Alternative Tourism in Mendoza

From a distant beginning, the noble lands around Mendoza were a visual testimony to a history that goes back to the internal conflicts of the first social establishments, from their insecure supplies to coming to where they are today, having become a major tourist attraction of the Cuyo (the country of sands) region.

The area around Mendoza has naturally-formed landscapes of sprawling mountains and blue skies, while the city itself seems carefully drawn up and strategically designed–one is able to walk along old water channels next to modern buildings, squares, and streets, which perhaps explains where the saying "the fabulous Mendozan oasis" must have originated from. In this Cuyana city, both the local population and businesses prepare throughout the year to warmly receive tourists. Generally, tourists come to spend their time and money in enjoying the activities that have developed over the years, based on the local culture, history, and natural wonders.

To know the city of Mendoza well means having made contact with the warmth of the people, the cleanliness of the public spaces and the pleasant transportation system, as well as the impeccable dining and hotel services, all in all generating an impact on the senses which make it difficult to forget, or for that matter, to find anywhere else. In particular, the walk along Sarmiento avenue is unmatched, and the aerial view from floor 10 in the Gómez building is incredible.

Inca Bridge

Inca Bridge

In making one's way around this imposing city and its environs the tourist will find that it has a very unique style. Just some examples are the Independence Square, the aquarium, the snake enclosure, not to mention the museums, churches, warehouses and especially San Martín Square, with its vast architecture (in which is to be found the Hill of Gloria), among many other tourist attractions and places of recreation.

Over the years growth and development has been impelled by the modernization of the channel systems in the countryside and of the drains in the cities and surroundings, which cross the green spaces in the city and the suburbs like life threads. The waters are not only taken advantage of for irrigation and cleaning, but are also prime material for tourism. That is to say, they work as tourist attractions, making possible a range of activities in the lakes, lagoons, streams and rivers. They are like streams of natural wealth, visible for the visitor from the moment he arrives.

One popular choice for tourists is the Mendoza River, which has rafting and kayaking, along with other nautical activities. It runs through the most important urban area of the province, called Great Mendoza.

If anyone wanted to be livened up with adventure tourism, there is rock climbing, trekking, cavalcades, rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, four wheel driving, to name a few, though if you're short of the desire, courage, and a bit of money, it is possible to see the variants of local excursions on offer, like that in the North area of the province, the route along the wine warehouses in the "Ways of Vino", vino meaning wine in Spanish, as well as the Inca Bridge and Aconcagua hill.

A visit to the Inca Bridge is an incredible prospect. It is a place which combines the coldness in the area with high-temperature running water, which looks spectacular as it falls and strikes the brown and yellow rocks. This wonder was declared a "Natural Monument". It is in the Andes mountain range (approximately 2,700 meters above sea level), formed by a natural earth bridge. Its landscape shows the impressions of the Inca and their legends, as well as its previous contemporary function as a commercial thermal spring, created at the beginning of the 19th century along with a station, hotel, chapel and a pavilion of baths.

The experience of arriving at the Inca Bridge is unique, and it truly shows the force, wisdom and beauty of nature with its magnificent formation and startling color, and the impact of its beauty has not dwindled with the passage of time. It leaves a space for contemplation, just one among those in the area, which invites deep personal reflection on the wonder of creation. The Inca Bridge today is used as a base for acclimatizing, on the ascent to the highest peak of the American continent: the Aconcagua.

The Aconcagua peak, 6,959 meters high, is located in the area of Las Heras (only 180 km away from the city of Mendoza - where the excursions for observing the Alta Montaña [High Mountain] are promoted). This giant of America is in Provincial Park Aconcagua, which covers 70,000 hectares, and constitutes the main challenge for all climbers who decide to climb it, always relying on the established rules for ascents, including observing: climbing in sections, food supplies, caring for the environment, along with guidelines for group expeditions.

A view of Aconcagua

'Alta Montaña' (High Mountain) Excursion

This unforgettable and accessible journey includes a tour through:

• Tupungato volcano (6,800m)
• The Mendoza river
• The Gorge of the 60 (name given by the year in which the path to it was inaugurated)
• The Uspallata stream
• The mountain range of the Tigre (Tiger) and Cordón del Plata (Cord of silver)
• The Uspallata Pass (with shorter route through Chile)
• The Picheuta bridge
• The Polvaredas population (from the old railways)
• Ravine of the Río Blanco (White River)
• The Penitentes (ski resort)
• The Inca Bridge
• Viewpoint of the Aconcagua hill and the caves
• The imposing Savior Christ (if the climatic conditions are optimal)

To take into account:

Cost of the excursion: $50 AR
Time of departure from the city of Mendoza 7.30 a.m.
Time of arrival to the city of Mendoza 7.00 p.m..
During the excursion a total of 14 tunnels are traversed, so be prepared!
There is an international divide from the highway, and again at the bridge, between the Liberation Army of Chile and the Argentine Customs