Hello Angie:

On a three week tour of Argentina, my friend and I had about a day and half in Buenos Aires and we wanted to make the most of it. We also went to the Carlos Gardel Tango show recommended by you. A tango show might be touristy bu Read more...

Hiroshi ,
Japan.

FD ALTA MONTANA TOUR

Valid from:  January to september  2012
Minimun: 2 people

Departure at 7:30 until 19:00
English or Spanish speaking guide included
Shared Service
Duration: 12 hs aprox.

This excursion takes you from Mendoza city to the borderline with Chile along paved roads where you can enjoy tourist services, and which runs bordering the Mendoza River.
One of the sights on the way is the Potrerillos Valley Dam.
Uspallata is a wide valley whose urban center offers a variety of places to eat and to stay for the night. It used to be the settlement of the native Huarpe people in pre-Hispanic times. A short distance away there are some historical constructions that, despite being made of clay bricks, are kept in very good condition. They are called Las Bovedas. The historical importance of these ancient rough buildings is the fact that they once were the site where the cannons and weapons used in the Chilean Independence War were manufactured.
Our next stops are at small villages: Picheuta, Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas (from which you easily reach the famous Los Penitentes village.
Los Penitentes is principally a ski center located 167km from Mendoza city. It is open for skiing from June to August and a great site for adventure activities throughout the year. The chairlift will allow you to have a privileged panoramic view of the area.
Further ahead, we will reach Puente del Inca (Inca's Bridge) at 2720 meters above sea level. The Las Cuevas River has bored the mountain and formed a natural bridge where thermal water also flows. Nearby is the Cemetery of Mountain Climbers. There is a magnificent viewpoint a short distance from the border which allows you to see the splendor of the Aconcagua Mount. A dirt road stemming from the International Road leads to the beautiful Horcones lagoon and the Aconcagua Provincial Park.
Back on the International Road you will see Customs House at Horcones and right up ahead, almost at the border with Chile, Las Cuevas. It is a small town built following European style at 3200 meters above sea level.
As you move on and right before reaching the International Tunnel that leads to Chile, there is another road. By taking it, and only if the weather conditions are favorable, you will be able to go up to the Cristo Redentor (The Redeemer) monument set at an altitude of 4200 meters. This monument symbolizes the Argentine-Chilean fraternity. The same road is used to return to Mendoza city.
Notice that this is the same itinerary followed on the International Andes Crossing: Mendoza-Santiago, but in this case only Argentine territory is covered.
In case you wish to cross over to Chile, bear in mind that you will be covering 380 km in ten hours. Besides, you will have to go through Customs twice: at Horcones in Argentina and at Libertadores in Chile. After that, you will go through towns such as Portillo, Caracoles, Los Andes until you finally reach Santiago.
The road back to Mendoza is the same used to go to Chile.
Rate above is not valid for Festive Season: Christmas and New Year's Eve period of time.