THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Saddle up at 2,000 metres in La Carrera valley for a two-and-a-half-hour Creole horse ride and a traditional asado at El Pico Palma ranch. Experience mountain views, family-owned history, and high-altitude wines on a private day that blends ranching heritage with easy adventure.
Saddle up at 2,000 metres in La Carrera valley for a two-and-a-half-hour Creole horse ride and a traditional asado at El Pico Palma ranch. Experience mountain views, family-owned history, and high-altitude wines on a private day that blends ranching heritage with easy adventure.
The morning air at El Pico Palma is thin and clean, the Cordón del Plata folding into the sky like a slow-moving glacier. A string of Creole horses waits in a sun-dusted corral at 2,000 metres above sea level; when you climb into the saddle the valley opens, scrub and rock sliding past as the mountain keeps its watch.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Estancia El Pico · Tupungato, Mendoza
The morning air at El Pico Palma is thin and clean, the Cordón del Plata folding into the sky like a slow-moving glacier. A string of Creole horses waits in a sun-dusted corral at 2,000 metres above sea level; when you climb into the saddle the valley opens, scrub and rock sliding past as the mountain keeps its watch.
This is La Carrera, a private pocket of the Pre-cordillera whose soil remembers more than two centuries of the Palma family. The ranch sits on old colonial grazing routes and shares the Uco Valley’s geology—volcanic ash and alluvial fans that tilt toward the eastern plains and feed high-altitude vineyards. Culture here is simple and direct: skilled horsemanship, asado techniques passed through generations, and a quiet pride in working the land.
Expect a two-and-a-half-hour guided ride across ranch tracks and short ascents that offer panoramic views of Tupungato’s flanks. After the ride, an aperitif of homemade empanadas and high-altitude Malbecs precedes a Creole disco asado and regional desserts. Owners often host guests personally; you may choose to linger for a short hike or rest on a stone terrace.
Practical notes: altitude alters breathing—move deliberately the first hour. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, layered clothing for strong sun and wind, and bring water even though lunch is provided. The ranch is private and access is by arranged transport; bookings are small-group or private, and cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours prior. This is a day designed for riders of basic ability who want a grounded, authentic encounter with Mendoza’s mountain foothills.
moderate.
7 hours (approx.).
Light-to-moderate fitness; able to sit in a saddle for 2.5 hours and walk short distances after lunch.
No—rides are suitable for beginners with a brief orientation; guides adjust pace for less-experienced riders.
Private transportation is listed as an inclusion; confirm pickup point and time when booking.
Family-friendly but check age limits and safety rules; infants may be accommodated off-horse in a stroller.
A tasting of homemade empanadas and high-altitude wines is followed by a Creole asado (barbecue) and regional desserts; dietary needs should be communicated in advance.
The Palma family has owned this land for over 250 years, reflecting colonial-era estancia patterns and Mendoza’s long ranching traditions.
The ranch operates on limited, private grazing land—respect fences, pack out waste, and follow guide instructions to protect fragile high-altitude vegetation and water sources.
Estancia El Pico operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The morning air at El Pico Palma is thin and clean, the Cordón del Plata folding into the sky like a slow-moving glacier. A string of Creole horses waits in a sun-dusted corral at 2,000 metres above sea level; when you climb into the saddle the valley opens, scrub and rock sliding past as the mountain keeps its watch.
The morning air at El Pico Palma is thin and clean, the Cordón del Plata folding into the sky like a slow-moving glacier. A string of Creole horses waits in a sun-dusted corral at 2,000 metres above sea level; when you climb into the saddle the valley opens, scrub and rock sliding past as the mountain keeps its watch.
This is La Carrera, a private pocket of the Pre-cordillera whose soil remembers more than two centuries of the Palma family. The ranch sits on old colonial grazing routes and shares the Uco Valley’s geology—volcanic ash and alluvial fans that tilt toward the eastern plains and feed high-altitude vineyards. Culture here is simple and direct: skilled horsemanship, asado techniques passed through generations, and a quiet pride in working the land.
Expect a two-and-a-half-hour guided ride across ranch tracks and short ascents that offer panoramic views of Tupungato’s flanks. After the ride, an aperitif of homemade empanadas and high-altitude Malbecs precedes a Creole disco asado and regional desserts. Owners often host guests personally; you may choose to linger for a short hike or rest on a stone terrace.
Practical notes: altitude alters breathing—move deliberately the first hour. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes, layered clothing for strong sun and wind, and bring water even though lunch is provided. The ranch is private and access is by arranged transport; bookings are small-group or private, and cancellations are permitted up to 24 hours prior. This is a day designed for riders of basic ability who want a grounded, authentic encounter with Mendoza’s mountain foothills.