San Rafael and Atuel Canyon tour from Mendoza

See the geological layers of Atuel Canyon and the reservoir that feeds the region

A full-day tour from Mendoza to San Rafael covers 140 kilometers south through Route 40, with hotel pickup included. The itinerary visits the historical town of Villa 25 de Mayo, the Atuel Canyon geological formation, and Valle Grande reservoir, where you can choose to add a catamaran ride or rafting for an extra cost. A Spanish-speaking guide leads the group. The day runs 14 hours with a return to Mendoza hotels by 9pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Rafael and Atuel Canyon tour

• Pick up passengers in Mendoza
• Travel to San Rafael
• Visit Villa 25 de Mayo
• Tour Atuel Canyon geological formation
• Stop at Valle Grande for lunch or optional activities
• City tour of San Rafael
• Return to Mendoza

The experience

Hotel pickup starts at 7am in Mendoza, with the bus collecting passengers from different hotels over 45 minutes before departing around 7:45am. The drive south takes three hours and fifteen minutes along Route 40, the main highway cutting through Mendoza province toward San Rafael. Once there, the tour moves through the city itself, then to Villa 25 de Mayo, a small historical town that sits in the foothills south of San Rafael.

The centerpiece is Atuel Canyon, a geological formation where you walk through layers of colored rock carved by the river over time. The canyon is one of the few formations of its kind in Argentina, and the itinerary gives you time to move through it and photograph the walls. From there, the group heads to Valle Grande, the largest reservoir on the Atuel River, where the landscape opens up to water and sky. This is the stop where you have free time: you can order lunch at a restaurant there, or pay extra to take a catamaran across the water or go rafting, depending on what appeals to you and what the conditions allow that day.

The return journey starts around 6pm from San Rafael, with the bus making technical stops along Route 40 back to Mendoza. You arrive at your hotel by 9pm. The guide speaks Spanish throughout, and the group size varies depending on the day, but the pace is built around moving between these four main stops without rushing any of them.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Mendoza.
• Spanish-speaking guide for the full day.
• transport to San Rafael, Villa 25 de Mayo, Atuel Canyon and Valle Grande.
• free time at the reservoir for lunch or optional activities.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SundayDeparts at 07:15

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 24

Live guideSpanish

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

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Viajes y Diseno EVT 16298

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the geological layers and colors of Atuel Canyon and have time to explore Valle Grande at your own pace. The 14-hour day and early morning pickup suit travelers with a full schedule in the region, and the optional activities at the reservoir let you add adventure without committing to it when you book.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the drive from Mendoza to San Rafael?

The drive south along Route 40 takes three hours and fifteen minutes from the time the bus leaves Mendoza at 7:45am, arriving in San Rafael by mid-morning.

What can I do at Valle Grande reservoir?

Valle Grande is the main stop for free time. You can eat lunch at the restaurant there, or pay extra to take a catamaran ride across the water or go rafting. Both are optional and available depending on conditions.

What is Atuel Canyon like?

Atuel Canyon is a geological formation with colored rock layers carved by the river. It's one of the few formations of this type in Argentina, and the tour includes time to walk through it and see the different colored walls up close.

When does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup begins at 7am, with the bus departing Mendoza around 7:45am after collecting passengers. The return trip leaves San Rafael at 6pm, arriving back at your hotel by 9pm.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but you have free time at Valle Grande to order a meal at the restaurant there. Catamaran rides and rafting are also separate, optional activities with their own cost.