Cuyo & Centro in All Its Glory:
Between Valleys, Vineyards, and Mountains

15 Days - 14 Nights

Day 1 - Discovering San Juan

Reception at San Juan Airport and transfer to the hotel.

We embark on a tour of the city and its surroundings, discovering together the main historical and cultural attractions. We visit the Birthplace of Sarmiento, the Cathedral, and take a peripheral tour around the Bicentennial Theater, also stopping at the Juan Victoria Auditorium. The Birthplace of Sarmiento preserves personal items, period furniture, and documents that allow us to learn about the life and legacy of Sarmiento. Its architecture is typical of the 19th century, with internal courtyards, tiled roofs, and adobe walls. It is an ideal place to appreciate Argentine history while connecting with the everyday life of that time. We then head to enjoy regional production, continuing to explore some of the San Juan wineries, such as Merced del Estero, Aceitera Campo de Olivos, or Finca Sierras Azules, where we discover the essence of local flavors and admire the Ullum Dam, a great engineering work located on the San Juan River, surrounded by mountains and vineyards, with tranquil waters of intense blue color. It is ideal for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and water sports. You can also enjoy coastal walks, picnics, and photography, especially at sunset, when the reflection of the sun on the water creates memorable views. Please note that the mentioned locations may be replaced with others depending on availability and services. On Sundays, we prioritize the landscapes to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. It is important to highlight that entrance fees to wineries or olive oil factories are not included in the tour.

Day 2 - Wine Route: Vineyards & Wineries

On this tour we immerse ourselves in the fascinating world of San Juan wine by touring some of its most prominent wineries. We visit Bodega Viñas de Segisa, whose beautiful old building transports us through time as we discover its wine‑making history and tradition. We continue to the organic sparkling‑wine house Miguel Más, a unique establishment that produces sparkling wines following natural and sustainable processes, combining innovation with respect for the land. Then we head to Bodega Fabril Alto Verde, recognized for producing excellent organic wines that reflect the purity of the San Juan terroir. Also part of this circuit are the Bodegas Las Marianas and La Guarda, each with their particular character, offering the visitor a sensory journey among aromas, textures and flavors. At each winery we enjoy a guided tasting, where we learn to appreciate the nuances of wine with all our senses. During the experience we visit three of these establishments, although admission to the wineries is not included. Each establishment has its own style: some specialize in young fresh wines; others in sparkling wines or in artisanal productions that incorporate family techniques handed down from generation to generation. This circuit allows us to discover the diversity, the history and the passion that make San Juan one of Argentina’s most important wine regions.

Day 3 - Ischigualasto Provincial Park: Valle Fértil & Valley of the Moon

Full‑day excursion to Valle Fértil and the mythical Valley of the Moon, beginning our adventure headed toward the heart of the San Juan desert. We depart for Valle Fértil, enjoying the impressive scenery along the route as we approach Ischigualasto Provincial Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 2000 for its extraordinary geological and paleontological value. Here we make the traditional daytime visit to the Valley of the Moon, comprised of four main stations: Valle Pintado, Cancha de Bochas, El Submarino and El Hongo, in an internal route of approximately 40 kilometers that allows us to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of its geo‑forms. During the visit, we also explore the William Sill Interpretation Center, where we learn about the geological and paleontological history of the region. This place transports us to the Triassic period, about 230 million years ago, when the first mammals and dinosaurs appeared, among them one of the oldest found: the Eoraptor Lunensis. Each formation, from Valle Pintado to El Hongo, amazes us with its colors and shapes that seem sculpted by an artist, creating a surreal landscape that seems suspended in time. To reach Ischigualasto we travel via National Route 150, enjoying the views of Valle Fértil and its unique surroundings. Note that the entrance to the park is not included, and during the route, each visitor can delight in the natural and historical richness of this jewel of the San Juan desert.

