Agustina & Richard
Things To Do
Bike Tour of the Wineries
This is one of the most popular activities for tourists in Mendoza. You could arrange to visit a few wineries and vineyards by bus, but biking between them is a much better way to see the countryside. Arrange for a tour that includes lunch, or do it yourself by simply hopping on a bicycle, grabbing a map, and asking for a bit of advice about the best places to stop. Take the public bus to Maipú and from there you can rent a bike to cycle to the many nearby bodegas and vineyards for tastings. Mr. Hugo’s Bikes is a favorite, and they’ll even help you plan your route for the day. Your bike will have a basket too, in case you pick up any souvenirs (ie, bottles of wine) along the way.
Ampora Wine Tours
Ampora Wine Tours is managed by one of Agus best friends, Mercedes. This company offers small groups day tours to any of the wine regions in Mendoza: Lujan de Cuyo, Uco Valley and Maipu.
Stay at a Vineyard
plan to stay outside the city in one of the many wineries that offer guests a room for the night. You can spend the evening in family-run farms or larger vineyards that provide all of your meals and a few tastings of wine. You’re likely to have views of the snow-capped Andes and a room set amidst the vines. Options range from a more intimate four-bedroom micro-bodega like Posada Finca Garciarena to the larger Cavas Wine Lodge with its private villas and spa. Club Tapiz is also a historic estancia where you can stay and lounge by the pool with a bottle of wine. Transport to these more remote accommodations can be arranged. Just ask Agus.
Hike to the base camp of Aconcagua in Parque Provincial
If the weather is cooperating, you can head into the Andes to hike part of South America’s tallest mountain, Aconcagua. It’s the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere and reaches 6,962 meters (22,841 feet) above sea level. Even on a day hike to the first base camp, Confluencia, you’ll have great views of it. The scenery is spectacular and the route is about 16 kilometers (10 miles) round-trip to and from Confluencia. If you don’t want to trek that far, you can do plenty of hiking and photo-taking in the surrounding Parque Provincial – there’s a one hour, round-trip hike to a great viewpoint. This national park is about two and a half hours from Mendoza, and it covers 75,000 hectares of land and amazing mountains.
Horseback Riding in the Andes
You can take a casual ride through the vineyards or you can explore the base of the Andes and even farther. Tours range from half a day to full 10-day crossings of the Andes. Your guide will tell you more about the history and the terrain of the area, and you’ll often get snacks like mate (the local, hot herbal drink of choice) and biscuits during one of your breaks. Venture into the Uco Valley and the Quebrada del Condor (Condor’s Gorge) to see massive birds in flight as well as other wildlife and spectacular landscapes from mountain viewpoints. Sunset rides are also available.
White Water Rafting in Rio Mendoza
This wild river irrigates all of the region’s wine-growing valleys, but it can also provide you with an afternoon of adventure. There are several companies that can take you out on the rapids – Potrerillos Explorer Rafting is highly rated – and they’ll lend you all the equipment you need, like wetsuits, shoes, helmets, and life jackets. Your guide will give you a safety briefing before you hit the Class III rapids, and some of them will even take your photos during the trip down the river. You can opt for kayaking too if that’s more your style.
Lake Potrerillos and Hotel Potrerillos
Great for a day trip or short getaway from the city, the area around this artificial lake has been developed to include a few hotels, resorts, and sports clubs. There are facilities where you can book outdoor adventure activities like mountain biking, guided treks, horseback riding, and rafting. It’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains and cypress forests, and the lake provides a great place for a picnic, a drink, or some kayaking around. Check out the dam too while you’re there or plan a stay or a lunch at the beautiful hotel by the lake.
Cacheuta Thermal Baths
The Cacheuta spa, hotel, and waterpark is situated among the mountains. On the hotel and spa side, there are saunas, mud baths, hot springs, and thermal pools of varying temperatures. Guests can book a massage, have a fabulous buffet lunch, and walk around in plush bathrobes. On the waterpark side, check out the lazy river and wave pool, or arrange to go ziplining. They have a restaurant and brewery on-site for your eating and drinking needs.
Calle Arístides Villanueva
Avenue Arístides Villanueva, simply known as Aristides by the locals, is one of Mendoza's main going out places. Lined with bars, pubs, restaurants, beer gardens and hostels, Aristides is where all the action happens. In warm weather months, crowds flock to the outdoor tables the sidewalk. It's a great option for bar hopping, happy hours and dinner. We will add some specific recommendations of bars and restaurants to try below.
Take a Cooking Class
Take a cooking class offered by one of the bodegas or fincas surrounding Mendoza. You’ll learn how to best utilize the local ingredients and maybe add a few traditional Argentine cooking techniques to your repertoire. Chefs at lots of bodega restaurants invite guests to cook a selection of dishes and then eat the finished products together in the beautiful surroundings of wine country. (And the local wine is sure to be flowing throughout the class as well!) Learn to make things like bread, pizza, empanadas, and of course, grilled meats. Familia Zuccardi, Norton, and Finca Adalgisa are just a few of the establishments outside Mendoza that offer cooking classes to small groups.