What to see in Mendoza

Mendoza is an oasis in the west area of Argentina. The city is wonderful, surrounded by wineries and vineyards, incredible mountains, located on foot of the Andes range. It`s a perfect place to organize many adventure activities like rafting or horseback ridings. It`s part of the Cuyo Region, and one of the most important cities in Argentina, after Buenos Aires, Rosario and Cordoba. Take a look to the highlights in Mendoza. It`s just a list, but it`s the best you can do during your visit to the wine country:

Aconcagua Mount & the High Andes

The Aconcagua Mount is the highest peak in America, with 6959 mts above sea level, the Aconcagua Park is part of the route called Alta Montaña or excursion to the  High Andes. It`s part of the Aconcagua Provincial Park where you can stop and take some great photos, and take a short trekking in the base. Of course, you can climb de Aconcagua Mount, but it`s for experts that year by year come during summer season to go to the peak. If you are not an expert, you can try to reach Camp 2 on the normal route, and enjoy unique sunset if the sky is clear. The route of the High Andes also visit some interesting points like Uspallata, Puente del Inca, Paso de los Patos (historical place) and Las Cuevas, close to the border with Chile. The landscape is trully amazing. Be ready to take photos, photos and photos!

Wineries and Vineyards in Lujan de Cuyo

Mendoza is well known as the wine country in Argentina, a perfect place where you can enjoy the local Malbec Wine and many other varieties of argentinian wines. And of course, there are many wineries that can be visited during your trip to Mendoza. Catena Zapata, Familia Zuccardi, Bodega Trapiche are some of the most important wineries in the area. Make a stop and visit one of them, or more. There are many excursions available to visit different wineries, or you can drive and visit each winery at your own. It`s a fantastic activity to learn more about the process of the wine. Many of these wineries offers wine tasting, restaurants, and some great activities. Biking in the vineyards with lunch, Be a winemaker for a day, or horseback riding in the vineyards are some of the great activities you can enjoy. Many of these wineries are located in Lujan de Cuyo, but you can also go to the Uco Valley to visit some other places like Bodegas Saltentein for example. It`s a perfect combination of vineyards, and mountains, in a unique amazing landscape!

Rafting in the Mendoza River

Mendoza is the wine country, but it`s also a great place to practice many adventure activities. And the whitewater rafting is one of them. The Mendoza river is a great place for this activity. Tackle the rapids with experienced guides and take one of the different rafting activities available with difficulties I, II and III. The lanscape is amazing!

photo: thanks to Argentina Rafting

Outdoors activities in the mountain: Canopy, Mountain Bike and Horseback Riding

There is a wide variety of adventure acctivitites to enjoy at the foot of the mountains. One of them in the area of Potrerillos, in the route to the Aconcagua Mount and the High Andes. Make a stop and enjoy some of the adventure activities available. The Rafting is one of these activities, but you also can enjoy Zip Lines!  Zip down multiple long steel cables while suspended by a pulley and harness for a rushing experience. The 1400-meter (4593 ft.) run, consists of 6 different cables that reach a height to 48 meters (130 feet) above the valley floor, and includes the longest cable extending more than 450 meters (1500 feet) across the Mendoza River. It is an unforgettable adventure where you can appreciate the spectacular panoramic views of Potrerillos Valley and Cordon del Plata Mountain Range (with peaks reaching 6100 mts), mountainous formations dating millions of yeas with geological layers above 20,000 feet in elevation.

You can choose to explore the area of Potrerillos on a completely equipped mountain bike and enjoy the desert trails of the Andes. The excursions are guided and adapt to the tourists level. The expert or the begginner can enjoy our valley circuts.

Another great activity to enjoy at the foot of the Andes, is the horseback riding. You can horseback over at an elevation of over 1700 meters above sea level, and appreciate the local fauna, explore the Precordillera mountain trails and observe marvallous views of snow-capped peaks over 5000 meters tall. To provide optimim comfort, our horses are equipped with leather saddles and soft wool woven mats. There are many options for half-day and full-day horseback riding excurions.

In the area of Potrerillos, you also can enjoy Kayak, Stand Up Paddle, Trekking, Rappel, Rock Climbing, Paragliding, Skydiving and more. It`s a fantastic place for the adventure!

Cacheuta Thermal Center

If you`re looking for some rest and relaxation during your visit, the Cachueta thermal center is a perfect option. There is a hotel too, so may be you can overnight there, and enjoy the baths for a little more time. Because it`s a unique place, located in an incredible canyon in the mountains. It`s part of a larger complex that contains a health spa and a water park perfect for kids and families. Cacheuta baths have healing properties because of the minerals in the water, but also just because of the stunning location in general. So, make a stop during your visit and add this incredible Cacheuta Baths to your program.

Ski in Penitentes

For ski lovers, Penitentes is a wonderful place where you can practice alpine ski. Of course, there are other great ski centers in Argentina  like Catedral in Bariloche, Las Leñas in the province of Mendoza, Cerro Castor in Ushuaia; but if you`re in Mendoza, the ski center of Penitentes is a great option. But it`s not a place to be enjoyed only during winter, the slopes here are also a great place for hiking and other adventure activities during summer season.

Visiting the city: San Martin Park & Cerro de la Gloria

The Parque San Martin is an impressive urban oasis designed by the famous urban planner architect Carlos Thays, during the XIX century. This incredible green area still retains its 19th century charm. There are 34 sculptures that are dotted around the park. It`s a perfect place to have a picnic beside the picturesque Regata Lake or walk around the rose garden with your paramour. The park was named in honor of General José de San Martín, who lead the Argentine War of Independence. One of the highlights is El rosedal (rose garden), a promenade inaugurated in 1919. The park is also the location of the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas; the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; the Monument to the Army of the Andes (created by Juan Manuel Ferrari and unveiled in 1914); The Frank Romero Day Amphitheater, site of the annual Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia (National Grape Harvest Festival) since 1936; the Cornelio Moyano Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences, which maintains 40,000 exhibits; Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza; the Andino Country Club; the Mendoza Lawn Tennis Club; El Pulgarcito Theater; a hippodrome; a velodrome; a botanical garden and the Mendoza Zoological Park; and a large lake inaugurated in 1906 which is the site of the Club Mendoza de Regatas (established in 1909).

Make a stop in the Cerro de la Gloria, with the monument at the top. It is a bronze monument of fourteen tons that pays tribute to the Army of the Andes for its successful campaign of liberation. It is a monument worth visiting!