Note: The Ischigualasto & Talampaya natural parks contain a complete sequence of continental fossiliferous sediments representing the entire Triassic period (about 45 million years) of geological history, says UNESCO. Imagine a plain populated by plants climbing over one another, with lagoons, swamps and strange reptiles moving among vegetation. That’s what this place was millions of years ago, in the Mesozoic Era, when the Andes had not yet existed and the Earth was a uniform mass not yet divided into continents. Hard to believe now, facing this blue sky that seems never to know rain; the greyish, arid, rocky ground, the gigantic red cliffs rising in the distance, and the strange rock shapes that alter the landscape. The stars of the itinerary are the gigantic stone figures sculpted over millennia by erosion and which popular imagination whimsically named: “El Gusano” (The Worm), “La Esfinge” (The Sphinx), “El Submarino” (The Submarine), “El Hongo” (The Mushroom). Not long ago one colossal figure called “La Lámpara de Aladino” collapsed, but as consolation, nature is a tenacious sculptor continuing to carve its work through wind erosion, rains, and temperature changes. The Earth, which until the Triassic period—about 225 million years ago—was inhabited only by plants and invertebrates, began to be invaded by reptiles. Here in Ischigualasto are found the remains of reptiles with mammalian characteristics among the oldest on Earth, which may explain key links in the evolution of species.

Day 4 - Talampaya National Park, La Rioja

We depart from Villa Unión with the objective of visiting Talampaya National Park. Villa Unión has about 6,000 inhabitants and lies in a valley between the pre‑cordillera and the formidable Famatina mountain chain, about 60 kilometers from the park.

Talampaya is a natural reserve containing archaeological and paleontological deposits, due to the large number of fossils found, such as *Lagosuchus talampayensis*, a Mesozoic era reptile. In summary, this park is the product of intense tectonic movements and wind erosion over millions of years. It covers 215,000 hectares, is famous for its incredible red rock cliffs and the various sculptural figures formed by wind erosion, and is a nesting site for condors. Its rocks date from the Triassic period of the Mesozoic Era, and the footprints of the first dinosaurs are recorded. Then we return to Villa Unión to spend the night or we return to San Juan. If you wish to see other excursion options in La Rioja, click here: Tours in La Rioja.

Note: The rock art of Talampaya Constitutes one of the most valuable indigenous manifestations in our country. The engravings on rocks located at the foot of the cliffs number over one hundred, representing stylized human figures, rhea footprints, felines and various signs and geometric figures still not interpreted. The most important core, called “Los Pizarrones,” is located along the bed of a seasonal stream tributary of the Talampaya River, on a smooth, flat rock sector of about fifteen meters long covered with engravings (petroglyphs) sculpted several centuries before the conquest. Remains of dwellings and stone walls, fragments of fired clay, lithic material from stone tool manufacture were also found in the area. It is presumed that in those times, about one thousand years ago, the climate was somewhat more humid.
Greater abundance of permanent water, vegetation and fauna would have facilitated the settlement of stable human groups and the development of their artistic, rock and craft expressions. Another natural attribute of great importance in the Talampaya area is its paleontological value. The entire valley between the Sierras de Sañogasta and Morada is of the same Triassic origin as the adjacent region of Ischigualasto or the Moon Valley in San Juan Province. These two natural areas are separated by the Sierra Morada. Before the uplift of the Andes, about 160 million years ago, these lands were low, swampy and humid, with lush tropical vegetation, ferns and large trees covered in lianas, populated by a varied fauna of aquatic and terrestrial reptiles, herbivores and carnivores, all of considerable size. The sedimentary rocks of the region house fossils corresponding to that prehistoric flora and fauna.

Day 5 - Barreal, Calingasta Valley & Pampa del Leoncito (Astronomical Observatory)

We set off to Pampa del Leoncito, then we go to the Astronomical Observatory and the Cerro Alcázar. During this mountain road, we see the cerro Villicúm, the Quebrada de las Burras, Talacasto town, entering Calingasta up to the Barreal. From there we go to Pampa del Leoncito where wind-car is practised thanks to the sustained winds that blow more than 80km per hour. The wind-car is a small vehicle with 2 car wheels at the back and a motorbike wheel at the front, it has a fuselage and a mast made of aluminium to be light and be able to move with great impulse. The Pampa del Leoncito also called Barreal Blanco is a geological structure next to the Barreal town, where a natural reserve has been created. It is a plain with arid and cracked soil 15km long per 5km wide, which before was the bottom basin of a lake, without vegetation of any kind, similar to a spider web.

