The Real Gaucho Day Trip from Mendoza - Don Daniel Ranch

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Mendoza, Argentina

8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience a day in the life of an authentic Argentinian cowboy on an exhilarating full-day gaucho tour from Mendoza. Learn to ride a beautiful horse gaucho-style on an authentic Argentinian ranch as you gain insight on the fascinating culture and customs of historical Argentinian cowboys. Feast upon a delicious Argentinian lunch and then spend the afternoon riding through the spectacular Andes mountains before returning to Mendoza by luxury vehicle.

Discover the cowboy lifestyle of Argentina on a tour from Mendoza
Visit a ranch and learn to ride a horse, gaucho-style
Savor a delicious 'asado' lunch and homemade donuts on the ranch
Hotel pickup and drop-off included

What's Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Mendoza / Lujan de Cuyo / Chacras de Coria
Professional driver
Local guide English/Spanish/Portuguese speaking
Mate and homemade donuts at Gaucho's ranch
Authentic Argentinian BBQ "Asado" in the Andes
Horseback riding tour

Rent of winter clothes
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

Air BnB and private flat/house are ok in Mendoza Center only.

Operating hours
.8:30 am

What To Expect

Mendoza Andes / The Tintos

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Most travelers can participate

May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Passport name, number, country is required at time of booking for all participants
Mandatory: Long pants, coats and/or wind break, small backpack, sunscreen, hat and sun glasses; In winter also gloves, scarf and woolly hat and spare socks.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jill_K

We had a fantastic day at Don Daniel’s. Our guide Tim picked us from the hotel, he was very friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the pastries and matas at the ranch and then met our horses. Had the most amazing riding experience starting with the views, the horses, the lunch asado cooked over a rustic fire with wine. We then started our descent back to the ranch it was such a fun day. Thanks Tim and Don Daniel

Reviews

4.9

based on 61 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Beautiful day in the mountains

Jill_K, Apr 2026

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you very much for your kind review. I am truly happy to hear that you had such a beautiful day in the mountains and enjoyed the full experience at Don Daniel’s ranch, from the ride to the asado and those incredible views. In our agency, we place a strong emphasis on working with guides who bring real added value through their knowledge, personality and ability to create genuine connections throughout the day. This is something we consider essential to the experience we offer. Thank you again for your trust, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Mendoza. Warm regards, Stéphane

Fantastic!

Matthew_K, Jan 2024

Fantastic experience riding through the Andes. Would highly recommend as the staff is beyond friendly, brings lovely conversation, and, of course, teaches you about local culture. As for the riding itself, it was an unforgettable experience with beautiful views… plus, the asado was fantastic! Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Matthew, thank you very much for your comment!

Incredible day worth every penny

Michael_P, Nov 2023

A truly amazing experience - a friendly and knowledgeable guide (Matias), a thoughtful and well planned itinerary and an unbeatable visit to the beautiful mountains! This was worth every penny - a small group meaning that it felt intimate but big enough to make friends, and the horse ride into the mountains and back was beyond expectations. Then the food, some of the best food we’ve ever eaten cooked over a stone fire in the middle of nowhere. An absolute must do and would rate even higher if we could!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Thank you for your words! We are happy that you enjoyed the day and the essence of the gaucho. We hope to see you soon!

Amazing experience!

Luc_B, Mar 2020

This tour was definitely the highlight of our trip to Argentina! Our guide Martin was especially professional, knowledgeable and kind. The experience itself was mesmerizing with enchanting views and peaceful moments. Though the terrain is pretty rough and sometimes a bit scary, the horses are so well behaved and the guide and Daniel, the gaucho, so helpful that in no time you feel that you are in control and can relax and enjoy the moment. The doughnuts as well as the lunch were also amazing. Well worth the money!

Response from Host, Mar 2020

-Thank you very much for your comment. We love people can truly appreciate this unique tour! Regards,

Beyond amazing!

Brenda M, Oct 2018

Don Daniel and guide Timotheé were amazing Beautiful riding country!We are blessed that they shared their traditions & expertise My heart is full

An awesome experience!! Myself and...

John C, Jan 2018

An awesome experience!! Myself and two other friends went on this and all three of us agreed it was the high point of our trip to Argentina. It started with meeting Noemi in our hotel lobby. She was the tour guide and was fun, friendly, energetic, knowledgeable and just immediately made it interesting right down to the ride to the ranch. We picked up two other guests on our way who were on their honeymoon and they were also fun. We were all served doughnuts more like beignets and tried Argentine Mate tea. It was great the tea came with instructions on how to drink it from Noemi. The ranch itself is definitely part of the experience and we were lucky to have had a sunny beautiful day. The ranch is spectacular! You just have to experience it. It is an absolutely beautiful part of the world. We were then introduced to our horses. I had never ridden a horse and was anxious about it. With a bit of instruction from Noemi and help from Mr. Daniel I was on my way and was comfortable with the experience in just minutes. My horse was fabulous and we bonded quickly. You quickly were lost in the beauty of what was around you and now the fun of riding a horse. We stopped for lunch where Don Daniel cooked over an open fire a slab of meat for us. Was it the outdoors, open air, the meat, the seasoning, the wine, the company or all of them but it was fantastic. The ride back was even more beautiful as we rode along ridges of mountains with incredible breathtaking views. Definitely a visual feast! All said and done I would love to think I was an awesome Gaucho, but the truth is more likely especially on some of the more narrow parts of the path that my horse took care of me. When we arrived back at the ranch I was ready to be off the horse, but not ready to say goodbye. Our thanks to all the people on this tour who made it such a fantastic experience.

Please do this tour. You need it...

Tamara, Dec 2017

Please do this tour. You need it. Your soul needs it. This is not your typical vacation trail ride- experienced riders will enjoy more. You can help Daniel herd his horses back to the ranch. Absolutely a not miss.

The Gaucho Day trip with Don Daniel...

David_R, Jan 2017

The Gaucho Day trip with Don Daniel was outstanding. We transferred from our hotel to the ranch no problem and stopped at Potrerillos along the way to take in the amazing views as well as to pick up snacks and drinks. We got to the ranch where our guide showed us around the ranch, and then went into the gaucho's home where his wife and kids made us fresh sopapillas and mate. We headed out on horseback into the mountains taking in more amazing views and stopped in a very scenic valley for lunch. We had a wonderful lunch of meat, veggies, and wine which we chilled in the stream!. We headed back down the mountain to the ranch in the afternoon. All horses on our trip were very easy and none were too excitable. When we got back to the ranch, people were there for an asado. We headed back to Mendoza. I would highly recommend this trip. It was the best highlight of many on our trip to the Andes!

The scenery was worth the price...

Stuart P, Nov 2016

The scenery was worth the price alone! Great day trekking through the mountains and taking in the wonderful views, broke for lunch and a drop of wine with only our horses and the farm dogs for company! Our guide was really helpful and spoke excellent English, would highly recommend this trip!

A most enjoyable day, horses were...

Gary, Feb 2016

A most enjoyable day, horses were great, guides were pleasant. Lunch and wine was a bonus and the fire warmed us all.

Amazing experience. Great guides and...

Stanislav_D, Jan 2016

Amazing experience. Great guides and accommodations. The natural beauty is mesmerizing

Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única!

Nazeli_C, Nov 2019

Indico para os amantes da natureza. Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única! Deliciosamente exótico! Faria o passeio novamente. Uma emoção única!