. Bring warm clothing even if Mendoza is hot when you leave. Mountain weather can feel quite different.

Coffee, tea, and a family welcome

On arrival, you are received at the owners’ house with coffee, tea, and homemade pastries. This opening matters because it slows the pace before the ride begins. You have time to settle in, take in the property, and meet the people who run the day.

The home-based welcome gives the outing a more personal feel than a standard ranch attraction. The Palma family’s connection to the estancia goes back more than 250 years, but the day is not presented as a formal historical tour. Instead, the family setting and local staff provide a simple sense of place.

Gilda is central to the hospitality. Her role includes welcoming the group, helping with the meal, and making adjustments when needed. The feedback describes her as attentive and warm, and one outing included thoughtful vegetarian catering. If you have dietary needs, tell the provider when arranging pickup rather than waiting until lunch.

The use of a private group also helps. You are not being moved through a large crowd on a strict assembly line. The riding route can be adjusted according to experience and comfort, which is valuable if one person in your party has ridden often and another is a complete beginner.

Riding Criollo horses through the mountain property

The horseback portion is the heart of the day. The published timing varies slightly, with the route described as one and a half hours in one place and about two hours in another. Plan for roughly that range, not for a short ten-minute ride.

You ride first-class Criollo horses fitted with comfortable saddles and traditional equipment. The horses are described as tame, calm, and well cared for. That is important because a peaceful horse can make the difference between enjoying the views and spending the whole ride worrying about every movement.

A local gaucho leads the group along a dirt trail made through the mountain property. The bilingual hospitality manager accompanies the ride and explains the area’s story. The combination gives you both practical help in the saddle and English-language context along the way.

The route passes plantations and areas with local flora and fauna. The available information does not promise a particular crop or a fixed wildlife sighting, so keep expectations sensible. You might see condors, foxes, hares, and many kinds of birds, but wildlife is never guaranteed on a timed outing.

The horses carry you to a viewpoint around 2,400 meters, where you can see Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano. The advertised view is a full 360 degrees, making this the best point for photographs. Pack your camera, but do not spend the whole ride looking through it. The main pleasure is the quiet movement through the property, with the mountains providing the backdrop.

The ride is described as safe and suitable for people with different levels of comfort. Still, horseback riding is physical. You should be comfortable wearing long pants and sitting in a saddle for up to two hours. The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with recent surgeries, or people over 75. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with animal allergies.

The mountain view is the payoff

The high point of the ride is not a technical riding challenge. It is the open view from higher ground. From the upper route, you can look across the Andes toward the Cerro del Plata and Tupungato Volcano, with the valley and estancia below.

This is a good match for anyone who values scenery more than speed. The horses are not presented as racing animals, and the route follows a dirt trail within private land. You are there to take in the mountains, watch for birds, and hear the gaucho explain the place.

Sun protection matters at this altitude. Wear sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and a jacket or warm layer. The packing advice also recommends comfortable outdoor clothing, sturdy comfortable shoes, long pants, and drinks. Follow it. Mountain sun can be strong, while the air may turn cool once you are exposed to open heights.

The route’s flexibility is another plus. If you are new to riding, you can tell the staff how comfortable you feel. If you already ride, you may appreciate being able to discuss the route rather than being treated as if every person has the same ability.

Empanadas first, then a full Argentine asado

After the ride, you return to the owners’ house for tapas and homemade empanadas. They are prepared with local products and cooked in a clay oven. This first round of food is paired with selected high-altitude wines, so lunch begins before the main course arrives.

Then comes the asado criollo. Expect first-class meats, fresh salads, vegetables baked in the clay oven, regional dessert, wine, and water. The meal is not an afterthought or a boxed picnic. It is a major part of the value, and the format gives you time to sit, eat, and enjoy the mountain view from the property.

I would plan to make lunch a slow event. The point is not simply to refuel after riding. You are eating homemade food, trying wines selected for the occasion, and experiencing a style of Argentine hospitality centered on generous portions and conversation.

The wine is described as high-altitude wine chosen specifically for the meal. This is not presented as a full winery tour, so do not book it expecting vineyard lectures or a large commercial tasting room. Instead, wine works as part of the meal and the local setting.

Vegetarians can be accommodated, as shown by the meal prepared for one vegetarian participant. Again, contact the provider in advance. The main barbecue focuses on meat, so advance notice is the sensible way to make sure the kitchen is prepared.

Afternoon coffee, crafts, and perfumed wine

After lunch, you can choose a quieter stretch of the day. Options include resting, walking, or simply looking toward the mountains. This flexibility is welcome after the ride and meal, especially for anyone who wants a less active afternoon.

