What is La Payunia Reserve?

Located in the province of Mendoza, La Payunia Reserve is a true natural paradise with astonishing landscape diversity. This unique place is known for hosting one of the largest volcanic fields in the world, creating an unparalleled view of craters, cones, and landscapes that seem to be from another planet. Additionally, its geological and archaeological richness makes it a site of interest for scientists and history enthusiasts. Reserva La Payunia es un verdadero paraíso natural con una diversidad paisajística asombrosa. Este lugar único es conocido por albergar uno de los campos de volcanes más extensos del mundo, creando una vista inigualable de cráteres, conos y paisajes que parecen salidos de otro planeta. Además, su riqueza geológica y arqueológica lo convierte en un sitio de interés para científicos y entusiastas de la historia.

Why choose a 4x4 truck?

To delve into the wonders offered by La Payunia Reserve, a 4x4 truck is the ideal choice. The geography of the place is unique and sometimes challenging, so a 4x4 truck will provide you with the confidence and safety needed to navigate the most demanding terrains. With its four-wheel drive, you can tackle rocky roads, sand dunes, and uneven surfaces without difficulty, taking your travel experience to the next level.

Adventure and excitement on every route

Last weekend, our friends from Buenos Aires rented one of our vehicles and decided to venture into the adventure of La Payunia Reserve.

Renting a 4x4 truck will allow you to explore the most remote corners of La Payunia, living an unparalleled experience of freedom and adventure. You'll be able to access incredible and rarely visited places, enjoying breathtaking panoramic views. From majestic volcanoes to hidden lagoons, each route will give you the opportunity to connect with nature in its purest form.

Tips for an unforgettable experience:

Plan your trip: Make sure to have a well-organized itinerary and check the weather conditions before setting off.

Proper equipment: Wear comfortable clothing, sturdy footwear, and sunscreen. Also, don't forget to bring enough water and provisions for your journey.

Know the regulations: Learn about the rules and regulations of the reserve to respect the natural environment and preserve its beauty.

Hire specialized guides: While the adventure is exciting, having local guides will allow you to gain valuable information and learn fascinating details about the region.

Be responsible: Remember that you are visiting a protected area, so avoid littering and respect the local fauna and flora.

Renting a 4x4 truck will allow you to have a unique experience, exploring surreal landscapes and enjoying the freedom of the road. Get ready to immerse yourself in this spectacular corner of Argentina, and let us accompany you on this exciting journey. We await you at MDZ! Rent a Car office your vehicle and make your trip an unforgettable experience!

Parque General San Martín is the most important park located in the heart of the city of Mendoza. It has become an icon of the province and is part of its most precious heritage. Designed by the architect Carlos Thays, it combines the best of 19th-century English and French landscaping. It is also one of the largest urban green spaces in the country, covering 307 cultivated hectares and 17 kilometers of paths.

Created in 1896, its design defies the characteristic arid climate of the province. This park boasts a true forest heritage with more than 300 species native to North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Its vastness makes it the largest artificial park in South America.

Origin of the Park

The initiative to create a park of this kind came from Emilio Civit, the Minister of Public Works and Services of the province, with the aim of creating a green lung for Mendoza. Originally, it was called "Parque del Oeste" (Western Park) and only changed its name in 1947. Over the years, improvement works have been carried out in this green space to achieve aesthetic perfection.

An Extensive and Special Place

The park encompasses cultural, historical, social, artistic, and sports emblems. These include the gates, the Horses of Marly, the Fountain of the Continents, the Rose Garden, the lake, the Malvinas Argentinas World Cup Stadium, the Frank Romero Day Greek Theater, Cerro de la Gloria, the former zoo, the Playas Serranas building, the Eva Perón School Home, the National University of Cuyo, sports clubs, and entities.

The Gates

One distinctive feature of Parque San Martín is the enormous gates at the entrance. They were purchased in 1908 in Glasgow, Scotland, and first arrived in Buenos Aires before reaching Mendoza by train.

The gate ensemble consists of three leaves made of wrought iron and cast iron. Each leaf weighs approximately three tons. Originally, there were five leaves at the entrance, including two smaller ones for pedestrians, which were locally made in Mendoza. They remained until 1940 when they were removed.

Flora and Fauna

Various species of hydrophilic plants (associated with the course of the Mendoza River), halophytes (in the drainage area), and psammophytes (in the north) can be found. The predominant wild vegetation is characteristic of the phytogeographic province of Monte, including jarillas, junquillos, zampas, and jumes, among others.

In terms of fauna, you can encounter some native birds of Mendoza: condor, crowned eagle, seven knives (a type of bird), yellow cardinal, and southern flamingo.

Additionally, you may spot the gray fox, fenced rabbit or cuis (a type of rodent), capybaras, guanacos, lizards, and many more.

Our recommendation is to rent a bicycle and explore the park, especially in spring when you can witness the vegetation in its full glory in this "GREAT GREEN LUNG."

"Las Leñas: A Dream Destination for Ski and Snow Lovers"

Las Leñas is one of the most important ski and snowboard resorts in Argentina and the Americas. It is located in the valley of the same name in the south of the province of Mendoza in the northwest of the Malargüe department, within the Andes mountain range.

It has 14 lifts that provide access to 29 ski and snowboard trails classified as beginners, intermediates, advanced, and experts.

The ski area covers about 65 km.

It boasts the longest uninterrupted descent in the country, spanning 7050 m connecting the Apolo, Neptuno, and Venus trails.

There is a 1500 m Terrain Park with jumps, banked turns, and rails, a favorite spot for snowboarders, although its opening is not always guaranteed.

Night skiing: only Eros 1 and until 7 PM are illuminated, totaling 2 km. In recent seasons, it was disabled on most days.

The base is located at an altitude of 2222 meters, and the summit at 3430 meters, making it the highest ski resort in Argentina.

The average annual snowfall is 15 cm at the base, 60 cm at the middle elevation, and 2 m at the summit.

Snowmaking: 30 snow cannons are distributed throughout the mountain. There is a group of riders from the valley known as #TeamExtreme.

Currently, it has a hotel and gastronomic complex with 3,074 beds, enjoying great international recognition.

You can reach Las Leñas by road from Buenos Aires via RN 188, from Córdoba and Rosario via RN 40, and from Mendoza through Provincial Route 222. It is recommended to rent a car in Mendoza to easily access the resort.

Distances

1171 km from Buenos Aires

1075 km from Rosario

890 km from Córdoba

660 km from San Juan

450 km from Mendoza

209 km from San Rafael

70 km from Malargüe

785 km from Santiago

It is undoubtedly a destination that attracts thousands of tourists all year round, especially those fond of skiing and snowboarding!