Two day ride through the Sierras

Catch the Sierras at horse pace. This two-day ride from Córdoba pairs broad mountain views with a night at El Rosal ranch, where you eat, sleep, and spend time in a working country setting. I like the horses matched to your ability and the fact that meals and drinks are included, including local salami, wine, and asado. The main consideration is the six hours of riding each day, which calls for decent physical fitness.

I also like that this is a private outing, so your group is not folded into a large herd of strangers. Salvador Gimenez aims to match each rider with one of his 28 horses, though you should know that he may not personally ride every section. Volunteers can lead the ride, and the pace may include some waiting.

Key points to know before you book

• Two full riding days: Plan on about six hours in the saddle each day, not a short sightseeing ride.
• Horses for different skill levels: Salvador works to pair you with a horse suited to your experience and needs.
• Night at El Rosal ranch: You stay in a country house near Agua de Oro, surrounded by nature and farm animals.
• Meals and drinks included: The price covers food and beverages, with local salami, wine, and a traditional asado part of the experience.
• Sierras Chicas scenery: The route visits the ranch, nearby mountains, valleys, and different elevations around the summits.
• Private group format: Only your party takes part, with English service available and a meeting point on Provincial Route E53.

Why two days makes sense in the Sierras Chicas

One day on horseback can feel like a sample. This trip gives you time to settle into the saddle, learn your horse’s habits, and see more than the immediate area around the ranch.

The setting is the Sierras Chicas, the mountain range east of Córdoba. The ride begins at Ruta Provincial E53 near El Manzano and returns to that same meeting point after the overnight stay. From there, the route covers the interior of the ranch and surrounding mountain country.

The appeal is not a checklist of famous sights. It is the change in pace. On foot or by car, you tend to focus on the next viewpoint. On horseback, you spend longer looking at the summits, open ground, and changing geography around you. That slower rhythm is the point.

You should also set your expectations correctly. This is not a gentle one-hour ride with a few posed photographs. Six hours of riding per day is a serious amount of time, even for someone who enjoys horses. If you rarely exercise or have trouble sitting in the saddle for long periods, the second day may feel demanding.

Meeting your horse at the ranch

A useful part of the experience comes before the ride begins. Salvador wants to get to know you quickly and choose from his 28 horses based on your skill level and what you need from the outing.

That matters. A calm, secure horse can make a beginner feel far more at ease. An experienced rider may want a horse with a little more energy or independence. The stated goal is to give each rider a suitable match rather than simply assigning horses at random.

The horses are described as well educated, noble, and safe, with distinct personalities. That last point is worth noting. You are not getting a mechanical ride where every animal behaves the same way. Each horse has its own character, and part of the pleasure is learning how to work with yours.

The activity welcomes beginners and more advanced riders, but beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. You still need to handle a horse for several hours a day and remain comfortable outdoors. If you are new to riding, tell the team clearly. The more honestly you explain your experience, the better the match is likely to be.

Six hours through mountain country

The riding program takes you through the ranch grounds and the surrounding Sierras Chicas. You visit different types of terrain and climb toward views of the mountain summits.

The supplied details do not give a fixed turn-by-turn route, so conditions and the group’s ability may shape the day. That is a good reason to think of this as a guided country ride rather than a tightly timed attraction. You will have time to look around, but you should not expect a minute-by-minute schedule.

The scenery is the star. The route is meant to let you take in the mountain views gradually, with the horse doing the work and the changing elevations providing a sense of place. You may find the most satisfying moments come between the named stops, when the group is simply moving through open country.

There can also be waiting time. One recent account describes some delays but still found the ride relaxed and enjoyable. I would treat that as useful planning advice: bring patience, and do not schedule an important Córdoba appointment immediately after your return.

The private format helps here. Your party is not competing with a large group for the guide’s attention, and the pace can better fit the riders taking part. Still, private does not mean fast. Mountain riding has its own rhythm, and the horses set much of it.

El Rosal ranch and the gaucho setting

The overnight stay is in a country house at El Rosal ranch near Agua de Oro. You are surrounded by nature and farm animals, with a setting designed to help you disconnect from city life.

This is the part that gives the ride its character. You are not simply leaving a stable after a trail loop and returning to a hotel. You spend the night where the horses and rural life are part of the setting. The experience aims to make you feel like one more gaucho, at least for a short while.

That does not mean you should expect a luxury resort. The information describes a country house and offers other accommodation options for more comfort, but it does not specify those alternatives or their prices. Ask before booking if the overnight arrangements are important to you.

The ranch stay also breaks up the riding in a sensible way. After six hours in the saddle, you have an evening to rest, eat, and enjoy the surroundings before the second day. If you are choosing between a one-day and two-day ride, this overnight pause is the strongest reason to pick the longer option.

