Mendoza to Bariloche road trip (self-drive or with private driver)

Today, we’ll head toward the high mountains circuit. This consists in a scenic road (Routa 7) that lies across the Andes Range, starting from the flats of Mendoza and ending in high altitude, surrounded by the highest mountains of the American Continent. The idea is to pass by Potrerillos, Uspallata, Puente del Inca, and the Provincial Park Aconcagua. From the distance, we’ll be able to appreciate the Aconcagua Mount, highest in the American continent (almost 7000 meters above the sea level).  We’ll return through the same road, and stay in “Potrerillos” for the night.    In total, today we’ll transit about 260 km (mostly paved road), and the activity will take us a full day.

We’ll leave the mountain circuit behind, and head toward the Uco Valley, which is the most wine-trendy region of Mendoza. The idea is to have some wine tastings and enjoy the views of the beautiful vineyards distributed around the valley.  If you self-drive, we can organize the itinerary in a way that you avoid driving & drinking (for instance staying in a wine lodge for the night, or hiring a private tour).  After our wine tour, we’ll continue south to San Rafael city, where we will stay this night.  We’ll transit about 250 km, combining paved with gravel road, depending on the road/s we take.   Full day.

Today, we’lll visit one of the icons of the southern part of Mendoza province:  The Atuel Canyon.  To reach, we’ll drive across Valle Grande, a green and beautiful valley traversed by the Atuel River. Right before reaching the Canyon, we’ll reach the “Valle Grande” dam, a huge dam that has given place to the existence of a colorful lake. Then, we pass from paved to gravel road, and drive along the 50 km formed by the Canyon.  The landscapes will be rocky, colorful, and with interesting shapes. The river will accompany us along the way.
Our next stop will be the Diamante Salt Flat, where will stop for a short walk.  This “salt desert” covers a big surface, and even though is not as big as those in Salta, Atacama, and Bolivia, it’s huge enough to surprise us!  There is a local firma that extracts salt from the field, and sells it for national consume. They have a shop there, where you can find different products related to the salt.
We’ll continue then to our final destination, the city “Malargue”, which will be our base for the adventures to come!
In total, we’ll drive for about 250 km (about % 25 gravel road, rest paved).

Half day excursion to the Malacara Volcano (this will be a guided excursion, doesn’t matter if you’re on a self-drive tour or coming with a private driver) to the Malacara Volcano.  This is an hyrdomagmatic volcano (was generated by the eruption and interaction of magma with water).  This is an inactive volcano, and the idea is to explore some of its caves, and also to contemplate the Payunia (volcanic field) from one of the high viewpoints. You’ll be able to experience this amazing volcano from its inside.
Afternoon free to rest or optional activities, such as visiting “Pozo de las Animas”, a picturesque lagoon at the end of a cliff (a hug hole).
Overnight in Malargue.

The Payunia is an area of around 4.500 km2 with a huge concentration of old volcanos.  The result of old eruptions and fragmented lava, mixed with the soil, offer surrealistic views: a surface with black sand and a few bunches of yellow grass spread around, guanacos running around, choiques (ñandu), and foxes… rare combinations to see.
The idea is to go with a guide and have a better comprehending about the volcanic history of the area, and to enjoy the views!
All the roads inside the reserve are dusty (gravel), which gives an even better feeling at the time of exploring.
Overnight in Malargue,  or in another village on the way to our next destination.

Leaving Payunia and Mendoza behind, we’ll continue driving down south until entering Patagonian territory, through the province of Neuquén.  The idea is to drive for about 5 hours (340 km of paved road), until reaching the small village called Chos Malal, where we’ll stay for the night.

After driving 120 km over paved road, and other 25 km of gravel road along Route 27, we’ll reach “Salto El Agrio”.
Santo del Agrio is an impressive waterfall of more than 45 high.  It falls from the Agrio river into a small lagoon, and it’s surrounded by a canyon made out of old volcanic activity. The basaltic rocks and the minerals in the water, produce a combination of different colors, including orange, ocher, and yellow.
After a short walk we’ll return to the car and drive to Caviahue, a touristic village about 16 km from the waterfall.
Time to explore the village and the surroundings, including the lagoon which is next to it, or the Spring Waters.
Overnight in Caviahue.

