Transfer IN OUT APT/HTL/APT

High Mountain
Breakfast at the hotel. During the trip we can see the Potrerillos dike. 100 Kms (62 miles) away from the capital city we can find Uspallata, which is where the huarpe’s native occupation took place during the prehispanic era. We’ll then visit the villages of Picheuta, Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas, from where we may reach the famous village of Los Penitentes.

Further on, in Puente del Inca, 2.720 meters over sea level, Las Cuevas river has drilled the mountain forming this way a natural bridge from where thermal water emerges from the edge. Nearby we can find the Mountain Climbers Cemetery. Close to the frontier, a wonderful natural viewpoint allows us to see the Aconcagua Hill in all it’s splendor. An unpaved road which starts at the International Route, allows entering the beautiful Horcones Lagoon and the Provincial Park of Aconcagua. If weather helps, we will be able to climb up to Cristo Redentor Monument, 4.200 meters up.

Mendoza - Villavicencio
Morning walk ideal for those who wish to initiate themselves in climbing simple paths along the quebrada (Villavicencio ravine).We will walk through one of the routes used by Chile and Peru’s Ejercito Libertador (Liberation Army), arriving at Centro de Interpretación de la Reserva Natural Villavicencio. Then, we will follow the Camino de Caracol (Winding road) up to the viewpoint. After we return to the quebrada, we will walk to Mirador del 8 towards the Chapel. Those who wish to, may get to see a fallen plane that was left there. Finally, we will enjoy a nice picnic_ ham sandwiches and juice. Or, you may want to eat at the inn cafeteria. We will return to the city at noon.

OPTIONAL – First Viticulture Region
Breakfast at the hotel. We will go along Mendoza River, watching the typical features of the former desert where today the vineyards offer formidable fruits. We will pay a technical visit to Flichman Winery (part of the Portuguese Sogrape Group, producers of the wine "Caballero de la Cepa" (Stock Cavallier), where we will taste some of its wines. Then we will visit sprinkled zones around Benegas and Carrizal Dams, going up Cerrillos to San José Village. We will enter the Cordón del Plata track, where Uco Valley goes into the mountain, with spectacular views of the endless snowy peaks such as Tupungato Volcano (6,800m high), the highest in the world.

This is an agricultural and farming region of exceptional quality, with many streams and emerging waters, where if we are lucky we could watch the condor. We will get to La Alejandra Farm Land, where we will eat Mendoza meat pies and Grilled Pork (native asado is an alternative), accompanied with a red wine varietal.

Monastery, Cordon del Plata & Valleys
We set off towards the South and follow Ruta Productiva (Production Road) towards the mountains. We will have a guided-tour at a winery (either Norton, or Séptima or Altus), as well as enjoy a wine tasting of their famous wines. Afterwards, we will go up the mountain to Mendoza's high altitude vineyard area (Catena Zapata Winery and Altus de Gualtallary) until we reach Monasterio de Cristo Orante (Monastery of Praying Christ) where we will visit the church, gardens and Venetian bridge.

On return through San José village in Tupungato, we will go along the road by the Cordón del Plata mountain range and see the magnificent ever present snow on its peaks. Among them is the Tupungato Volcano (6800m high), the highest volcano in the world. This is a cereal and cattle area, there are numerous springs and streams, and you can sometimes see condors flying over.

We go along La Hoyada winding road to Valle del Sol and then Potrerillos valley. We will reach San Antonio restaurant after midday where we will be served a delicious appetizer: “empanadas mendocinas” (meat pies with a local touch), grilled hog as main dish, and some varietal wine. (Argentine BBQ_ “asado” is also an option).

After lunch there will be a recess and you will be invited to participate in a traditional Argentine game: LA TABA. There will be a surprise prize for the winner. Afterwards, you can opt to either go horse riding into Potrerillos Valley and the area known as El Salto (this service is not included in the excursion rate) with a local guide or go on a light trekking tour up along the Arroyo de las Cortaderas (Cortaderas brook), which is a branch of the Blanco river, along the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) and finally reach the waterfall. This activity takes up approximately one hour. On return to Mendoza, we will make a stop to watch the Potrerillos Dam and will be arriving in the city late in the afternoon.

