Nomadic Horse Trek — 4 Days / 3 Nights
San Juan Barreal – Los Morrillos
Facing the majestic Andes in the heart of San Juan’s high desert lies one of Argentina’s most enchanting valleys. Sheltered by towering poplars and the gentle murmur of irrigation ditches, the village of Barreal offers the perfect place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with yourself.
This two-day horseback journey invites you to slow down and follow the rhythm of the land. You will ride through vast arid plains, dry riverbeds, and ancient trails once used by Andean travelers. Along the way, you’ll visit the Gruta de los Morrillos, where pre-Columbian rock paintings reveal the cultural richness of this remote territory.
Barreal is also internationally known for its dark and pristine night skies, making it one of the best stargazing spots in South America. With minimal light pollution, the Milky Way and countless constellations unfold above you in breathtaking clarity. As night falls, the silence and vastness of the sky encourage reflection, presence, and perspective—an experience many describe as spiritual.
This trek is not just a journey through nature, but an immersion into the ancient bond between humans, horses, and the mountains.
The Ancient Rock Art of Los Morrillos
Hidden in the high desert canyons near Barreal lies a site of great archaeological and symbolic value: the cave paintings of Los Morrillos.
Described in the book Arte de la prehistoria. Diseños rupestres de Cuyo, these paintings are among the oldest known examples of rock art in western Argentina. One of the most striking elements is a group of three human-like figures painted on a cave ceiling, which may represent astral-anthropomorphic beings—a fusion of human and cosmic imagery.
The artwork is executed in red and black pigments, with remarkable visual techniques such as polychromy and the use of both positive and negative space. These images are attributed to the Ansilta Culture, early farmers and craftspeople who lived in the region between 1768 BC and 500 AD. They cultivated quinoa, beans, corn, and squash, and were known for their fine weaving, basketry, and threadwork made from tendons and sinews.
Encountering this ancient art on horseback, surrounded by vast silence and mountain air, offers a rare and moving connection with the lives and beliefs of those who walked this land thousands of years ago.
Source: Arte de la prehistoria. Diseños rupestres de Cuyo
Day 1 – Journey to the Desert
We depart from Mendoza in the morning around 9am and travel through some of the region’s most scenic highlights. We’ll pass by the thermal town of Cacheuta, stop at the panoramic Potrerillos Dam, and explore the Tunduqueral in Uspallata, in the foothills of The Andes, it´s an archaeological site renowned for its ancient petroglyphs which are rock carving create by indigenous people, this petroglyphs are believed to date back to pre-Colombian times and offer insights into culture, and spiritual life of the regions early inhabitants.
Afterwards around midday, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in Uspallata before continuing our drive to Barreal, a quiet village nestled beneath the Andes. Once settled in our charming countryside inn, we’ll prepare a traditional Argentine asado to share with the group in the evening . As night falls, we organized a short stargazing session under some of the clearest skies in South America.
Day 2 – Into the Wild
After breakfast at the inn, we saddle up and begin our horseback adventure around 10:00 AM. Today’s ride takes us deep into the high desert landscapes—vast plains, dry riverbeds, and endless horizons—with the Andes always watching over us.
Midway through the ride, we stop for a classic Argentine picada (cheese, cured meats, olives, and more), before continuing toward the remote area of Los Morrillos, where we’ll set up camp for the night. Expect around 6 hours in the saddle, with plenty of time to take in the silence, solitude, and beauty of the land. As night falls for dinner we prepare a traditional hot meal in a cast pot iron.
Day 3 – Ancient Encounters
First thing in the morning, we have breakfast, during the early day we go to visit the cave paintings of Los Morrillos, one of the most important archaeological sites in the region. These mysterious images, created by the ancient Ansilta people thousands of years ago, connect us to a deep cultural legacy hidden in the stone. We return to camp for lunch. We then begin the ride back to Barreal, retracing our steps through the desert. After arriving back in the late afternoon (around 5–6 PM), we return to the inn for a well-earned rest and a comforting evening in the foothills.
Day 4 — Farewell and Return
After a hearty breakfast, we say goodbye to Barreal and begin our journey back to Mendoza, enriched by the landscapes, history, and stories we’ve lived over the past few days.
Please, contact us for all information about this tour.
