With an unparalleled range of attractions, which combine mountains, valleys, sun and water, the extreme south of the province of Mendoza is offered as an alternative both for those who caught the adventure of landscapes, sunrises and the sunsets that placid sleep beautifully over the Andes. Three cities and a cluster of small villages, hamlets or places dreamed up the virtuous triangle passing through this corner of southern Manitoba: San Rafael, Malargue and General Alvear.

San Rafael, rivers and mountains:

At 960 kilometers from Buenos Aires and Mendoza Capital 235, San Rafael is a thriving enclave of service production and resting in the vicinity of rivers and Diamond Atuel always with the backdrop of the Andes. Birthplace of poets and painters, the city has some little surprises, like the old Library and Museum of Fine Arts (some with works by Castagnino, Fader and Spilimbergo, among others), the Natural History Museum, the Astronomical Observatory and Parks Hipolito Yrigoyen and Mariano Moreno, this is located on the outskirts of Rio Diamond Island, where there is a zoo.

The circuit of Valle Grande, lets get to the canyon and the dam’s Atuel Nihuil. Leaving for Route 173 to Valle Grande, a small town of wide streets, wooded and watered by canals, take a wavy path along the river rising Atuel, born in Valle de Las Lenas and runs alongside the route Atuel Canyon leads. Wedged between mountain ranges and hills is almost peeled the dam The Nihuil, an immense body of water of nearly 10 thousand hectares. Besides being a spectacle unmatched fishing enthusiasts find their own paradise here. Also windsurfing and water skiing. Of course, swim in that frame of pristine waters and sky is an adventure in itself.

Nearby, the Villa El Nihuil offers all the services. The Anglers’ Club, with camping, supplies, cabins and restaurant, swimming pool also has residences weekend. From here, after traveling 87 km. on Route 40, one arrives at Sosneado, a small town on the river Atuel, considered the starting point for cultural and adventure expeditions around the Cordillera. Along the way, you can enjoy the stunning white of the salt.

The Southern Circuit Bordea Diamond River, which rises in the homonymous lagoon in the middle Andes. La Laguna, 34 meters deep at its edges and 70 meters in the center, occupies the crater of an extinct volcano or location of a remote glacier, which opened in the middle of a high basalt plateau at 3,300 meters above sea level . Surrounded by majestic peaks among which stands the volcano Maipo, of 5323 meters, the base is only 2,500 meters of the water body.

The adventure Malargüe:

Located at the southern tip of the province, took an unexpected Malargüe international fame when it opened, more than two decades, the winter resort Las Lenas, but this small city’s largest department head of the province, which is lying on largely on the ridge to the border with Chile, offers unsuspected landscapes, fascinating rivers and a unique summer weather.

Las Lenas:

Among other assignments, is essential to visit the Cave of the Witches, on the hill Moncol. Inside dazzling formations of stalactites and stalagmites up to the Board of the Virgin, a large vaulted space where thousands made their patient work. A 9 km. there lies the Rio Grande Valley is an area of attractive landscape, fishing and paleontology (the entrance fee is $ 20 and you have to make an appointment).

At 68 kilometers from the provincial capital, in a natural and untouched, overlooking the lagoon Llancanelo, with his prodigious spectacle of thousands of birds. In the volcanic environment formed by the Payunia (is unmissable) and the Snowy Mountains with variety of wildlife, from black-necked swans to ducks, coots and herons. It is a preferred destination for many species at their long migratory journeys. The reserve, controlled by park rangers, visit with company authorized guides. The place is ideal for photo safaris and bird avisaje, or simply to surrender to the enjoyment of nature.

Also near the city, just 27 kilometers, are the Castillos de Pincheira, between the river and stream Malargüe Pincheira, offering a space brimming with nature and legend, with wonderful valley and mountain postcards. In one of the Banks of the river is a campsite with sanitation, hot water, sale of regional products, swimming pool, electricity and a playground. Besides being an ideal site for tourism contemplative, the more active can try trekking, mountain biking, the climbing and horseback riding. As in all these places, here you can also enjoy the typical «goat to the fire», a dish worth savoring when visiting these lands.

Patagonian lands safe journey!