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Mendoza Area Tours

The Andes Mountain Range, true backbone of South America, reaches its highest point, Mt. Aconcagua (23,000 ft) in the Argentine province of Mendoza. A "mecca" for mountain climbing with its two "big peaks" in Argentina ACONCAGUA and its eternal rival the imposing MERCEDARIO, offers countless possibilities of horseback riding, rafting, trekking and hiking at the foot or across the Andes. In addition you may indulge in thermal baths at hot springs and wine tasting in numerous wineries, which are becoming famous all over the world

Classic Mendoza

Day 1 - arrive Mendoza on Tues., Thurs. Sat. or Sun., where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you will have a three hour visit of the city of Mendoza, the pride of the mendocinos (the inhabitants of the city) since the area is a desert that -because of the hard work of men and a carefully designed irrigation system- has been transformed into an oasis with beautiful parks and plazas. You will visit downtown and surroundings, including Pedro del Castillo foundational square, the local Aquarium, City Hall and General San Martin Square. Driving along Mendoza's principal access you will visit the Artificial Lake, Cerro de la Gloria, local Stadium among other highlights.

Day 2 - free morning, then in the afternoon you will visit the local wineries from Lujan de Cuyo / Maipú department. Escorted by a professional and specialized guide, you will be able to enjoy small and large ones, having the opportunity to visit the vineyards. The tour includes the cellars, their production centers and possibilities to taste the exquisite wines. Normally includes 2 different types of wineries, styles, techniques and production.

Day 3 - Full day driving by car climbing the Andean Range from Mendoza (on the way to Santiago de Chile) to visit the High Andes which bear the highest peak outside Asia - the Aconcagua. First, arrive at Potrerillos (pre-Andes range valley), continue by the Uspallata valley and visit the Historic Bridge of Picheuta. The way from Uspallata to Las Cuevas is a 86 kilometres remarkable road. Surrounded by imposing wall sediments penetrating in a narrow throat next to the Mendoza river, it crosses the frontal mountain range. You will observe a display of beautiful and inclined plateaus crowning the route. The itinerary goes on visiting Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas. Three valleys worthy of admiration converge at this point: Las Vacas to the north, the Caves to the west and Tupungato to the south. The rivers of these three valleys unite here originating the Mendoza River.
In the deep scenery of the mountain landscapes, the small village of Los Penitentes is found. The next stop is the Inca Bridge, a legendary thermal spring water site as well. Some kilometers ahead, the Provincial Park Aconcagua is almost the end of this journey and has the highest mount in America (6,962 m.a.s.l). Its main attractions are: trekking, climbing rocks or ice, photographic safaris, among many other options. The glaciers Horcones Inferior, Güssfeldt, Los Relinchos and De Los Polacos are the main highllights accompanied by a background of numerous mounts reaching, as well, 5,000 m.a.s.l. Inside the Park you will visit the Horcones Lagoon.

Afterwards, arrival at the Horcones Border Center & then to the Border Village of Las Cuevas. In summer, if the route and the weather allow, you will have the opportunity to visit the Cristo Redentor of the Andes, at 4200 meters above sea level. The Cristo Redentor monument, within the reserve, is a sculpture of approximately ten meters of height and the first Monument to International Peace between Argentina and Chile. It has an emblematic and stirring inscription at its feet: "these mountains will collapse before Chilean and Argentinian brothers break the peace sworn at the Cristo Redentor". It is an image of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, with his right foot on the globe and a cross in his left hand, watching and following the limiting line between Chile and Argentina.

Day 4 - transfer to airport.

2010 Price per person in US$ with group tours: $232 for 1 person, $179 for 2 people.
Private tours available. Other tours may be substituted, but price might change
We can also arrange a hotel for you, from 3-5* (hotels are not included in above price).

Active Mendoza

Day 1 - arrive Mendoza, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Then in the afternoon ou will visit the local wineries from Lujan de Cuyo / Maipú department. Escorted by a professional and specialized guide, you will be able to enjoy small and large ones, having the opportunity to visit the vineyards. The tour includes the cellars, their production centers and possibilities to taste the exquisite wines. Normally includes 2different types of wineries, styles, techniques and production.

Day 2 - RAFTING CERRO NEGRO , GRADE III - IV - Cerro Negro is a cornerstone on the road to Chile and it is also the starting place for this breathtaking rafting of about 4hours. Includes transfers to/from Mendoza, full equipment, professional bilingual guides, introductory briefing as well as safety course, support kayak, box lunch to be enjoyed by the river. Must be 14 or older. Need 3 to operate.

Day 3 - From Nieto Senetiner Wine Cellar you will ride on a three hour horseback at this beautiful valley to know the Nieto Senetiner property better. Lunch with wines included.

