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Ride with a real mountain gaucho into the Plata Range, spend three hours in the saddle and finish with a high-Andes barbecue at 2,850 m. This full-day experience pairs gentle trail riding with homemade regional food and panoramic Andes views.
Ride with a real mountain gaucho into the Plata Range, spend three hours in the saddle and finish with a high-Andes barbecue at 2,850 m. This full-day experience pairs gentle trail riding with homemade regional food and panoramic Andes views.
You meet the mountains before the sun has fully warmed them: horses stamping, breath steaming in the thin air as a gaucho named Don Daniel adjusts a saddle and the trail ahead narrows into switchbacks that climb toward open rock and scrub.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Rancho Don Daniel · Mendoza, Mendoza
You meet the mountains before the sun has fully warmed them: horses stamping, breath steaming in the thin air as a gaucho named Don Daniel adjusts a saddle and the trail ahead narrows into switchbacks that climb toward open rock and scrub.
The Plata Mountain Range sits on the eastern flank of the Andes, where streams born high on glacial cirques feed riverbeds that cut into Mendoza’s valley. This day trip threads living culture into that geology — a 19th-century ranching tradition still practiced by local mountain gauchos who know single-track trails and seasonal pastureland by heart. Expect mate and sopaipillas to start the day and a classic asado at about 2,850 meters where Mendoza wine loosens conversation and the wind seems to challenge you to stay quiet and look.
On the trail you’ll ride three hours across mixed terrain: packed dirt paths, occasional loose scree, and short climbs that offer postcard views of snow-dusted peaks. The full experience is about 10 hours including hotel transfers, breakfast, a mid-ride “picada” of breads and salami, and a mountain barbecue lunch.
Practical notes: basic riding ability and comfortable closed-toe shoes are useful; the tour is not recommended for people with spinal, heart, or pregnancy restrictions. Bring layered clothing for temperature swings, sun protection and extra water for altitude. Groups are small (up to 12) and guides handle saddling and instruction, so you can focus on the ride, the food, and the mountain air.
moderate.
10 hours.
Suitable for travelers in reasonable health who can sit in a saddle for several hours and manage short uphill walks.
Riders are in the saddle for about three hours total, spread across several trail sections with breaks.
No advanced skills are required, but basic comfort on a horse and balance for short trots helps.
The tour includes round-trip transport from Mendoza, breakfast, bottled water, a mid-morning picada, a full barbecue lunch with wine, horseback riding equipment, and a professional guide.
This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, heart problems, or pregnant guests; weight and other booking restrictions may apply.
Ranching and gaucho culture shaped livelihoods here for centuries; mountain gauchos guided herds and traded regional produce between valleys and the plains.
The high-snowshed ecosystems are sensitive to erosion and campfire impacts; stay on established trails and follow guide instructions to limit disturbance.
Rancho Don Daniel operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You meet the mountains before the sun has fully warmed them: horses stamping, breath steaming in the thin air as a gaucho named Don Daniel adjusts a saddle and the trail ahead narrows into switchbacks that climb toward open rock and scrub.
You meet the mountains before the sun has fully warmed them: horses stamping, breath steaming in the thin air as a gaucho named Don Daniel adjusts a saddle and the trail ahead narrows into switchbacks that climb toward open rock and scrub.
The Plata Mountain Range sits on the eastern flank of the Andes, where streams born high on glacial cirques feed riverbeds that cut into Mendoza’s valley. This day trip threads living culture into that geology — a 19th-century ranching tradition still practiced by local mountain gauchos who know single-track trails and seasonal pastureland by heart. Expect mate and sopaipillas to start the day and a classic asado at about 2,850 meters where Mendoza wine loosens conversation and the wind seems to challenge you to stay quiet and look.
On the trail you’ll ride three hours across mixed terrain: packed dirt paths, occasional loose scree, and short climbs that offer postcard views of snow-dusted peaks. The full experience is about 10 hours including hotel transfers, breakfast, a mid-ride “picada” of breads and salami, and a mountain barbecue lunch.
Practical notes: basic riding ability and comfortable closed-toe shoes are useful; the tour is not recommended for people with spinal, heart, or pregnancy restrictions. Bring layered clothing for temperature swings, sun protection and extra water for altitude. Groups are small (up to 12) and guides handle saddling and instruction, so you can focus on the ride, the food, and the mountain air.