Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
298
arrive in Uspallata, 2km (1
1
/
4
miles) north of town, you will see
Las Bovedas
—peculiar
egg-shaped mud domes built in the 18th century to process gold and silver for the Span-
iards.
HEADING TO USPALLATA VIA POTRERILLOS
This drive is significantly easier than the r oute through Villavicencio, taking y ou along
the RN 7 thr ough the Precordillera mountains. Follow the signs fr om downtown Men-
doza that point to the r epublica de chile. P otrerillos is a bit of a ghost town along the
Río Mendoza, where tour companies arrange white-water rafting, horseback riding, and
trekking. There is a gas station her e.
Argentina R afting E xpediciones
(see “ Tour
Operators & Outdoor Activities,” on p. 274) has its adv enture park off the RN 7. I t's a
great recharger. There is also a small restaurant. A few kilometers upriver, the new
Pueblo
del Río Mountain Resort
(
&
261/424-6745;
www.pueblodelrio.com.ar) has rustic
cabins built with stone and wood that sleep up to eight people each. They have fully
equipped kitchens and outdoor grills, and costs $90 (£61) for two people. There's also a
good restaurant. This is a great place to clear your head after trolling around the wineries,
and the
Aires de M ontaña Spa,
part of the r esort, offers all the classic tr eatments to
rejuvenate you. It is the nicest place to stay en r oute to Aconcagua. The drive continues
41km (25 miles) alongside the Mendoza River to Uspallata.
USPALLATA
58km (36 miles) N of Mendoza
With only 3,500 inhabitants (many of them members of the militar y), Uspallata is a
pretty sleepy place. B ut this small Andean to wn surrounded by lovely poplar tr ees and
the biggest mountains in the Americas offers a variety of outdoor activities and makes an
excellent base from which to explore the mountains. You can obtain limited visitor infor-
mation from the
tourist information booth,
open daily from 9:30am to 8:30pm, at the
corner of RN 7 and RN 52. Gustavo Pizarro is the area's best tour guide, and his
Pizarro
Expediciones,
RN 7 (
&
2624/420003;
www.pizarroexpediciones.com.ar), organiz es
horseback riding, mountain biking, climbing, and white-water rafting tours. If you need
gas or any supplies, get them in Uspallata, which is the last real town before the Chilean
border.
Where to Stay & Dine
Hostería Los Condores
Given the town's limited selection of lodgings, Los Condor is
probably the best choice. This traditional small-town hotel's location is its best per k. It's
steps away from the main intersection and the heart of town. Rooms come in a variety of
setups, from simple square singles to large triples. All ar e bright and spacious, with large
bathrooms. There's a rectangular pool outside, a big br eakfast, and the staff is friendly.
Las Heras s/n, Uspallata.
&
2624/420002.
23 units. $65 (£44) double. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; outdoor pool.
10
Parrillada San Cayetano
ARGENTINE This
parrilla
is widely considered the best
Argentine grill in to wn, serving large por tions of standar d classics such as y oung goat,
chicken, and beef. Behind the YPF gas station, it's a favorite among truckers crossing the
border. For $14 (£9.45), ser vers deliver to your table a small steaming grill loaded with
a selection of various cuts. Homemade empanadas and pastas round out the options. The
wine list isn't bad, either.
RN 7, Km 1105.
&
2624/420149.
Main courses $8-$14 (£5.40-£9.45). No credit cards. Daily noon-2am.