The vision is atypical and the white colour is very deep. We can observe the impressive Mercedario Mount 6,772m high and then have lunch at the Barreal. It is the most important tourist centre of the valley, a town with dirt streets and beautiful poplars, where we will also visit the astronomical complex El Leoncito. It is an observatory located at the foot of the mountain range, 2,500m over sea level, in the San Juan Astronomical Reserve, occupying almost 70,000 hectares, being an excellent place to observe the space. Once again in San Juan, we will enjoy a spectacular view of the Cerro Alkázar. If you want to see other excursion options in San Juan, click here: Tours in San Juan.

Day 6 - From San Juan to Mendoza

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel in San Juan to the San Juan bus terminal. Reception and transfer from the Mendoza bus terminal to the hotel.

Day 7 - Discovering Mendoza

We dedicate half a day to visit the city of Mendoza, famous for its legendary trees, wide sidewalks and its great order and cleanliness. Founded over 400 years ago by the first colonists, this city offers a lot of history and culture. We will visit La Alameda, the historical zone where Pedro del Castillo founded this large city in 1561, where most shops and civic life was concentrated until it disappeared with the 1861 earthquake. The town council was, in the old days, where the Foundational Area Museum is nowadays. There are still remains of what once was the San Francisco church. We continue to the new city, post-earthquake. We visit its principal avenues, the downtown, the Plaza Independencia

(Independence Square), the civic neighbourhood with the Government House, the Law Courts and the General San Martin Park going along the Civit Avenue, entering the park through the Portones (Gates). We can enjoy the beautiful woods in the park, as well as the Rosedal (rose garden) next to the lake and the clubs located in the area. We also meet the Caballitos de Marly (Marly Little Horses, replica of the ones in Paris), the Fuente de los Continentes (the Fountain of the Continents), etc. Then we climb the Cerro de La Gloria (The Glory Mount) where there is a monument to the Ejercito Libertador (the Liberator Army) and very near it, the Greek theatre Frank Romero Day.

Day 8 - Maipú Wine & Olive Experience: Tastings & Landscapes

Breakfast at the hotel. We invite you to discover the rich history of our emblematic Malbec, learning about oenology and enjoying beautiful landscapes in the Maipú region, an area recognized for producing some of the country’s best wines and olive oils. Accompanied by our expert wine guide, we visit two wineries, with options depending on availability such as Vistandes, Cavas de Don Arturo, Domiciano, Florio, Cecchin, Esencia or Viña del Cerno, where tastings of their finest wines are held, the secrets of winemaking are revealed, and the history and tradition of each winery are explored. During the visit the peculiarities of each grape variety, production processes and the evolution of winemaking techniques are highlighted, offering participants a complete and enriching journey through Mendoza’s wine culture. Besides the wineries, we visit a boutique olive oil factory, with options depending on availability such as Pasrai, Laur or Centenario, where a guide explains in detail the production process of Argentine olive oil and it concludes with a tasting of different oils, balsamic vinegar, artisanal pastas and various types of olives, enjoying the characteristic aromas and flavors of the region. This tour offers a comprehensive experience combining learning, authentic tastes, unique landscapes and the opportunity to get up close to the excellence of Mendoza’s gourmet products, enjoying the company of a specialized guide who shares his knowledge and passion for oenology and local gastronomy.

Day 9 - High Mountain Road: Puente del Inca & Aconcagua

Breakfast at the hotel. We begin our exciting High Mountain Road excursion from Mendoza, traveling along the famous National Route No. 7 that takes us through breathtaking landscapes. The first stop, after passing through the Cacheuta village tunnel, is the impressive Potrerillos Dam, nestled in the Andes Mountains, where you'll have the chance to take unforgettable photos with the High Peaks in the background. We continue upstream to reach the mountain town of Uspallata, a place full of history that was home to the Huarpe indigenous people in pre-Hispanic times and marks the transition between the foothills and the front mountain range. Here, we’ll stop for breakfast before continuing our journey through a mountain landscape that includes the charming villages of Picheuta, Polvaredas and Punta de Vacas, and a view of the old Los Penitentes ski resort. The tour continues with one of the most anticipated moments: the visit to Puente del Inca, a natural monument of extraordinary geological beauty recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further on, we’ll enjoy a stop at the viewpoint of Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas and the second highest in the world after the Himalayas—an ideal place to marvel at the majesty of the Andes. Finally, we reach Las Cuevas, a picturesque village on the border with Chile, built in a distinct European style, where we’ll enjoy a Mendoza-style lunch in a traditional mountain restaurant. If weather conditions permit, the tour ends with a visit to the Cristo Redentor, an emblematic monument symbolizing the union between Argentina and Chile. This tour is a unique experience that invites you to connect with high mountain nature, explore the stunning Puente del Inca, admire the majestic Aconcagua up close, and enjoy unforgettable corners of the Andes Mountains. Not included: cost of breakfast, cost of lunch, and cost of rental clothing or snow boots if necessary during the winter season.