Until this day, the landscapes you have seen are connected to an arid ecosystem, transition between the Cuyo and Patagonian regions.  From now on, landscapes will turn greener.
We’ll head to Villa Pehuenia (about 4 hours away), northern gate to the Patagonian Lake District.  This is a small, picturesque village at the shores of Aluminé lake.
Upon arrival, free time to discover the area, including Moquehue, another -very small- village in the nearby.   This is a place in the heart of the Andes range (in a part with low altitude), with forests, rivers, and lakes.
Overnight in Villa Pehuenia.

Our plan for the next 3 days, is to visit part of the “Araucanía”, in Chile, taking Pucón as a base.
Pucón  (Chile) is 176 km (3:26 hs) away from Villa Pehuenia (Argentina), and some of the experiences you can enjoy are:

• Villarica Volcano:  scenic excursion or hike, with different levels of adventure.  Full day.
• Termas Geométricas: one of the most beautiful spring waters in Chile.  Half day.
• Huilo Huilo Reserve: a beautiful green area with lush vegetation and cascades. Full day.
• Visit the parasite craters and discover the volcanic activity in Pucón. Half day.

Today, we’ll return to Argentina, through a border passing that lies right next to the impressive Lanín Volcano (Argentina).   We’ll make a short stop over at the area of the Lanin (northern face), and continue then to San Martín de los Andes, a picturesque city in Argentinian Patagonia, at the shores of the lake Lacar.

The distance between Pucón and San Martín de los Andes is about 184 km (approx.. half a day, depending on the time at the border and the scenic stops you want to do).    Once in San Martín, enjoy tea and cake by the lake!

Optional:    just in case you want to have it as an alternative, there are 2 lakes in the southern area of Lanin National Park, which are called “Paimún” and “Huechulafquen”. These lakes are surrounded by Patagonian forest, mountains, and beautiful landscapes. You’d have to add 1 more day to your itinerary, and stay the night in a city between Pucón and San Martín,  called Junín de los Andes.

Take advantage of the day to visit a little bit of San Martín’s surroundings, and drive then to Villa La Angostura through the 7 Lakes road. This is a road of 110 km along the mytical Ruta 40, through pristine lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, and incredible views.   If you want to enjoy the views and stops, we suggest you to do it slowly and start early.

Overnight in Villa La Angostura.

We suggest you to enjoy the morning visiting the surroundings of Villa La Angostura, including places such as the “Arrayanes” forest  or the “Santa Ana and Dora” cascades.  Continue then to Bariloche (80 km), which will be the base for the next days.

Enjoy the capital of the lake district in Patagonia Argentina.  Among the activities you may like, you can find:

• Short circuit:  half day visit to the surroundings of the city, including panoramic viewpoints with incredible beauty, such as “Llao Llao” and “Campanario Hill”.
• Navigations on Lake Nahuel Huapi or other lakes:  there are different choices, such as “Puerto Blest & Cascada Los Cántaros” (full day),  “Brazo Tristeza” (full day).
• Active tours:  trekking to one or two of the many mountain shelters, such as Refugio Frey.   Rafting in the Manso River.   Kayaking in Lake Moreno or other area. Horseback riding, etc..
• Cerro Tronador: a huge mountain with a glacier on top.

End of the road trip from Mendoza to Bariloche!

In case you have more days and want to keep exploring the Patagonian lake district,  you could cross to Puerto Varas (Chile) by doing the “Lakes Crossing” navigation. This consists in crossing the Andean range through lakes and forests, combining a little bit of land transportation with different catamarans.   Then, once in Chile, you can make base in Puerto Varas and visit Volcan Osorno, Frutillar, Puerto Octay,  Chiloé, and other beautiful attractions!

We invite you to see our Argentina Tours, where you can experience the true Argentine culture.

If you liked this road trip, you may also like these ones:

Ruta 40 Argentina Road Trip

Patagonia Road Trip

Mendoza Road Trip