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Argentina Expedition: Trek Mendoza & the Valley of Tears

Argentina Expedition: Trek Mendoza & the Valley of Tears

From $ 2,735 AUD

Description

On 13 October 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the remote Andes with 45 people on board. Stranded at 3600 metres with minimal supplies and nothing around but rock, ice and twisted metal, the survivors spent 72 days on the mountain before 16 of them were eventually rescued. The accident, which was immortalised in the 1993 film ‘Alive’, received significant global media attention when it was revealed that the survivors had resorted to cannibalism to make it through the ordeal. Beginning and ending in Mendoza, the heart of the Argentinean wine region, this expedition takes you trekking through the Andes to the site of the crash where you can pay your respects to the 29 victims amid the bittersweet beauty of this rugged mountain range.

Trip Name
Argentina Expedition: Trek Mendoza & the Valley of Tears
Last Updated
2019-03-26
Days
8
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Explore the heart of the Argentinean wine country then trek to the site of one of the most famous plane crashes in history.
  • Trek through the rugged Andes and see the bittersweet beauty the survivors were faced with.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES: Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you print and review a final copy prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Mendoza
Welcome to Mendoza, the heart of Argentinean wine country and perhaps the most beautiful setting for a city anywhere. Having grown up under the watchful gaze of the Andes, Mendoza is a popular stop for adventure enthusiasts thanks to the nearby mountains and, of course, a seemingly endless supply of delicious malbec wine. Meet your group at 2 pm and take an orientation walk around the town including the central market and Plaza Independencia, then why not organise a group dinner and share a bottle of malbec.
Day 2 - Mendoza
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Mendoza, drink wine. This morning you’ll meet a wine expert who’ll take the group to the heart of the winemaking region. Here, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about Mendoza’s traditional and industrial wineries. Visit three wineries and learn about the local soil, regional production and the different varietals and most importantly, you’ll be tasting some straight-up Andes juice from its heavenly source. Return to Mendoza in the afternoon to explore the city or, if you’ve indulged in the lion’s share of malbec, maybe take an afternoon nap.
Day 3 - San Rafael - Base camp
Depart Mendoza after breakfast and travel by local bus to San Rafael, three hours south. Continue west by private vehicle until we reach our camp for the night, with dinner prepared at the campsite.
Day 4 - Trek day 1
After packing lunch and having breakfast we’ll start hiking up the Andes. We’ll cross three rivers along the way and hike for approximately 5-6 hours before reaching our first campsite at 2550 metres. It goes without saying that hiking in the Andes is an incredibly special experience, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a view that doesn’t take your altitude-affected breath away. On arrival at camp, please keep in mind that while our gear is carried by mules, this is participatory camping and the group is expected to help set up camp for the evening.
Day 5 - Trek day 2
Take breakfast overlooking the peaks and valleys of the Andes and pack your lunch before starting today’s trek. We’ll be heading towards the Valle de las Lagrimas (the Valley of Tears), eventually reaching the Glacier de las Lagrimas (Glacier of Tears) early in the afternoon, located at 3600m on the border between Argentina and Chile. From here, we’ll climb up to a commemorative cross to pay our respects to the victims of this tragic accident. It’s easy to imagine the desperation the survivors would’ve felt upon seeing their location. We’ll then return to last night’s campsite.
Day 6 - Trek day 3 - San Rafael
Today we’ll hike back down to our base camp before continuing to San Rafael for the night. The evening is free for you to explore the town centre and perhaps get dinner with the group.
Day 7 - Mendoza
Return to Mendoza for a final afternoon and evening in this mountainous setting. Rest those sore muscles or, if you're up for it, continue exploring the atmospheric streets of Mendoza and maybe pull up a seat and watch the world go by with a glass of wine. Be sure to organise a farewell dinner with your group this evening.
Day 8 - Mendoza
Your trip will end after breakfast and you're free to depart the accommodation at any time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
09-02-202016-02-2020AUD $ 2,870-
15-03-202022-03-2020AUD $ 2,735-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights),Camping [with basic facilities] (5 nights)

Transport

Minivan

Map