Puente Del Inca

A natural bridge over the Río Cuevas, thermal springs, and traces of a long history of travel shape Puente Del Inca. The natural monument lies at an altitude of 2,730 m in the Cordillera Principal, in the town of the same name. Visitors interested in high-mountain landscapes and cultural history will find several different points of interest for a stay here.

Natural Monument and High-Mountain Landscape

Puente Del Inca is a natural biomineral bridge over the Río Cuevas. The site is protected as the Reserva Monumento Natural Puente Del Inca under Mendoza Provincial Law 6045. The protected natural environment is therefore as much a part of the town’s identity as its striking geological formation.

The climate also characterizes this area: it is arid, temperate, and cold, and is influenced by the Cordillera de los Andes. Populations of Vultur gryphus and Phegornis mitchellii live and breed in the natural monument. Both species are classified worldwide as Near Threatened (NT). Visitors interested in nature can therefore look beyond the bridge to the wildlife of the protected area when exploring Puente Del Inca.

The town is home to five thermal springs with temperatures between 33 °C and 38 °C. They are named Venus, Marte, Saturno, Mercurio, and Champagne.

Trails, Views, and Getting Your Bearings

The Puente Del Inca protected area can be reached via International Route 7. For reference when planning the rest of your trip, it is 2 km from the entrance to Parque Provincial Aconcagua. This distance refers to the park entrance and the Puente Del Inca protected area.

An authorized trail runs along the left bank of the Río Las Cuevas to the viewpoint and panoramic lookout at the natural monument. A long viewing area offers a view of the natural bridge. Numerous artisan stalls and restaurants are located next to the viewpoint.

A high-mountain hike starts in Puente Del Inca and follows the Río Cuevas to Capilla Virgen de las Nieves. The route connects the town’s name with a specific hiking destination. If you are interested in this hike, you can include it as a separate experience in your travel plans; no route length or walking time is given here.

Andean Roads and Historic Traces

Puente Del Inca is part of the Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean road system that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2014. This gives the town a cultural and historical dimension in addition to its natural character. Other historic features to be preserved in Puente Del Inca include railway buildings and railway infrastructure.

The ruins of the Termas Puente Del Inca hotel are also part of the town’s history. Construction of the hotel began in 1917. On August 15, 1965, an avalanche hit the hotel; the small colonial chapel of Puente Del Inca survived the 1965 avalanche. These different structures tell of several historic traces, so the town’s history is not limited to a single building.

Thermal water is also used to make objects coated with precipitated mineral salts, which are offered for sale to visitors. This craft adds a concrete local tradition to the story of the springs. Together with the ruins, railway features, and the Qhapaq Ñan, Puente Del Inca offers a range of cultural themes to explore alongside its landscapes.

Puente Del Inca as a Place to Stay

When choosing a vacation rental, it is important to consider first whether Puente Del Inca, as a high-mountain destination, suits your travel interests. Its altitude of 2,730 m, natural monument, and cultural and historical traces shape the character of the town.

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Back to the main travel overview: Luján De Cuyo.