✈️ Introduction
This Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary invites you to Argentina’s famed wine country, where vineyards lie against the backdrop of the mighty Andes. Over five days, you’ll tour world-class wineries, savor Malbec tastings, kayak turquoise mountain rivers, soak in hot springs, and taste Argentine barbecue on sun-drenched terraces. With rich historical vignettes, practical transport tips, vivid sensory detail, and daily budgets, it’s your glossy travel-magazine gateway to Mendoza.
🍷 Day 1 of Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary: City Center & Malbec Beginnings
Morning – Plaza Independencia & City Sights
Day 1 of your Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary begins in Plaza Independencia, where locals walk dogs under Jacaranda blooms. Nearby, the leafy Parque General San Martín spans hundreds of hectares with rose gardens, ponds, and historic statues. Don’t miss the Chapel of San Francisco, founded in 1591—Evoking colonial antiquity amid modern cafés.
Lunch – Empanadas & Locro
Head to Mercado Central, where vendors sell cheese and beef empanadas (approx. USD 2 each) and locro (traditional stew) for USD 4. Kitchens fill the air with aromas of cumin, garlic, and slow-simmered meats—comfort food for altitude and appetite alike.
Afternoon – Bodega Tasting Intro
In the afternoon, take a short taxi (~USD 8) to Bodega Enrique Foster, one of Mendoza’s oldest wineries. A Malbec tasting flight (6 varieties) with a cellar tour costs about USD 20. The guide recounts how European immigrants introduced grapes in the 19th century and created Mendoza’s wine legacy.
Dinner – Parilla Experience
Back in town, dine at La Lucia Parilla. Choose a rib-eye steak with chimichurri (approx. USD 25), paired with a glass of rare Reserva Malbec (USD 7). Under sunlit umbrellas, share stories with fellow travelers as the sun dips behind the Andes.
Day 1 Budget Summary
- Transport: USD 20 | Food: USD 35 | Activities/Tastings: USD 20 | Total ≈ USD 75
🚵♀️ Day 2 of Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary: Andes Adventure & El Challao Hot Springs
Morning – Potrerillos & Mountain Views
Early morning taxi or rental car (USD 40 round-trip) takes you to Potrerillos Reservoir, a turquoise masterpiece at the foot of the Andes. Rent a kayak or SUP (USD 20/hr) and glide beneath peaks capped with snow year-round.
Lunch – Asado in the Mountains
At a roadside asador, enjoy a picnic of grilled chorizo, provoleta, and local bread for USD 15, with panoramic views inspiring conversation and contentment.
Afternoon – Cacheuta Hot Springs
Continue up to Termas de Cacheuta (entrance USD 18), where thermal pools unwind your muscles. You alternate between 40°C hot water and cool mountain air, surrounded by inviting greenery.
Dinner – Urban Wine Pairing
Return to Mendoza (~USD 40 inc. tolls). Dine at Azafrán, a refined bistro offering a four-course wine-pairing menu that highlights Andean trout and quinoa risotto (~USD 50).
Day 2 Budget Summary
Transport & Car Rental: USD 60 | Food & Drinks: USD 65 | Entry & Rentals: USD 38 | Total ≈ USD 163
🍇 Day 3 of Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary: Uco Valley Wine Country Discovery
Embark early via shared minivan tour (~USD 85) to the renowned Uco Valley, visiting standout estates like Dominio del Plata and La Azul, set against snowcapped peaks. Tastings, cellar tours, and Andean cheese plates included. You’ll visit boutique wineries and learn sustainable viticulture practices. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant (USD 25). Return by evening.
Day 3 Budget Summary
Tour & Tastings: USD 85 | Lunch & Snacks: USD 30 | Additional transport: USD 15 | Total ≈ USD 130
🎨 Day 4 of Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary: City Culture & Gourmet Classes
Morning – Museo del Área Fundacional
Begin at the Palacio Municipal to explore Mendoza’s founding ruins—earthquake-resistant adobe and colonial architecture submerged beneath modern buildings.
Lunch – Gourmet Cooking Class
Join a hands-on cooking class (~USD 70) to prepare traditional empanadas, malbec reductions, and alfajores, enjoying your creations paired with wine.
Afternoon – Street Art & Coffee
Wander through the bohemian Godoy Cruz neighborhood, where murals depict Andean life and folklore. Stop at a café for a single-origin café de altura (USD 4).
Dinner – Malbec and Local Bites
Dine at 1884 Restaurante, Francis Mallmann’s iconic establishment. Try a set menu with roasted cutlets, vegetable medleys, and Malbec pairings (~USD 60).
Day 4 Budget Summary
Transport & Museums: USD 10 | Cooking Class: USD 70 | Meals & Wine: USD 60 | Total ≈ USD 140
💃 Day 5 of Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary: Village Tour & Farewell Fiesta
Morning – Visit Maipú & Olive Oil Tour
Head to Maipú by taxi (~USD 15) to visit historic bodegas and olive oil mills. Sample wines and oils (USD 15). Learn about colonial hacienda life.
Lunch – Picnic at Vistalba
Enjoy a picnic lunch of local bread, cheese, olives, and wine in Vistalba vineyards (USD 20).
Afternoon – Farewell in Plaza Independencia
Return to the city and browse local art in the plaza. Sit at a shaded café for malbec ice cream (USD 5).
Final Dinner – Fiesta Gaucha
Finish with a gaucho-style dinner by the river (~USD 40), featuring roasted meats, folklore dancing, and Andean music—an unforgettable finale to your Mendoza 5 Day Itinerary.
Day 5 Budget Summary
Transport: USD 15 | Tastings: USD 15 | Meals & Fiesta: USD 60 | Total ≈ USD 90
📋 Budget Overview (per person, mid-range)
| 项目 | 5 天估算 |
|---|---|
| 住宿 | USD 300–450 |
| 食物 & 饮品 | USD 250–300 |
| 交通 & 酒庄出行 | USD 180–220 |
| 活动 & 门票 | USD 120–160 |
| 总计 | USD 850–1,130 |
🌎 For official travel tips and information about Mendoza and Argentina, visit the Argentina Tourism Official Website.
📖 Want to explore more Medellín highlights? Check out our Medellín 5 Day Itinerary: Coffee Culture, Urban Innovation & Colombian Cuisine for a complete guide to Colombia’s City of Eternal Spring.