Food, wine, and a proper Argentine meal

All meals and drinks are included in the $240 price. That changes the value calculation quite a bit, since you are paying for two days of riding, accommodation, and food rather than only for a trail excursion.

The food details are appealingly local. You can try salami and wine, and the experience includes asado. A traditional Argentine asado is more than a quick meal. It is a social part of country life, and at a ranch it fits the setting far better than a standard restaurant stop would.

One account specifically praised the asado. That is helpful because food can be an afterthought on outdoor tours. Here, it is part of the reason the night at the ranch feels like a complete stay rather than just a place to sleep.

You should still clarify any dietary needs before arrival. The supplied details confirm that meals and drinks are included, but they do not explain vegetarian choices, allergies, or special menus. The same applies to the exact drinks served beyond the mention of wine.

Gaucho hospitality and the people leading the ride

Salvador Gimenez Turismo Ecuestre runs the experience, and Salvador Gimenez is presented as the gaucho guide behind it. His role includes meeting the riders and choosing horses that fit their experience.

There is one practical wrinkle. Salvador may not ride with your group for every part of the outing. A recent ride had volunteers leading sections, including Anne-Laure, Amici, and Raphaël, who were described as friendly and experienced. This does not automatically make the trip worse, but it is worth knowing if having the main guide beside you for every mile is essential.

The French group mentioned in that account also points to the international feel of the ranch operation. English is offered, and the service is built for visitors staying in Córdoba and nearby areas. The core experience, however, remains local: horses, ranch food, mountain riding, and a country home.

Because this is a private activity, you can ask questions and explain your concerns directly. Tell the team if you are nervous, inexperienced, or hoping for a more active ride. Clear communication at the start should help everyone get a better match.

Is $240 a fair price?

At $240 per person, the price is not just for two riding sessions. It includes approximately two days of horseback riding, a night at the country house, all meals, and drinks.

That makes the price easier to defend than it would be for a basic day ride. You would otherwise need to pay separately for lodging and meals, and the ranch setting is part of the appeal. The value is strongest if you want a full rural experience and would use the overnight stay rather than treat it as an inconvenience.

The price may feel high if you only want to ride for a few hours or if you already have accommodation in Agua de Oro or Córdoba. In that case, a shorter outing could suit you better, assuming one is available. This two-day option is aimed at people who feel one day is not enough.

The booking pattern suggests that people often reserve about 12 days ahead. I would not wait until the last minute, especially because the experience requires a minimum number of participants and can be canceled if that number is not reached. If that happens, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this ride to you if you want horses to be the main event, not a brief add-on to a Córdoba trip. You should be comfortable spending long hours outdoors and willing to accept a slower schedule.

It is a good fit for:

• Beginners who want a carefully chosen horse and patient support
• Experienced riders who want more time in the mountains
• Couples, families, or friends who value a private experience
• Visitors who want rural Argentine food and ranch life
• People staying in Córdoba or nearby who can reach the El Manzano meeting point

I would be more cautious if you have little physical stamina or dislike uncertainty in the schedule. Six hours of riding per day is the key test. The route can include waiting, and the main guide may not personally ride with you throughout.

The activity says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Still, the physical demands are real. If you need specific accessibility arrangements, ask before booking rather than relying on the general participation statement.

Practical details for planning your ride

The meeting point is Ruta Provincial E53, El Manzano, Córdoba, Argentina. The activity ends back at that meeting point after the second day.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the service is offered in English. The tour is private, so only your group participates. That is useful for families and friends who want to stay together, and for riders whose abilities are not identical.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. As always, check the start time carefully because the cut-off uses local time.

The best practical advice is to arrive ready for a full day outdoors and to keep your schedule open after the ride. The route is scenic, but it is not a quick transfer-style activity. You are signing up for a rural stay with horses, meals, and mountain time.

My verdict on the Sierras ride

Book this if you want a genuine two-day horse experience in the Córdoba hills, with the added pleasure of sleeping at a ranch and eating asado in the country. The strongest features are the horse matching, the safe and individual nature of the herd, the mountain scenery, and the fact that meals and drinks are already covered.

Think twice if you want a polished luxury stay, a tightly timed itinerary, or a short and easy ride. You may also want to confirm who will lead your dates, since Salvador is not guaranteed to ride every section. For fit riders who like simple comforts and real time in the saddle, this offers much more than a standard trail outing.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride begin?

It begins at Ruta Provincial E53, El Manzano, Córdoba, Argentina.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in El Manzano.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately two days.

How many hours do I ride each day?

You should expect about six hours of horseback riding each day.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience welcomes beginners as well as more advanced riders, and the team aims to match you with a suitable horse from a group of 28.

Where do I stay overnight?

You stay at the El Rosal ranch country house near Agua de Oro in the Sierras Chicas, surrounded by nature and farm animals.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. All meals and drinks are included. The experience specifically includes local salami, wine, and asado.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded or accepted.