Day 10 - Atuel River Canyon

Breakfast at the hotel. We set off from San Rafael towards the Cuesta de los Terneros to go to Dique Valle Grande and the Atuel river. We stop at the San Francisco de Asis lookout point to enjoy a terrific sight of the city and the canyon. After several kilometres we enter El Nihuil which is impressive for the depth of its lake. We rest and may have lunch (not included). We set off to the Atuel Canyon, to be trapped by a landscape of pure beauty, typical of the andean ecosystem, due to the erosive action of winds and water creating natural sculptures becoming awesome landforms, fanciful shapes of mother nature such as Museo de Cera (Wax Museum), el Lagarto (the Alligator), Los Monstruos (the Monsters), Los Jardines Colgantes (The Hanging Gardens) or La Ciudad Encantada (The Haunted City), etc. The canyon is formed by the Atuel river, Valle Grande Reservoir and El Nihuil. We make a short

walk along the canyon to arrive at the Valle Grande. The ones who want adventure tourism, can enjoy rafting, rappel or a boat voyage (all these activities must be booked at destination).

Day 11 - From Mendoza to Córdoba

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from the hotel in Mendoza to Mendoza Airport. Reception and transfer from Córdoba Airport to the hotel.

Day 12 - Discovering Córdoba & Alta Gracia

We take a tour of the most emblematic sites of the city, which allows us to learn about its history, architecture, and cultural life. We begin by visiting the Historic Center, where we admire the majestic Cathedral Church, a religious and architectural symbol of the city, the historic Cabildo, witness to the most important events in the region, and San Martín Square, a green space that combines history, art, and the daily life of Cordobans. We continue our walk towards the Jesuit Block, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000, where the impressive colonial architecture and cultural importance of this area for the foundation and development of Córdoba stand out. Later, we head to the Nueva Córdoba neighborhood, one of the most dynamic areas in economic, cultural, and recreational terms, where historic buildings blend with modern spaces of art, gastronomy, and entertainment. Nearby, we visit the Church of the Capuchins, a mid-20th-century neo-Gothic construction, the Paseo del Buen Pastor, a cultural and artistic center combining art, gastronomy, and public spaces, the Superior Museum of Fine Arts Palacio Ferreyra, with its rich collection of Argentine and Latin American art, and the Emilio Caraffa Museum of Contemporary Art, a reference for current artistic expressions. Finally, we stroll through Sarmiento Park, one of the oldest in South America, designed by the famous French architect Carlos Thays, a space that combines nature, history, and recreation, ideal to close our tour of the city.

Alta Gracia is a city full of history and tradition, a place where the Jesuits left an invaluable legacy and where their influence is still felt, transmitted through their teachings and architecture. It is also the land where the majestic Sierras Hotel stands, which in its heyday welcomed illustrious visitors from all over the world; the corner chosen by the great Spanish composer Manuel de Falla to spend the last years of his life; and the place where the legendary Che Guevara lived a happy childhood that would forever mark his personal history. All this makes Alta Gracia a fascinating city, waiting for you to discover its charms. Our tour begins departing from Córdoba heading south, crossing one of the city’s most important industrial and commercial areas. Along the way, we are surprised by the enigmatic monument to Myriam Stefford, Argentina’s first female aviator, whose story shrouds this part of the journey in mystery. Once in Alta Gracia, we start the visit at the Virrey Liniers Museum, located in the magnificent building of the old Jesuit Estancia, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There we also enter the church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy and admire the emblematic Tajamar, a water mirror that is one of the city’s most recognized symbols, from where you can see the Tajamar Tower, built to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the founding of Alta Gracia. We continue the tour at Villa Nydia, better known as the Che’s House, the residence of the Guevara family, which today recalls Ernestito’s childhood during his stay in this city through objects and testimonies. Additionally, visitors have the chance to visit other museums and points of interest, such as the Manuel de Falla Museum, which preserves the memory of the famous composer; the Dubois Museum, which houses archaeological and anthropological pieces of great value; and the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, a space of deep spirituality and devotion. Without a doubt, Alta Gracia is a destination that combines history, culture, and memory, inviting every traveler to live an enriching experience. Does not include entrance fees to museums, parks, and/or reserves, nor meals.

