THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Ascend into the Cordón del Plata on a full-day trek to Arenales Hill — a remote Andes route that opens to sweeping views of Potrerillos Dam, the Mendoza River, and Tupungato Volcano. Small groups and bilingual guides make this a focused, high-altitude day hike for fit travelers.
Ascend into the Cordón del Plata on a full-day trek to Arenales Hill — a remote Andes route that opens to sweeping views of Potrerillos Dam, the Mendoza River, and Tupungato Volcano. Small groups and bilingual guides make this a focused, high-altitude day hike for fit travelers.
A thin mountain air waits at the trailhead, the first steps crunching over scree and native grasses as the Cordón del Plata rises like a raw spine above you. Guides lead a small group away from the hum of Mendoza, ascending toward Arenales Hill where the Mendoza River threads the valley and Tupungato Volcano watches from a distance.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by RipioTurismo · Vallecitos, Mendoza
A thin mountain air waits at the trailhead, the first steps crunching over scree and native grasses as the Cordón del Plata rises like a raw spine above you. Guides lead a small group away from the hum of Mendoza, ascending toward Arenales Hill where the Mendoza River threads the valley and Tupungato Volcano watches from a distance.
This section of the Andes bears the marks of tectonic uplift and glacial carving: ridgelines of metamorphic rock, steep cols, and alluvial fans feeding down to the Potrerillos Dam. The land carries human history too — traditional routes once used by indigenous Huarpes and later traversed by gauchos — so the landscape feels lived-in and elemental at once.
Culturally, the area blends viticultural richness below with high-mountain pastoralism; guides often point out irrigation works and seasonal grazing areas as they explain local ecology. Wildlife is sparse but present, and the wind seems to push travelers forward as if coaxing them to the summit.
Practically, expect a long day: roughly 9 hours door-to-door with a 4–6 hour on-trail window depending on pace. Trails vary from packed dirt to rocky switchbacks with intermittent stream crossings. The operator provides round-trip transport from central Mendoza, bilingual guides, bottled water, and a picnic lunch. Hikers should pace themselves for altitude, wear layered clothing for variable mountain weather, use sun protection, and carry a small daypack with essentials. Footing can be loose near the summit — use trekking poles if you rely on them. With clear skies, the summit rewards effort with broad views of Potrerillos Dam, the Mendoza River canyon, and a horizon pinned by volcanic peaks.
Most tours include round-trip pickup from central Mendoza hotels; confirm your pickup point when booking and expect an early morning departure.
The route climbs into high-altitude terrain common to the Cordón del Plata; mild altitude symptoms are possible — hydrate, eat, and communicate any issues to your guide immediately.
Participants should be in good physical condition with prior experience on multi-hour uphill hikes; the itinerary involves sustained elevation gain and variable terrain.
Typical inclusions are private round-trip transport from Mendoza, bilingual guides, bottled water, snacks, and a picnic lunch; confirm specifics with the operator before departure.
RipioTurismo operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A thin mountain air waits at the trailhead, the first steps crunching over scree and native grasses as the Cordón del Plata rises like a raw spine above you. Guides lead a small group away from the hum of Mendoza, ascending toward Arenales Hill where the Mendoza River threads the valley and Tupungato Volcano watches from a distance.
A thin mountain air waits at the trailhead, the first steps crunching over scree and native grasses as the Cordón del Plata rises like a raw spine above you. Guides lead a small group away from the hum of Mendoza, ascending toward Arenales Hill where the Mendoza River threads the valley and Tupungato Volcano watches from a distance.
This section of the Andes bears the marks of tectonic uplift and glacial carving: ridgelines of metamorphic rock, steep cols, and alluvial fans feeding down to the Potrerillos Dam. The land carries human history too — traditional routes once used by indigenous Huarpes and later traversed by gauchos — so the landscape feels lived-in and elemental at once.
Culturally, the area blends viticultural richness below with high-mountain pastoralism; guides often point out irrigation works and seasonal grazing areas as they explain local ecology. Wildlife is sparse but present, and the wind seems to push travelers forward as if coaxing them to the summit.
Practically, expect a long day: roughly 9 hours door-to-door with a 4–6 hour on-trail window depending on pace. Trails vary from packed dirt to rocky switchbacks with intermittent stream crossings. The operator provides round-trip transport from central Mendoza, bilingual guides, bottled water, and a picnic lunch. Hikers should pace themselves for altitude, wear layered clothing for variable mountain weather, use sun protection, and carry a small daypack with essentials. Footing can be loose near the summit — use trekking poles if you rely on them. With clear skies, the summit rewards effort with broad views of Potrerillos Dam, the Mendoza River canyon, and a horizon pinned by volcanic peaks.