Horseback Riding in the Andes Mountain

Ride high, eat well, remember it. This five-hour Andes horseback ride near Tupungato combines gaucho-led riding with a Malbec picnic at 2,500 meters. I like the chance to wear a poncho and hat, and I like that the day includes a proper Argentine meal instead of a quick snack. The mountain road and long transfer deserve attention, though.

The experience costs $210 per person and includes riding, food, selected wines, insurance, and optional hotel pickup and drop-off. Facundo receives special praise for shaping the schedule around the group and making sure every moment felt well planned. That personal touch may matter as much as the horses.

Key points at a glance

• A 2,500-meter picnic viewpoint: Stop high in the Andes for regional cheeses, ham, and Malbec with wide mountain views.
• Two and a half hours on horseback: Ride through the ranch area with local gauchos guiding the experience.
• A full Argentine lunch: Expect homemade meat empanadas, Argentine barbecue, salads, dessert, coffee, selected wines, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Gaucho clothing included: Put on a poncho and hat before riding if you want the full country-style look.
• Tupungato setting: The ranch sits in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, about an hour and 30 minutes from the starting point by road.
• A long day door to door: The activity lasts five hours, with roughly two hours and 30 minutes of additional transfer time if you use transport.

Why this Andes ride feels different

Mendoza offers many wine-centered outings, but this one puts the Andes first. Wine is part of the day, not the entire point. You ride with gauchos, stop at a high mountain viewpoint, and eat at the ranch in a setting tied to Argentine rural life.

That combination gives the experience a clear sense of place. The Uco Valley is known for its vineyards, yet the ranch takes you away from tasting-room routines and into open mountain country. You are not simply sitting at a table sampling Malbec. You are pairing the wine with altitude, horses, local food, and a working ranch atmosphere.

The route begins at Espacio Los Coirones, also identified at the gate as Ingreso Estancia Los Coirones. You should arrive 20 minutes early if you are driving yourself. The final road is unpaved, and cell service will probably disappear. That is useful to know before you leave Mendoza. The entrance is signposted, but this is not the kind of place where you should expect a strong phone signal to guide you in real time.

Getting to Espacio Los Coirones in Tupungato

The ranch is in Tupungato, within Mendoza’s Uco Valley. Reaching the area takes about one hour and 30 minutes, and the full transfer time adds roughly two hours and 30 minutes to the five-hour activity.

That makes this a full-day commitment for most people, even though the riding program itself is listed as five hours. If you use pickup and drop-off, confirm the arrangements when you book. If you drive, plan extra time for the dirt road and the possibility of losing reception.

The practical reward is a quieter setting away from the city. The ride begins at the ranch, where the staff can provide ponchos and hats. These clothes are optional, but they add character to the outing and help you feel part of the gaucho tradition rather than simply taking a standard riding lesson.

You should wear comfortable clothes, bring a coat, and use sunglasses and sunscreen. Mountain sun can be strong, and the temperature may not feel the same at the ranch and at the high viewpoint. The supplied information does not describe a specific weather policy, so checking conditions before you leave is sensible.

The 2.5-hour horseback ride with local gauchos

The horseback portion lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. Local gauchos lead the route and provide the central human connection. Their role is not just to point out the direction. They help shape the pace and guide you through the ranch setting.

That matters if you have limited riding experience. The available details do not promise a particular skill level or a specific horse for every participant, so you should tell the provider about your needs in advance. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, anyone over 254 pounds or 115 kilograms, or anyone over 70 years old.

The ride is long enough to feel like a real outing, rather than a short photo stop on a horse. You will have time to settle into the saddle, take in the Andes, and get a sense of the ranch environment. At the same time, two and a half hours can feel demanding if you are not used to riding. Comfortable clothing is essential, and a coat is specifically recommended.

The option to wear gaucho clothing also makes the riding segment more memorable. The poncho and hat are provided for the experience, so you do not need to bring your own. This is a simple detail, but it adds a strong visual link to the region and makes photographs feel more connected to the setting.

A Malbec picnic at 2,500 meters

After about one hour and 30 minutes of travel, the group reaches a viewpoint at 2,500 meters above sea level. Here, the picnic begins with regional cheeses and hams, followed by a few glasses of Malbec.

This is one of the best parts of the program for anyone who wants scenery without rushing. You can taste Mendoza wine while looking across the high Andes, rather than trying to squeeze a tasting into a crowded schedule. The food is simple and appropriate for the setting: local cheeses and cured ham give you something savory to enjoy with the wine.

The altitude adds drama, but it also makes preparation important. Bring your coat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The tour information does not give a precise temperature range or describe the walking surface at the viewpoint, so practical clothing is the safest choice.

The Malbec tasting is included, but the wording suggests a few glasses rather than unlimited wine. That is worth keeping in mind if you are comparing this experience with a dedicated winery day. Here, the wine supports the mountain experience. It is not the whole program.

Empanadas, barbecue, and the ranch meal

After around three hours of the experience, the gauchos at the ranch prepare the main meal. You can expect homemade meat empanadas, Argentine roast with salads, a sweet course, and coffee. Selected wines and non-alcoholic drinks accompany the menu.

