Mendoza High Mountain tour to Aconcagua and Puente del Inca

Puente del Inca's natural bridge and Aconcagua's peak from a single day in the high mountains

This full-day tour from Mendoza climbs the high mountain route toward Chile, stopping at Potrerillos Reservoir, the pre-Hispanic settlement at Uspallata, the natural rock formation of Puente del Inca with its hot springs, and a panoramic viewpoint of Aconcagua at 2,750 meters. The route follows the international highway to Las Cuevas, a European-style village at 3,200 meters, where you eat lunch before returning to Mendoza around 7 pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Uspallata1h
2. Puente del Inca10m

Full day mountain tour from Mendoza

• Pick up travelers at hotels
• Travel to Potrerillos Reservoir
• Stop at Uspallata pre-Hispanic site
• Visit Villas de Picheuta, Polvaredas, Punta de Vacas
• View Puente del Inca natural bridge
• Free time at Los Penitentes ski resort
• Visit Aconcagua panoramic viewpoint
• Stop at Horcones Lagoon and Aconcagua Park
• Visit Las Cuevas village and mountain restaurant
• Return to Mendoza hotels

The experience

Potrerillos Reservoir is the first stop after an hour's drive from your hotel pickup in Mendoza. The lake sits in a valley the tour uses to ease into the climb. You get fresh air and a chance to buy a snack before the road steepens. From there the route heads to Uspallata, where a pre-Hispanic Huarpes settlement marks the southernmost reach of the Inca empire, then continues through smaller villages (Villas de Picheuta, Polvaredas, Punta de Vacas) each one higher than the last.

Puente del Inca is the landmark most travelers come for: a natural rock bridge spanning a ravine, surrounded by hot springs that color the stone yellow and orange. The tour passes a viewpoint where you can see it without leaving the bus, then continues to Los Penitentes ski resort. In winter the chairlift runs and you can ride it for a fee (not included) to see the snow and the surrounding peaks. The real payoff comes next: the Aconcagua viewpoint at 2,750 meters, where the highest mountain in the Americas fills the horizon. From there the route reaches the Horcones Lagoon and the edge of Aconcagua Provincial Park before pushing on to Las Cuevas, a village built in European style at 3,200 meters. You eat a typical mountain lunch in a local restaurant, then the bus retraces the route back down to Mendoza, arriving around 7 pm.

The tour runs nine to ten hours total and includes transportation in a modern, air-conditioned bus and a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish throughout. Weather in the high mountains is unpredictable (road closures and delays can happen, especially in cold months), and the operator may modify the itinerary if conditions make the original route impassable. The tour runs regardless of weather. If the main route closes, you'll follow an alternate loop through the Uspallata Valley instead.

What’s included

• Transportation in a modern, air-conditioned bus.
• bilingual guide service in English and Spanish throughout the day.
• hotel pickup in Mendoza and return around 7 pm.

Information

Lasts 9h–10h, runs every day at 07:30, from US$ 110 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

GroupUp to 253 private ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Infant (under 4): free

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ParaViajantes Tours

Is this one for you?The bilingual guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language suits you. The nine to ten hour day and high altitude (up to 3,200 meters) suit travelers comfortable with long bus rides and mountain elevation. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

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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: Infant (under 4): free.

What is Puente del Inca and why is it on this tour?

Puente del Inca is a natural rock formation that spans a ravine like a bridge, surrounded by mineral-rich hot springs. It's one of the most distinctive landmarks on the high mountain route and sits at a viewpoint the tour stops at on the way to Aconcagua.

Can I ride the chairlift at Los Penitentes ski resort?

Yes, the tour includes free time at Los Penitentes where you can ride the chairlift for panoramic views of the area. The entrance fee is not included in the tour price, so you pay separately if you choose to go up.

How high does this tour go?

The Aconcagua viewpoint sits at 2,750 meters (9,022 feet) above sea level. Las Cuevas, where you eat lunch, is at 3,200 meters (10,500 feet). A road from Las Cuevas leads to the Christ the Redeemer monument at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) if you want to go higher on your own.

What happens if the mountain road closes due to weather?

The tour operates regardless of weather and does not get suspended or rescheduled. If the main route to the border is closed by snow or road conditions, the operator runs an alternate itinerary through the Uspallata Valley instead. Road status is confirmed each morning by the Gendarmerie.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included. You eat at a typical mountain restaurant in Las Cuevas and pay for your meal separately. The tour stops there to give you time to eat before heading back to Mendoza.

What should I bring on this tour?

Wear comfortable clothes and footwear suited to the season. Bring sweets, still mineral water, sunscreen and a hat for summer, or warm layers for winter. You'll need your passport or ID and cash for meals, the chairlift, and any purchases along the way.