ARGENTINA: Mendoza Classic Tour - 3 days

DAY 1: BICYCLE AND WINE

Bycicle/Winery/Horseback ride

From your hotel in Mendoza, you will ride your bicycle to the picturesque village of Chacras de Coria. Here, you will visit one of Mendoza's most iconic wineries, where you can appreciate the unique characteristics of the local vineyards and discover the art of viticulture. During the visit, you will have the opportunity to taste a selection of the best wines, exploring the flavors and aromas that make the wines of this region unique. Lunch will be held at the winery, offering a culinary experience that perfectly complements the wines tasted. In the afternoon, you will head to Leo's ranch, where a horseback ride through the Mendoza foothills awaits you. This ride will allow you to enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountains and discover the rich local flora and fauna, including native species and endemic plants of the region. At the end of the day, you will return to your hotel by bicycle.

• Transport: byclicle – 17 km on a cycle lane – 1 h each way
• Included meals: lunch in a Bodega

Day 2: A GLIMPSE OF THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN IN THE AMERICAS

Puente del Inca / Horcones

Early departure from your hotel, your driver will take you through the impressive Andes Mountains al the way to the majestic Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas. From Mendoza, you will take Provincial Route 82, winding through the picturesque Cacheuta Gorge, known for its natural hot springs, and passing by the beautiful Potrerillos Lake, a mirror-like body of water surrounded by mountains, offering spectacular views. In Uspallata, you will visit Tunduqueral, an archaeological site that houses ancient petroglyphs, stone engravings that offer a glimpse into the life and culture of the region's indigenous peoples. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will head to the famous Puente del Inca, a natural rock formation that resembles a bridge over the Las Cuevas River. You will then continue to the Aconcagua Provincial Park, located in the Horcones Valley area, where you will take a short acclimatization hike at 2950 meters altitude. The return to Mendoza is scheduled for late afternoon or evening.

• Transport: private vehicle – 390 km – 6 h
• Driver (Spanish)
• Accomodation: Hotel**
• Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: THREE OPTIONS

Winery, Hike or Hot Springs

Winery Tour: At 9:00 in the morning, you will depart for your first winery of the day in the historic Maipú region, renowned for its wine production. This area is home to numerous wineries, and the first stop will be at a small family-owned Bodega. Here, you will learn about the artisanal wine production process and enjoy the first tastings of the day. Lunch will be at a winery restaurant, offering a carefully selected wine pairing to complement each dish. In the afternoon, you will head to the Luján de Cuyo region to visit a medium-sized winery, known for its innovation and quality in wine production. The day will conclude with a visit to one of Mendoza's large wineries, where you can appreciate the scale of production and the modern techniques used in crafting their prestigious wines.

Hike: The morning departure will take you to the majestic Andes mountain range for a hike through valleys and hills at over 2000 meters above sea level. The region offers numerous trail options suitable for all levels of difficulty, allowing each visitor to enjoy the stunning Andean geography and local biodiversity. During the hike, you will have the opportunity to observe breathtaking mountain landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, and rich native flora and fauna.

Hot Springs: If you prefer to relax and enjoy the thermal waters of the region, we propose a spa day at the Hotel Termas Cacheuta, a charming place located next to the Mendoza River. Here, you can enjoy more than 10 stone pools with different temperatures and various hydrotherapies, all designed to offer a rejuvenating experience in contact with nature. Additionally, you can experience Mud Therapy and the Grotto, which complement and make this thermal spa a truly unique place for relaxation and well-being.

• Transport: private vehicle – 80 km – 2 h
• Driver (Spanish)
• Accomodation: Hotel**
• Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

Why travelling with TransHumans?

• Accommodation has been selected primarily based on quality and hygiene criteria.
• Local partners are fairly compensated.
• 1% of the price finances a local educational project  in schools around Argentina, Chile and Peruhttps://transhumantes.ar/).

THE WINE-PRODUCING REGIONS OF MENDOZA

Maipú has a long history of winemaking in Argentina, standing out as a pioneer in the production of Argentine wines.

Luján de Cuyo is renowned for its production of high-quality Malbec and has had its own controlled designation of origin since 1989.

Uco Valley is the newest and most innovative region in Mendoza's wine industry, specializing in high-altitude wines. Located at an altitude of 1,200 meters, it is the epicenter of luxury wine tourism in Mendoza.

HIGH ALTITUDE VINEYARDS

Just to put this into perspective, Europe's highest vineyards, reaching up to about 1,200 meters, are in Alpine regions. Beyond this elevation, year-round snow would make winemaking impossible. However, in very hot climates and regions near the Tropics, grapevines can thrive at altitudes twice as high as the highest elevations in the Alps. Some of South America's premier winegrowing areas, such as Calchaquí Valley in Argentina and Elqui Valley in Chile, have vineyards situated above 2,000 meters,with some exceeding 3,000 meters. In these regions, altitude helps to moderate the climate.

Variation in temperature explains why vineyards can be planted from the Tropic of Capricorn all the way down to Patagonia in southern Argentina. As a general rule, for every 150 meters you ascend – although the exact number of metres changes at different latitudes – the average temperature drops by 1°C.
A vineyard planted at 1000 meters above sea level (masl) will have a significantly different average temperature compared to one planted at 1600 masl. The higher vineyard will be about 4°C colder. This means the lower vineyard will experience a moderately warm climate, while the higher vineyard will be in a much colder wine-producing zone. This difference in climate translates into distinct styles of wine: the warmer zone will produce fruity reds with structure and moderate freshness, whereas the cooler zone will produce wines with more floral aromas, firmer tannins, and sustained acidity. Cold nights help preserve acidity in grapes, often resulting in fresher wines.

Increase in Solar Radiation
As one might expect, the higher you are, the more solar radiation you receive. This increase in solar radiation has a significant effect on the vines. The grapes tend to respond to intense sunlight by developing thicker skins, which has the potential to provide more intense Flavors, deeper colors, and stronger tannins to the wine.
The extreme nature of high-altitude vineyards presents significant challenges. Summers can be especially hot in some of the world's mountainous wine-producing regions. There, irrigation is vital, but water is a luxury.

Calchaquíes Valleys. The wine route in Salta stands out for having one of the highest vineyards in the world. This privileged location offers a dry and temperate climate, with altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters above sea level. These unique conditions create the ideal environment for the cultivation of exceptional grapes, especially the emblematic Torrontés.

Uco Valley Mendoza is Argentina’s largest and oldest wine-growing region. The stunning, snow-covered peaks of the Andes, including Aconcagua at nearly 7,000 meters (23,000 feet), provide a breathtaking and dramatic backdrop to the local vineyards. In Mendoza, the average altitude of the vineyards is an impressive 900 meters, with many well above 1,000 meters. The Malbec variety is emblematic of the region’s winemaking industry. Although the grape originated in the French regions of Cahors and Bordeaux, it is in Mendoza that Malbec has truly achieved widespread success.