Visit Puente del Inca, a mineral structure forming a natural bridge over the river, and get to the lookout point of the 6,959 m high Aconcagua – “stone sentinel” in the aboriginal Huarpe language.

Continue to Barreal.

Day drive around Barreal region. You drive along scenic Río de los Patos to the foot of Mt Mercedario. In the afternoon, you visit “Pampa del Leoncito”, a barren area used for landyachting. In the evening, El Leoncito National Park Observatory offers a guided star observation to enjoy the southern hemisphere skies.

Drive along Cuyo desert and mountain roads to Villa Unión.

In the depths of Talampaya you explore the wonderful Rainbow canyon and hike along a gigantic tectonic depression in search of the “lost city”, that invites to explore its squares, avenues, amphitheaters and labyrinths.

In the afternoon you visit Talampaya Canyon with its vertical walls and bizarre rock formations.

Located at 4300 m above sea level and framed by solemn volcanoes, the nature reserve of Laguna Brava forms part of the southernmost portion of the High Puna ecosystem and shelters a variety of migratory birds as well as native camelids (vicuñas and guanacos) and other endemic species, such as the suri or ñandú, foxes, puma and the Andean condor.

Cuesta de Miranda snakes across a mountain range of intense reds and greens with spectacular views. In Chilecito, you visit the remains of La Mejicana mine station from 1905. The 35 km-long structure went from 1100 to 5000 m high and was one of the finest works of engineering of its time.

Continue to Tinogasta, where you spend the night.

Scenic drive to Las Grutas, on the Chilean border. The road ascends to 4020 m between soft, colorful mountains spotted with vicuñas, lagoons and hot springs. The high puna scenery hosts the highest volcanoes on Earth, including Ojos del Salado (6879 m), Incahuasi (6621 m) and San Francisco (6016 m).

Drive to Aimogasta along the “Adobe Route”, with old and picturesque adobe churches and houses. Continue across Costa Riojana region, land of wine, olives and nuts. Night at La Rioja City.

Drive to Ischigualasto, also known as “Moon Valley” for its pale colors and earthy textures. You explore the desert badlands with the afternoon glow and continue to El Chilfón. The hotel, nestled in the same geography, offers interesting hiking trails.

Drive to Mendoza City.

At the established time, rental car drop off at Mendoza Airport.