Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hemispheres. Traveling west along National
Route 7, which stretches across Argentina to
connect Buenos Aires with Chile at the Paso
Internacional de La Cumbre, you'll begin a
steady climb into the Andes. Thermal springs
and interesting rock formations dominate the
landscape as it changes from fertile fields and
orchards just outside the city to the rugged
steppes of the Parque Provincial Aconcagua
The
Villavicencio Gorge
is an area of springs,
pools and cascades 30 miles outside Mendoza.
Nowadays it is perhaps best known as the
source of Villavicencio Mineral Water which
you will undoubtedly have seen, if not sampled,
on restaurant menus and in shops throughout
Mendoza. Although long since closed, the ther-
mal springs here gave rise to a very popular
bathing resort. It is believed that the area was
originally a gathering place for the Indians
after
guanaco
and
ñandú
hunts (see below).
During the early days of the colonial period, it
served as a primary rest stop on the road
between Mendoza and Chile.
Villavicencio is
as good as any
mineral water
in the world,
comparable to
Perrier and San
Pellegrino.
In the beginnings of the 18th century, Captain
José Villavicencio made his home here, where
he built a ranch and grape press mill. He also
based his mining operations in the Paramillo de
Upsallata mines here. Traces of the gold, silver
and lead mines can still be found throughout
the area.
Nearby,
Los Caracoles
offers a 15-mile climb
with panoramic views, accentuated by steep
ravines, along a twisting highway (one-way
