Transfer IN OUT APT/HTL/APT

Visiting a Winery: Wine origin – Mendoza at night
Breakfast at the hotel. We will go after the wine road visiting a model winery. We will walk through the vineyards to learn their origin and, along with a native asado; we will taste five different varieties of wine in the selected winery.

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.

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.