Volcanoes Andes Adventure

Day 1: Mendoza – Malargüe

The drive to reach Malargüe, small town in the south of the province of Mendoza, will go through a stunning road: the old road 40 which crosses the cordilleras and the Diamante river (el rio Diamante).
The immensity of Argentina will appear an hour and a half after departure; glaciers and volcanoes in one side, plains as far as the eye can see on the other.
After 120 km (75 miles), you will reach km 3,000 of route 40 in Sosneado – place sadly known for the Uruguay Rugby team plane crash in 1972.
From this point, you will visit Laguna Blanco, chalk cliff lagoon nestled in the cordillera where flamingos come to eat. The last 50 km (31 miles), will lead you to your luxurious cabaña (with indoor swimming pool, sauna) in Malargüe.

ACCOMODATION: Deluxe Cabaña in Malargüe- very comfortable

DRIVE: 4×4 asphalted roads or tracks – approx. 370km / 230 miles

Day 2: Las Leñas y Valle Hermoso

Relaxing day while getting into the magnificent landscapes of Malargüe’s Valleys.
You will follow Route 222, leading to the famous ski resort of Las Leñas and have the opportunity to stop whenever you want to take photos and observe the odd geological forms of this area.
Afterwards, you will visit the Niña Encantada Valley (Enchanted Child) with the Indian Legend, Pozo de las Animas and to finish Las Leñas.
Depending on the season (from December to April), you will have the chance to climb to Valle Hermoso, extraordinary road leading to a mountain lake; the panorama from the monolith is breathtaking!
Picnic lunch or restaurant depending on the opening season of the Los Molles resort.

ACCOMODATION: Deluxe Cabaña in Malargüe- very comfortable

DRIVE: 4×4 (Valle Hermoso) and asphalted road, approx 160/200km (100 / 137 miles)

Day 3: La Payunia – The 800 volcanoes park

LET THE ADVENTURE START NOW! It is actually tough to describe precisely this day… the landscapes are sooo breathtaking and will give you strong emotions of being in the middle of this volcanic immensity.
After an hour and a half of asphalt (on the newly asphalted road 40), you will reach ‘La Pasarela’, your first stop. You will be able to go down to the nearest canyon, created by the erosion of the water and the wind into the lava.
Then, a 2-hour drive is necessary to reach the heart of the Pampa Negra, with the scenic open crater of the Morado volcano where you will realize that you are walking on an unchanged land since the dinosaurs’ era.
You will have the chance to do 2 short hikes: one in the bright red crater, the other one above the crater for a spectacular view of the Andes and the impressive lava flows of the Morado.
Finally, we head to the majestic volcano Payun Liso and the Payun Matru (one of the largest volcanic craters in the world) for an unforgettable picnic. After a sweet nap where the volcanic ash warms your back on the ground, it will be time to return, not without saluting the guanaco and ñandus (emus) through the huge oil lands.
A day of 10 hours of excursion approximately according to the tracks’ conditions generating memories for your entire life.

ACCOMODATION: Deluxe Cabaña in Malargüe- very comfortable

DRIVE: 4×4 (off road/wild drive regarding road condition) and asphalted, approx 220km (137 miles)

Day 4: El Sosneado

After this incredible day encircled by volcanoes, we head for a destination known only by locals. El Sosneado (on route 220) is a return to the past until the ghost hotel and its sulfur baths on the edge of Atuel River, almost at the source.
A colorful day giving the opportunity to meet the wild life in the heart of the Andes. A new background appears at every turn of the road. The loneliness atmosphere will make you thoughtful in front of the beauty of the surrounded nature.
If the track conditions permit, you will go until the end of the road, where start our expeditions to the place of the plane crash of the Uruguayans (extension of 3-4 days possible by horseback riding and/or hiking).
Picnic lunch where the big and crushing surroundings will make you forget the stern wind.

