With the Andes mountain range as a backdrop, this circuit runs through the southwest of Mendoza and proposes a path that joins San Rafael with malargue. In the surroundings of both cities, the geological activity, especially of volcanic origin, determined sites of unique attraction, even worldwide.

Caves, lagoons, summits and valleys can be visited in one day. Some destinations require a special vehicle and guide due to the conditions of the routes, which, in many cases, advance to inaccessible places and where it is easy to get lost. Others are easy to approach by asphalt.

Those who visit the area outside the winter period will be able to extend their days in the woods. The region has proposals for fans of trekking and horseback riding, activities that show the other life of the valley, when the ski center closes.

The stable

Santiago Germano 305. P: (260) 468-6435

Boutique hotel that occupies the facilities of an old estate of vineyards and fruit trees. There are six rooms with private bathrooms that overlook a beautiful park. The plus: their owners attend. Stays with breakfast and the possibility of using the crockery and the grill of the place.

Farm El Maiten

1405 Market. P: (260) 451-6690

Just 10 minutes from downtown, in Cuadro Benegas, a house from the 1960s refurbished as a boutique hotel. There are six rooms decorated with great taste and comfort. Pool and park of poplars, pines and willows. They reopen in October 2022 with a brand new cellar and wine.

Chaglasian Wine & Suites

Valentin Bianchi 1600. P: (260) 406-2947

Boutique hotel with six spacious suites surrounded by ten hectares of its own vineyard, on the outskirts of the city. Pool and cellar. In summer they inaugurate six more rooms on the upper floor of the cellar and also left.

The Matera

El Vencedor 5300. T: (11) 2462-1804 (Whatsapp only)

Boutique inn located within an organic olive farm, 15 km from downtown. It has three rooms decorated with taste. Their owners, Cristina and Laura, who are mother and daughter, serve there. They have their own garden and farm animals. They serve delicious breakfasts.

The victory

The Moor 3450, Benegas Box. T: (261) 471-7946. Facebook: Victory Inn

Four-bedroom inn 11 km from downtown San Rafael. Around, a beautiful park with a small vineyard. They also serve dinner.

The Old Still Life

Hipólito Yrigoyen 2299. P: (260) 440-7737/ 455-0000

The site replicates Buenos Aires still lifes with an atmosphere that recovers tango, soccer and popular idols. The star dish: La Menduca dough meat, macerated in wine with vegetables and herbs. They recently added a grill. Generous portions and reasonable prices. All days, mid-day and night.

Sierra Negra Tourism Adventure 4×4

T: (11) 5162-0065

Personalized tours in 4×4. Circuits Atuel & Diamante, there are rafting and doki options in Valle Grande. Also exits to the mountain range: El Sosneado, Valle Hermoso and Laguna del Diamante. These choices include a mountain picnic.

Bruni Adventure

98 Balloffett Ave. P: (260) 406-4238

Two-hour tour of the Nihuil Dunes, in a 4×4 truck and for small groups.

Diamond Travel

Av. Hipólito Yrigoyen 824. T: (0260) 443-2455

The excursion to the Salinas del Diamante and the Termas de El Sosneado takes place from October to April. They also offer: Atuel Canyon, Atuel Canyon with Nihuil Dunes, Los Reyunos, Cacheuta Hot Springs, Las Leñas.

Nautical and Fishing Club

Los Reyunos Reservoir

Extreme Tourism Adventure

RP 173 Km 28.7. T: (260) 467-1197

With 16 years of experience, they offer rides down the Atuel River.

The Bee Winery

Hipólito Yrigoyen 1900. T: (260) 467-1836/ 443-9804

Historic winery from 1883. Free visits: April to December, Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Hours vary during the summer and at harvest time.

