The Alta Montana (High Mountain) excursion is one of the most impactful experiences you can have from Mendoza and the perfect complement to any wine tourism trip. This full-day journey (approximately 12 hours) takes you from Mendoza city to the Chilean border, crossing Andean landscapes of overwhelming beauty: wide valleys, snowmelt rivers, rock formations in impossible colors and the highest peaks in the Americas.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 8300 km | 11 h + 2 h layover | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 10200 km | 13 h + 2 h layover | — | — |
| Buenos Aires (EZE) | 1050 km | 1 h 45 | 14 h | 11 h |
| Santiago (SCL) | 370 km | 55 min | 6–8 h | 5 h |
| Córdoba | 670 km | 1 h 10 | 9 h | 7 h |
| San Juan | 170 km | — | 2 h 30 | 2 h |
| Bariloche (BRC) | 1140 km | 1 h 50 | 18 h | 14 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18° / 33°C | 25 mm | Hot & dry summer | |
| Feb | 17° / 31°C | 30 mm | ||
| Mar | 14° / 28°C | 20 mm | Harvest season | |
| Apr | 10° / 23°C | 15 mm | ||
| May | 5° / 18°C | 8 mm | ||
| Jun | 2° / 14°C | 5 mm | ||
| Jul | 2° / 14°C | 8 mm | Ski Las Leñas | |
| Aug | 4° / 17°C | 8 mm | ||
| Sep | 7° / 21°C | 12 mm | Vineyard bloom | |
| Oct | 11° / 25°C | 15 mm | ||
| Nov | 14° / 28°C | 20 mm | ||
| Dec | 17° / 31°C | 25 mm |
The route follows the historic Route 7 (Ruta Nacional 7), the same road that General San Martin used to cross the Andes during the wars of independence in 1817. Along the way you pass through Potrerillos, Uspallata, the Aconcagua viewpoint, Puente del Inca, the village of Las Cuevas and (when the pass is open) the Cristo Redentor statue on the Argentine-Chilean border. It is a journey that transitions from green vineyards to barren high-altitude desert in a matter of hours, revealing the raw geological power of the Andes.
Quick Facts: Alta Montana
- Tour duration: 10-12 hours (full day)
- Maximum altitude: 3,834 m (Cristo Redentor) / 2,700 m (Puente del Inca)
- Group tour price: From USD 59.40 (Civitatis, with 10% discount)
- Aconcagua Provincial Park tour: From USD 174.60 (with 10% discount)
- Total distance: ~400 km round trip
- Best time: November to April (no snow blocking the pass)
- Aconcagua: 6,961 m -- the highest mountain in the Americas
- What to bring: Warm layers, sunscreen, water, sunglasses
The Complete Alta Montana Route
Potrerillos (1,350 m) -- First Stop
About 60 km from Mendoza, Potrerillos marks the entrance to the pre-Andes. The Potrerillos reservoir is a turquoise artificial lake surrounded by mountains, where kayaking (USD 92 with Civitatis), whitewater rafting and trekking are popular activities. The Alta Montana excursion makes a brief photo stop here before continuing uphill. The contrast between the green vineyard landscape you left behind and the beginning of the mountain terrain is striking.
If you want to spend more time at Potrerillos, dedicated excursions are available: the Potrerillos and Cacheuta trip (USD 40) combines the reservoir with natural hot springs, and the Potrerillos trekking excursion (USD 87) takes you on trails with spectacular Andes views.
Uspallata (1,751 m) -- The Andean Oasis
Uspallata is a picturesque mountain town surrounded by poplar and willow trees, located in a wide valley at 1,751 meters. It was used as a filming location for Brad Pitt's "Seven Years in Tibet" thanks to its Tibetan-like landscape. The town has a particular charm with its low houses and quiet pace of life. Most tours stop here for lunch (not included in the tour price -- budget USD 10-15 for a simple meal). The valley was a critical staging point for San Martin's army, and a small museum documents the crossing of the Andes.
Puente del Inca (2,700 m) -- Natural Wonder
Puente del Inca is one of the most impressive natural wonders in Argentina. It is a natural rock bridge formed by the action of mineralized hot spring waters that, over thousands of years, created a formation of unique orange-yellow color spanning the Las Cuevas River. Beneath the bridge you can see the ruins of a thermal hotel whose construction began in 1917 and which was destroyed by an avalanche on August 15, 1965. The mineral-laden water continues to deposit its vivid color on anything it touches.
Puente del Inca has been declared a National Cultural Heritage site and Protected Natural Area. There is a small artisan market where vendors sell objects "petrified" by the mineral water -- little boots, mate gourds, medals -- that acquire the characteristic orange color. The stop lasts about 30-45 minutes, but it is one of those places you will never forget. The combination of the orange bridge, the rushing river below and the snow-capped Andes towering above creates an almost surreal scene.
Aconcagua Viewpoint (3,000 m)
Aconcagua, at 6,961 meters, is the highest mountain in the Americas and the highest outside Asia. From the viewpoint on Route 7 you can see the snow-covered summit on clear days. It is an emotional moment on the journey -- standing before one of the most important peaks on the planet. For a closer experience, the Aconcagua Provincial Park excursion (USD 175 with Civitatis, rated 10/10) includes entry to the park with hiking trails that approach the base of the mountain, through high-altitude landscapes with snowmelt rivers, alpine flora and the possibility of spotting Andean condors.
Las Cuevas and Cristo Redentor (3,834 m)
Las Cuevas is the last Argentine settlement before the Chilean border, a tiny mountain hamlet at 3,200 meters. From here, when the road is open (generally November to April), you can ascend to the Cristo Redentor de los Andes (Christ the Redeemer of the Andes), a 7-meter statue inaugurated in 1904 to celebrate peace between Argentina and Chile after a border dispute nearly escalated to war. At 3,834 meters altitude, the views are absolutely extraordinary -- you stand on the continental divide between the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds, with mountain peaks stretching to the horizon in every direction.