ACCOMODATION: Cabaña great comfort in Malargüe

DRIVE: 4×4 (off road regarding road condition) and asphalted, approx 250km

Day 5: Atuel Canyon, San Rafael

On the way back to Mendoza, you will have the change to drive through the Atuel Canyon, a geological wonder of 80 million years. The 50 km (31 miles) road between the colored natural shapes and the cliffs where the condors live, makes you dizzy. Throughout the river, hydroelectric power stations remind us of the importance of water in these regions, located in the middle of deserts. The wind and the water erosion in ancient times have carved surprising figures on the rock. Today, these figures have names: El Mendigo, the Bosque de Coníferas, the Jardines Colgantes, El Elefante, El Sillón de Rivadavia, Los Monstros, El Lagarto, etc.

At the end of the canyon, we will stop for an exceptional panoramic view on the lake of Valle Grande. The central island of the lake has a submarine form, extraordinary moment. Local dishes lunch will be served in one of the many restaurants along the Rio Atuel towards San Rafael.

In the evening, fine cuisine and good wine in our beautiful guesthouse

ACCOMODATION: Bed and Breakfast in San Rafael

DRIVE: tracks and asphalted, 250km (155 miles) approx.

Day 6:  Uco Valley – End of the trip

TRIP DETAILS

Activities

Road trip, guided tour, hiking

Environment

Desert, villages, Volcanoes
Cultural and Natural Heritage

Itinerary level

few hikes each day with low ascents
No specific training is required, only high-altitude acclimation. It is mandatory to follow your guide’s advice.

Number of participants

From 2 to 12 passengers (a 4×4 vehicle for 4 pax)

Start of the journey

Mendoza

End of the journey

Mendoza or Uco Valley

LODGING

Day 1

EQUIPMENT

Luggage

A suitecase and a small backpack per person

1-Suitecase

Will be transported in the open trunck of the 4×4 vehicle and must be dust-tight. Plastic bags will be provided to protect your belongings from dust, sand and the possible rain. The vehicles are pickup trucks type without cover for more convenience.

2-Backpack

Small backpack for hikes with a capacity of 10 liters approx. You will use it to keep your personal belongings during the day (camera, sunscreen, hat, scarf …), valuables (in case your accommodation does not have a safe locker) and for your possible medications.

Suggested packing list:

Clothing:

• 1 hat (with straps) or a cap
• 1 scarf or cheche
• 1 hat and / or headband and gloves in the winter season
• T-shirts. Avoid cotton, very long to dry; prefer short-sleeved shirts in breathable material
• 1 under-sweater or long-sleeved shirt
• 1 fleece
• 1 hiking pants
• 1 comfortable trousers for the evening
• 1 Gore-Tex jacket type, simple and lightweight
• 1 swimsuit
• Underwears
• Hiking socks.
• 1 pair of high hiking shoes, make sure it is maintaining the ankle
• 1 pair of sandals or casual shoes for the evening.

Packing list must be adapted according to the chosen season.

Temperature amplitudes are very important in the desert regions visited (from 20 to 30 ° difference sometimes between night and day). The nights are usually chilly, even in summer time.

Equipment

• High quality sunglasses, ice protection recommended for reverberation on salt deserts
• 1 water bottle (1 liter)
• 1 pocket knife (don’t keep it in your carry-on luggage while flying)
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper (on certain days, we will not find bahroom for several hours)
• Sunscreen protection 50 minimum + lipstick
• Plastic bags for waste

Personal pharmacy

• Your usual medications
• Pain medication: preferably paracetamol
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Aspirin 500 to chew or swallow but NOT effervescent (to reduce the effects of altitude)
• Anti-diarrhea
• Antispasmodic
• Intestinal antiseptic
• Eye drops (dust, ophthalmia) and antibiotic cream for the eyes
• Cold and sore throat treatments (pastilles)
• Biaffine and sunscreen +50
• Adhesive bandage sets + disinfectant compresses
• Double skin – anti blisters

COUNTRY INFO