Puente Del Inca: Natural Monument in the High Andes

High-altitude setting and natural monument

Puente Del Inca is located in the Cordillera Principal at an elevation of 2,730 meters. The natural monument is in the town of the same name: a natural biomineral bridge over the Río Cuevas. The protected area is accessible via International Route 7 and is two kilometers from the entrance to Parque Provincial Aconcagua. If you are looking for a hotel in Puente Del Inca, the high-altitude setting and the area's distinctive natural formation can be useful starting points for planning your trip.

The climate in Puente Del Inca is arid, temperate, and cold, and is influenced by the Cordillera de los Andes. The natural area includes five hot springs with temperatures ranging from 33 °C to 38 °C: Venus, Marte, Saturno, Mercurio, and Champagne. Populations of Vultur gryphus and Phegornis mitchellii live and breed in the natural monument; both species are classified worldwide as Near Threatened (NT). Alongside the striking bridge, the climate, springs, and wildlife represent different aspects of the landscape.

Views and trails

A viewpoint offers a view of the natural bridge. Numerous artisan stalls and dining establishments are located right beside it. An open trail runs along the left bank of the Río Las Cuevas to the viewpoint and panoramic lookout at the natural monument. The viewpoint, stalls, and dining establishments therefore share a common reference point for visiting the protected area.

A high-altitude hike also starts in Puente Del Inca and follows the Río Cuevas to the Capilla Virgen de las Nieves. If you plan to take one of the routes described, it is best to check locally beforehand whether it is currently accessible. The two route descriptions name different destinations: the viewpoint at the natural monument and the Virgen de las Nieves chapel.

History and Andean heritage

Puente Del Inca is part of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean road system declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The town is also home to the ruins of the Hotel Termas Puente del Inca. Construction of the hotel began in 1917; on August 15, 1965, an avalanche destroyed part of the building. Railway buildings and infrastructure are also among the historic features worth preserving.

The hot springs are also part of the town's history and its present-day character: pieces made for sale to visitors are coated using thermal water and precipitated mineral salts. The protected area is called Reserva Monumento Natural Puente del Inca. It is protected under Mendoza Provincial Law 6045. The natural monument, high-altitude landscape, and historic remains offer several concrete points of interest for planning your trip, so a visit need not focus on just one theme.

Discover more destinations: Bajo Lunlunta, Luján De Cuyo, Guido, Cacheuta Spa, Eva Perón, Las Compuertas, Agrelo, Los Penitentes.

Go to the broader travel overview: Luján De Cuyo.