Year after year, thousands of visitors from all over the world come to Cuyo region to spend their holidays, especially at the city of Mendoza. 5 Stars Hotels, restaurants, bars, squares and wineries wait for their arrival, to provide the best alternatives and services. However, the attraction of this province is not only urban. Beautiful landscapes, gentle temperatures and a warm weather are the main characteristics of any outdoor activity. The Villavicencio natural reservoir is one of the most seductive options for those who love the combination of history and nature. Villavicencio’s mineralized waters and the old hotel are some of the places to visit during this sightseeing tour.

The trip begins early in the morning, as the visitors come to the departure point. The group travels 60 kilometers from the city to the Villavicencio natural reservoir. They visit the former mineral water’s factory, which used to be located in the district of Las Heras. The old outlets where Mendoza’s people used to fill their buckets still remain on some of the corners. The journey goes on along the 52 Provincial Route, which leads to Chile and the place where General San Martín split his army to attack the neighboring country can be appreciated from the bus. One of the groups, led by General Las Heras crossed by the south of the Andes Mountain Range, and General San Martín did it in San Juan, with the biggest column of soldiers.

As the group moves forward, the pre-Andean zone shows up, with its woods and ravines. They have arrived at the Villavicencio natural reservoir. A huge diversity of wildlife species spreads over a 70 thousand hectares surface, surrounded by mountains up to 3,200 high. Hosted by the several guanacos, the group walks along ancient paths, created by the Huarpes and the Incas during their frequent passage through the Andes Mountain Range. At last, they get to Los Caracoles, a viewpoint at 2,200 of height, where they can enjoy an extraordinary sight of the mountains, trails, flora and fauna.

The final stage used to be one of the Mendoza’s 5 Stars Hotels, the Villavicencio Hotel. Entire families used to come and spend whole seasons enjoying the hot springs and their healing properties. The demand was huge and reservations had to be done with certain anticipation. The façade, balconies and galleries of the structure remain in one piece, as well as the chapel where Sunday mass were celebrated.