HORSE RIDING
A van picks you up at 9am for a 90 minute drive to the first Andean mountain range known as Cordon de Plata. Here you saddle up at a mountain ranch and begin a trail up through a mountain creek to some commanding views of Potrerillos lake and Uspallata valley. The three hour ride is followed by a genuine Argentine asado back at the ranch.
Cordon de Plata, Las Heras 1429. Tel.423-7423;www.cordondelplata.com
MORE HORSE RIDING Estancia Guanaco is a horse-breeding ranch located in leafy southern Maipu close to the stony riverbed of the Rio Mendoza; 40 minutes south of the city. Here a three hour horse-ride down leafy lanes, through vineyards and along the riverbank is followed by an asado in the farmhouse. Estancia Guanaco. Tel. 156 686 801; www.criolloslaguatana.com.ar
RAFTING
The rafting camps are located upriver from Potrerillos dam, an hour drive south west of the city. A van picks you up at your hotel in the morning and takes you to Argentina Rafting’s base camp, where you get kitted out in wet suits and receive safety instruction. A van takes you further up river to a launch spot for a one hour ride down through the rapids of the chocolate colored Rio Mendoza before arriving back at the base camp to enjoy lunch. The bus returns to Mendoza city in the afternoon. Argentina Rafting, P. de la Reta 992. Tel 429-6325; www.argentinarafting.com.
THERMAL BATHS
Cacheuta hot springs is a 45 minute drive southwest of the city, located in a mountain pass that carries the Rio Mendoza. The hotel is at the foot of Potrerillos Dam and the baths are split between a well appointed hotel and spa complex and a more down at heel, cheaper alternative. www.termascacheuta.com
CHACRAS DE CORIAThe perfect place to visit on a Sunday, when Mendoza is having a day’s siesta. The antique fair is a great place for a rummage (it has been known to find some real treasure). The colonial style church, Our Lady of the Perpetual Help is worth a look in as is the excellent winery Clos de Chacras, 2 blocks from the plaza (see page 24). On another visit you would have to go at night; for Chacras is the Ibiza of Mendoza. If you are out for a good time and a barrel load of fernet then look out for the best clubs in the area, La Guananca, Pasion and Cemento. Chacras is 15 minutes by taxi. To get a bus take the number 115 or 116 from 25 de Mayo and Montevideo in the city center.
ANDES TOUR
This is the most popular single excursion in Mendoza and a must do as the road to Chile is stunning to look at and fascinating to learn about. There are many ways to see the Andes and the quality of the tour depends on your budget. The cheapest way is to grab the twice daily local bus with Turismo Uspallata that leaves from the terminal every day at 7am and 10am. It arrives at Puente del Inca at midday, giving you a few hours to explore Aconcagua National Park and the Inca bridge before the bus returns to pick you up at 5pm. However the bus is very slow with many stops and without a guide you miss much in the background and history of the mountains, the railway, Aconcagua and the indigenous heritage. The most popular way to see the Andes is with a conventional travel agency in Spanish. The tour is called Alta Montaña, involves large groups and early pick ups. Unfortunately none of the agencies enter the park and instead view the mountain from the roadside, which is unfortunate as Aconcagua Park is the most interesting part of the tour with stunning views, glacial boulders and million year old fossils. The best way to see the Andes is with a specialist tour company that keeps the groups small and in English with a knowledgeable guide. Highly recommended is Trout & Wine, Sarmiento 133, Galeria San Marcos. Tel 4255613; www.troutandwine.com who include lunch and wines in their tour and a visit to the beautiful Seven Colors Mountain.
