If you’re interested in mountains, Cerro Aconcagua is a striking landmark: it lies in Mendoza Province, rises to 6,962 meters, and is the highest peak in the Americas. Mendoza can also be explored through its protected natural areas, hiking trails, wine culture and historic sites. Parque Provincial Aconcagua was designated a provincial park in 1983 and covers 71,000 hectares.
Hiking trails with different time commitments
Sendero Interpretativo Laguna de Horcones is an easy trail that takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. Whether the trail is suitable for all types of visitor groups depends on the season and weather. A one-day hike to Confluencia requires a longer time commitment: the moderately difficult round trip takes 6 to 8 hours and is offered from November to April.
The difference in time commitment is clear: a short, one-and-a-half-hour hike versus a six-to-eight-hour trip. Sendero de Gran Recorrido de los Andes is on a different scale. It runs for more than 500 kilometers from north to south through Mendoza Province, connecting the base of Cerro Aconcagua with Paso Pehuenche in Malargüe and passing through six protected natural areas. Its length and route describe a province-wide trail, not the duration of a single hike.
Volcanic landscapes and protected areas
Full-day excursions in Reserva Natural La Payunia follow the reserve’s internal trails and include, among other things, a short hike to the crater of Volcán Morado. Excursions may depend on local conditions. Payunia in Malargüe includes more than 800 volcanic cones of varying sizes and different types of eruptions.
The natural areas also offer different points of interest, depending on what you’re looking for: sometimes trails and hikes take center stage, while at other times the focus is on the geological features of an area. In Mendoza, you can therefore consider both short sections of a full-day excursion and longer hikes, as well as an extensive long-distance route. The information provided on duration, difficulty and season helps you distinguish between these options.
Historic sites and harvest festivals
Parque Temático Manzano Histórico in Los Chacayes includes Monumento Retorno a la Patria, Paseo Vida y Obra del General San Martín, and the Retorno a la Patria and Archaeology and Natural Sciences museums. Another historic point of interest is Reserva Natural de la Defensa Uspallata, which features archaeological remains of Qhapaq Ñan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as historic evidence associated with San Martín.
The Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia takes place every year. From January to March, each of the province’s 18 departments holds its own harvest festival. The Acto Central is staged at Teatro Griego Frank Romero Day, with more than 1,000 performers on stage. Alongside natural and cultural sites, Mendoza’s recurring harvest festivals are another discovery to enjoy.
Wine regions and wineries
More than 200 wineries in Mendoza Province are open to visitors. Activities range from tastings and picnics to seasonal menus paired with wine and grape-pruning competitions. The seasonal menus explicitly pair food with wine; the other offerings provide different ways to experience wine culture.
The province is divided into five major wine regions: Primera Zona, Valle de Uco, Oasis Este, Oasis Centro-Norte and Oasis Sur. This division provides a geographical framework for wine culture. If you’re interested in Mendoza, you can use the regional names as a guide alongside the experiences offered at wineries, without treating the five subregions as a single destination.
Discover more destinations: Departamento Capital, Departamento San Rafael, Uspallata, Tunuyán, Las Lenas, Potrerillos, Departamento Malargüe, Departamento Tunuyán, La Consulta, Guaymallén Department, Luján De Cuyo, Departamento Godoy Cruz, Departamento Maipú, Villa Nueva, Los Árboles, Tupungato Department, Departamento Lavalle, Departamento San Carlos, Departamento Santa Rosa, Departamento San Martín, San Rafael Department, General Alvear and Guaymallén.
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