Home > Mendoza > Andes Day Trip from Mendoza Including Aconcagua, Uspallata and Puente del Inca
USD $73.00
Andes Day Trip from Mendoza Including Aconcagua, Uspallata and Puente del Inca
Mendoza, Argentina
Experience the best of the Mendoza Province’s Andes region on this day trip that will take you along part of the Pan-American Highway toward the Chilean border. With an experienced guide, you’ll make your way to the highest mountain in both North and South America – Aconcagua – where you'll visit a lookout point for awesome photo ops. Stop along the way at various historical and cultural sites including Puente del Inca, Potrerillos and Las Cuevas. It’s a day of breathtaking natural scenery that can only be found in the Andes!
Your day trip to the Andes starts with pickup at your Mendoza hotel by comfy, air-conditioned coach. With your guide, head west from the city via Route 7, part of the Pan-American Highway, toward the Chilean border, approximately 130 miles (200 km) away.
Gaze out the window and watch the landscape change from urban sprawl to rolling vineyards to mountain peaks as you make your way along the highway, stopping at several points of interest. Stop first in Potrerillos, on the dammed lake of Embalse de Potrerillos. Here you can stretch your legs, grab some breakfast or a snack if you wish (own expense) and admire the snow-capped mountaintops you’re nearing!
Your next stop is Uspallata, a small mountain town that boasts more scenic alpine views. Get something to eat here (own expense) if you didn’t before – or if you’re still hungry! – and get ready to witness the highway scenery become more and more dramatic as you keep going west.
Continue about an hour to Puente del Inca, a natural rock bridge over the Vacas River, a Mendoza River tributary. The natural wonder, once visited by Charles Darwin, makes for some fantastic photos with its swirl of colored rock, so this is a good time to break out the camera! You’ll also visit the small community nearby to have lunch (own expense) and browse some local handmade goods if you’re interested.
Back on the coach, keep heading west toward Las Cuevas, on the border with Chile, and then turn off the highway for Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in the Americas at approximately 22,840 feet (6,960 meters). Your driver will take you to a prime lookout location so you can snap photos and enjoy the spectacular view.
Your last point of interest is Picheuta, a site of ruins by the indigenous Huarpe people, who lived in this part of Argentina from the 5th century BC.
The trip back to Mendoza is the same way you came, so relax as you admire the view from the other direction. You’ll be back at your hotel between 6:30 and 7pm.
Wow what a value! A whole day trip up into the Andes climaxing at Christ of the Andes. Beautiful views and vistas everywhere. Our guide was well informed and friendly. The driver, quite expert. The high altitudes can make travelers a little sleepy but all in all a relaxing and stress free way to visit the top of the world.
Review by: Arturo G, March 2018
Amazing trip, great experience. Guide Lucas was super and I am very glad to have Jose Luis driving for me._br/_ Should be a “must” tour for those visiting the Mendoz region._br/_ Don’t forget to bring PESOS!!
Review by: Patrice d, January 2018
Very beautiful tour through such a fantastic scenery. Expert guide for the region. A bit unfortunate not being able to get a bit closer to the Aconcagua. Lunch part a bit disorganized.
Review by: Chris M, January 2018
If I could give this tour minus stars I would and if I could find a way to demand a refund I would. Not because of the places it goes to or the content of the tour which we didnt actually get to experience but for the discomfort!_br/_ We were picked up from our hotel in a minibus that was already quite full. The only spare seats were at the back of the bus. Though legroom was limited it was bearable until we stopped to pick up two more passengers. It was impossible for 4 adults to fit in these seats. It was so uncomfortable and claustrophobic that we had to ask the bus to stop and get off. The guide was quite unsympathetic but she had the best seat on the bus!_br/_ We went back to our hotel Finca Adalgisa and the receptionist was very helpful. He arranged a private driver to take us. The car was very comfortable and the driver spoke perfect English and was a qualified guide. If there were 4 passengers in the car the cost would have been cheaper than this trip._br/_ We had a great day in comfort and often were the only people at each of the stops which gave us a really personal experience. We saw our bus at the view point for Aconcagua but this was on the highway. Because we were in a car we were able to enter a small car park and take a short walk to a much better viewpoint. _br/_ Our driver took us to a great place for lunch and helped us to get a really authentic lunch which was very good and great value. Our driver also seamed to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of all the best and cleanest bathroom facilities on route !_br/_ We have previously had good experiences on Viator tours and booked this because of our previous good experience but will think twice next time. _br/_ My advice is dont do this unless you have a longing to travel for 10 -12 hours on a school bus. Take a private tour and if there are 4 of you.
