Mendoza Tour, visit the Argentine province where The Andes reach their highest
The Andes reach their highest in Mendoza
Duration: 4 days
2+ travelers: $995 per person
The Andes reach their highest point in the Argentine province of Mendoza. Mt. Aconcagua (22,900 ft) and to the north, Mt. Mercedario (22,210 ft), attracting not only mountain climbers but a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts who come here to enjoy Andean horseback riding, rafting and hiking. Adding to the region's popularity are the thermal baths at numerous hot springs and a multitude of vineyards and wineries, where due to near-perfect growing conditions, the country's best wines are produced. For all these reasons, The New York Times calls Mendoza one of South America's hottest travel destinations. Spending a few days enjoying the recreational and viticultural riches of this region will add some memorable experiences to your travel to Argentina and your Patagonia tour.
Mendoza Tour Extension Itinerary
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Day 1 ARRIVE MENDOZA
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You'll be met on your arrival at the Mendoza airport and taken to your hotel. With a guide, you'll spend the afternoon touring the many sights of this charming, sophisticated city of many shade trees, parks and open spaces. On this first of your Argentina tours, you'll visit the city's colonial center and General San Martín Park as well as Independence Plaza, España Avenue and its plaza with beautiful tile work, Plaza San Martín and Cerro de la Gloria. You'll spend the night at a comfortable hotel.
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Day 2 WINE TOUR LUJAN DE CUYO REGION
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Today you will experience why the Lujan de Cuyo region just south of Mendoza has gained a considerable presence on the world wine scene. You will be picked up from your hotel to visit four wineries within this region, which is the very heart of the famous Malbec country, with the snow-capped Andes Mountains always in the background. Many of Argentina’s most prestigious wineries are located in this area and it is a mere thirty minute drive from the city center.
Our first visit is to Alta Vista, a one hundred year-old winery founded by Spaniards but now owned by a very progressive French family. They specialize in “Terroir Expressión” whereby they produce several single vineyard Malbecs, all scoring very high points. Here we taste three wines, starting with their Torrontés and finishing with their Grand Reserve, both Gold Medal winning wines. From here we travel a short distance to Hacienda del Plata which continues to play an important role in Mendoza’s wine history. Founded in the 18th Century the then estancia was known as La Estancia San Ignacio de la Familia González. It has taken generations of hard and intensive labor on the barren desert land that surrounds the estancia to cultivate it and produce outstanding Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The visit includes a fabulous tasting from barrels and bottles, and a very informative stroll through the vineyard.
We lunch in Cava del Cano; this micro winery is worth a visit just to see how the entire process can be fitted into a garage sized room. Set in a beautiful, colonial style building this is an atmospheric step back in time with underground tanks converted into bottle cellars and dining rooms. Lunch is a spectacular buffet with every type of delicacy. Our day concludes with a visit to Carmello Patti. Given that all winemakers are artists, this man is the personification. He does not advertise his boutique winery in any way and only makes what his devoted customers actually ask for. Carmelo Patti has been making wine in Mendoza for thirty-six years. He buys all of his grapes, and knows where to get the best and gets the best out of them. Here you will learn the true meaning of “cult wine.” Return to your hotel in the evening. (B,L)
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Aconcagua High Mountain Upgrade ($145 per person)
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For those seeking out a different kind of adventure, spend the day traveling near impressive Mt. Aconcagua instead of the vineyard valleys. After breakfast at your hotel, begin your trip passing Rio Mendoza and the agricultural town of Potrerillos along the Cordon del Plata. Arrive at Uspallata, a lush town in contrast to the surrounding multicolored Andean hills and tunnels. Continue in this famed valley, past the colonial bridge over the Picheuta River, and small picturesque towns such as Punta de Vacas and Polvaredas. After the ski resort of Los Penitentes, visit a unique Inca bridge and the ruins of thermal baths with distinguishing mineral deposits of red and yellow. Nearly to the Chilean border, pass Las Cuervas, the last Argentine settlement in this remote area. Continue your ascent, weather permitting, to 12,600-foot La Cumbre Pass, location of Uruguayan sculptor, Mateo Alonso's, immense bronze Christ the Redeemer of the Andes nearly twenty-six feel tall and weighing over four tons. The monument was erected in 1904 to signify peace between the two neighboring countries. Make your way back down to Mendoza, stopping for an appetizing regional lunch at Estancia Uspallata. Take advantage of the ranch's prominent position at an altitude of 6,600 feet with impressive panoramic views of the lower valley. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. (B, L)
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Day 3 BIKING & WINE TASTING
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Today will be spent on bicycles, visiting vineyards in the large family-owned and operated Bodega Familia Zuccardi in Beltrán, twenty minutes south of Mendoza. It is here the Maipu wine region got its start when the winery's founder planted grape vines to demonstrate his irrigation system design. Today the winery remains at the forefront of experimentation. In the morning, you and your knowledgeable English-speaking guide will depart from the winery's Casa del Visitante gardens, stopping first at Finca F.L. Beltran to taste the Santa Julia Chardonnay, Santa Julia Chardonnay Orgánico and Santa Julia Chardonnay Reserva. Next stop is the Syrah vineyard, where you'll sample Santa Julia Syrah Rosé and Santa Julia Syrah. Your Argentina tour continues with a visit to the Malbec vineyard, where you'll enjoy a Santa Julia Malbec, Santa Julia Malbec Orgánico and Santa Julia Reserva Malbec. For a delicious finish to the tour, you'll have lunch accompanied by regional wines back at your starting point, in the middle of a vineyard. You'll return to the hotel where undoubtedly you'll be ready for a siesta to prepare for tomorrow's continuation of your Argentina tour. (B,L)
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Wine Tour Maipu Malbec (Optional alternative)
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You will be picked up from your hotel after breakfast for the thirty minute drive to Mendoza’s viticultural epicenter, Maipu. Most of the European immigrants settled in this region upon their arrival in Argentina during the late 19th century. Today, wine connoisseurs travel to Argentina from throughout the world to sample the bounty of Maipu. That the valley contains as many olive groves as vineyards is testament to the huge and welcome Italian influence here.
