Rafting and zip lining in Mendoza: 1400 meters of cables

Six cables strung across the Mendoza River gorge, the last one 450 meters long.

Zip lining and rafting in Mendoza combines two half-day activities in Potrerillos: a canopy circuit of six cables totaling 1400 meters of flight, with the final stretch crossing the Mendoza River at 40 meters above the valley, followed by a guided raft descent through Class III/IV rapids on glacial water. Both activities include full equipment, instruction and a guide; hotel pickup and return are included. The day runs eight hours total.

The Experience

The canopy circuit starts with a harness fitting and safety briefing at the base, then a short walk to the launch point at 1400 meters elevation. You clip into the first of six cables and glide across the Potrerillos Valley with the Cordón del Plata mountains in view. The cables get longer and faster as you progress—the final two stretch over 450 meters and cross directly above the Mendoza River, dropping you 40 meters above the water before the last platform. The whole circuit takes about two hours, including the walk back down.

After a break, you transfer by bus to the Mendoza River for the rafting leg. A guide walks the group through equipment setup—neoprene suit, life jacket, helmet—and goes over the river conditions and paddle commands. The Mendoza is glacial water year-round, which keeps it cold and medium-difficulty in winter; in summer (December through February) the volume rises and the rapids push into Class II-III+ territory. You spend roughly fifty minutes on the water navigating the rapids, with the imposing Potrerillos dam visible downstream. The whole rafting activity, including the bus ride to the put-in, takes about two hours.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish—you choose at booking. Hotel pickup and return to downtown Mendoza are included, so you don't arrange transport. Bring a towel and a change of clothes; the neoprene suit keeps you dry but you'll want to change after. The day is physically demanding: you're climbing, gripping cables, paddling and balancing on moving water, so a moderate fitness level is the baseline.

What’s included

• Full zip line gear including harness, helmet and gloves.
• full rafting gear including neoprene suit, life jacket and helmet.
• safety instruction and briefing for both activities.
• a guide in English or Spanish.
• hotel pickup and return to downtown Mendoza.
• the bus transfer to the river put-in and back to base.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Azul Latina Travel

Is this one for you?If your guide speaks English, you'll follow the instruction and the river conditions comfortably; if you book Spanish, you'll need to understand spoken Spanish at a conversational level, since the guide briefs the group before each activity and calls commands on the water. Choose the language that matches your comfort.

Top questions

What is the zip line circuit like in Potrerillos?

The canopy circuit includes six cables totaling 1400 meters of flight, with heights reaching up to 40 meters above the valley. The final two cables are longer and faster, and the last one stretches 450 meters across the Mendoza River. The whole circuit takes about two hours from start to finish, including the walk to the launch point and back down.

How difficult is the rafting on the Mendoza River?

The Mendoza River runs Class III/IV rapids year-round, fed by glacial water that keeps it cold. In winter the difficulty is medium; in summer (December through February) the water volume rises and the rapids become medium to high difficulty. The rafting portion itself lasts roughly fifty minutes on the water, with about two hours total for the activity including the bus transfer to the put-in.

What gear do I get for both activities?

For zip lining you wear a pelvic harness, helmet and gloves. For rafting you get a neoprene suit, life jacket and helmet. All equipment is provided and fitted by the guide during the safety briefing before each activity.

Does the price include getting to and from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup and return to downtown Mendoza are included. The guide will arrange a meeting time the day before or the morning of the activity.

How long is the whole day?

The full day runs eight hours total, including both activities, the breaks between them, equipment setup and the bus transfers to the river. The zip lining takes about two hours and the rafting takes about two hours; the rest is instruction, gear changes and travel time.

Can I do this if I'm not very fit?

A moderate level of physical fitness is the baseline—you're climbing, gripping cables, paddling and balancing on moving water. The guide will assess your comfort level during the safety briefing and can adjust your pace on the cables if needed, but the activity itself is not beginner-friendly.