What To Do In Mendoza
WINE TOURS
You cannot come to Mendoza without doing a wine tour. Your budget will determine greatly what quality of tour you do, with Maipu the most economical as it is the most accessible and popular to tour by bike. However Lujan de Cuyo has the best range of fine wine establishments - old and new, boutique and industrial, foreign and Argentine. The vast majority require prebooking and private transport to get to. There are 1,000 wineries in Mendoza but there is basically a core 50 wineries that are worth visiting in the sense that they have good wines, beautiful locations and knowledgeable guides. The vast majority are located in Lujan de Cuyo. A recommended wine tour company is Trout & Wine, Sarmiento 133, Galeria San Marcos. Tel 4255613; www.troutandwine.com.
LUJAN DE CUYO
Lujan de Cuyo is Mendoza’s finest winery region for tours as it has the best variety of wineries, incredible views of the mountains and relative proximity to the city. The first of Lujan’s wineries are 20 minutes from the city and the furthest 40 minutes away along the Route 7 to Chile. Poor public transport and visits by appointment means it is more convenient to join a wine tour company when touring the area. Go to our “Top 20 wineries to visit” on page 24 to see what wineries we recommend. The most wineries you can see in one day are four: five maximum as many have set times for visits – usually 9.30am, 11am, 3pm and 4pm. There is no cellar door service in any wineries. The better wineries charge 30 pesos to enter and more to sample the premium wines, which include varietals such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. A good quality one day tour of the area costs $135 US.
MAIPU
The closest wine district to the city has seen a surge in wine quality in recent years. This is the best area to do an economical tour of the city; usually by bicycle. This region is huge and much is covered by urban sprawl; many wineries have street locations with little or no vineyards. The further south you go the prettier the landscape becomes, with the city opening up into olive groves and vineyards. Take buses number 171, 172 and 173 from La Rioja street in the city center and alight on Urquiza. There you will se some bike rental establishments including Mr Hugo (tel.497-4067; www.lavidyelvino. com.ar). Always check your bike is a decent ride as a breakdown can ruin your day. Go early and bring lots of water as it gets hot out there. Go to our “Top 20 wineries to visit” on page 24 to see what wineries we recommend. Excellent lunch stops include Casa de Campo, Di Tommasso and La Encantada.
VALLE DE UCO
Valle de Uco is the new frontier in Mendoza wines; a high altitude valley with stunning views of the mountains. Most of the wineries here are new concept wineries, foreign-owned with imposing architecture. Many vineyards are newly planted though some areas such as La Consulta have 100-year old vines and are producing incredible wines. Common varietals are Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The most wineries you can visit are three in one day and the closest are 90 minutes drive from the city. Go to our “Top 20 wineries to visit” on page 24 to see what wineries we recommend.
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 CORIA
The 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.
COOKERY 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
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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;
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ART TOUR
Visit the workshops of Mendoza’s most prominent artists as well as art galleries and museums. Tours are tailor made and follow distinct routes. Specialist tour operator Visit Art (tel. 420 4039; www.visitartmendoza.com) take you to 3 different workshops belonging to Mendocino artists. These are chosen in advance and the tour is as varied as possible visiting painters and sculptors that are well established and up and coming. For art in a winery, the most prominent and impressive is Salentein in Valle de Uco. This temple to wine has a modern art gallery located in the futuristic visitor’s center Killka with sculptures dotting the winery grounds. The winery is located 90m minutes south of the city. Salentein, Tunuyán, Valle de Uco. Tel (02622) 429-500; www.killkasalentein.com.
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.
THE VINES
The Vines in Mendoza city centre offers tasting of Mendoza’s wines. You can opt for one of the flights such Las Reservas de Malbec, which is an intro to reserve Malbecs or Especial de Blancos, which is examples of excellent white wines. The tasting takes place in stylish and comfortable rooms, with bilingual guides who will pass on their extensive knowledge of wine. It is the first and only tasting room in South America and the only place in Mendoza where you can try a wide range of excellent wines by the glass. Regular events include a winemaker’s evening every Wednesday and a cheese and wine tasting on Mondays (this schedule changes in the winter months). The Vines also have a second tasting room located in the Park Hyatt Mendoza, next to the Q Grill. The Vines of Mendoza; Espejo 567, Tel. 0261 438-1031; www. vinesofmendoza.com
PARQUE SAN MARTIN
Parque General San Martin is probably one of the finest municipal parks in South America. It has 420 hectares (that’s nearly 1000 football fields) of glorious green. Fifty thousand trees line it’s boulevards and border it’s huge open spaces. Streams course down from the magnificent Cerro de la Gloria on top of which stands a grandiose statue celebrating the Liberating Army of the Andes. The park contains a huge artificial lake 1km in length surrounded by pristine gardens. There is a Science Park, a natural history museum, a theatre, a football stadium, a zoo, a velodrome, an equestrian centre, a university, an anphitheatre, and numerous clubs with swimming pools and gyms.
Besides joggers and strollers, the park hosts families taking picnics and children cooling off in the dykes. There is go cart racing, rowing, a motorbike circuit, cycle tours and horse riding. If you stay in the park’s campsite Churrasqueria you can hear the lions and elephants roar at night from the nearby zoo. Sitting in your tent you could be in Africa.
Built in 1897, the park doesn’t just function as a place to chill out and get back to nature. Its’ real function is to improve the quality of air in Mendoza. It acts as a huge humidifier, a necessity in a city where the dry air can cause mild respiratory illnesses. If you are here a while and find yourself getting a sore throat, get up to the park and breathe the green for a day.
When you enter the main gates, turn left to see the most interesting area. Tour buses leave every half hour from the tourist information office on the corner, ferrying people to Cerro de la Gloria.
