Wine and Adventure in Mendoza

In Mendoza, you’ll discover much diversity in this wine country : the lush Central Valleys and the mountainous territory of the Uco Valley. Lodge at exclusive, countryside retreats. Cycle throughout the vineyards and hike to great views of Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Americas. Lay back and enjoy the magnificent landscape at the foothills of the Andes.

Use these Activity Level Ratings as a general guide to help determine which of our adventures is best for you. Your perception of level of difficulty may vary from ours according to your own level of fitness and travel experience. Whether or not you stay in your comfort zone on the trip you select may also be influenced by the pacing we build into the itinerary, and your own preparation for the trip. While relatively high elevations are unavoidable when you're traveling in the Andes Mountains, we may judge a trip as "moderate" so long as passengers have sufficient time for acclimation. Our detailed trip itineraries give much more information about what you can expect. If you are unsure which trip is best for you, please call us. We'll help guide you toward the right fit.

Moderate

These adventures involve fairly easy travel. There is no camping: you sleep in hotels and country inns each evening. Trips may include short hikes and/or walks of two to three hours. Our itineraries include excursions in passenger mini-vans, over roads with many curves and potholes. Elevations rarely exceed 12,600'. At Machu Picchu and other Inca sites, we climb and descend relatively steep stone staircases. Trips to Amazon lodges involve travel by boat and canoe, plus hikes on forest trails at a moderate pace. In the rainforest, you may encounter rain, mud, and pooled water. Trips to the Galapagos include optional hikes on sometimes uneven rocky and/or slippery terrain. Passengers must get into and out of dinghies on beaches and at docks.

Active

These adventures include more hiking than in our moderate trips. You negotiate a variety of terrain, at elevations no more than 15,000'. Some trips include long days of overland travel. You sleep comfortably in hotels each evening.

Strenuous

While we rate all of our treks as strenuous, there is a substantial range of challenge between the easiest and the most demanding of our treks. Expect to hike 6-8 hours each day over steep and rugged terrain. You may hike to elevations of 17,000', with options to hike higher from several camps. Many include camping multiple nights at relatively high elevations. On most treks in the Andes, night-time temperatures can drop below freezing on one or more nights. On our Inn to Inn based treks, you'll spend each evening in a comfortable mountain lodge.

Extreme

Our toughest treks are suitable for those that enjoy a good physical challenge. You trek (and in some cases climb) over steep, rugged terrain at high elevations with substantial altitude gains. Some glacier travel requires knowledge of basic climbing techniques including use of crampons, ice axe, and ropes. These trips are in remote wilderness areas and include camping as high at 17,700'. Successful summit bids top out at 18,871' (Nevado Pisco), 19,347' (Volcan Cotopaxi) and 20,945' (Nevado Ausangate).

Departures: 6 Days / 5 Nights. Custom trip, any day from late September through late April.

2009 Land Cost:

$1,957 per person (4+ passengers)

$2,397 per person (2 - 3 passengers)

Day 1: Arrive Mendoza

We pick you up at the Mendoza Airport and transfer you to your hotel where a brief orientation meeting will be held to meet our guide and review the itinerary. During today’s lunch we sample the gourmet local delicatessen at Almacen del Sur, and after some time to relax we head to a small boutique winery to get acquainted with the superb Argentine Malbecs. Lodging: Lares de Chacra- (Chacras de Coria) (Breakfast & Lunch incl.)

Day 2: Biking & Wineries in the Uco Valley

Transfer south to the town of Tupungato, at the Uco Valley. Once at the valley, we ride our bikes up to La Azul, a small Boutique winery, to sample its outstanding Malbecs. Later on, we continue cycling for a couple of miles to Salentein Winery. Lunch at Kilka, the Bodega`s Restaurant and Art Space, and afternoon visit to the winery. Late afternoon transfer back to Mendoza. Cycling distance: 20 miles; Terrain: Mostly flat, paved roads. Lodging: Lares de Chacra- (Chacras de Coria) (Breakfast & Lunch incl.)

Day 3: High Andean Valleys & Biking at Uspallata

This morning we’ll cycle to award winning winery Achaval Ferrer. Only a few years into the market, its wines consistently receive 90 + punctuations in Wine Spectator. Late morning transfer to the town of Uspallata, located in a transverse valley of the Andes. We stop at Potrerillos to check in at out lodge. After lunch, we enjoy dramatic scenery transitions as we cycle away from the village’s green pastures and into the desert, searching for some hidden pre-Columbian petroglyphs. Cycle back to the village and transfer to the hotel. Cycling distance: 24 miles; Terrain: rolling hills, on paved and gravel roads. Lodging: Rio del Pueblo - ( Potrerillos) (All meals included)

Day 4: High Andean Valleys: Biking & Hiking at Aconcagua’s foothills

This morning we’ll transfer to Puente del Inca, from where we cycle for about 12 km to the entrance of the Aconcagua National Park. This is one of the world’s most outstanding mountain sceneries, as we bike from Puente del Inca to astonishing views of Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Americas. We’ll enjoy a short hike to “ Lake Horcones” for our picnic lunch with awesome views of Aconcagua`s south face. You’ll have some time to spend at your leisure before returning to Potrerillos. Cycling distance: 8 miles – rolling hills; Terrain: mostly gravel roads Hiking distance: 3 miles

Lodging: Rio del Pueblo - ( Potrerillos) (All meals included)

Day 5: Mendoza – Central Valley

Morning transfer back to Mendoza. Lodge at Club Tapiz. Located in an estate built in 1890 and surrounded by ten hectares of vineyards, the house was restored preserving its Renaissance-style Villa structure and maintaining vintage elements. The rest of the day is yours to bike through the surrounding area, visit centric Mendoza or just relax at the lodge. Lodging: Club Tapiz Lodge- Mendoza (Breakfast included)

Day 6: Mendoza – Transfer to Airport

Morning transfer to Mendoza airport to board flights to Buenos Aires. (Breakfast included)

End of our services.

Included:

All accommodations in superior hotels, charming country inns, and Wine estates ( All lodges are subject to availability )

Most meals , as described in the detailed itinerary

Private transportation in all locations

Private, English speaking expert local guides

Experts in wine during wine tasting activities

Wine tasting & outdoor activities as described

Top quality 24 gear, aluminum, hybrid bikes.

Maps

Water Bottles / Snacks during outdoor activities & shuttle time.

Lodges, as described , on double occupancy

Excluded:

Wine and other alcoholic beverages during meals, except during picnics ( included).

Insurance

International and domestic flights

Coming soon!

• Enjoy spectacular scenery while sampling fabulous Argentine malbecs
• Scenic biking at your preferred pace
• Sample Argentinas gourmet culinary specialties
• Picnic at the foothills of the mighty Mount Aconcagua
• 6 Days / 5 Nights

Coming soon!