SILVER MINE
If you are the adrenaline junkie type then head below the hills with Minas de Paramillos. Trekking through the caverns of an old silver mine before rappelling down one of the shafts is an experience worth your weight in silver. The trip includes an asado in their mountain lodge; framed by the snowy peak of Aconcagua. The mines are located outside the Andean town of Uspallata, 2 hours from Mendoza city. Minas de Paramillos, Espejo 183, 7th floor, office 64. Tel. 425-9000
FLYFISHING
Patagonia gets all the attention when it comes to fly fishing in Argentina. Yet the fact is there is a community of Mendocinos who like nothing better than pulling on rubber tights and spending their weekends dancing in mountain streams trying to catch that big one. They do it in Uspallata, they do it in Potrerillos, they do it in San Rafael and they especially do it in some private ranches in the heart of Valle de Uco. This is the best place to fish in Mendoza, with private isolated rivers in spectacular locations including a 3,000 meter high lake at the foot of a volcano called Laguna de Diamante (only accessible in January and February). The main draw here are the crystal clear, fast moving mountain streams jumping with wild fighting rainbow trout that are small, super quick and hard to catch. Tour company Trout & Wine conduct one-day fly-fishing excursions in the area starting at $280 US per person (based on two people). Lunch is a riverside spectacular of the catch of the day. Trout & Wine, Sarmiento 133, Galeria San Marcos. Tel 4255613;www.troutandwine.com
TREKKING
Compared to the Argentine Lake district, Mendoza’s trekking options are limited as much of the city is surrounded by flat desert and the shrubless pre-Cordillera. However, look hard enough and you will find some excellent trails, especially in the first sierra known as Cordon de Plata. Here you’ll find a mountain hostel called San Antonio lodge that conducts hikes to the summits of some nearby mountains with spectacular views. The excursion can be done in one day but it is best to stay one night to get the most from the area. For more information contact tour operators Cordon de Plata, Las Heras 1429. Tel.423-7423; www.cordondelplata.com. For something more ambitious you can hike to the base camp in Aconcagua National Park. This is a multi-day excursion as the park is a 3-hour drive away and the base camp a day’s hike through a beautiful valley. You can get there independently by taking a local bus with Turismo Uspallata or hire a tour operator to take you there. A recommended company is Aymara, 9 de Julio 1023, Tel. 4202064; www.aymara.com.ar.
COOKING CLASSES
There are a few offerings in Mendoza province, the two best ofwhich are in Valle de Uco. O.Fournier have a first-rate chef; you are given demonstrations and then you set to work preparing your meal. The whole experience culminates with a meal in their restaurant in their state-of-the-art winery. The other alternative is at Altus Bodega, where it is necessary to book three days in advance. O.Fournier, La Consulta, San Carlos. Tel (02622) 451-088; www.ofournier.com
KAYAKING
Argentina Rafting offer white water kayaking where you are taught the roll technique and then partake in a mini run down the river. Paddle about on the serene waters of the Potrerillos dam before splashing and rolling in the rapids. You are supplied with a light lunch and transport from the city. Argentina Rafting, P. de la Reta 992. Tel 429-6325; www.argentinarafting.com
SKIING
Las Leñas is one of the most important resorts in Argentina due to its matchless snow quality and off-piste skiing; its 1,200-meter vertical drop is a paradise for extreme skiing. Its 450 km away from the capital of the province of Mendoza and with first-class accommodation and gastronomy, ski and snowboard schools, among other services, Las Leñas is a classic. The other big ski resort is Penitentes which is 180 Km from the city. There are 28 runs, with off-piste areas for seasoned professionals and runs for the novices. There is even a snow garden for children! Accommodation ranges from attractive hostels to log cabins and 4 star hotels. For private, all inclusive tours to both resorts contact Argentina Ski Tours. Darragueira 558 Chacras de Coria. Tel: 0261 6300026 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PARAGLIDING
Gliding over the tree tops of Mendoza is not to be missed. Mendoza Parapente offer Tandem flight excursions for $250 ARG. You are transported from your hotel to the summit of the Cerro Acro 20 minutes from the city. There you are strapped onto a giant kite with a trained instructor and then you launch yourselves off into the clear blue skies. Fly Excursion. Tel. 156-151159; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MOUNTAIN CLIMBING
The tallest mountain outside the Himalayas is a huge draw for summit addicts and it is one of the big five in the world that every serious climber wants to conquer. One of the reasons Aconcagua is so popular is that it is technically easy with little need for climbing equipment if you take the easy route. However, the term “easy” is relative and very few make it to the top because of the extreme altitude and weather conditions. The climbing season runs from November to February and you need at least ten days acclimatising. The longer you stay in the base camps, the easier it is and one Italian ran up to the summit and back in one day wearing tennis shoes. You can attempt the summit independently by making your way to the base camp and hiring guides there or you can join a specialist tour operator. Everybody must first get a permit from the park authorities, located in the tourism office on San Martin and Garibaldi in Mendoza city center. A recommended company is Aymara, 9 de Julio 1023, Tel. 4202064;www.aymara.com.ar.
