Apr 25, 2013
|Last updated on December 28th, 2020 at 04:00 pm
Horseback Riding in Mendoza
If you are lucky enough to embark on a tour of Argentina, you must include a horseback riding tour in Mendoza. Mendoza is known as one of the best wine regions in the world, and it is also a great place for adventure tours. Horseback riding in Mendoza is a great option to see the local vineyards and Andean slopes.
Mendoza is also a great addition to any itinerary in Argentina since it is a destination that one can visit year-round in Argentina. It is known as the “land of good sunshine”. You are almost guaranteed a cloudless sky every day. If you want to visit during “Vendimia” or harvest time, the best time to visit will be in late March.
How to Choose a Horseback Riding Tour in Mendoza
After a Mendoza wine tour, spend the day on horseback for a different flavor. You can either choose to visit the surrounding wineries on a horseback riding tour or venture to the Andes for some scenic views of the mountains. I opted to go horse riding in the Andes to experience the mountain landscape, far away from the clink of wine glasses. It was beautiful and just what I needed after copious amounts of wine! Follow along as I go into detail about the horseback riding tour.
Morning Start – Famous Views & Cross Country
Our English-speaking guide collected us punctually from the hotel and we headed out of Mendoza city. On the way to the stables, we passed some of Mendoza’s famous views; neat rows of vines surrounded by picturesque weeping willow trees, with snow-capped Andean peaks in the background. After around an hour, we turned off the road onto a cross-country track, leading upwards into the Andes and away from civilization.
Early Afternoon – Greeted by Gauchos
We were greeted at the stables by the gauchos who would accompany us on the ride. They were traditionally dressed in leather waistcoats, neckerchiefs, and pleasingly authentic cowboy hats. Our horses were already saddled up and ready for adventure, so we climbed aboard and set off. We were lucky to have picked a beautifully sunny day, but in the desert region of Mendoza, anything else would have been pretty surprising. Our steeds faithfully followed the rugged path through the desert shrubs – at times riding up steep banks and along a dried-up stream bed, but the horses never faltered.
Afternoon: Time for an Argentine Lunch
With the sun high in the sky, we arrived at the lunch area at a trot. I was ready for some Argentina food and drink. The meat was already sizzling on the grill, and a bottle of local wine from Mendoza was ready and waiting. Sitting in the shade, we could look out over Mendoza and the surrounding area for miles, chatting to our guide about life in Argentina and horse riding in the Andes. Horse riding is hungry work, so the continuous stream of juicy Argentine steaks, sausages, and fresh bread delivered to the table by our gaucho-chef disappeared in an instant.
Early Evening: Back in the Saddle
In the afternoon, we mounted the horses and set off into the wilderness. It was completely remote. Only the shadows of giant birds of prey hovering high above us. The sandy path wound its way through the Andes until we came to one of the gauchos’ houses. Tucked away amongst the trees and reachable only by horseback, it is was a real insight into the gaucho lifestyle today. After 3 hours of riding, we arrived back at the stables, where we reluctantly parted from the horses and waved goodbye to the gauchos and their life in the Cordillera de Los Andes. Driving home, we watched the sun gradually sink behind the mountains before arriving back at the hotel in Mendoza.
Experience Your Own Horseback Riding Tour in Mendoza
Spending several days in Mendoza is a great addition to your Argentina vacation itinerary, including a wine tour and horse riding in the Andes Mountains. At SouthAmerica.travel, we have loads of different Mendoza tours, so take a moment to browse and pick your favorite!
