Three days is the bare minimum to enjoy wine country in Mendoza, and it is enough to cover two of the three big wine regions (Maipu and Lujan de Cuyo) plus the city itself. This itinerary is built for travelers who come to Mendoza for the wine and want to squeeze every day for memorable experiences without rushing. You will balance an affordable, high-energy bike day among historic Maipu wineries with a premium Lujan de Cuyo experience and a relaxed cultural day in the city.
Total budget for this itinerary runs from USD 250 (backpacker version) to USD 600+ (premium version) per person, not counting your flight. Below you will find a day-by-day breakdown with prices, booking links and field-tested tips.
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 |
3-Day Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Maipu by bike -- Trapiche, Lopez, Di Tommaso wineries + olive oil mill + chocolate shop
- Day 2: Lujan de Cuyo wine tour -- Catena Zapata, Ruca Malen (lunch), Chandon
- Day 3: Mendoza city -- Free walking tour, Cerro de la Gloria, Parque San Martin
- Backpacker budget: ~USD 250 total
- Mid-range budget: ~USD 400 total
- Premium budget: ~USD 600+ total
- Best season: March-May and September-November
Day 1: Maipu by Bike -- The Most Fun Day You Will Have
Kick off your trip with the classic Maipu bike circuit. It is the most iconic, fun and budget-friendly wine experience in Mendoza. Head out early from the Maipu plaza (you can get there by bus from downtown Mendoza or by taxi for around USD 5) and rent a bicycle at one of the many shops along Ozamis street (from USD 10/day, helmet, lock and circuit map included). The full loop is about 15-20 km on flat, low-traffic roads -- easy even if you have not been on a bike in years.
Suggested timeline for the bike day
- 10:00 -- Pick up your bike at the rental shop. First stop: Bodega Trapiche (tasting from USD 12). One of Argentina's oldest wineries, founded in 1883, with more than 140 years of history and a beautiful historic cellar tour.
- 11:30 -- Olivicola Laur, an olive oil mill with free tasting. Mendoza is Argentina's main olive oil producer and the quality rivals Mediterranean estates -- a great place to pick up extra-virgin oil at a fair price.
- 12:30 -- Bodega Familia Di Tommaso, a small family winery with personal attention and craft wines. Tasting is free or has a minimal charge.
- 13:30 -- Lunch at one of the wineries on the circuit or at a Maipu restaurant (USD 10-20 for a simple, satisfying menu).
- 15:00 -- Bodega Lopez, another century-old name (family-owned since 1898) with impressive underground cellars and aging barrels. Tasting from USD 10.
- 16:00 -- La Abuela Goye, an artisanal chocolate shop with free tasting of liqueurs and alfajores. The perfect sweet finish to the loop.
- 17:00 -- Return your bike and head back to Mendoza.
Day 1 cost: Bike USD 10 + tastings USD 20-35 + lunch USD 15 = Total: USD 45-60
Day 2: Lujan de Cuyo Wineries -- The Premium Wine Day
Day two belongs to the premium wineries of Lujan de Cuyo, where some of the world's best Malbec is bottled. Because the wineries here are spread out and you want to taste freely without worrying about driving, the smart move is to book an organized tour or hire a remis (private driver) for the day.
Option A: Group tour (from USD 36)
The Civitatis winery group tour (USD 36) bundles transport, a guide and visits to two wineries with tastings. It is the most affordable and practical pick if you are traveling solo or as a couple. It departs from downtown hotels in the morning and runs about 6 hours.
Option B: Private tour (from USD 465 per group)
The private Lujan de Cuyo tour with sparkling wine tasting (USD 465 per group) covers Cruzat, Chandon and Rosell Boher. Ideal for groups of 3-4 (USD 115-155 per person), with a slower pace and personal attention.
Option C: Hire a remis for the day (USD 80-120)
Book a remis and design your own route. Suggested itinerary: start at Catena Zapata (tasting USD 30, book online), continue to Ruca Malen for the famous 5-course lunch with wine pairing (USD 65, reserve well in advance), and finish at Chandon for sparkling wines (USD 15-25).
Day 2 cost: Group tour USD 36 or remis USD 100 + tastings USD 50-80 + lunch USD 15-65 = Total: USD 100-245
Day 3: Mendoza City -- Culture, Parks and Farewell Dinner
Day three is for getting to know the city of Mendoza itself, which has more to offer than most travelers expect. Start the morning with the free walking tour (free, with optional tip; book through Civitatis), which winds through the historic center, the tree-lined plazas, the irrigation channels (acequias) and the civic district.
Morning: Free walking tour + downtown
- 10:00 -- Free walking tour of Mendoza (2 hours, free). Meeting point at Plaza Independencia. A great primer on city history, from the devastating 1861 earthquake to the present day. Rated 9.1/10 on Civitatis.
- 12:00 -- Stroll Avenida Aristides Villanueva, Mendoza's bar and restaurant strip. Lunch at one of the many spots along the avenue (USD 10-20).
Afternoon: Cerro de la Gloria and Parque San Martin
- 14:30 -- Mendoza City and Cerro de la Gloria tour (USD 21 with Civitatis, 3 hours). Covers the civic district, Parque San Martin and the climb up Cerro de la Gloria, where the Monument to the Army of the Andes commands sweeping views of the city and the Cordillera.
- 17:30 -- Walk through Parque San Martin, the green lung of Mendoza, with more than 300 hectares of woods, lakes and rose gardens.
Evening: Farewell dinner
Cap your trip with dinner on Aristides Villanueva or at an urban winery-restaurant. Top picks: Azafran, The Vines of Mendoza Wine Bar, or Siete Fuegos by Francis Mallmann (if budget permits). Order a Malbec from one of the wineries you visited during the trip -- after standing in their vineyards, you will taste the terroir differently.
Day 3 cost: Free tour USD 0 (USD 5 tip) + Cerro de la Gloria tour USD 21 + lunch USD 15 + dinner USD 25-50 = Total: USD 66-91
Detailed Budget Breakdown
Backpacker Version (~USD 250)
- Lodging (3 nights): Hostel USD 12/night = USD 36
- Maipu bike rental: USD 10
- Maipu tastings: USD 25
- Group winery tour: USD 36
- Free walking tour: USD 0 (USD 5 tip)
- Cerro de la Gloria tour: USD 21
- Meals (3 days): USD 75
- Local transport: USD 15
- TOTAL: ~USD 223
Premium Version (~USD 600)
- Lodging (3 nights): Boutique hotel USD 80/night = USD 240
- Maipu bike rental: USD 10
- Premium Maipu tastings: USD 45
- Full-day Lujan remis: USD 100
- Catena Zapata + Ruca Malen lunch: USD 95
- Free tour + Cerro de la Gloria: USD 26
- Premium meals (3 days): USD 120
- TOTAL: ~USD 636
Extending to 5 Days?
If you have two extra days, add the Alta Montana excursion on day 4 -- a full-day drive on Route 7 with stops at Potrerillos, Uspallata, Puente del Inca, the Aconcagua viewpoint and (when open, November-April) the Cristo Redentor statue at 3,834 m. Book it with Civitatis from USD 59.40. On day 5, head to Valle de Uco for premium wineries: Zuccardi Piedra Infinita (often ranked the best winery in the world, tasting from USD 25, lunch USD 80+) and Salentein (tasting USD 20, art gallery free). Alternatively, book the legendary Andeluna sunset dinner (USD 148, rated 10/10) for an unforgettable gourmet evening with the Andes glowing behind you.
