Visiting Mendoza is like stepping into a paradise nestled at the foothills of the Andes. This enchanting region is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, world-class vineyards, and a vibrant cultural scene that captivates every visitor. As you explore Mendoza, you'll be greeted by endless vineyards stretching across the horizon, where some of the finest wines in the world are produced.
Beyond the vineyards, Mendoza offers a wealth of outdoor adventures. From hiking through the stunning Aconcagua Provincial Park, with its snow-capped peaks and crystal-clear lakes, to rafting along the exhilarating Mendoza River, nature lovers are spoilt for choice. The city of Mendoza itself boasts charming tree-lined streets, bustling plazas, and impressive architecture, blending colonial and modern influences. Whether you seek relaxation, adventure, or a captivating cultural experience, Mendoza is an irresistible destination that will leave you with lasting memories.
DAY 1
Embarking on a walking tour in Mendoza is an awesome way to immerse yourself in the city's charm and discover its hidden treasures.
Begin your journey at the Gates to The San Martin Park, then make your way through the park to the Monument of the San Martin's Army, on top of Cerro De La Gloria. On the way, appreciate the incredible engineering marvel that is the park, as well as the whole City of Mendoza. Planned and built by the famous Carlos Thayes, the city is a true desert oasis, fed by zanjones and acequias with the water flowing from the Andes, through the Potrerillos Dam and Lake Potrerillos. On the way, you will see the Fountain of the Continents, with a weekend artisan market in the surrounding alleys. You'll walk along the bank of the Lake in the Park, home to the famous Mendoza Regatta and the national champion rowing team.
Climb Cerro De La Gloria and walk around the monument, paying attention to the reliefs covering the four sides of the base, depicting all the people of Mendoza who helped General San Martin achieve his victory in the War of Independence, thus freeing South America from the Spanish crown. It is a bit of an arduous walk up, so take it slow and take in the landscape of the city below and the mountains afar.
You can get down the same way you climbed up or, cross to the nearby Cerro El Lloron and climb down. This one is more of an actual hike, so I'd recommend going down the same path you used to climb Cerro De La Gloria. Walk past the old Zoo, closed now, but you can still see all kinds of animals beyond the fence: goats, rams, horses, deer and a couple others.
Start making your way through the park again, following the map, and again, passing the Lake in the Park. Head out to the Gates and turn onto Ave. Emilio Civit, once the most glamorous street in Mendoza. You can still see some mansions left over from the Golden Era, including the Stoppel Mansion, the former house of Carlos Alonso.
Walking down this beautiful avenue, you will shortly arrive at Plaza Independencia, complete with fountains, walking paths and a majestic Teatro Independencia. Every day, there is an artisan market in the Plaza, where you can buy local souvenirs, food and wine.
From Plaza Independencia head north, to Mercado Central and immerse yourselves in the flavors and smells of all kinds of foods, fresh as well as prepared. Mendoza has incredible meat culture, so you can't go wrong with a cut of beef and all sorts of cold cuts, from salami to jamón crudo.
Keep in mind, that the market closes at 1:30pm and reopens at 5pm!
From the Market, head down Ave. España to Plaza España clad in beautiful Spanish mosaics and symbolizing the ties between Argentina and Spain. From Plaza España, head west on either San Lorenzo or Montevideo, to Plaza Italia, all the while appreciating the architecture and culture of the city. You could make a stop on the way, at Patio Lorenza, to relax and taste some of the very tasty offerings of this upscale food court.
Walk another block to the west, and reach Ave. Belgrano, where you'll see the Mendoza Metro Tranvia pass by. Keep in mind, that you can take this little red train down to Maipu to see some of the oldest wineries of Mendoza. You can return to Ave. Belgrano another day for dinner, but for now, walk one block south, and reach Ave. Colon, another notable street in Mendoza. In a few blocks, going west, it will change its name and become Ave. Villanueva Aristides, filled with shops, restaurants and bars. Every night it turns into an open-air party with music, food and drink for several blocks.