Day 13 - The Jesuit Estancias Route

In this tour, we head north to visit three of the Jesuit Estancias declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Colonia Caroya, Jesús María, and Santa Catalina, all located along the old Camino Real to Upper Peru. The first stop is in Colonia Caroya, a town marked by Italian immigration, whose influence is still present in the artisanal production of pasta, cheese, ham, salami, and wine. Here, we find the Jesuit Estancia founded in 1616, which became a key point in the system organized by the Jesuits. Next, we continue to the city of Jesús María, crossing the grounds where Argentina’s largest Festival of Horseback Riding and Folklore is held every January, to visit the Estancia de Jesús María, built in 1618. Its museum invites us to explore rooms of great value, particularly the archaeological collection and the Cusco sacred art. Finally, we arrive at the Estancia de Santa Catalina, founded in 1622, known for its monumental church, considered one of the most outstanding examples of colonial Baroque in Argentina. During its heyday, Santa Catalina was an important livestock production center with thousands of cattle, sheep, and mules, which supplied the entire region. At the end of our circuit, we head back to the city of Córdoba, crossing the picturesque Sierras Chicas area. The history of these estancias is best understood by remembering that the Society of Jesus, founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola in 1540, was one of the most influential Catholic orders in the world. Between 1599, the year of their arrival in Córdoba, and 1767, when they were expelled by order of King Carlos III of Spain, the Jesuits developed a vast cultural, social, and economic system that left an indelible mark on the province, and whose legacy can still be felt today in these heritage treasures. Entrance fees to Museums, Parks, and/or Reserves, and Meals are not included.

Day 14 - La Cumbrecita

The excursion invites us to discover one of the most charming jewels of the Sierras of Córdoba: La Cumbrecita, the first pedestrian village in Argentina and South America, a place that seems to transport us to an authentic Central European landscape in the middle of the Calamuchita Valley. The tour begins in the morning, crossing picturesque towns such as Alta Gracia, Anizacate, La Bolsa, Villa Los Aromos, La Serranita, and La Rancherita. From Villa Ciudad de América, nature offers us unforgettable postcards with panoramic views of the Los Molinos Reservoir, where we pause at one of its viewpoints to contemplate the serenity of the lake framed by mountains. Continuing the ascent to the Sierras Grandes, we reach 1,450 meters above sea level, where La Cumbrecita is located, a village declared a multiple-use reserve. Its streets are exclusively for pedestrians, and there flourish coniferous forests and Alpine-style buildings that evoke life in an Alpine village. There we take a walk along the traditional circuit, visiting emblematic spots such as La Olla, the Ecumenical Church, and the picturesque Waterfall, where water and greenery blend into a dreamlike natural setting. The experience continues in Villa General Belgrano, a town founded by German immigrants, famous for its Tyrolean architecture, exquisite Central European gastronomy, and craft beer production. Its celebrations, such as Oktoberfest, the Alpine Chocolate Festival, and the Viennese Dough Festival, have made it a cultural icon of the region. On the way back, we take an alternative provincial route that leads us through the town of Los Reartes and the tributaries of Lake Los Molinos — rivers such as Los Reartes, Del Medio, Los Espinillos, and San Pedro — crossing Potrero de Garay and Villa Ciudad de América, closing a day where nature, history, and traditions combine in an unforgettable experience.

Day 15 - Córdoba

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Córdoba International Airport. End of our services.