Gaucho day: Ride & Fire-Cooked Meal
Spend a full day riding through the Andes with a member of the Don Daniel family — share a fire-cooked meal, sip Mendoza wine, and experience gaucho life from the inside out.
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One full day of riding, barbecue, and mountain views
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Small groups — 2 people minimum
- 10% discount with cash payment
Price per person:
$248 USD
More than a ride — a day to live, share, and taste our mountain culture.
Your Gaucho Day begins at 2,400 meters, where we welcome you with fresh tortas fritas and coffee while the horses are being prepared. From there, we ride deep into the Andes, through quiet trails and streams, to reach a remote barbecue spot at 2,750 meters above sea level.
There, surrounded by nature and silence, we share a picada, grill the asado over fire, and enjoy Mendoza wine before riding back through a different trail. It’s a full-circle experience of landscape, food, and the gaucho way of life.
What makes Gaucho Day special?
It’s not just about riding or eating — it’s about the feeling of being welcomed like family. There’s no script. You’ll share stories, food, and time with people who actually live here.
Each part of the day — from Marisa’s tortas fritas in the morning to the asado Daniel prepares at 2,750 meters — is a chance to slow down and connect, with nature and with us.
Before lunch, we share a traditional picada — salami, cheese, and homemade bread, served with wine and conversation. Then comes the asado: fire-grilled beef, slow-cooked outdoors, the way we’ve always done it in the mountains.
This isn’t tourism. It’s a shared moment in a mountain life few get to experience.
“We went horseback riding followed by a barbecue, an unbeatable experience that we shared with friends. Daniel is very cordial and a very good guide… None of the photos can portray the spectacular scenery!
More than a ride — what’s behind every experience
Professional Guide
Ride with someone who knows these trails deeply — born here or trained to lead you safely.
Family-run hospitality
We’re a family, not a company. We open our home and share our table, stories, and customs.
Unforgettable landscapes
Ride through valleys framed by peaks that reach 4,000 to 6,000 meters — where silence still lives.
Tame horses
Raised in the Andes and trained calmly — sure-footed, reliable, and steady on mountain paths.
Homemade food
Fire-cooked meals with family recipes — fresh bread, slow-cooked meats, tortas fritas, and more.
Years of experience
A lifetime of gaucho tradition — and over 16 years sharing it with travelers from all over the world, one ride at a time.
Your Gaucho Day starts here.
One full day of riding, barbecue, and mountain hospitality — the heart of gaucho culture.
Know what to expect
Gaucho day: Ride & Fire-Cooked Meal
What does it include?
- 5-hour experience, including 3 hours of guided horseback riding (split into two 1.5-hour rides).
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Personalized attention in small groups.
- One horse per rider.
- Welcome snack: sopaipilla (fried dough) and warm drink.
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Lunch: appetizers, fire-cooked barbecue, local wine, homemade bread, and dessert.
- Personal accident insurance.
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Round-trip transportation from Mendoza city.
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Bilingual guide (English/Spanish).
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Saddle bags to carry your personal items during the ride.
Itinerary (approximate schedule)
- 9:00 a.m. Pick Up in Mendoza city.
- 11:00 a.m. Welcome and snack at the ranch.
- 12:00 a.m. Start of the ride (1st part).
- 01:30 p.m. Barbecue lunch in the mountains.
- 3:00 p.m. Return ride (2nd part)
- 04:30 p.m. End of activity.
- 6:30 p.m. Drop-off in Mendoza.
Note: This is a real gaucho experience — authentic and flexible. Times are approximate and may shift slightly depending on weather, trail conditions, or the natural rhythm of the day.
Do you offer vegetarian or alternative menus?
Yes — we’re happy to adapt the menu for vegetarians or other dietary needs. Just let us know when you book, and we’ll prepare something special for you.
How do I book?
You can book directly through the “Book Your Gaucho Day” button on this page — it’s fast, secure, and confirms your spot right away.
If you prefer, you can also message us on WhatsApp to coordinate the details and book manually.
What does it not include?
- Personal items (clothing, sunscreen, etc.).
- Pick-up beyond 15 km from Mendoza city.
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Any service not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary or description.
What to bring
- Comfortable sportswear: long sleeves, long pants, fleece, windbreaker, cap, and sneakers or boots.
- Cool-weather gear (May to September): warm jacket, beanie, buff or neck warmer, and liner gloves.
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Extras: sunscreen and sunglasses.
Note: Since we ride in the Andes, the weather is cooler than in the city and can change quickly. Dressing in layers is the best way to stay comfortable throughout the experience.
Do I need horseback riding experience?
No previous experience is required. Our horses are calm, sure-footed, and used to the mountain terrain.
That said, this is a real horseback ride — not a flat tourist stroll. You don’t need to be a rider, but it’s important to feel comfortable around horses and not suffer from vertigo, as we’ll ride along mountain trails.
The pace is relaxed, and you’ll be guided at all times by someone from our family, experienced in both riding and leading groups.
What is the local weather like?
The climate in the Andes is cooler and more unpredictable than in Mendoza city. Even in summer, it can feel cold at high altitude — especially in the early morning or on cloudy days.
From May to September (Southern Hemisphere winter), temperatures can drop below freezing and snowfall is possible. Warm clothing and all recommended gear are essential to stay comfortable.
No matter the season, we recommend dressing in layers. It’s better to have extra clothing in your saddlebag than to miss part of the experience because of the cold.
About the place
Rancho Don Daniel is a mountain outpost in the Cordón del Plata Range, Mendoza.
Surrounded by peaks up to 6,000 meters, the area is shaped by mountain streams and silence.
We live here — raising animals, cooking with fire, and welcoming travelers into our everyday life. From Mendoza city, it’s a scenic 2-hour drive through small towns like Cacheuta and Potrerillos to Las Lajas Post, in Valle del Sol.
Here, tradition lives on — and every ride starts at our home.
Let’s plan your Gaucho Day.
Spend a day on horseback, by the fire, and among friends — the mountain is waiting.
Sunset Ride in the Andes: Horseback & Picnic
Ride at over 2,700 masl as the sun sets behind the Andes — and end the day with a toast and a glass of Mendoza wine.
- Half day
- Low difficulty
Price per person
$191 USD
Traditional Hike & Argentine Barbecue
A 3-hour walk through mountain trails, with a scenic picnic, a glass of Mendoza wine, and a traditional asado to close the day.
- Full day
- Low physical demand
Price per person
$200 USD
2-day Andes Adventure on Horseback
Ride remote trails, sleep under the stars, and live the gaucho way deep in the Andes.
- Full mountain immersion
- Medium difficulty
Price per person
$535 USD
Rancho Don Daniel is a family-run mountain ranch located in Valle del Sol, near Vallecitos, Mendoza.
We offer authentic horseback riding and scenic hiking experiences, along with traditional food to enjoy in the Andes.
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