From the High Mountain to the Moon Valley (AR 065)
Mendoza - San Juan - La Rioja

Departures: Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Guide: Spanish and bilingual (English - German - Italian - French)
Meals: according to itinerary. Air Fare: not included.

Green valleys carved by millennia among the imposing mountains and gorges are the highlights of this region where the Andes reach their maximum expression in the mythical Aconcagua, the highest peak in the American continent.

Day 1 - Buenos Aires / Mendoza
Reception at Mendoza airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation. In the afternoon, a tour of the city will make it possible to get to know the history and culture of this city, founded by Spanish colonists more than four centuries ago. Go through its tree-lined avenues and its streets bordered by 'acequias' (irrigation ditches) and visit the most important points in the city. Return to the hotel.

Day 2 - Mendoza
Breakfast. Departure to visit some wine cellars of the region: La Rural, with the Wine Museum one of the most important in the world, with an exhibition of elements of the original wine cellar. And Trapiche, one of the most important wineries in Argentina, founded in 1883. It is the first exporter of premium Argentine wines. Lunch at a restaurant. Return to the hotel.

Day 3 - Mendoza / Uspallata
Breakfast. Early departure towards the Argentine-Chilean border, passing by Uspallata Valley, and Penitentes ski resort. To finally reach Puente del Inca (Inca Bridge) and its hot springs. The bridge was named like this because the Inca Aborigines used this natural bridge on their way from Chile to the pre-colombian Peru. Lunch at the local inn. On the way, admire the view of Mt. Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the American Continent, (6,959 m.) Trekking to Horcones Lagoon for a better view of the great mountain. Arrival at Las Cuevas. Accommodation in Uspallata. Dinner.

Day 4 - Uspallata
Breakfast. Day at leisure to enjoy optional activities such us rafting in Mendoza River, mountain bike, trekking to appreciate different landscapes. Dinner.

Day 5 - Uspallata / San Juan
Breakfast. Departure to San Juan passing by Barreal, Calingasta, Iglesias, Flores, Pismanta and Jachal. Arrival and accommodation.

Day 6 – San Juan / San Agustín del Valle Fértil
Breakfast. Departure to Ischigualasto, best known as 'Valle de la Luna' (Moon Valley), an area where paleonthologists, geologists and naturalists from all over the world have carried out different studies because of the particular geological formation and for the fossils found in the area. The arid landscape and the grey wind-eroded 180-meters high rock formations will never fail to amaze those who visit the valley. The recent discovery of fossils from the Triassic Period (when the dinosaurs first emerged) drew worldwide attention to this area. Transfer to the hotel.

Day 7 - San Agustín del Valle Fértil / Buenos Aires
Breakfast. Transfer to San Juan airport to board flight to Buenos Aires.