Mendoza
Breakfast at the hotel. Day off. Optional: Shopping around Mendoza City.

Visiting Wineries: Wine Sampling and Tasting - Di Tommaso and Zuccardi Wineries
Breakfast. We begin the tour towards Old Di Tommaso Family Winery, located in Russell, Maipú. This winery, has its origins in the Friuli region, Italy and has profited from its experience of past generations to obtain internationally great level awarded wines. We will carry out a brief visit to the vineyards belonging to this old winery and, in its cellar, an expert on wine tasting will develop a one-hour-lasting course on wine tasting, including 3 different wines and then, we will be presented with three bottles of varietal wines.

We will continue the tour visiting an important winery; Familia Zuccardi’s Winery. We will learn about the Santa Julia wines. The visitor is introduced to the birth, making and tasting of wine, accompanied by specialists that would like the visitors to relax and get to know their exclusive wines. We will go into the tourism cellar to continue inside the winery and will finish this visit with wine tasting. At midday, we will walk through the “parrales”(vineyards) as part of “enoturism”. There, we will have a typical lunch: “empanadas” (meat pies), asado (Argentinean barbecue) with salads and 3 different types of wines. We will be presented with a bottle of a varietal wine. We will come back at 4 pm.

Visiting Wineries: Wine Sampling and Tasting - Chandon e Catena Zapata Wineries
Breakfast. We will go to the famous Chandon Winery: first branch of Moet & Chandon outside France. It has 1333 hectare of vineyards located on a high area of Mendoza river and Valle de Uco region. After the visit, we will taste wine and will be presented with a bottle of Chandon Champagne. We'll go to traditional Lagarde Winery, where we'll walk around the vineyards, observe the presses, the stainless steel tanks, as well as the old wooden barrels. We'll round up our visit tasting two varietal wines at their old 19th century country house.

In one of its rooms, we'll enjoy a seasonal five-course meal paired with their best wines.We continue towards a winery with a Mayan piramid design: Catena Zapata, which architectual concept, is a real tribute to the art and cience of making wines. Inside the winery, there is the circular cellar, with its 4000 oak barrels, surrounds the wine tasting room. An important technological structure, sustains the making process, devoted only to the obtaining of great wines: Nicolás Catena Zapata, Catena Alta, Catena, Alamos. Going back to the hotel. Rest of the day off.

Visiting Wineries: Wine Sampling and Tasting – Andeluna Cellars and Salentein Wineries
Breakfast at the hotel. We will set out for Andeluna Cellars Winery, which is situated in Tupungato Valley at more than 1,300m high at the foot of the Andes Mountains in a property of 80 hectares. It has a surface area of more than 4,500m2, controlled humidity and temperature, capacity to store 1,000,000 liters in stainless steel tanks, state-of-the-art technology and a cellar for 1,000 casks.

Then we will visit Salentein Winery, situated at more than 1,200 m.a.s.l. surrounded by its farm lands El Portillo, La Pampa and San Pablo. The cross-shaped building is unique of its kind. Each of the four wings is a little cellar that has two sections: the first one, downstairs, holds the stainless steel tanks; while the second one, underground, is used to age the wine in oak casks. The tour cellars converge in a central amphitheatre and share the modern bottling room.

Then we will head for Salentein Inn. This is a magical place to enjoy the hospitality of those who know how to be hosts, the regional food accompanied by wines from Salentein Winery, the surroundings doing trekking or riding on a bicycle, and tasting in the winery cellars; and at the end of the day find the warmth of a chimney and a delicate aroma of species in the air. A place to experience the wine production from the beginning. Dinner at the Inn.

