Unique experiences in Mendoza
Cañón del Atuel & San Rafael – Full Day Tour
Trade the vineyard grid for southern Mendoza’s drama: a long run down Route 40 to San Rafael, layers of local history, and the sculpted walls of the Atuel Canyon—then open air in Valle Grande, where the river invites catamarans, rafts, or a slow lunch on your own terms.
From
$99.000 ARS
per person
More photos
At a glance
Duration
Full day · ~07:00 hotel pickup · ~21:00 return (~14 h incl. pickup rounds & breaks)
Location
Southern Mendoza — San Rafael, Cañón del Atuel, Valle Grande (via Route 40)
Language
Spanish-led with English support where available — confirm when booking
Level
Light
Group size
Scheduled group departures (confirm capacity when booking)
Season
Thu & Sun departures (subject to season & demand)
Meeting / pickup
Mendoza hotels — from ~07:00 (city rounds ~45 min)
Cancellation
Per voucher terms; long-distance day—confirm changes early with Edmar Travel.
Why you’ll love it
A full immersion in southern Mendoza—different light, different geology, same hospitality.
Route 40 south: the long, cinematic approach to San Rafael.
San Rafael’s urban fabric and historic quarter—context before the canyon.
Cañón del Atuel: iconic walls, river blues, and viewpoints built for wide-angle memory.
Valle Grande: free time to choose your own adventure—water, meal, or simply stillness.
Clear add-ons: rafting and catamaran when available; you decide on the day (extra cost).
The experience
Most visitors know Mendoza through its rows of vines; fewer follow the map south to where the land opens into reservoirs, red rock, and river light. This tour is for that second story—an early start, a steady drive down Argentina’s legendary Route 40, and a day paced around water, stone, and the easy rhythm of San Rafael.
In San Rafael you’ll connect with the city and its historic core before the landscape turns cinematic at Cañón del Atuel, where cliffs and colour bands frame the water. The route then opens into Valle Grande: a natural playground with room to breathe. Here you’ll have free time to add a catamaran ride, a rafting run, or simply sit down for lunch—optional experiences with their own local rates, booked and paid on site.
The day is long by design—hotel pickups from 7:00 (allow ~45 minutes for city-wide collection), roughly three hours on the road to San Rafael, and a return that typically reaches Mendoza around 21:00. If you opt into activities, we may pause earlier for snacks or supplies. Come rested, charged, and ready for big skies.
Itinerary
~07:00 — Hotel pickups begin in Mendoza (city-wide sweep ~45 minutes)
Drive south — Route 40 toward San Rafael (~3 hours; comfort stops as needed)
San Rafael — orientation in the city and exploration of the historic area
Cañón del Atuel — scenic stops and viewpoints along the canyon corridor
Valle Grande — free time for optional catamaran ride, rafting, or lunch (extras not included; availability seasonal/weather-dependent)
If optional activities are chosen — possible prior stop to purchase food/snacks (self-funded)
Return journey to Mendoza — arrival around 21:00 (approximate; subject to traffic)
What you’ll experience
- San Rafael — city & historic quarter
- Cañón del Atuel
- Valle Grande (optional activities)
Included · Not included
- Round-trip transport from Mendoza hotels (pickup schedule confirmed at booking)
- Guided sightseeing: San Rafael (city & historic quarter), Cañón del Atuel, Valle Grande stop
- Coordination by Edmar Travel
- Optional activities in Valle Grande (e.g. catamaran, rafting) — purchased locally
- Lunch and beverages unless booked as a separate add-on
- Snacks or picnic supplies for optional activity days
- National park or site fees if charged at gates (per local rules)
- Gratuities (optional)
Practical information
What to bring
- ·Layers for cool mornings, hot afternoons, and breezy canyon viewpoints
- ·Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, refillable water bottle
- ·Cash and card for lunch and optional activities in Valle Grande
- ·Comfortable walking shoes; dry bag or ziplock if rafting
- ·Phone/camera charged — long day away from your hotel
Restrictions
Optional rafting/catamaran may have age, weight, or health requirements—confirm with local operators. Inform us of mobility needs when booking.
Weather
Southern valleys can be windy; canyon microclimates shift quickly—carry a windbreaker.
Meeting point
Be ready from your confirmed pickup slot; vehicles rotate through hotels and may arrive within the morning window.
FAQ
Is rafting included?
No. Rafting is an optional activity in Valle Grande with its own local rate, paid directly to the provider when available. The tour price covers transport and the structured sightseeing itinerary—not adventure sports.
Is lunch included?
No, unless you book a meal package separately through Edmar Travel. Most guests eat in Valle Grande or pick up food during a possible snack stop if activities are planned—budget accordingly.
How long is the drive?
Expect roughly three hours from Mendoza to San Rafael each way on Route 40, depending on traffic, stops, and road conditions. With pickups, sightseeing, and the return leg, plan for a full day on the move.
What should I bring?
Sun protection, water, layers, comfortable shoes, and money for lunch and any optional catamaran or rafting. A small daypack keeps snacks and a jacket handy for canyon winds.
Is this a full-day tour?
Yes. From ~7:00 hotel pickups to ~21:00 return, it’s a long, rewarding day designed to justify the drive south. Rest the night before and treat it like a mini expedition.
Traveler trust
We came for wine—this day reminded us Mendoza is mountains and rivers too.
