Aconcagua & Inca Bridge tour Mendoza: High mountain sightseeing

Inca Bridge natural rock arch over Las Cuevas River, a millennia-old geological formation

A high mountain tour from Mendoza that climbs into the Andes to reach the Inca Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rock formation, and a viewpoint of Aconcagua at 6,960 meters. The route passes through Uspallata and the Picheuta Bridge ruins, connecting Mendoza's colonial history with its landscape. A local bilingual guide leads the full day. Hotel pickup and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Uspallata25m
2. Puente del Inca40m

Explore Andean landscapes and history

• Enjoy Potrerillos Reservoir landscape
• Free time in Uspallata foothills
• Visit Picheuta Bridge ruins
• Explore Puente del Inca natural bridge
• View highest hill in America
• Visit highest town in Mendoza

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your accommodation in Mendoza and heads into the foothills toward the high mountains. The first stop is the Potrerillos Reservoir, a sprawl of water covering roughly 1,500 hectares and stretching 7 kilometers across the valley floor: a place to step out and see how the landscape opens. From there the route climbs into Uspallata, a town sitting between 1,900 and 2,500 meters above sea level in the Cordón del Plata range, where you have free time to walk around and take in the altitude.

The Picheuta Bridge comes next, a ruin that has stood since the 18th century as a crossing point between what was then the Captaincy General of Chile and the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. The fortification here is a silent witness to San Martín's crossing: the Sanmartinian passage that opened a path of freedom across these mountains. Then the road climbs further to the Inca Bridge itself, a natural rock formation arching over the Las Cuevas River and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological and historical weight. You walk out to see it, a structure made by stone and water rather than hands, and the guide explains what makes it matter to the region's story.

The highest point of the day is a viewpoint where Aconcagua rises into view at 6,960 meters: the tallest peak in the Americas, visible from a distance but unmistakable. The final stop is the town of Las Cuevas, at 3,557 meters, the highest settlement in Mendoza and a border crossing into Chile. Lunch is available here at a local restaurant if you want it, though it is not included in the tour price. The return to Mendoza takes the same route down, and the full day runs 11 to 13 hours depending on how long you spend at each stop.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from centrally located Mendoza accommodations.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• local bilingual guide in English or Spanish.
• stops at the Potrerillos Reservoir, Uspallata, the Picheuta Bridge ruins, the Inca Bridge, and a viewpoint of Aconcagua.

Information

Lasts 11h–13h, runs every day at 07:00, from US$ 65 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 233 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cepas Turismo

Is this one for you?The 11- to 13-hour commitment means you spend most of the day in the vehicle and at high altitude, which rules out a second activity that afternoon but lets you see four distinct stops and two UNESCO or historic sites without backtracking. Choose this tour if you want the high mountain landscape and the colonial history in one route, and if you can handle the length and the elevation.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What is the Inca Bridge and why is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

The Inca Bridge is a natural rock formation that arches over the Las Cuevas River in the high Andes. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its geological, scenic and historical value. The rock formation itself is the structure, shaped by water and time, and it holds cultural importance to the region's identity.

How high do we go on this tour, and will the altitude be a problem?

The tour climbs to viewpoints between 1,900 and 3,557 meters above sea level, with a viewpoint of Aconcagua at 6,960 meters visible from a distance. The operator does not recommend this tour for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, and it is not recommended for pregnant travelers during the first trimesters. Otherwise it is suitable for all fitness levels.

What does the tour include and what should I budget for separately?

Hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, and a local bilingual guide in English or Spanish are included. Breakfast and lunch are not included. Lunch is available at a local restaurant in Las Cuevas if you want it, but you pay separately.

How long is the full day, and what time does pickup happen?

The tour runs 11 to 13 hours total. Pickup happens from your centrally located accommodation in Mendoza, though the exact time is arranged when you book.

What is the Sanmartinian crossing, and why does it matter to this tour?

The Sanmartinian crossing is the historic path San Martín and his army took across these mountains in the early 19th century: a feat of freedom that connected Argentina to its independence. The Picheuta Bridge ruins on this tour are a witness to that passage, and the route itself follows the same high mountain corridor.