Salentein Inn - Mendoza
Breakfast at the inn. Morning off to rest placidly in this Mendoza Paradise surrounded by vines. Then we will have lunch and set out for San Rafael.

San Rafael – Visiting Wineries, Wine Sampling and Tasting: Bianchi, Rivier
Breakfast at the hotel. We will visit the most important wineries in San Rafael. The Champagne Cellar of Don Valentín Bianchi and Rivier Winery. The Bianchi Family is well-known due to its traditional wines Bianchi Chablis, Don Valentín Lacrado, 1887, Bianchi Family, Valentín Bianchi D.O.C., San Rafael. After having a regional lunch, we will head for Rivier Winery in the afternoon. This visit will include the different sections of grinding and fermentation, and the impeccable cellar, where the wine is aged in casks. In the tasting room, diverse varieties of wine will be sampled. Among its wines stand out the following: Jean Rivier Tocai Friulano, Assemblage Blanc, Tocai Friulano Barrica, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva. Back to the hotel.

Atuel River Canyon and Valle Grande
Breakfast at the hotel. Whole-day excursion to the Atuel River Big Canyon and Valle Grande. We will leave from San Rafael, passing by Cuesta de los Terneros (Calves Slope); we will stop at Mirador San Francisco de Asis (San Francisco de Asis Viewpoint). Then we will head for El Nihuil, where we will have lunch. Then we will enter the Atuel River Canyon to enjoy a stunning landscape resulted from the wind and water erosion, forming sculptures like the colorful geographical figures that show shapes such as El Castillo (the Castle), El Fantasma (the Ghost), La Catedral (the Cathedral), etc. We will do trekking into the Canyon. The Atuel River goes deep into the multicolor rock eroded over millions of years, offering us a unique spectacle. We will get to Valle Grande where we will have the opportunity to do some optional adventure activities such as rafting along the Atuel River, etc. We will spend the night in Valle Grande since we have days with adventure activities to come.

Rafting & Speed River in the Atuel River
Breakfast at the hotel. We will do rafting along the Atuel River in a 15km trip. Rafting is a sport practiced on white water rivers, such as the Atuel, rated at grade III difficulty. For this activity, we will provide you with the equipment for the adventure: lifejackets, helmets and paddles. There are also grade IV rapids, but they are in the medium Atuel Canyon. Once the rafting is over, we will take a catamaran in Valle Grande Lake. Then, we will go on with the adventure doing special activities on the Atuel River. We could choose between speedboats and speed river, or also have a long trip of about 6km, so as to conclude a pure adrenaline day.

IF YOU PREFER TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM THE ADVENTURE DAY IN THE ATUEL RIVER, YOU CAN CHOOSE THE EXCURSION TO CAVERNA DE LAS BRUJAS.

OPTIONAL – Caverna de las Brujas
Breakfast at the hotel. We will go to Malargüe City heading for Caverna de las Brujas. Along the way, we will pass by Sierra Pintada (Painted Mountain Range), Cuesta de los Terneros, San Rafael Viewpoint, Diamante Salt Flats and El Sosneado Valley. We will do middle difficulty trekking in the cavern. We must pay an entrance fee to the reserve, where helmets and torches will be provided.

The cavern is famous for the stalactite and stalagmite presence (formed by water filtering) of different shapes, colors and dimensions. The stalactite and stalagmite formation takes 1,300 years. La Caverna de las Brujas is millions of years old. Then we will go to Malargüe, where we will stop for lunch (optional) and stroll along the city. Return to San Rafael.

Mendoza
Breakfast at the hotel. We will go to Mendoza. When the sun sets behind the Cordillera and evening is almost over, Mendoza shows a different appearance and the lights make it a beautiful city. At night in Mendoza, we will discover Cerro de la Gloria (Gloria Hill) to delight us with an exceptional view. Then we will visit El Rosedal, Mendoza Yacht Club Lake, the Fountain of the 5 Continents, the Gates, and finally the central area with its streets and pedestrian walks.