General Description
This tour offers an experience rich in Sanmartinian history, as we travel the route used by part of the Army of the Andes during its liberation campaign to Chile and Peru. We begin by taking the old route to Chile, a key path since it was the same one crossed by the Army of the Andes in 1817. Along the way, we pass by Cerro de la Cal, an area where minerals are extracted for the production of Portland cement.
Our first stop will be at the Canota Monument, a historic site symbolizing the separation of the columns of the Army of the Andes. This location stands as a testament to the important journey that marked a crucial chapter in the fight for independence.
Next, we arrive at Vaquerías post, the entrance to the Villavicencio Nature Reserve, an environmentally significant protected area. Here, we find an interpretation center that provides a deep understanding of the local flora and fauna, highlighting the area's biodiversity.
The Villavicencio Visitor Center and Hotel, along with the guided tour services (not included), are managed by the Villavicencio Foundation. This institution was founded with the goal of promoting an environmentally responsible citizenship centered on sustainability. Its main objectives include promoting environmental education and ecological values, encouraging scientific research focused on conservation, fostering environmental preservation, spreading the cultural and historical heritage of the region, and facilitating low-impact interpretative visits to showcase the natural and cultural legacy of Villavicencio.
After exploring this area, we continue the tour to the Villavicencio Hot Springs Hotel, where we will explore its beautiful gardens, perfectly integrated into the natural landscape. We will also visit the hotel's quaint chapel, which adds a historic and spiritual touch to the experience.
To conclude the tour, we ascend to the Caracoles viewpoint, from where we can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the valley. This is the perfect place to take in the surrounding mountainous landscape.
Finally, we return to Mendoza, completing a day filled with history, nature, and unforgettable landscapes.
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Additional Information
● Please provide full details of your accommodation at the time of booking. It is very important in this case to note that it is the passenger's obligation and sole responsibility to contact the local contact number one day before the service to confirm the exact pick-up point and time
● Be at the pick-up point 15 minutes before the tour starts
● The average hotel tour is 30 - 45 minutes late
● The passenger will receive a message from 7.30pm on the day before the tour to reconfirm your meeting point, a more approximate pick up time. The message will be sent to the phone number you have entered in your booking
● Normally the tour operates all year round. The Reserve usually closes in June each year (to be reconfirmed)
● Depending on the number of passengers and particular road conditions, 11, 15, 18 and 24 passenger units are used, suitable for the mountain and wooded roads of Mendoza. Exceptionally, smaller units are used
● We suggest you wear comfortable clothes and shoes (if possible long trousers and closed shoes), a warm coat (thick jacket), cash for breakfast (not included). In the high mountains, credit cards are usually not accepted as there is no internet signal. In winter we suggest to bring gloves, hat, another pair of socks and footwear
● It is recommended that you hydrate yourself 24 hours beforehand and carry water to keep you hydrated during the whole trek. There are stops where you can buy water
● Passengers must carry identification documents and minors must be accompanied by at least one adult
● Please note that there are toilet stops along the route. The vehicle does not have a toilet
● The return time of the tour is not guaranteed. Delays may occur
● In case the itinerary is interrupted by the authorities or physical situation: a) if up to 50% of the tour is completed, the provider will consider the tour as completed; b) if less than 50% of the tour is completed, the provider will offer another tour as compensation
● Language options in English or Portuguese Minimum number of passengers: 2 (two)
● It is not a monolingual tour, you will share the tour with other languages (Spanish and English)
Inclusions
✔ Pick up and drop off from/to hotels in Mendoza city centre within a radius of up to 1.5 kms from Plaza Independencia
✔ Guide (select language option)
Exclusions
✖ Entrance ticket to the Villavicencio Nature Reserve
✖ Gratuities
✖ Entrance fees, meals and beverages except if specifically specified in the tour inclusions
✖ Other service not specified
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation free of charge up to 48 hours before the service
Cancellation with less time or no-show, no refund will be made
Meeting Point
Client's Hotel - City centre within a radius of up to 1.5 kms from Independence Square