A real taste of the Andes — life, trails, and fire-cooked meals.

Ride mountain trails, share stories by the fire, and taste homemade barbecue in the heart of gaucho country. At Don Daniel Ranch, we welcome you to live the Cordón del Plata — not just visit it.
I want to live the experience
Hombre cabalgando

Horseback rides

We explore the Andes on horseback — riding across ravines and valleys, with panoramic views and calm, sure-footed horses. Every route is guided by Daniel, a local gaucho who knows the mountains by heart.

Personas haciendo trekking

HIKING

Discover wild trails and hidden viewpoints, guided by professionals who were born or trained in these mountains. Our circuits let you experience the Andes up close — step by step.

parrilla asado

Regional food

Barbecue over firewood, Mendoza wine, and mate with freshly made fried dough — all cooked right here by Marisa, our cook and host. Recipes passed down, flavors made to be shared.

What you experience at Don Daniel Ranch, according to its visitors:

The place is dreamlike. Tame horses. Daniel is a charming person! Attentive, kind. He told us a thousand interesting stories.  The appetizers with salami made by him and homemade bread baked by his wife are not to be missed. In the corrals we were lucky to see more than 50 newborn goats.

Ana Hierro

What you experience at Don Daniel Ranch, according to its visitors:

One of the best moments we had in Mendoza. Daniel is a genius and super nice from the moment he welcomed us into his house. He took us to places we could not even imagine. We had an incredible time. We will definitely come back and will recommend it wherever we go!

The landscapes you will see are crazy. Just go!

Cecilia Delgado

What you experience at Don Daniel Ranch, according to its visitors:

“It was truly a unique experience. It was a beautiful day, and we were able to share a pleasant ride to the snowy summit together with Daniel.

Speaking of Daniel, he is a great guy. We ate a delicious asado at the top, along with cheese, salami, bondiola and homemade bread. If you came to Mendoza but didn’t do the ride at Don Daniel Ranch, then what did you come for?

Santiago Álvarez

Our history

We are a gaucho family rooted in the Andes — raising animals, living by the seasons, and honoring traditions passed down through generations. For over 16 years, we’ve called the Cordón del Plata our home.

Our mission? To share a real piece of this life with you: the silence of the mountains, the bond with our horses, the fire-cooked meals — and the deep connection that comes from stepping off the beaten path.

Don Daniel

¿What can you do at Don Daniel Ranch?

Gaucho Day: Horseback ride & fire-cooked barbecue

Full day : Low difficulty
Ride across valleys and trails in the heart of the Cordillera, then enjoy a fire-cooked asado, homemade appetizers, and local wine — all surrounded by mountain silence and gaucho tradition.

Sunset Ride: Horseback & panoramic views

Half day : Low difficulty
Ride at over 2,700 meters as the sun sets behind the Andes.
A peaceful journey through remote trails untouched by mass tourism — pure silence, golden light, and wide-open skies.

2-Day Gaucho Ride in the Andes

2 day | Medium difficulty
Live the full gaucho experience: two days on horseback, camping in the wild, sharing stories by the fire, and reaching viewpoints near 4,000 meters. A true adventure deep in the Andes.

Hiking & Mountain Asado

Full day – Low to medium physical demand
A 3-hour guided hike into the heart of the Andes, surrounded by untouched nature. After the adventure, enjoy a traditional barbecue with wine, homemade appetizers, and the calm of the mountains.

Hiking to Cerro Mailhos

Full day – Medium physical demand
A medium-altitude hike reaching 2,950 masl. The trail challenges your body, but rewards you with panoramic views of the entire Cordón del Plata range — a summit worth the climb.

Private experience for groups and events

Flexible schedule · Low to medium physical demand
Whether it’s on horseback or hiking, we design a tailor-made day for your group: ride or walk through the Andes, enjoy traditional meals, and connect with nature in a way that fits your time and preferences.

Ready to plan your time in the Andes?
Let’s talk and find the perfect mountain experience for you.

Contorno Don Daniel

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.