Review by: Matthew P, December 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Donald W, December 2017
The cordillera was starkly spectacular, puente del Inca was stunning._br/_ Only negative was we were last picked up therefore at the back of the bus and so the English was difficult to comprehend._br/_ Also, take cash for lunch and shopping in Uspallata.
Review by: Jennifer J, November 2017
Nice bus tour of the Andes. Saw all the highlights. Lunch was ok. Tour guide was great and knowledgeable about the area.
Review by: John P, October 2017
Great affordable tour. Guide gave the tour in English as well even though I was the only English speaking person on the tour.
Review by: audrey c, August 2017
Actually a great trip. A little scary and COLD but incredible. You don't get to do this twice in a lifetime unless you climd mountains for fun._br/_ The guide was knowledgeable and informative. I would also say, this was FUN!
Review by: Courtney P, June 2017
We were the only English speakers on the tour and ended up at the back of the bus so didn't get to hear really any of the descriptions or history of the area. If you're an English-only speaker not sure I'd recommend this one. Also it's a long day on the bus so be prepared, but the landscape is beautiful!
Review by: Mary C, March 2017
WARNING: NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE HEIGHTS!! We started off roading about four hours in, in a bus, which I figured would only be temporary. However, we ended up going all the way to the top of a mountain on a VERY steep one lane road to get to the border between Chile and Argentina. By the time we got to the top, the air was thin, and it was very, very cold. My friend and I had a hard time catching our breath, and ended up going back on the bus quickly. We were up there for a while, and I'm pretty sure on the drive up, passed into Chile a few times. Honestly, I had my eyes closed for pretty much the entire off-road portion. I get nervous on bridges, but this was a new level. When we made it to the top, and then when we made it to the bottom, everyone started applauding for the driver. It was NOT for the feint of heart.
Review by: Ryan T, February 2017
We enjoyed the trip, though it is a long trip out to the mountains and back. Beautiful stops, but very quick and short typically 10-20 minutes. It's was a very nice experience and would recommend to others.
Review by: Brian B, February 2017
Had a wonderful day tour to the Andes out of Mendoza. Guide and driver were both excellent. Our guide spoke idiomatic American english. Beautiful day, with several stops to soak in the majesty of the mountains.
Review by: Rhonda S, January 2017
A great day! Tour leader Lucas was excellent - he made sure to translate everything as we were the only two anglophones on the bus. Fabio was a very good driver - safety first! Fantastic scenery, good company on the bus. Excellent all round and lots of fun.
Review by: epr243, December 2016
Not sure it's worth the money--this tour follows the same route as all of the other ones that you can book in Mendoza which were much cheaper. You don't get a good view of the Aconcagua mountain, so if that's what you're looking for, don't do this tour. There's a a good view from the Ski lift-but you pay an additional 180 pesos for that...Overall, I'd recomend finding a cheaper option since this one wasn't very special.
Review by: Raul H V, December 2016
I was expecting a better view of the Aconcagua
Review by: Candace A, October 2016
You cannot go to Mendoza without visiting the Andes, and this tour is the perfect way to do it! The scenery was magnificent! Our guide, Martin, was very knowledgeable about the history and legends of the Andes which he shared in English and Spanish. Our driver, Daniel, was also excellent. The pick up at our hotel was on time and the tour bus was comfortable. The buffet lunch was reasonably priced and very good. I highly recommend this tour - you won't be disappointed!