Day 4 -transfer to airport

2010 Price per person in US$ with group tours: $322 for 1 person, $269 for 2 people.
Private tours available.
We can also arrange a hotel for you, from 3-5* (hotels are not included in above price).

Budget Mendoza

Day 1 Airport – Mendoza city
We welcome you at the airport of Mendoza City and transfer you to your lodgement. You will have the rest of the day to discover the area.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: none

Day 2 High Peaks excursion
After the breakfast, we will take the international route and travel across Potrerillo and Uspallata villages; a few kilometres further on we will reach the famous Puente del Inca (Inca´s Bridge). Here, in 1925, a luxury hotel was constructed; its special feature is that it has a thermal bath per room. Unfortunately, it was destroyed, owe to a snow avalanche, and now, we can visit its ruins, only. We will continue by the Los Horcones Valley from where we can see the Aconcagua until we arrive a Las Cuevas, just on the frontier with Chile. We return to our hotel at dusk.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: breakfast

Day 3 Winery Excursion
This is a half day activity that takes place during the afternoon; we can visit the most important winery of this area. There we will discover how they make the wine and of course, we can taste them.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: breakfast

Day 4 Mendoza City - Airport
After the breakfast, transfer to the airport where this trip finishes.
Meals we provide: breakfast

2009-2010 Price per person inUS$: $504 for a single, $384 double

Included:
Incoming Services
Bilingual guides (Spanish English) during all the excursions
Transfer Mendoza airport – Hotel/Hotel –Mendoza airport.
We combine regular and private transfer in our tours.
3 nights of accommodation in Hotel Double or Single Base, with private bathroom and breakfast.
High peaks excursion
Winery excursion

Not included : National Park fees , Medical and life insurance , Tips , Drinks , Optional excursions , Air tickets and airport taxes Services not detailed in the program

Mendoza Area Trekking (Oct.-April)

Day 1 Airport - Mendoza City
We will welcome you at the airport of Mendoza City and transfer you to your lodgment. You will have the rest of the day to discover the area.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: none

Day 2 Penitentes Trekking
Transfer to the Hotel to the Bus station. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel at 05:30AM to take the regular bus that leaves at 06:00am, to the HIGH PEAKS region. Transfer to Penitentes, at 2650m over sea level, and 8km far from Puente Del Inca. We will arrive at this little town, and in general, we have a walk around the Penitentes area, where you can ascent the hill slope up to reach a viewpoint from where you can admire the majestic Aconcagua. This trekking will vary depending on the whether conditions, the estimated walking time may vary from 3 to 6 hours. We will return to a Mountain Refuge, which has beds, mattresses, bed linen, hot water and a little restaurant where a Chef prepares breakfasts and dinners.
Lodging: Mountain Refuge
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch and dinner

Day 3 Trek Horcones - Aconcagua Viewpoint
We will take a bus to Puente Del Inca. We will visit the bridge and then we will have a trekking across the Aconcagua Provincial Park, by the “Quebrada del Río Horcones”. From there, and regarding on the weather conditions, we can admire the majestic Aconcagua. As an option, you can use the hot baths of the former hotel. During the afternoon, we will return to Penitentes and then, we will travel to Mendoza.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: breakfast

Day 4 Rafting at Mendoza River
After breakfast, we will travel 60 kilometers from Mendoza to arrive at Potrerillos. We will have a rafting activity that descent the river for about 80 minutes approximately. After midday we will return to Mendoza city where we will have the rest of the day to enjoy the area.
Lodging: Hotel double or single room
Meals we provide: breakfast

Day 5 Mendoza City - Airport
After the breakfast, transfer to the airport where this trip finishes.
Meals we provide: breakfast

2009-2010 Price per person in US$: $640 for a single, $504 double

Included:
Incoming Services
Bilingual guides (Spanish English) during all the excursions
Transfer Mendoza airport - Hotel/Hotel - Mendoza airport.
We combine regular and private transfer in our tours.
3 nights of accommodation in Hotel Double or Single Base, with private bathroom and breakfast.
1 night of lodging in a mountain refuge
Half day rafting in Mendoza River
Trekking activities detailed in the program

Not included: National Park fees , Medical and life insurance , Tips , Drinks , Optional excursions , Air tickets and airport taxes
Services not detailed in the program

Other Tours

MULTI DAY WINE TOURS

Info on Wines of Argentina - “By the year 2015, the greatness of Argentinean wines made from the Malbec grape will be understood as a given. This French varietal, which failed so miserably on its home soil in Bordeaux, has reached startling heights of quality in Argentina. Majestic and delicious Malbecs, profoundly complex ones from high-elevation vineyards are already being produced, and by 2015 this long-ignored grape's place in the pantheon of noble wines will be guaranteed.” Food & Wine Magazine, September 2004, Robert Parker Jr.

Phone: 800-232-5658 or 1-512-443-5393 email