Your tour begins in the morning with hotel pickup in Mendoza. Aboard your comfortable minivan, drive through Villa Potrerillos, a village located 45 minutes away. You’ll continue up to Quebrada del Condor, stopping at the panoramic viewpoint of Mirador de la Hoyada en route.
Approximately two hours after leaving Mendoza you’ll reach the gorge, where a traditional Argentine breakfast is served to your small group.
Once your guide offers a safety briefing and some instruction, settle onto your sturdy horse — bred for stamina over mountainous terrain — and follow along the rugged trail. Your 3.5-hour horseback ride starts at the foot of the Cordón del Plata, an Andean mountain range in the Uco Valley. Amid this breathtaking landscape of snowcapped peaks, wildlife abounds. Keep a lookout for llamas, foxes, hares, condors and other incredible birds throughout your horseback ride.
In the middle of the journey, stop for a break at the shore of a creek to enjoy an infusion of mate, a popular drink made from yerba mate leaves steeped in hot water. Then saddle up and follow ancient paths until your small group reaches a viewpoint. From 9,185 feet (2,800 meters) above sea level, you’ll appreciate the magnificent scenery, including the Cordón del Plata ridge and the Potrerillos Valley.
At the completion of your horseback ride in the late afternoon, dismount to enjoy an authentic Argentine asado (barbecue) for lunch.
Your full-day tour ends with return transport by minivan to your hotel in Mendoza.
