Alive Expedition

You will be picked up from the airport (Mendoza) with our private minibus and transferred to Park Hyatt Mendoza in Mendoza.

The hotel Park Hyatt Mendoza in Argentina, with its beautifully restored 19th-century Spanish colonial façade, is conveniently situated in the main business and banking district in the centre of Mendoza. With a prominent position on the Plaza de la Independencia, the hotel is only 15 minutes from Mendoza international airport. The hotel is also host to Kaua Club & Spa and the Regency Casino Mendoza.    

Hotel:	Park Hyatt Mendoza - www.mendozapark.hyatt.com
Transfer:	From airport (Mendoza) to Park Hyatt Mendoza

A late breakfast will be served so that you are able to sleep off your jetlag. After breakfast the Explore Beyond expedition team will check your expedition equipment.

No morning and afternoon obligations are planned on this day. You have time to relax, acclimatize and/or explore the beautiful city of Mendoza.

In 1861 an earthquake leveled the city of Mendoza. The city was rebuilt with wide avenues (for the rubble to fall into) and spacious plazas (to use as evacuation points). The result is one of Argentina`s most seductive cities - a joy to walk around and stunningly picturesque. Added to this fact is that Mendoza is situated in the middle of many of the country`s best vineyards (the region produces 70% of the country`s wine).

There will be a group dinner at Park Hyatt Mendoza where the entire Explore Beyond expedition team will be introduced. Gustavo Zerbino Stajano and Eduardo Strauch will join for this dinner; both are survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571. Eduardo is going to accompany the group for the physical part of this expedition as well. During this dinner you have the possibility to talk with them about the things that happened back in 1972 before, during, and after the crash and what lies ahead in the Alive expedition.

Hotel:	Park Hyatt Mendoza - www.mendozapark.hyatt.com
Meals:	Breakfast and a group dinner at Park Hyatt Mendoza

You will have breakfast at Park Hyatt Mendoza. After that your private minibus will bring you to San Rafael where you will arrive around 3pm. The rest of the afternoon is without obligations.

San Rafael is a city in the southern region of the Mendoza Province, Argentina. With more than 170,000 inhabitants, it is the largest city and the seat of San Rafael Department.

The city is located 240 km from the provincial capital and 990 km from the federal capital. Natural attractions in the area include the Diamante River, which flows through the city and the rapids-strewn Atuel River just south and Lake Los Reyunos, 20 km (12 mi) west of San Rafael.

In the evening a group dinner will be part of the program. During the dinner you will view a documentary on the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and the survivors’ 72-day experience in the Andes.

Hotel:	Tower Inn & Suites - www.towersanrafael.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Park Hyatt Mendoza - lunch snack - dinner at a restaurant in San Rafael
Transfer:	From Park Hyatt Mendoza to San Rafael

On the way from San Rafael towards the physical starting point you pass the little village of El Sosneado where you will stop for a quick lunch.

• 7:00am - Breakfast
• 8:00am - Short briefing about today’s stretch
• 8:30am - 7:00pm You will drive into the mountains to an abandoned hotel and hot springs on the base of the 5189 meter volcano El Sosneado. A bit farther down the Atuel river valley you arrive at your horse post where you will meet with your horses and their handlers. You will saddle up your horses and begin the horse ride over rugged terrain to the camp site at El Barroso River (2682 meter). (Horseride is optional as you can cover this stretch on foot as well). You will be surrounded by spectacular scenic views all day long. The cook will prepare a wonderful dinner.

Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Tower Inn & Suites in San Rafael - lunch snack - dinner at campsite
Overnight stay:	Tents

• 7:00am - Breakfast
• 8:00am - Short briefing about today’s stretch
• 8:30am - Start of the trek by foot towards Valle de Las Lagrimas where the memorial is found and where the incredible story of the survivors took place. Valle de Las Lagrimas is an incredible valley surrounded by 4000+ meter-high snow-capped peaks and most impressive glaciers. Depending on snow conditions, weather, and participants you will build our campsite near the monument (high altitude - around 3600 meters).Eduardo and the rest of the team members will return to the lower campsite to spend the night there.

Meals :	Breakfast at campsite - lunch snack - dinner at campsite
Overnight stay :	Tents

• 7:00am - Breakfast
• 8:00 am - Short briefing about today’s stretch
• 9:00am - You will go explore the beautiful surroundings of Valle de Las Lagrimas. Those with mountaineering experience have the option of doing an alpine ascent of some of the nearby glaciers for even more spectacular views. The less experienced participants can stay with Eduardo on the lower camp and they will have the option of doing a scenic horse ride to a beautiful lake on a glacial basin, going for a hike or resting in campsite.

Meals:	Breakfast at campsite - lunch snack - dinner at campsite
Overnight stay:	Tents

• 7:00am - Breakfast
• 8:00am - You will hike to the horse post from where you will board a private minibus. From there you will drive back to Hotel Tower Inn & Suites in San Rafael 
• 5:00pm - Arrival at Tower Inn & Suites

Hotel:	Tower Inn & Suites - www.towersanrafael.com
Meals:	Breakfast at campsite - lunch snack - group dinner at a restaurant in San Rafael

In the afternoon, a Bodega Salentein wine tour is part of the program.

The Salentein estate and vineyard are rich in history and character. Land now planted with grapes once bore witness to great deeds and heroism. This good will was the work of indigenous people and the Jesuit missionaries who came to the region. One of the Salentein vineyards has historical roots that reach back to the 17th century. In the past, the property was part of an estancia called de Arriba, which belonged to the order of Jesuits. In the heart of the Finca, some 1,500 meters above sea level, lay the ruins of casa grande, an old farmhouse. Surrounded by a mature grove, the old house was built by the Jesuits, who had already begun developing viticulture practices at that time. Today, more than two centuries later, Bodegas Salentein grows the grapes for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in Finca San Pablo.
There is a delicate balance of old and new - of blending the tradition of long celebrated European wine making methods with the bold ingenuity of the New World that defines the Salentein style.

• 8:00 - 10:00am Breakfast
• 12:00pm - Arrival at Bodega Salentein
• 3:00pm - Start of the wine tour
• 8:30pm - Farewell dinner with the whole expedition team at Bodega Salentein where you will stay overnight.  Eduardo will join this dinner as well to share experiences!

Hotel:	Bodega Salentein - www.bodegasalentein.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Tower Inn & Suites - wine tour - group dinner at Bodega Salentein

Transfer from Bodega Salentein to the airport (Mendoza). Return flight back to your country of origin. End of expedition and services.

Meals:	Breakfast at Bodega Salentein
Transfer:	From Bodega Salentein to the airport (Mendoza)