Borges’s Labyrinth

Los Alamos Estate, Calle Bombal s/n. T: (260) 463-8780. Facebook: Borges’s Labyrinth

Designed by Randoll Coate, the site is a tribute to the writer Jorge Luis Borges, a friend of Susana Bombal, owner of the Los Álamos ranch. It was promoted by his great-nephew Camilo Aldao (h) and finished by the family in 2003. Every day from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Silver Crag

El Planchón Pass 815. T: (260) 434-6554

A classic in the city with rooms of varied formats: singles, doubles and triples, as well as suites. The seven-hectare park, originally a golf course, has three man-made ponds and sheep keeping the grass short. The restaurant has a varied menu of pastas and meats.

Malargue Inn & Suite

RN 40 Km 2956. T: (260) 447-2300

A four-star hotel with 80 three- and four-star rooms. The stay includes buffet breakfast with special emphasis on pastries. In the restaurant, a menu with local cuisine options.

Cabins The Renewals

West Villegas 1231. T: (0260) 447-0814/ 458-3492

Located on the outskirts of town, this log cabin resort is surrounded by a small forest. The owners attend personally and the stay includes breakfast and maid service every other day.

Cabins Mount Coiron

pje. Pehuenche 235. P: (260) 440-8924

In the Cañada Colorada neighborhood, the complex simulates a “mountain village” designed with a park, grills, a clay oven, outdoor tables and a heated pool. The cabins and the aparts have different dimensions.

Turcara Adventures

RN 40 Km 2911. T: (260) 453-5908. Facebook: Turkey Adventures

Trails, bridges and zip lines, surrounded by imposing walls. The property has grills and games for children. If you have lunch there, the hit is the double goat meat burger.

Pierre Auger Observatory

Av. San Martin Norte 304. T: (260) 447-1562

Every day from 10 to 12 and from 15 to 17. Free.

Karen Travel

Av. San Martin 54. T: (260) 463-1594

Santiago Cara is a pioneer guide in La Payunia. He has been operating this destination for almost 26 years. The tour includes mid-morning breakfast, lunch, and snacks. Other outings: Cajón Grande hot springs, Las Leñas and Valle Hermoso.

Mainland

P: (260) 433-9120 (Whatsapp only)

Ricardo Soliz specializes in the Mendoza valleys and in 4×4 outings. Check for surrounding destinations.

Marisa Berdu

T: (260) 460-4130

Guide service. Marisa is a superior technician in Tourism and accurately reports on La Payunia, the Malacara volcano, the Valles Circuit (Los Molles, Las Leñas, Hermoso) and the Cajón Grande hot springs. Coordinate in advance.

Labyrinths Carmona

P: (260) 458-5114/ 464-5238. Facebook: Labyrinths Carmona

Every day, from 10 to 19.30.

White Plain Geopark

Route 40 Km 2874, Bardas Blancas area. T: (260) 462-6527. Facebook: White Plain Geopark

The program begins with a gentle trekking that visits the old ranch, the settlement of native peoples, the petrified monkey puzzle tree forest and various geological formations. They have a parador-restaurant. Recommended: the vacuum and the flame ribs. From Thursday to Sunday. In winter, departures are at 11 am, 2 pm and 5 pm. In summer one more is added.

Tourism Directorate of Malargüe

Ortega Passage. T: (260) 480-1708. [email protected]

They manage the shifts of the exits that require them, such as Payunia, Caverna de las Brujas or Reserva Llancanelo. They can also be obtained online through this link. Shifts are paid by Rapipago, Pago Fácil or Mercado Pago and you must have proof of payment when you show up for the excursion.

The legacy

Route 222 Km 30, Los Molles. T: (260) 440-5786

Six cabins surrounded by the immensity of the valley, with capacity for two to eight people. They were set in a rustic tone with carpentry details made by the owner himself, Cristian Piaser. Open all year.

the woods

In Mendoza, T: (260) 447-2031. In Buenos Aires, T: (11) 4819-6060

In summer (between December and Easter), the ski center becomes a natural adventure center for the family. Trekking, mountain biking, chairlift rides, horseback riding, climbing and quad and 4×4 tours are offered in combination with Malargüe operators.