Uspallata is an Andean valley and town at 1,751 meters on Route 7, 100 km northwest of Mendoza (lat -32.5933, lng -69.3459). It is the last significant settlement on the road to Chile via Los Libertadores pass and the access point for Mount Aconcagua (6,961 m) base camps. The valley's desert-mountain landscape served as the filming location for "Seven Years in Tibet" (1997, Brad Pitt). The Uspallata Vaults are 18th-century colonial metal-smelting furnaces, declared a National Historic Monument. The valley also has Inca sites and pre-Hispanic petroglyphs, and was a strategic crossing point for San Martin's Army of the Andes in 1817.
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 |
How to Get There
Uspallata is 100 km from Mendoza on Route 7, completely paved. 1.5-2 hours by car. Bus from Mendoza: 2 hours, USD 5-8.
What to See and Do
Uspallata Vaults
18th-century metal-smelting furnaces from the Jesuit era. Unique brick vault structures declared a National Historic Monument. Free admission. 2 km from the town center.
Seven Years in Tibet Film Locations
The valley was chosen in 1996 to film Jean-Jacques Annaud's movie with Brad Pitt, simulating Tibet.
Aconcagua Base Camps
Last town with full services before Aconcagua base camps. Season: November to March. Permits required.
Trekking and Horseback Riding
Trails among multicolored hills, horseback rides with local guides, mountain biking. Moderate altitude (1,751 m) allows activity without altitude sickness risk.
When to Visit
- Autumn (March-May): Pleasant temperatures (10-20°C), clear skies, golden landscape.
- Summer (December-February): Peak mountaineering season for Aconcagua.
