At the base of the spectacular snow capped Andes on the Argentine side lies the province of Mendoza. We found ourselves staying in the city of the same name which made for a great base to explore the numerous bodegas (wineries), countryside and of course the Andes themselves.

These were busy days for us as the opportunities to explore and drink copious amounts of wine we’re just too good to pass up!

Having arrived after an 8hour overnight bus journey from Cordoba, we were ready to start exploring as soon as we dropped our bags at the hostel.

Tyce and I piled into a mini tour van with a few more travelers from the hostel and off we went for a day relaxing at a natural hot springs. It was one of the first warm days on our trip so far so the hot springs really made us feel like we stepped into some summer weather. After a few hours of floating and relaxing it was time for some locally brewed beer and picada, the Argentine’s answer to tapas, under the warmth of the afternoon sun.

However, the main attraction of Mendoza are the dozens of wineries that surround the city and the province. Most are open to the public, and will give you the opportunity to taste what each has to offer, making for a very good day. We went to 3 different bodegas, one more internationally renowned, another quite new to the scene, and the last a traditional family run bodega, which was our favourite.

A fancy bodega just outside of Mendoza called ‘Navarro Correas’ A fancy bodega just outside of Mendoza called ‘Navarro Correas’

After all that hard work taste testing we were ready for lunch, which turned out to be a spread and a half! The whole table was filled with the largest and most extensive picada I have ever seen, everything from cured meats, seasoned lentils, pickled and roasted vegetables, fresh local olives, at least 5 different cheeses and a dozen different dips and condiments, and this was just the starter. Then came a melt in your mouth beef stew, pasta, and of course dessert, meanwhile the wine just kept on coming. It was safe to say we didn’t need dinner that night.

Mendoza is at the base of the Andes, and it makes for a great place to explore them, even if for only a day. Our first stop up the Andes was to a man-made lake, where run off from the melting snow capped Andes is captured. It is the lifeline to Mendoza’s water supply as rain is at times hard to come by.

Panoramic view of a man made lake outside of Mendoza Panoramic view of a man made lake outside of Mendoza

From here we followed the winding highway road up through the majestic Andes. The landscape is truly awe inspiring, with the mountains towering above, you feel quite insignificant in comparison.

One of our last stops was Puerto del Inca, or the Inca Bridge. It’s a natural bridge formed thousand of years ago after melting glaciers carved out an area of underlying rock. Under the bridge is a former 1920’s holiday resort left in ruins; most of the resort was destroyed by an earthquake and was abandoned as a result.

Panoramic view of the Inca Bridge Panoramic view of the Inca Bridge

The old railway that once ran through the Andes and into Chile The old railway that once ran through the Andes and into Chile

It’s quite a remarkable site; the sulphur hot springs under the surface spill out over the limestone rock giving the bridge it’s bright sunburnt orange colour. The ruined resort slowly fading and moulding into the bridge is a great demonstration of the coexistence of both old and new in the Argentine landscape.

With wine in our bellies and warm hearts for Argentina we begin the next leg of our journey over the majestic Andes into the heartland of Chile — Santiago