Location: Uspallata
Top Things to do in Uspallata
10 Things to Do in Uspallata That You Shouldn't Miss
Uspallata is a village, and an administrative district, in Argentina in a scenic location on the road which crosses the Andes between Mendoza and Santiago in Chile. It is located 100 km (62 mi) west of Mendoza and was once served by the now disused Transandine Railway which passed through the town on its way from Mendoza to Los Andes in Chile. There are several items of interest in and around the village including "las bovedas", somewhat strangely egg-shaped kilns dating from the early 17th century which were used to extract gold, silver, zinc, copper and other metals from minerals mined nearby. Worth a brief visit as they are only approx 1 1/2 km from town, complete with a small museum, notes include the fact that some of the refractory bricks can still be seen with "Rufford Stourbridge" from the English West Midlands stamped on them; a brief reminder of Britain´s industrial heritage. The road to the Chilean border incorporates some of the most dramatic scenery in the region, the Andean mountains in this part being part of the backdrop of the highest peak out of the ANDES, Aconcagua at almost 7,000 metres above sea level. There is a brief glimpse of the stunning mountain from the road some distance from another point of interest, an ochre coloured bridge spanning the Rio Mendoza 72 km from Uspallata that seems to have been made from sulphur-bearing hot springs.
Restaurants in Uspallata
1. Camino del Inca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By ChunkyTater
One of those beautiful naturally occurring wonders in the world that you should try to stop by to look if you have a chance. Walking through the souvenir shops to the edge of the barrier was a pain with all the snow, ice and mud so be careful what you choose for shoes that day.
Very beautiful to look at the old termas building next to the mineral bridge, and since we came here during the colder months, also got to see it with icicles hanging off of it. Woot.
Thankfully we came here when there was no tour bus!!! We stopped by twice (on our way to Mendoza and again on our way back) and the second time it was a pain to park as there were two tour buses, and dozens of cars parked by the side of the road.
The souvenir shops were a little meh and pricey but I am a sucker for hand painted pottery. Nice to peruse.
It got very cold up here (June), (think Winter in New England) hat/scarves would help.
Negative point: People start charging for toilet paper and such when there's a lot of people visiting. Bring tissues!
2. cerro de los 7 colores
Overall Ratings
4 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By davidgoldberg1 - Toronto, Canada
We saw this striking jumble of triangular hills when we stopped at the colorful indigenous market town of Purmamarca on our way from Salta to Humahuaca. It was our first premonition of the famous Quebreda de Humahuaca, almost a piece that had broken off and now stands all by itself. It was easier to believe that it had been produced as a consequence of venal mining practices rather than by the natural processes of marine sedimentation, river and lake movements, and the shifting of tectonic plates over millennia of time. Yet another colorful feather in the cap of this wondrous and insufficiently known region of Northern Argentina.
3. Penitentes Mendoza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By podrozniczka60 - New Jersey
This is a beautiful area of Andes which in season has peculiar upright blade ice formations in the high Mountains. It was supposedly Darwin who described them first. We travelled during the Argentinian spring. During spring most penitentes are gone so just enjoy the views as they are. For more spectacular experience we will have to come back in the spring.
We also visited the penitentes ski resort.
4. Puente Picheuta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 76 reviews
Reviewed By gary c - Carolina, Puerto Rico
I can't say enough about the chance to take route 7 up into the Andes to enjoy everything the Mendoza Province has to offer. We stopped at the ski resort here and got the most unbelievable pictures after a ride up the ski tram.... the views were out of this world.... I sent these pictures to friends and they all said they looked like travel brochure pictures!!!! This town is so beautiful!!
5. Cruz del Paramillos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By Sergio L - New York City
This road (route 52) connects the city of Mendoza with Uspallata. Takes about 2 hours to reach this place. But definitely worth the trip. Charles Darwin actually went through this path in 1835. There's even a petrified forest that he discovered in this journey.
One hour into this trip is done by a paved road, then reaching Villavicencio, it does get tricky, dirt road and 365 curves going up the foothills of the Andes. Pay attention because the road is very narrow and some rocks do come down hitting the road,if you have vertigo of heights, you should avoid this trip.-But once you've made it though this and reaching the cross of Paramillos, you'll witness the most incredible view of the Andes mountain range. -don't worry if it's cloudy down in the city, it's usually sunny up here.-
Between Villavicencio and Paramillos there's a hidden spot call "El Balcon" or The Balcony, it's half way in this trip. There's hardly any indications because the signs have been stolen or vandalized. But if you find it, it's a nice spot to visit.
At the cross of Paramillos you'll see a sign (hopefully it's still there) explaining the history and path of Darwin and San Martin through here. Not to mention the view! Amazing.
Continuing down and up the road you'll find a monolith (hopefully again) that states that Charles Darwin came across here. It's on your left if your going west towards Uspallata.
There's another hidden treasure (and this one is quite awesome) on your right you'll see some old mine entrances into the hills, that's because it is! It's an Old abandoned copper mine, but it doesn't end there, you would have to enter a dirt road which leads up to the abandoned copper mine. You will find one, but there's even a bigger one further up. It's huge, it's almost like a ghost town. There's a lot of mine entrances which some or locked with gates but some are open, just be careful, they are long dark cold tunnels. Quite spooky. There is a company that takes you on a tour through these mines with all the gear including. I haven't done it. But they are on the side of the main road.
Back on the main road, you'll end up at Uspallata. Quite a ride. It's better to start from Villavicencio then going the other way around,towards Chile, the ride is much longer. In fact, I usually turn around and head back the way I came, I'm from Mendoza but live in USA, just that always come here for my vacation time.
Good luck!
6. Bovedas De Uspallata
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By podrozniczka60 - New Jersey
It is a small free museum and a place of interest on Route 39 you can visit on your way while exploring Andes around Uspallata. The vaults were built in the eighteenth century by the Jesuits to be used as shelter and protection from the siege.This was also a center of processing of iron ore, horro and silver.
7. Cerro Tunduqueral
Overall Ratings
4 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By gos G - Buenos Aires, Argentina
En este cerro se encuentran petroglifos que son testimonio de la cultura huarpe. Es una zona de fácil acceso y se encuentra a 7 kilómetros del centro de Uspallata. Conviene averiguar en la oficina de turismo, los horarios en que se realizan visitas que son gratuitas. Si mal no recuerdo son tres y la última es a las 15 hs. Recomendable por lo significa conocer un poquito de estas culturas.
8. Centro Informador Turistico Uspallata
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 98 reviews
9. Estacion Ferrocarril Uspallata
Overall Ratings
4 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By Sergio T - Niteroi, RJ
A ferrovia que cortava os Andes sumiu. O abandono é triste, mostra o descaso do poder público com um meio de transporte magnífico. MAs ao longo da estada avistam-se ainda parte dos trilhos, trechos da ferrovia que avalanches destruíram, estações depredadas e até as proteções de Madeira que evitavam o acúmulo de neve nos trilhos.
10. Nuestra Senora del Carmen de Cuyo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By netorosa - Sao Paulo, SP
Era domingo e assim que chegamos na cidade de Uspallata e descarregamos as malas fomos assistir a santa Missa na igreja de Nossa Senhora, gente muito simples nos acolheram com muito carinho.
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