For now, keep walking west, until you reach the Park San Martin. Walk a bit to the north, and you will finish your walk right where you started, at the Gates to the Park. Most likely, it will already be dinnertime, so take advantage of Mendoza's many incredible restaurants. I recommend making reservations in advance, as these are all very popular!
Alternatively, if you prefer a guided tour, ViviMza can take you on a "tour for tips" through different parts of the city. They offer two tours a day, and it's very easy to make a reservation.
DAY 2
Option 1: After an intense walking day, relax at the Cacheuta SPA, where you can book a day pass with transportation there and back. Make sure to do this as soon as possible, because space is very limited there! There is an option to book a half-day pass, leaving your morning free to do a quick wine tasting at three bodegas in Maipu, Lujan de Cuyo or Tupungato. Purchase a Wine Pass, allowing you to only do tastings, without touring the winery, and scheduling the three tastings one per hour. You get one glass of whatever wine they have available for tasting, and hop to the next winery. Keep in mind that in Argentina you absolutely cannot drink and drive, so to make this a more pleasurable experience, consider hiring a driver (or scroll down to DAY 4 of this itinerary for more options).
Option 2: Take the "Wine Bus" to the wineries in Maipu, for an incredible experience of visiting the bodegas that started Mendoza's journey on the world's wine scene. This also requires advance reservation, so I'd recommend planning ahead!
Option 3: Reserve a tour to Parque Aconcagua, with Proyecto R.O.C.A, and enjoy an amazing ride down Route 7, passing by the beautiful Lake Potrerillos, the small town of Uspallata, The Incan Bridge and arriving at the entrance to Parque Aconcagua. You can walk to the beautiful lagoon there and see the peaks of Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in America. This is better done with a guide, since it is a long drive, and you will want to appreciate the landscape the entire way, as well as relax on the way back!
DAY 3
Option 1: Explore Mendoza's nature on foot or by booking a horseback ride through the Pre Cordillera of the Andes. Going on foot, you can head out to Reserva Natural Divisadero Largo, an easy walk through the amazing geological formations in this part of the Cordillera. You do have to pay in advance, but it's very easily done at any PagoFácil.
You'll walk along the stream, climbing and descending tiny waterfalls and going through the endemic landscape of Mendoza's mountains. After that, come back to the city and do some more exploring of the food and wine offered by the restaurants along Emilio Civit, Juan B. Justo or Belgrano. You can't go wrong with meat and wine here!
Option 2: If you're up for something a bit more adventurous, you can head out to Rancho El Jarillal, for a horseback ride through the breathtaking landscape.
You do have to make a reservation for this, especially if you'd like an asado afterward. Contact Caro on your own, or let me know, and I'll help!
Vani & Joaquin from Destino Montaña can arrange a horseback ride with asado for you as well, in the beautiful Valle del Sol. You may contact them by yourself or I can arrange it for you.
Option 3: For the more advanced hiking, head out to Vallecitos, in Parque Provincial Cordon Del Plata, and explore it's trails on your own, or with a guide. You can book a tour with Destino Montaña, an amazing team of experienced mountain guides, who will not only take you there and back, but will tell you about the area, the mountains and the people of Mendoza.
After getting back to the city, enjoy interactive asado with Plan Patio, an incredible experience of participating in making an authentic Mendoza asado. Just don't forget to make your reservations in advance!
DAY 4
Discovering Valle de Uco's wineries is an unforgettable experience. Surrounded by the stunning Andes Mountains, this Argentinean wine region offers breathtaking vineyard views and a rich history of winemaking. Explore prestigious wineries, taste a diverse array of wines, and savor local cuisine that perfectly complements the flavors. It's a captivating journey into Argentina's winemaking heritage and the artistry behind every bottle. You can do this on your own, or book a customized bodegas tour with Dominic Moorman. He is a wine expert from the UK, who has been living in Mendoza for many years. His tours include some of the boutique bodegas, whose wine you won't find anywhere else, and his knowledge of the industry is very thorough.
All wineries need reservations made in advance, keep that in mind! Another important point is Argentina has zero-tolerance as far as drinking and driving is concerned, so make sure to have a designated driver or, contact Dominic, and enjoy the amazing experience!
Cheers to a delightful adventure!