Five days follow the San Martin historic route across the Central Andes, about 78 kilometres on foot or on horseback, with high camps, mule loads, and a finish at Termas del Plomo in Chile. Hotel pickup from Mendoza City is included; you end at the Santiago bus terminal rather than looping home.
Day one leaves Mendoza for Manzano Historico and the Portinari refuge, then a vehicle lift to Camp Yaretas at about 3,450 metres, where you meet the muleteers and pitch the first tents. The next days follow the historic line over Portillo Argentino to La Olla, on past Refugio Real de la Cruz and the Tunuyan river to El Caleton, then up the Portillo-Piuquenes pass at about 3,950 metres and down to Termas del Plomo.
The last morning leaves the hot springs, drives the Cajon del Maipo, and drops you at the Santiago bus terminal. Camps sit above 3,000 metres, with a shared dome for cooking and shelter. You carry only what the mule allowance does not take. This is a crossing with a border, not a loop back to the same hotel.
The route starts in the Mendoza Andes around Manzano Historico and climbs into the Central Andes, using valleys and passes that one column of the Army of the Andes used in 1817. Camps look onto high rock and, later, Cerro Marmolejo. The pass into Chile is a real border, not a viewpoint stop, and Termas del Plomo sits on the Chilean side as a soak after the descent.
Mendoza City is only the start. Santiago is the finish. You will not be dropped at the hotel you left. Build a night or a flight from the Chilean capital after the bus terminal. The mountain days stay high; the two cities are bookends, not the point of the week.
You need the fitness for consecutive days at height, whether you walk the 78 kilometres or ride them. Camps sit above 3,000 metres and the pass is about 3,950 metres. Prior multi-day trekking or long saddle days help. Everyday gym fitness is not enough on its own.
The minimum age is 13. A cold-rated sleeping bag, broken-in boots, and your original passport are required. You should be happy sleeping in a tent at height and finishing in Santiago rather than back in Mendoza.
Long Andean journeys out of Mendoza have been this team's work since 1966, and this historic line is run with guides, muleteers, and a camp dome rather than a lightweight dash. Pickup, border help, and the Santiago transfer sit on one plan.
You get the pass, the river crossings, and time at Termas del Plomo without stitching five separate days yourself. The outing is paced as a crossing with nights in camp, not as a race for the border cairn.
Hotel pickup covers the designated Mendoza City area and addresses within about 1.5 km of Plaza Independencia. Further out, you will be given a nearby meeting point.
Wear boots from the start and keep your passport easy to reach. Day one drives toward Manzano Historico and Camp Yaretas. The programme finishes at the Santiago de Chile bus terminal. You are not dropped back in Mendoza.
You travel about 78 kilometres across the Central Andes on the San Martin historic route, on foot or on horseback, with mountain guides, mule loads, and full board at high camps. Hotel pickup from the designated Mendoza City area is included.
Tents, a shared camp dome, border formalities, radios, a first-aid kit, and time at Termas del Plomo come with the days. You finish in Santiago de Chile, not back in Mendoza. Luggage on the mules is up to 10 kg for riders or 12 kg for trekkers.
The same route runs as a trek or a horseback expedition. Trekkers have a support horse for river crossings. Riders have a saddled horse and saddlebags.
Both versions camp above 3,000 metres, cross the Portillo-Piuquenes pass into Chile, and finish with the soak at Termas del Plomo and the transfer to Santiago. Choose the mode that matches how you want to travel the 78 kilometres.
It is a demanding high-Andes crossing, not a foothill day. You need the fitness for consecutive days at height, including a pass around 3,950 metres and camps above 3,000 metres.
The minimum age is 13. Everyday gym fitness is not the test. Come used to long mountain days with a pack, or long days in a saddle if you ride.
You sleep in two- and three-person mountain tents at high camps, with a shared dome used as kitchen, dining space, and shelter. Full board is included.
Bring your own sleeping bag rated for high camps, around minus ten degrees comfort, plus a sleeping mat. This is camp living at height, not a hut-to-hut lodge walk.
You are collected from hotels in the designated Mendoza City area, or from a nearby meeting point if you stay further out. Day one drives toward Manzano Historico and on to Camp Yaretas.
The last day drops you at the Santiago de Chile bus terminal after Termas del Plomo and the Cajon del Maipo. You do not return to Mendoza. Build onward travel from Santiago.
Bring broken-in trekking boots, a light pair of shoes for camp and the hot springs, layered mountain clothing, and a swimming costume for Termas del Plomo. You need a sleeping bag comfortable around minus ten degrees and a mat.
Pack strong sun protection, a head torch, and at least two litres of water capacity. Bring your original passport for the border, plus a copy. Keep personal medication in your own small kit.
Yes. Full board and mountain snacks cover the camp days. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be arranged when they are requested in good time before the departure.
Eat a proper meal before the first pickup if you want something extra on the drive to Manzano Historico. Camp meals are part of the five days, not restaurant stops in town.
High passes can close or slow a group when wind or snow makes the line unsafe. If the route is not safe, the team may reschedule and will be in touch with the new plan.
Dress in layers you can add at camp and on the pass. Sun, wind, and cold sit together above 3,000 metres. A shell and a warm night bag matter more than a single heavy coat.
The minimum age is 13. Anyone under 18 should come with a responsible adult who stays with them on the route and at camp.
Mention ages so the guides can pace the group on the pass day. This is a multi-day crossing at height, not a short foothill walk.
Yes. You cross from Argentina into Chile at the Portillo-Piuquenes pass. Bring your original passport and a copy for the border checks.
Guides help with the formalities along the way. The last transfer ends at the Santiago bus terminal, so keep documents easy to reach until you leave the programme.
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About the centre
Mendoza
We run guided adventure days and multi-day expeditions from Mendoza into the Andes: rafting and kayaking on the Mendoza River, zip-lining over Potrerillos, treks to Devil's Throat and Cerro Cabras, horseback rides through Lunlunta and the foothills, and longer routes toward Aconcagua and the high passes into Chile. Pickup is arranged from hotels in Mendoza City, with a nearby meeting point if you are staying outside that area, and a bilingual guide stays with you through the day.
Days are built around safety briefings, the right kit for the river or the trail, and enough time to take in the landscape rather than rush from one stop to the next. Combo days mix river, zip-line, hot springs or rappelling; longer programmes include camping, full board, and support on the mountain. Whether you want a few hours on the water or a multi-day crossing, the same local team looks after the logistics so you can focus on the Andes.
Operated by Operadores Mendoza Viajes, a partner of adventuro.
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