Tea and coffee with homemade pastries are served later in the day. That second sweet break adds to the sense that the outing is hosted at a family property rather than operated as a quick excursion with a hard departure immediately after lunch.

The program also includes a perfumed wine experience, described as wine and perfume tasting. This is an unusual extra, though the supplied details do not explain exactly how long it lasts or how the tasting is organized. Think of it as an optional sensory activity, not the reason to book the tour.

There is also a showroom selling handmade products and handicrafts made by the local community. This gives you a chance to support local makers, but purchases are not included in the price. Bring a little spending money if you like buying small regional items, and remember that the main experience does not depend on shopping.

What the $180 price really covers

At $180 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Mendoza area. Its value comes from how many separate costs it bundles together: transportation from selected pickup areas, a private estancia visit, horseback riding, a gaucho and bilingual guide, multiple food services, wine, and a full asado.

You are also paying for a private-group setting and personal attention from the owners’ team. The day includes far more than a ride followed by a basic sandwich. Coffee and pastries begin the visit, empanadas and tapas follow the ride, and lunch includes meat, side dishes, dessert, and selected wine. Afternoon tea and pastries are included too.

The price makes the most sense if you want a full-day cultural and food outing rather than a single activity. It is also a practical choice if arranging your own transport to a remote mountain property would be difficult.

The value is weaker if your main goal is only to ride horses. In that case, you are paying for the long transfer, meal, wine, hosting, and extra activities as well. You should also remember that gratuity is not included.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and reserve-now, pay-later terms make planning easier, but check availability for the starting time. Pickup details are arranged directly by WhatsApp, so keep an eye on your messages before the day.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this day to adults and older teenagers who want a peaceful connection with the countryside. It suits people who enjoy food, wine, open mountain scenery, local hospitality, and an unhurried pace.

It is especially good for:

• First-time riders who want calm horses and guidance
• Experienced riders who prefer scenery to speed
• Couples or small private groups
• Food-focused visitors who see the asado as a highlight
• People looking for a family-run setting rather than a large attraction
• Anyone willing to spend much of the day away from Mendoza City

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, recent surgery, animal allergies, or a strong dislike of long drives. The altitude may also matter to anyone who is sensitive to mountain conditions. The stated restrictions are clear, so take them seriously rather than hoping the staff will make an exception.

Practical packing advice for an eight-hour day

Wear long pants and comfortable outdoor clothing. A saddle and shorts are a poor pairing, and mountain dirt trails call for sensible footwear.

Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, and an extra warm layer. The advice specifically calls for a jacket and warm clothing, even though the day may begin in warm Mendoza weather. Take a camera, but keep your hands free and listen to the gaucho’s instructions around the horses.

You should also bring drinks. Water and wine are included with the meal, but that does not replace having something available during the ride. Avoid carrying anything loose that could fall from your pockets along the trail.

The activity is in English, with a live guide and bilingual support during the ride. Some material may appear in its original language, so do not expect every cultural detail to be translated word for word.

Should you book Estancia El Pico?

Book it if you want one substantial day that combines mountain scenery, gentle horses, gaucho culture, a family-run estancia, and a proper Argentine lunch. The strongest parts are the calm Criollo horses, the private setting, Gilda’s personal hospitality, and the generous meal with wine.

Skip it if you only want a short ride close to Mendoza, or if an eight-hour outing with about 100 minutes of driving each way sounds tiring. The trip is best understood as a complete country day, not as a simple horseback excursion.

For the right person, the $180 price is fair because transportation, food, wine, guiding, and private access are all built in. Bring warm layers, tell the team about dietary needs, and allow the day to move at its own pace. That is where this outing makes the most sense.

FAQ

Where is Estancia El Pico located?

Estancia El Pico Palma is in La Carrera, Tupungato, in Mendoza Province. It is surrounded by the Cordon del Plata and Pre-Cordillera at about 2,000 meters above sea level.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The horseback portion is described as approximately one and a half to two hours.

How far is the estancia from Mendoza City?

The estancia is approximately 95 kilometers from Mendoza City. The Jeep or SUV transfer is listed at about 100 minutes.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available in Mendoza City, Luján de Cuyo, or Tupungato. The exact meeting point and pickup time are arranged through WhatsApp.

Is the experience private?

Yes. It is offered as a private group experience.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking guide, and the ride is accompanied by a bilingual hospitality manager.

What food and drinks are included?

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

Can vegetarians take part?

Yes. Vegetarian food can be prepared, but you should notify the provider in advance so the meal can be arranged properly.

What should I wear and bring?

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

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.