WINE TOURS
You cannot come to Mendoza without doing a wine tour. Your budget will determine greatly what quality of tour you do, with Maipu the most economical as it is the most accessible and popular to tour by bike. However Lujan de Cuyo has the best range of fine wine establishments - old and new, boutique and industrial, foreign and Argentine.
The vast majority require prebooking and private transport to get to. There are 1,000 wineries in Mendoza but there is basically a core 50 wineries that are worth visiting in the sense that they have good wines, beautiful locations and knowledgeable guides. The vast majority are located in Lujan de Cuyo. A recommended wine tour company is Trout & Wine, Sarmiento 133, Galeria San Marcos. Tel 4255613;
www.troutandwine.com.
LUJAN DE CUYO
Lujan de Cuyo is Mendoza’s finest winery region for tours as it has the best variety of wineries, incredible views of the mountains and relative proximity to the city. The first of Lujan’s wineries are 20 minutes from the city and the furthest 40 minutes away along the Route 7 to Chile. Poor public transport and visits by appointment means it is more convenient to join a wine tour company when touring the area. Go to our “Top 20 wineries to visit” on page 24 to see what wineries we recommend. The most wineries you can see in one day are four: five maximum as many have set times for visits – usually 9.30am, 11am, 3pm and 4pm. There is no cellar door service in any wineries. The better wineries charge 30 pesos to enter and more to sample the premium wines, which include varietals such as Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bonarda, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. A good quality one day tour of the area costs $135 US.
MAIPU
The closest wine district to the city has seen a surge in wine quality in recent years. This is the best area to do an economical tour of the city; usually by bicycle. This region is huge and much is covered by urban sprawl; many wineries have street locations with little or no vineyards. The further south you go the prettier the landscape becomes, with the city opening up into olive groves and vineyards. Take buses number 171, 172 and 173 from La Rioja street in the city center and alight on Urquiza. There you will se some bike rental establishments including Mr Hugo (tel.497-4067; www.lavidyelvino. com.ar). Always check your bike is a decent ride as a breakdown can ruin your day. Go early and bring lots of water as it gets hot out there. Go to our “Top 20 wineries to visit” on page 24 to see what wineries we recommend. Excellent lunch stops include Casa de Campo, Di Tommasso and La Encantada.
VALLE DE UCO
Valle de Uco is the new frontier in Mendoza wines; a high altitude valley with stunning views of the mountains. Most of the wineries here are new concept wineries, foreign-owned with imposing architecture. Many vineyards are newly planted though some areas such as La Consulta have 100-year old vines and are producing incredible wines. Common varietals are Malbec, Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The most wineries you can visit are three in one day and the closest are 90 minutes drive from the city. Go to our wineries page to see what wineries we recommend.
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 CORIA
The 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
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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;
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ART TOUR
Visit the workshops of Mendoza’s most prominent artists as well as art galleries and museums. Tours are tailor made and follow distinct routes. Specialist tour operator Visit Art (tel. 420 4039; www.visitartmendoza.com) take you to 3 different workshops belonging to Mendocino artists. These are chosen in advance and the tour is as varied as possible visiting painters and sculptors that are well established and up and coming. For art in a winery, the most prominent and impressive is Salentein in Valle de Uco. This temple to wine has a modern art gallery located in the futuristic visitor’s center Killka with sculptures dotting the winery grounds. The winery is located 90m minutes south of the city. Salentein, Tunuyán, Valle de Uco. Tel (02622) 429-500; www.killkasalentein.com.
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.
WINE TASTING
The Vines in Mendoza city centre offers tastings of Mendoza’s wines. You can opt for one of the flights such Las Reservas de Malbec, which is an intro to reserve Malbecs or Especial de Blancos, which is examples of excellent white wines. The tasting takes place in stylish and comfortable rooms, with bilingual guides who will pass on their extensive knowledge of wine. It is the first and only tasting room in South America and the only place in Mendoza where you can try a wide range of excellent wines by the glass. Regular events include a winemaker’s evening every Wednesday and a cheese and wine tasting on Mondays (this schedule changes in the winter months). The Vines also have a second tasting room located in the Park Hyatt Mendoza, next to the Q Grill. The Vines of Mendoza; Espejo 567, Tel. 0261 438-1031; www.vinesofmendoza.com
PARQUE SAN MARTIN
Parque General San Martin is probably one of the finest municipal parks in South America. It has 420 hectares (that’s nearly 1000 football fields) of glorious green. Fifty thousand trees line it’s boulevards and border it’s huge open spaces. Streams course down from the magnificent Cerro de la Gloria on top of which stands a grandiose statue celebrating the Liberating Army of the Andes. The park contains a huge artificial lake 1km in length surrounded by pristine gardens. There is a Science Park, a natural history museum, a theatre, a football stadium, a zoo, a velodrome, an equestrian centre, a university, an anphitheatre, and numerous clubs with swimming pools and gyms.
Besides joggers and strollers, the park hosts families taking picnics and children cooling off in the dykes. There is go cart racing, rowing, a motorbike circuit, cycle tours and horse riding. If you stay in the park’s campsite Churrasqueria you can hear the lions and elephants roar at night from the nearby zoo. Sitting in your tent you could be in Africa.
Built in 1897, the park doesn’t just function as a place to chill out and get back to nature. Its’ real function is to improve the quality of air in Mendoza. It acts as a huge humidifier, a necessity in a city where the dry air can cause mild respiratory illnesses. If you are here a while and find yourself getting a sore throat, get up to the park and breathe the green for a day.
When you enter the main gates, turn left to see the most interesting area. Tour buses leave every half hour from the tourist information office on the corner, ferrying people to Cerro de la Gloria.