Review by: Wolfgang S, July 2016
The trip is not worth the money. Too less time out, too less information from the guide regarding the area, too boring and too long the single routes. Completely disappointing.
Review by: dkcadman, July 2016
Loved the views and scenery was amazing we and #39;ll worth the trip !!!Our guide was very attentive Damion we were the only 2 English speaking couple so he kept us at the front of the bus to explain in English to us after speaking in Spanish.
Review by: Toral M, June 2016
They didn and #39;t pick us up and all attempts to contact them were futile.
Review by: Patricia C, June 2016
Muy recomendable, el paisaje es hermoso y el guía muy bueno!
Review by: Juliana P, June 2016
Otimo passeio. O almoço deixa a desejar, é so uma opção e não tem uma boa relação custo/benefício. Mas o passeio é tão legal, que isso acaba não importando. O guia Lucas é muito bom, tem muito conhecimento e ainda por cima tem a fotografia como hobby, então tira otimas fotos para nós!
Review by: randy r, June 2016
While the tour took us where it said it would, our tour guide was more interested in chatting with the bus driver than us.
Review by: David M, May 2016
Great tour! The views are fantastic and the stops were all enjoyable. We were not able to see Aconcagua due to weather but there were plenty of great views.
Review by: Brian B, March 2016
This was the highlight of our short trip to Mendoza. We were picked up at our hotel at the appointed hour on a beautiful day, and off we went toward the Chilean border in a clean, modern Mercedes Sprinter bus with about 20 others. This was the same route that my spouse and I drove by bus the day before coming to Mendoza, so we had some concern about having seen it already. No worries necessary - our guide was excellent in explaining the various features of the land, from vineyards to volcanoes. We stopped at various scenic points along the way, including a place to take a nice picture of Aconcagua mountain. But the topper for us was our ride up a steep dirt mountain road with numerous switchbacks to visit the Christ the Redeemer of the Andes on the border of Chile and Argentina, which is at 12,572 ft. The 360 degree view from there was beyond spectacular! It truly made our Andean trip perfect. Afterwards we stopped for an optional lunch at the restaurant at the entry arch. It was a buffet, good portions, and was reasonably priced at US10. We also visited the Inca Bridge and other places on the route program. Our guide was very good. We were the only English speakers on a full bus, and he never failed to provide us with his full commentary, and took time to answer questions for us with his fluent English. Throughout he was careful for his tour group, ensuring all were well-informed at each stop, present before departure, and provided personal attention at the various stops. Our driver was excellent, always maintaining safety on the road. I highly recommend this tour.
Review by: audrey c, March 2016
This was only one of the highlights of our trip to Mendoza. It was truly a bargain at any price. The mountains and scenery were spectacular and not to be missed. The guide was knowledgeable. He spoke English well and was well versed in the history of each stop. I would not bother with the lunch and if you can bring your own, I would do it. And, bring water. But the can was as comfortable as it could be on terrible roads. It was clean, and roomy. The driver was competent on, what was for me, scary roads as well as being very nice. The pick up was on time which is not usual in Argentina which goes on it's own concept of time. All in all, our trip would have been less rewarding had we not taken this tour. Kudos to Viator and the tour leader.
Review by: kris, March 2016
Trip was awesome. Tour guide lady was great.
Review by: Julian S, March 2016
A pleasant to that enables you to see Aconcagua without going to the park and tracking Aconcagua. I follws the bus to Bus to Santiago route and adds a portion on the old unpaved route 7 that gets you to 4000 m altitude. It comes with guidance, photo stops and iit is an overall good experience - and it is given by many of the local operators._br/_ Ours had the optinal addition of a lunch - in a crowded place with bad food bad not as gourmet food - simply bad. The guide - spoke understandable english - and made a serious effort to give us the same information as in spanish to which I can relate._br/_ A well spent day.
