History:

The City of Mendoza was founded on March 2, 1561 by Captain Don Pedro del Castillo. It is located 750 metres above sea level, at the foot of the mendocinian Pre-Andes.

When the Spanish conquerors arrived in this area, they found three different indigenous groups: the Incas, Huarpes and Puelches. Without a doubt, the most important group leaving their footprints until this very day, are the Huarpes. A laborious group that had a small village on the “Valle de Huentota” (the place where Mendoza City is located today).

Those people lived off their agriculture products as well as by hunting and fishing. They made pottery, and were especially good at making baskets, some of wich were made in a way that permitted liquids to be transported and are unique in all America. Their most important and famous accomplishment, wich continues even today, is an efficient and ingenious irrigation system in wich they moved water from the rivers to sow the ground with of maize, beans, pumpkin and quinoa.

Thanks to this irrigation system the Cuyum Mapu (the Sands Land), as the indigenous call it, was converted into the oasis that it is today. The streams and mountain glaciers give birth to the Mendoza River which provides the water that the city and vineyards need to live and grow.

Interest data:

The Mendoza Province has a surface of 148.827 km2 and a population over the 1.500.000 inhabitants.

The “Gran Mendoza” is formed by the departments of Capital, Godoy Cruz, Guaymallen, Las Heras and the cities of Lujan de Cuyo and Maipu. This accounts for 54% of the total province population. Only 19% of the “mendocinos” live in rural or mountain areas.

The climate in the plains area is temperate area, with rain in the summer but very little rain in winter.

At an altitude over 2000 meters, the temperatures are lower and the difference between day and night is greater. In the summer it is possible to get rain but not as much as in winter, when there are plentiful amounts of snow, coming from the cold, humid systems coming off the Pacific Ocean.

General considerations:

In Mendoza is possible to find every item you will need to attempt to climb Mt. Aconcagua. The city has all the technical and technological capabilities that you will find throughout the major cities of the world.

In Mendoza, it is possible to organise an Aconcagua expedition:

  • Buy or to rent all the climbing equipment at specialised shops; buy gas canisters type “Camping Gas” and good quality white gas for MSR stoves.
  • Buy food for use during the approach, stay at base camp and at high altitude. It is no possible to get “freeze dried food”; but it is very easy to get items such:
    • instant soups;
    • mashed potatoes;
    • various canned meat (corned beef), fish and vegetables;
    • cereals of many different brands and types; (i.e., instant oatmeal);
    • concentrated juice mix, powdered milk and ground coffee;
    • and a long list of other items useful on the mountain, that are easy to prepare, light to carry and taste good. Mainly the supermarkets have everything you will need, just like in major cities of the world.

Mendoza also has a broad array of hotels and restaurants, accessible to all budgets.

Anyhow is worth to have a look at our own lodge: "Parador del Angel"

The city's attractions during the summer are numerous. You can enjoy the cafes, the pedestrian walkway, ice cream, the sun, and of course the best wine. During your visit you will want to see:

  • The General San Martin Park: The heart of the city, located to the West. Where you will find hundreds of different autochthonous and exotic trees.
  • The Glory Hill: Located inside San Martin Park, there is a monument of the same name that memorializes the battles of our national hero General San Martin. It also provides an excellent view of the entire city.
  • The Zoo: Located on the Glory Hill, have specimens of animals from all over the world. They are kept in peaceful and clean exhibits.
  • The Mendocinian Handicraft Market: Located in the underground of the Subsecretaria de Turismo, offer genuine crafts made by the Huarpes descendants.
  • The Central Market: At the corner of Las Heras and Patricias Mendocinas streets is a colorful market where it is possible to buy fresh vegetables, meats, and fishes.
  • The Wineries: Many wineries open their doors to the tourists and show the hidden secrets of the famous product of Mendoza: the wine.