The first stop on today’s Argentina tours is the Carinae Winery, once abandoned, but lovingly restored by its charming French owners. Carinae’s reputation for high quality wines is derived in part through the guidance of renowned French oenologist, Michel Rolland. Following a tour of the vineyard and winery, guests will taste six selections including Carinae’s top wine, Prestige.
Next on today’s Argentina tours, you’ll drive fifteen minutes to Tempus Alba, an attractive winery, owned and operated by a multi-generational viticultural family. The superb Malbecs of this modern winery are the result of its in-vitro laboratory where micro-propagation of different Malbec clones has identified those best-suited to the winery’s vineyards in three separate regions. Tempus Alba has perfectly married the “Terroir” to the variety and clone.
Thirty minutes away is the third and final winery of the day, Zuccardi. This pioneering winery has resurrected grape varieties destined for oblivion, planting small crops and producing small quantities of wine in its superbly equipped microvinification hall. Zuccardi has brought new life to these lost grapes by blending them with other varieties, or occasionally producing stand-alone varietals. A tour of this progressive winery is followed by a tasting and then a truly Argentine experience, an asado (barbecue) in Zuccardi’s picturesque restaurant set amongst the vines. You will be returned to your hotel, a forty five minute drive, by 6 PM. (B,L)
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Day 4 MENDOZA - OUT
You will be transferred from your hotel to the Mendoza airport as your Argentina tour comes to an end. (B)
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Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
CONTACT US
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INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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Professional, English-speaking local guides while on hikes
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All hotel accommodations
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Meals as indicated
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All transfers in private van
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Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks, sites and boats
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Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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Hiking boots and other personal gear
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Personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).
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Flight to and from Mendoza
Our first visit is to Alta Vista, a one hundred year-old winery founded by Spaniards but now owned by a very progressive French family. They specialize in “Terroir Expressión” whereby they produce several single vineyard Malbecs, all scoring very high points. Here we taste three wines, starting with their Torrontés and finishing with their Grand Reserve, both Gold Medal winning wines. From here we travel a short distance to Hacienda del Plata which continues to play an important role in Mendoza’s wine history. Founded in the 18th Century the then estancia was known as La Estancia San Ignacio de la Familia González. It has taken generations of hard and intensive labor on the barren desert land that surrounds the estancia to cultivate it and produce outstanding Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. The visit includes a fabulous tasting from barrels and bottles, and a very informative stroll through the vineyard.
Today will be spent on bicycles, visiting vineyards in the large family-owned and operated Bodega Familia Zuccardi in Beltrán, twenty minutes south of Mendoza. It is here the Maipu wine region got its start when the winery's founder planted grape vines to demonstrate his irrigation system design. Today the winery remains at the forefront of experimentation. In the morning, you and your knowledgeable English-speaking guide will depart from the winery's Casa del Visitante gardens, stopping first at Finca F.L. Beltran to taste the Santa Julia Chardonnay, Santa Julia Chardonnay Orgánico and Santa Julia Chardonnay Reserva. Next stop is the Syrah vineyard, where you'll sample Santa Julia Syrah Rosé and Santa Julia Syrah. Your Argentina tour continues with a visit to the Malbec vineyard, where you'll enjoy a Santa Julia Malbec, Santa Julia Malbec Orgánico and Santa Julia Reserva Malbec. For a delicious finish to the tour, you'll have lunch accompanied by regional wines back at your starting point, in the middle of a vineyard. You'll return to the hotel where undoubtedly you'll be ready for a siesta to prepare for tomorrow's continuation of your Argentina tour. (B,L)
