Rafting and Rappelling in Mendoza: 8 hours of Andes adventure

Run rapids and rappel three mountain faces in one day

An 8-hour activity in Mendoza combining rafting on the Mendoza River and trekking with rappelling at Cerro Mirador. You navigate rapids upstream from Potrerillos Dam, then descend three rappels of varying heights—20m, 12m, and 38m—through the Pre-Andean mountains to natural rock jumps at the Vertedero. A bilingual professional guide, all safety equipment, hotel transfer, and a cereal bar with mineral water are included.

The Experience

Eight hours means you start early and finish by late afternoon, leaving the evening free. The day splits into two parts: the Mendoza River section comes first, where you'll navigate constant rapids in a 14-foot self-bailing raft with a guide who holds International White Water Rescue Certification and a safety kayaker alongside. Summer brings higher flow and more intense rapids; winter lets you read the rocks more clearly as the water drops. You wear a full neoprene suit, life jacket, helmet, and booties—the gear handles the cold and the current.

After the river, you trek to Cerro Mirador and move into the rappelling section. The three descents climb in intensity: 20 meters, then 12 meters, then the 38-meter rappel that drops you toward the Vertedero, where natural rock jumps punctuate the canyon floor. The Pre-Andean scenery unfolds as you descend—this is what the height and the exposure are for. Rappelling equipment, harnesses, and ropes are provided and fitted by your guide.

Hotel pickup and return transport are included, as is a bilingual guide who speaks English and Spanish. You'll need moderate physical fitness for both the paddling and the rappelling, and the activity is not suitable for anyone with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. A cereal bar and mineral water keep you fueled between sections.

What’s included

• Round-trip hotel transfer from downtown Mendoza.
• one hour of river navigation on the Mendoza River with a bilingual guide holding international white water rescue certification.
• full neoprene equipment, life jacket, helmet, and booties for rafting.
• rappelling gear and harnesses for three descents at Cerro Mirador.
• mineral water and a cereal bar.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problems

Operated by Azul Latina Travel

Is this one for you?The 8-hour commitment means you're locked into the full day, but it's what makes both the river section and all three rappels possible without rushing either one. If you have only a morning or an afternoon free, look for a shorter activity instead.

Top questions

What's the Mendoza River like when I'm rafting it?

The Mendoza River runs upstream from Potrerillos Dam with constant rapids throughout. In summer, higher water flow creates intense rapids with holes and waves; in winter, lower flow lets you see the rock formations more clearly. Either way, the descent is action-filled, and you're guided by someone with international certification and a safety kayaker in support.

How high are the rappels at Cerro Mirador?

You descend three rappels of different heights: 20 meters, 12 meters, and 38 meters. The 38-meter rappel is the main event, dropping you toward natural rock jumps at the Vertedero while you take in the Pre-Andean mountain views.

What equipment do I get for rafting?

Full neoprene suit, life jacket, helmet, neoprene booties, and a waterproof jacket are provided. The raft is a top-of-the-line 14-foot self-bailing model, and you're equipped to handle both the rapids and the cold water.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, round-trip transfer from downtown Mendoza hotels is included, along with a bilingual professional guide who speaks English and Spanish throughout the day.

What should I know before booking?

You need at least moderate physical fitness for both rafting and rappelling. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers. The full day runs 8 hours, so plan accordingly.