Review by: denise, February 2016
Fabolous.This tour is the most important of our travel in Mendoza. Aconcagua is a magic mountain. I recomended.
Review by: Thomas W, January 2016
This was a good tour. We spent a lot of time in the van but got to see some cool stuff hopefully the weather is good though or you won't get a great view of Aconcagua. The tour guide was knowledgeable of the area. Note that you may need your passport for police checkpoints even though you don't actually go in to Chile - we didn't know this but fortunately everything worked out OK
Review by: John A, December 2015
Great way to see the beauty of the region if you don't have the time to hike in the backcountry. Time to ride the Los Penitentes ski lift for the views late spring was an added bonus. The guide was friendly and engaged with both spanish and english speaking groups on board. Good value for the price.
Review by: Zenon F, December 2015
Andes Day Trip was great! Thank you.
Review by: Alexander L, December 2015
This tour is exactly what you pay for. Nothing more, nothing less. Great panoramic views, good tour guide, a lot of information about the Andes and the places you visit.
Review by: ROBERT V, December 2015
The Tour itself was very good. The views incredible. The Tour guide was also very polite, bi-lingual and showed concern for every passenger being fully informed. I strongly recommend that the Tour Group understand though that we the tourists are not interested in racing from point to point having to pass slightly slower vehicles enroute. The roads are far too treacherous for that.The last stop on the way to the top included a very organic type meal and setting. The red wine beef stew was to die for, or maybe we were just starving? No, we recommend this tour very much and would do it again with a better driver!
Review by: Rachel B, November 2015
Enjoyed this trip. Need to advise individuals as part of the marketing that there is a price for the mountain lift, most people were not expecting it and 95 of the group did not go. Also good to advice that extremely warm clothing is required!
Review by: Kayla L, September 2015
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Review by: Alicja G, September 2015
Wonderful experience. Terrific bilingual guide. We were the only English speakers and felt comfortable. Be sure to bring additional money for food , rental of snow equipment, etc.
Review by: Charles R, August 2015
August probably isn't the best time to take this trip. We never made it to Aconcagua because it was snowing to hard. This is not the tour company's fault. It was still a pleasant ride through the foothills. We made it as far as Puente del Inca.
Review by: Sophie M, July 2015
tour was excellent and informative guide was knowledgeable first stop in coffee shop was lovely, however, the lunch options were very disappointing and not worth the money. Tour didn't last as long as expected but still was a pleasant day out. Definitely do the cable cart option if you can! One of the highlights of the trip!
Review by: Tatiana O, June 2015
Great experience!!!!
Review by: Heather C, June 2015
Good, but not great. There was just too much driving and not enough opportunities to get out and walk or hike. We basically only stopped to take pictures. I was hoping to get a little closer to Aconcagua, but all we did was drive past a few point from the road and they didn't even stop because it was too cloudy. It was nice seeing the scenery though.
Review by: Catherine M, June 2015
The landscapes were beautiful. However we did not stop often and most of our pictures were taken from the bus. The guide was nice and spoke good English.
Review by: Amina M, June 2015
It was wonderful, thanks for the tour. It is easy fir those who can't hike and the views are breathtaking
Review by: Sean L, April 2015
The tour was great, the guide was extremely knowledgable and friendly. Was able to communicate very effectively on English and Spanish.
Review by: Christopher M N, April 2015
The tour was well organized, good tour guide, all well planned. Just the area somewhat boring, same views all along the tour, I would expect more at the end of the tour - to take at least a short walk in the Aconcagua park. All you get is a picture opportunity at the gate. But tour is worth taking.
Review by: Salene E E, March 2015
The views were amazing. However, I found that our guide spent too much time explaining in Spanish and not enough time spent in English. Nevertheless, I would still recommend this tour.
Review by: James S, March 2015
the guide and driver were great. Christ of the Andes was the high oint.
Review by: Marina G, March 2015
The tour was really what we expected and the guide was very good. He could tell a lot about the region._br/_
We were vey glad that we booked that trip.
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