GRAN MENDOZA

LAS HERAS
It begins north of the City of Mendoza, and extends to the sector named the Alta Montaņa or High Mountain area. It is centred on San Martin Avenue, and includes El Challao, the El Plumerillo camp and the airport, and it reaches the borders of Villavicencio.

0f varying altitude (between 1900 and 2500 m.a.s.l.), it is located between the Tigre Mountain Range, the foothills of the Andes , the Bonilla Colorado range, and the Cordillera de los Andes itself, its different parts thrive due to the help of tributaries such as San Alberto and Uspallata, which allow for graceful boulevards and attractive forest areas.

Human activity in the area dates back to pre-Columbian times, with site of primitive dwellings reflected in Tunduqueral rock paintings and the Camino del Inca Highway. We can find remains of the stone walls of ancient Inca rest and supply stations, so called Tambos in Ranchillos, Fundicion, Tambillos and Yalguaraz.

During the Viceroyalty it was an important post on the Camino Real (Royal Highway) as well as a mining centre. During the wars of Independence it had an important role in General San Martin's campaign as a route used by General Las Heras to go across the Andes.

Among its historical monuments, the Bovedas de Uspallata are outstanding. They are colonial buildings which date back to the end of the XV century, and were used as a smelting furnace for local metals. The foundry was part of the mining complex of Paramillos. They were built with mud and stone walls, and had vaulted ceilings made with mud and straw.

Nearby we can practice sport fishing, mountain climbing, adventure tourism and cultural or vacational tourism.

El Challao
It is a picturesque recreational area the traveller where the traveller could get, departing from the San Martin Park gates. You go along Del Libertador Avenue to the third roundabout past the university campus. Then the road will divide in two, but you must take to the north, along Marcelino Champagnat Avenue, until you reaach La Colina street. After crossing the bridge over the ditch, you will reach the Dalvian residential area, and then turning left you will find the entrance.

In the vicinity of El Challao, the traveller enjoys a first sight of La Angostura Hill, with the "Cristo de los Cerros", a huge cross holding a hanging Christ that blesses the city. Its esplanade is quite a glorious lookout point covered with pines, eucalyptus and aguaribaye trees.

El Challao goes from San Martin Park to the "Cordon de Las Lajas". It has all the necessary comforts for camping, and a hotel with hot springs, as well as discos, coffee shops, a bicycle and motor bike circuit. The resort area known as Challaolandia includes an amusement park, ski lifts, horse rentals and picnic areas.

The Nuestra Seņora del Lourdes Sanctuary
This sanctuary has an old chapel, with its walls completely covered by pledges made by the faithful, as well as a modern temple which resembles a modern glazed amphitheatre with a capacity of three thousand people. It has been an important pilgrimage centre for more than 25 years. On the night of February 11th, hundreds of devout believers set off from the City of Mendoza and travel the long distance on foot.

The Hotel Termal
Immersed in a foothill landscape, at 900 m.a.s.l, surrounded by small hills everywhere, it is a comfortable and peaceful place: a good alternative to cure rheumatic illnesses close to the City of Mendoza. The Zoological Garden
In a 50 has area, on the forested slopes of the La Gloria Hill, we find one of the best zoos in South America. The traveller has the possibility of choosing a short or long tour, which will always include a winding course through humid and shady spots, accompanied by eucalyptus, elm and aguaribaye trees. Over 700 animals live in a total of 110 enclosures, each one faithfully reproducing their natural habitat.

El Plumerillo Historical Camp
It is located 19 kms from the City of Mendoza, going north along the San Martin Av, and then along N° 52 Provincial Route. It was the camp where general don Jose de San Martin trained his troops before organizing the Andes Army and beginning the campaign to liberate Chile and Peru. Its most outstanding building has the general's bedroom-cabinet, the officers pavilion and the barracks where the soldiers were lodged. It walls are made of adobe bricks, the roofs of reeds and straw, a sand floor and leather doors.

Canota
It is sited 25 kms north of the City of Mendoza, passing the airport. It is a monument in honor of the "Ejercito de los Andes" Army. It consists of two large stone walls that mark the geographical spot where the columns commanded by the Argentinean leaders Las Heras and San Martin separated from the troops led by Chilean General O'Higgins during the 1817 campaign. The area has many water springs.

Villavicencio
At 45 kms from the City of Mendoza, on the road to Uspallata, we find the Villavicencio Natural Reserve. It covers 70,000 has, and was created to protect the biological, historical, cultural and archaeological diversity. It was created on the year 2001 after the signing of an agreement between the Mendoza local government and French NGO Agua Danone. Among the native flora kept here we find sweet carob, sarsaparrilla, broom, marancel, myrtle and others. Its fauna includes guanacos, mountain cats, pumas, chinchillas, grey and red foxes, condors and the so called choique.

Here we find, at 1,800 m.o.s.l. the Villavicencio hot springs, famous for the mineral and healing properties of its waters. The interesting Hotel Termas de Villavicencio stands on the site, with a Norman-style design, which since the early XX century has become the classic image of the Mendoza Mountains. The hotel is surrounded by fabulous parks and gardens that are, in themselves, an unforgettable place for a walk at any time of the year.

Villavicencio's waters are mythicaly delicious and healing. They are born out of every drop of water that falls from the Aconcagua (6959 m.a.s.l.). They enter to the heart of the mountain and come out again to the surface, driven by strong pressures and high temperatures, forming springs at 1,750 m.a.sl.

The Caracoles de Villavicencio or the Camino de las 365 Curvas Road
It is a curious road also known as the "one-year-route". It starts in Paso Caracoles and goes as far as Cruz de Paramillos (3200 m.a.s.l.). In the old days it was the only road that would take you Chile.

At the present time it is a cliffhanging road from where you cn watch interesting flora and fauna, besides a spectacular view of the mountains.

There are two lookout points nearby, the Alas Delta and the El Balcon, which offer imposing scenic views of the area. From El Balcon we can watch a spectacular precipice 600 ms deep, caused by a giant land fracture. "La Cruz del Paramillo" is another spot on the road the traveller might like to visit. From there we can take pleasure in a panoramic view of the Uspallata Valley.

The Wine Museum
It is located a few ms away from the Bodega Giol Winery. It was built in the year 1910 and it possesses assorted architectural styles. Guided tours are carried out all year round. Its address is Ozamis street N° 914.