This is a generous food program for a horseback outing. The empanadas provide a traditional first course, while the barbecue gives you the unmistakable Argentine centerpiece. The meal turns the ride into a social experience, with time to sit, eat, and enjoy the ranch rather than rushing straight back to the vehicle.

The selected wines are included in the price. If you want to choose bottles or different wines from the underground cellar, those cost extra. This is a fair arrangement, but you should not assume every cellar option is part of the $210 package.

The menu also makes the experience more appealing to people who want local food but do not want to plan a separate restaurant visit. You get regional cooking in the same place as the ride. The tradeoff is that the food is a set menu, so anyone with dietary restrictions should ask about options before confirming.

How much value do you get for $210?

At $210 per person, this is not a budget horseback ride. The value depends on how many parts of the day you would otherwise book separately.

The price includes insurance for the activity, gaucho clothing, two and a half hours of horseback riding, the high-altitude picnic, Malbec tasting, the ranch meal, selected wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, though the supplied information does not clearly state if transport carries an additional fee. Confirm that point before booking.

A typical short riding session would cost less, and a basic winery visit could also be cheaper. This program earns its higher price through the combination of the Andes setting, a long guided ride, a full meal, and the gaucho-led format. You are paying for a carefully arranged day, not just time in the saddle.

Personal attention is another part of the value. Facundo is praised for creating the right schedule and making sure the group enjoyed each part of the outing. That suggests the provider may be willing to adapt the flow to your needs, although you should discuss any special requirements ahead of time rather than rely on last-minute changes.

What the long transfer adds to the day

The transfer is both a benefit and a drawback. Pickup and drop-off can make the outing easy if you are based in Mendoza and do not want to manage a rural route. You can enjoy the day without worrying about the dirt road or navigation.

The cost is time. Add about two hours and 30 minutes of transfer to the five-hour activity, and your day becomes much longer than the headline duration suggests. Anyone with only a short stay in Mendoza should compare this with a closer wine tour or a shorter riding experience.

The route to the ranch also includes dirt roads and likely loss of cell service. That is not a problem if you know it in advance. Save the meeting details before leaving, follow the signs, and arrive early. The gate carries the sign Ingreso Estancia Los Coirones, which gives you a clear marker once you reach the property.

Languages, timing, and practical limits

A live guide is available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. That makes the experience workable for international visitors, but you should still request your preferred language when booking.

The activity lasts five hours, with starting times based on availability. The ranch asks you to arrive 20 minutes early so the program can begin on time. That early arrival is especially useful if you need help with the gaucho clothing or want to explain riding concerns.

Insurance against problems during the activity is included. The provider also permits cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. These policies give you useful flexibility, especially when mountain weather can affect plans, though the available information does not spell out a specific weather cancellation rule.

The age and weight limits are firm practical considerations. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people over 115 kilograms, or people over 70 years old. If you fall close to a limit or have a medical concern, contact Casa los Coirones before paying.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this experience if you want three things in one day: mountain scenery, horseback riding, and a serious Argentine meal. It suits people who prefer a regional experience over a polished city attraction.

It is also a good match for wine lovers who want Malbec in a less formal setting. The picnic and lunch include wine, but you still spend much of the day outdoors and on horseback. That balance is more interesting than a series of indoor tastings if you want to feel the geography behind Mendoza’s wine culture.

Families with young children should check the riding arrangements directly, since no minimum age is provided. Older visitors and anyone with mobility or health concerns should also ask questions before reserving. The ride is substantial, and the activity does not list a shorter horseback option.

This may not suit you if you want a quick excursion, dislike long transfers, or prefer to choose every wine and menu item yourself. The day has a set shape, and the cellar wines cost extra. You also need to be comfortable with a rural road and weak phone reception.

Should you book the Andes horseback ride?

Book it if you want a full regional day rather than a simple horse ride. The strongest reasons are the gaucho guidance, the 2,500-meter Malbec picnic, and the meal of empanadas, barbecue, salads, dessert, and coffee. Those elements give the outing real weight for the price.

I would hesitate only if your schedule is tight or you are counting on a short five-hour outing. The transfer adds substantial time, and the mountain setting requires practical clothing and some preparation.

For the right visitor, this is a memorable Mendoza choice. You get the Andes, the Uco Valley, local food, selected wine, and a personal schedule shaped by the ranch team. Just arrive early, bring a coat, keep your phone details saved offline, and remember that the cellar’s extra wines are not included.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience begin?

It begins at Espacio Los Coirones, also identified by the entrance sign Ingreso Estancia Los Coirones, in Tupungato’s Uco Valley.

How long does the experience last?

The guided activity lasts about five hours. Transfers add approximately two hours and 30 minutes in total.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered as an option. Confirm the transport arrangements when booking.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes homemade meat empanadas, Argentine roast with salads, a sweet course, coffee, selected wines, and non-alcoholic drinks. A picnic with regional cheeses, ham, and Malbec is also included.

Are all wines from the underground cellar included?

No. The wines selected for the menu are included. Other wines chosen from the cellar cost extra.

What languages are available?

The live guide can conduct the experience in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.