Aconcagua and High Andes Day Tour from Mendoza

Aconcagua Provincial Park

Mount Aconcagua rises to about 6,960 metres, making it the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest outside Asia. It stands entirely in Argentina, inside Aconcagua Provincial Park, created in 1983 to protect the mountain, its glaciers and the high valleys around it. From the park entrance at Horcones you look straight up the valley to the massive south face, covered in snow and ice all year.

On this Aconcagua day trip from Mendoza, your guide stops at the natural viewpoint so you can photograph the peak and learn about the climbers who attempt it each summer. From November to April it is possible to enter the park and walk the short trail to Horcones Lagoon, which reflects the mountain on calm days; the park entrance fee for this trail is paid on the spot. Clear mornings give the best views of Aconcagua.

Puente del Inca

Puente del Inca is a natural stone bridge that arches over the Las Cuevas River at about 2,720 metres above sea level. It formed when ice and river debris were cemented by the mineral-rich hot springs that still flow here, which also painted the rock in vivid shades of yellow, orange and rust. The name recalls the old Inca route that crossed the Andes nearby.

Below the arch stand the ruins of a thermal spa building from the early twentieth century, once visited by travellers crossing the mountains, and beside the viewpoint local artisans sell small objects left in the mineral water until they turn to stone. Your guide spends about fifteen minutes here explaining how the bridge was formed. It is one of the most photographed places on any Puente del Inca tour from Mendoza.

Uspallata valley and the Huarpe heritage

Uspallata lies in a wide green valley at about 1,900 metres, surrounded by mountains in shades of red, purple and grey. Long before the Spanish arrived, this valley was inhabited by the Huarpe people, and later it was part of the network of Inca roads that crossed the Andes. Poplar trees, small farms and adobe buildings give the village a calm, timeless feel.

The tour stops here twice: once on the way up for a break and a snack, and once on the way back. Your guide shares the history of the native peoples of the valley and explains why its landscapes have made it a popular location for photographers. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the route to Uspallata follows the gravel road through Villavicencio, with its famous hairpin bends and some of the widest views of the high peaks.

Potrerillos Dam and Route 7

Leaving Mendoza, Route 7 climbs along the Mendoza River into the foothills. The first great view is the Potrerillos Dam, whose reservoir shines turquoise against brown and red mountains, with the snow-covered Cordon del Plata range on the horizon. The dam supplies water and energy to the region, and the lake is a favourite place for water sports in summer.

Route 7 is the main road between Argentina and Chile and one of the most spectacular mountain roads in South America. Beyond Uspallata it passes Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas, where the Tupungato River joins the Mendoza River, an old railway line, abandoned stations and mountain military posts. Your guide explains the history of the road and the railway while you enjoy the landscape from the coach.

Las Cuevas, the last village before Chile

Las Cuevas sits at about 3,150 metres, the last Argentine village before the border with Chile. It was built in the early twentieth century as a stop for travellers and border workers, and its stone houses with steep roofs were designed to resist the heavy winter snow. Today it has a few small restaurants and shops serving travellers on the international road.

You have about 75 minutes of free time here for lunch, a hot drink and photos of the surrounding peaks. The air is thin and cool even in summer, so take your time and bring a warm jacket. From Las Cuevas the coach starts the descent back to Mendoza, with a second short break in Uspallata, arriving at your hotel in the evening.