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Mendoza, Uspallata & the High Andes Road: 3-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

Last updated: 2026-10-03

The 3-day version for January: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight.

Use this plan → Customize this plan →

days

195 km

distance

4.3 h

in transit

curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

A three-day November–March journey from Mendoza through Uspallata to Puente del Inca and the reserved Horcones lagoon walk. Check current mountain weather, RN 7 road conditions and park access before travelling.

Before you go · check live details

This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Plan a gradual high-altitude day and turn back if symptoms or weather worsen.
Horcones begins near 2,800 metres. Hydrate, use sun and cold protection, keep the public circuit conservative and seek medical advice for individual risk.
Check source ↗
Wineries, tastings, ascents, trekking and border crossings are not included.
Wine appointments, guided activities, climbing, long treks and any Chile crossing require separate dated reservations, documents, operators and safety checks.
Check source ↗
Check RN 7 and high-mountain weather immediately before travel.
Confirm the road is open to Uspallata, Puente del Inca and Horcones, plus wind, snow, ice, rockfall, avalanche controls, daylight and the safe return or onward plan. A border opening does not guarantee every local attraction is accessible.
Check source ↗
This planning draft assumes you arrange a compliant car or licensed High Andes transfer.
Confirm vehicle, licence, insurance, fuel, breakdown support, luggage and the one-way finish near Puente del Inca. Carry chains when required and do not continue toward the border when RN 7 controls or weather make travel unsafe.
Check source ↗
Allow extra time at Horcones for parking and showing your advance ticket.
The plan reserves 20 minutes before the approximately two-hour circuit and 10 minutes afterwards as an editorial buffer for parking, ticket presentation and the short walk. These are planning allowances, not measured walking times or admission appointments. Confirm your dated ticket, current access and weather before travelling.
Last updated 2026-10-03
Check source ↗

Day 1 Mendoza

6 curated stops

Transit: 0h43
Finish: ~17:15
Temperature: 18.1°C–32.8°C
Rainy days: ~7
Daylight: 13.9h

09:00

Parque General San Martín en.wikivoyage.org map ↗

Spend an unhurried morning among the park’s gardens, lake and tree-lined avenues. The Cerro de la Gloria monument is a separate stop.

180 min · Mendoza · Check current public access and local conditions

12:10

Plaza Independencia search map ↗

Stroll around elegant buildings with street performances nearby.

50 min · Mendoza

13:10

Plaza España search map ↗

Admire Andalusian motifs and Spanish designs in this artistic square.

50 min · Mendoza

14:10

Paseo Alameda turismo.ciudaddemendoza.gob.ar map ↗

Walk the tree-lined Alameda promenade and its public surroundings. This stop does not include the temporarily closed Casa de San Martín museum.

60 min · Mendoza · Check current public access and local conditions

15:20

Central Park search map ↗

Enjoy modern fountains and grassy hills with artists at work.

50 min · Mendoza

16:30

Cerro de la Gloria en.wikivoyage.org map ↗

See the Army of the Andes monument and the views over Mendoza from Cerro de la Gloria. Allow separately for the journey up the hill.

45 min · Mendoza · Check current public access and local conditions

Overnight here

e.g. Park Hyatt Mendoza · Sheraton Mendoza Hotel

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Uspallata

2 curated stops

Transit: 2h03
Finish: ~13:05
Temperature: 6.0°C–20.5°C
Rainy days: ~4
Daylight: 13.9h

10:55

Uspallata en.wikivoyage.org map ↗

Get your bearings in Uspallata’s public town centre and look out across the mountain valley. Las Bóvedas is a separate heritage visit.

60 min · Uspallata · Check current public access and local conditions

12:05

Museo Histórico de Las Bóvedas argentina.gob.ar map ↗

Visit the three adobe domes of Las Bóvedas and discover Uspallata’s mining history and links to the Army of the Andes. Check current museum admission before travelling.

60 min · Uspallata

Overnight here

Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Puente del Inca

2 curated stops

Transit: 1h30
Finish: ~13:55
Temperature: −1.4°C–13.0°C
Rainy days: ~1
Daylight: 13.9h

10:15

Puente del Inca informacionoficial.mendoza.gob.ar map ↗

View Puente del Inca’s natural mineral bridge from permitted public viewpoints and marked paths. Crossing the bridge and bathing in the thermal ruins are not included.

45 min · Puente del Inca · Check current public access and local conditions

11:35

Laguna de Horcones interpretive circuit informacionoficial.mendoza.gob.ar map ↗

With advance admission, walk Horcones’ self-guided lagoon circuit for views of Aconcagua. The park describes about two hours there and back, weather permitting.

120 min · Puente del Inca · Advance admission required; check the current fee.

🔍 Check before you book

Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

Sources (7)

Parque General San Martín — en.wikivoyage.orgPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase
Wikivoyage — MendozaCC BY-SA 4.0 (facts extracted; prose not redistributed)
Paseo Alameda — turismo.ciudaddemendoza.gob.arPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase
Uspallata — en.wikivoyage.orgPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase
Museo Histórico de Las Bóvedas — argentina.gob.arPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase
Puente del Inca — informacionoficial.mendoza.gob.arPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase
Laguna de Horcones interpretive circuit — informacionoficial.mendoza.gob.arPublic sources; original reviewed paraphrase

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