Every three-day Mendoza itinerary on the internet has the same flaw: it counts three days. Your first one goes on a flight, a transfer and a check-in, so what you are really planning is two working days and a couple of loose halves. Plan for three and you will try to fit the Uco Valley in, and the Uco Valley will take the whole day and the Andes with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So here are two itineraries built the way we build them for guests: one zone per day<\/strong>, arrival day counted honestly, and every line a programme you can actually book, with what it costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two full days plus the halves either side. This version gives you one wine region and the mountains, and it deliberately leaves out the Uco Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What you give up:<\/strong> the Uco Valley. It is 100 to 115 kilometres out and takes a full day, so putting it in means dropping either the wine day close to the city or the mountains. Most people who try to have both end up doing neither properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your flight home is in the evening rather than the morning, day 4 becomes a real half day. Potrerillos is 45 minutes away and the water programmes<\/a> run from USD 55; the thermal park at Cacheuta on the same road is a full day with lunch from USD 66 if you would rather finish slowly.<\/p>\n\n\nThree days in Mendoza<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day<\/th> Zone<\/th> What you do<\/th> How far out<\/th> From (per person)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Day 1<\/strong>
Arrival<\/td>Mendoza city<\/td> Land, check in, and take the walking tour of the centre, the five plazas and the Mercado Central in the afternoon<\/td> In town \u2014 half day<\/td> USD 32<\/td><\/tr> Day 2<\/strong><\/td> Luj\u00e1n de Cuyo or Maip\u00fa<\/td> Three wineries with lunch. The historic regions, close enough that you are back for dinner without rushing the tastings<\/td> About 20 km \u2014 full day<\/td> USD 139<\/td><\/tr> Day 3<\/strong><\/td> High Andes<\/td> The road west past Uspallata and Puente del Inca to the Aconcagua viewpoint at the park entrance<\/td> Full day out<\/td> USD 118<\/td><\/tr> Day 4<\/strong>
Departure<\/td>\u2014<\/td> Breakfast and transfer. If your flight is late, swap in a half day: rafting at Potrerillos 45 minutes away, from USD 55<\/td> \u2014<\/td> \u2014<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>