Departures: Mondays (depending on the weather conditions)
Duration: Full day
Distance: 250km in total
The Circuit “Cordón del Plata” starts in Mendoza city, going through incredibly beautiful places.
At the beginning, there are the neat vineyards of Luján de Cuyo, and then the Potrerillos dam, and the charming mountain villages forming this district; after crossing a path on a slope, which goes towards the Tunuyán department, the landscape changes and shows hillocks with pastures and vegetables orchards. The way continues near the snowy range of mountains and near the imposing Tupungato (6800 metres above the sea level).
Going through an area of crop farms producing different kinds of vegetables, the way takes you to the Uco Valley, which is formed by the departments of Tunuyán, Tupungato and San Carlos; there is one of the most fertile oases created by Man in the desert.
In Tunuyán, there is, among others, the monument to the Sanmartinean campaign, situated in the “Manzano Histórico”; there are a fish breeding station, apple orchards, and a cider factory.
In Tupungato, it is possible to taste delicious typical foods and from there you can take an excursion or go on a guided horseback ride. Another option can be to sleep on one of the mountain ranches, and go trekking on the Tupungato Volcano or some other peaks around there; another choice is to cross the Andes by horse.
That area offers multiple choices for ecotourism and for adventure tourism. There are different options of hotels, restaurants and camping sites.
Finally, the tour returns to Mendoza city by National Route 40.
