Excursions from San Rafael, meet them!

If you want to live a splendid holiday in Mendoza, but for this or that reason you are not considering staying in the capital, no biggie! There are excursions from San Rafael that will give you a dream experience. In addition, it is the second most important city in the province.

In fact, it is a great point to discover all the attractive that Mendoza has, so much so that it is quite requested by tourists. A topic that should not worry you, since the hotel offer is well prepared for the visitors’ demand that this destination has.

As we said, San Rafael has an airport that receives scheduled flights every week. However, there is also the land route, either by bus or own vehicle. In this sense, you can take a look at our article on how to get to Mendoza, whose information will be of great use to you.

The truth of the case is that both in the city and in its surroundings there are many must-see attractions such as Valle Grande Reservoir and Atuel Canyon, fascinating places of nature with much to explore. Get to know the excursions from San Rafael and do not hesitate to  contact our travel specialists that will help you assemble the best of itineraries.

ATUEL CANYON, NATURE AND ADVENTURE

The Atuel Canyon, one of Mendoza’s most famous sites, is, as its name says, a canyon where the Atuel River flows. Originally from the Paleozoic era, it is so extensive that it has 4 reservoirs among which stand out El Nihuil and Valle Grande, both spectacular landscapes being part of the most sought-after excursions.

And it is that, besides its natural charm, these places give you the opportunity to do nautical activities, especially in summer! The adventure begins with a tour between landscapes –always accompanied by a guide– with a stop for lunch on the Atuel River where you have several entertainment options.

One is the practice of rafting, descending aboard rafts by the water stream of the Atuel River, and the other is to take a catamaran ride along Lake Dique Valle Grande. There is also a rapel and zip line and those who are content to breathe the fresh air and contemplate the panoramas that the place gives.

After lunch and the scheduled time for the aforementioned activities is over, the tour continues along the river. Thus, you can appreciate the different colors and reliefs of the Canyon. The most famous formations are the Wax Museum, Los Viejos, Los Monstruos and the Enchanted City.

The road continues towards Los Nihuiles hydroelectric complex, which uses the water of the Atuel River to supply energy to much of the province. Definitively, it’s an excursion that everyone likes.

MALARGUE AND THE CAVES OF THE BRUGES

Another excursion from San Rafael that you cannot miss, is the Cavern of the Bruges, located about 70 kilometers from the city of Malargue. It is a unique and unforgettable experience, after the possibility of entering the mountain and touring its underground rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites that acquire different colors, shapes and dimensions.

It is done with the accompaniment of a guide who, in addition to guaranteeing the security measures, is responsible for telling the story and legends of this particular place. They are 200 meters in the mountains, 4 rooms suitable for visiting:

1. Virgin’s Room: its name is due to the fact that stalactites form a silhouette that resembles a virgin.
2.   The Gatera: consists of a narrow tunnel formed by natural erosion that filters through the mountain. In this room you can see a kind of petrified corals on the rock.
3. Giant Lygmita: this room has as its protagonist a giant lygmita that was formed over millions of years, after the constant dripping of water that reaches through leaks and falls at the same point.
4. The Meeting Room: provides a very sensory experience as the lights go out and you can listen to the silence.

To complete this majestic experience, we recommend combining the Cavern of the Bruges with a visit to amazing sites in Malargue such as: Pincheira Castles, Llancanelo Lagoon, Valle Hermoso and La Payunia. Get to know details of each of these in the 5 hidden places in Mendoza.

VISIT TO THE BIANCHI WINERY

Bodega Bianchi is one of the most famous in the San Rafael area and, for this reason, a mandatory visit in the province. From there, it is part of the ranking of the best 10 Wine Cellars in Mendoza.

This place offers different visiting options. The most traditional includes a tour of the winery, along with a guide who tells about the history of the place and shows the processes of making the exquisite and traditional drink. Finally, there is a delicious wine tasting (the most sparkling in the house!), accompanied by rich bites.

The other alternative is to tour the vineyards of the Bianchi Winery on horseback or by bike and then take an individual tasting. That is, this time the tasting is personalized, each participant can create their own cut of wine.

In short, three activities that you should consider yes or yes for your time in the Mendocine province. These excursions from San Rafael will allow you to explore nature from another point of view and in a very peculiar way. The best thing? You can complement them with so many others! Ask our travel specialists for advice and do not hesitate to consult our quick guide to travel to San Rafael. There are interesting facts you might want to discover!