canon del atuel

We started at the dam near Nahuel and immedeately the scenery became dramatic. The road is gravel for most of the so take it slowly to enjoy the scenery. There are plenty of places to stop and admire the views. This year, due to water shortages, the river level is very low in parts and this has affected some of the rafting/water pursuits in the lower reaches

If you are in San Rafael, it is worthwhile to take the public bus that stops on Calle Balloffet to go to Valle Grande. Only costs about US$5 equivalent round trip. Or can take tours to do rafting, 4 wheel drive tours, hot springs etc in the area through the canyons.I didn't have that much time so took the public bus (can get schedule from the helpful city tourist office) Took about an hour through pleasant winery/orchards along the river to the Dam and lake. Got off and walked on the Dam. Unfortunately, too much trash up there & Lake shows effect of drought though still pretty enough. Can rent boats & kayaks if walk down a lot of stairs. There is a restaurant too with outdoor seating and nice view. Music on - some like music; I would have preferred quiet to enjoy the nature.Best thing was walk down the canon from the Lake along the road next to the river. It was peaceful, quiet, and gorgeous in areas. Lots of rafting companies and restaurants along the river. Took a few hours to walk around, had lunch and then caught the bus back. Very pleasant day.

You have lots of activities to do, like treking, rafting, cool river etc. Great views. You can also visit some Wineries and have a taste of excellent wine.

The rafting was lots of fun. The complete drive thru the canyon became a bit boring towards the end.

beautiful scenery and great activities like rafting, hiking, horseback riding, rappelling, canopy, and kayaking.

If you are is San Safael, bring your geology professor. I know nothing about geology, and neither did our guide (I assume) , but the rock formations and other geological features are fascinating. This is a "must do" excursion. I went with Risco Viajes, it was a full day trip, and highly entertaining. (AR$375). Our guide was knowlegeable and has a great sense of humour, which went a long way, as the bus (Combi) was full, but everyone aboard was having a blast. We drove to the Nihuel lake, had a coffee there, then drove the gravel road through the Canon to Valle Grande... Lunch there (not included, but affordable and good), and an option to go rafting. The river is touted as class 2, but I would say its a class 1, with a couple of features that would get your juices flowing if the water is up (It wasn't, and I doubt it ever is, except during thunderstorms, as the the dam controls the flow. The Canon is not comparable to Colca in Peru, or Grande in the US, but it is definetly worth the day you spend.....and the pesos!...If you choose to try it, and do not understand Castellano (Spanish), ask around if there are English language tours available. The Risco staff are great, but don't speak gringo too well.

no doubt that this is a must see when visiting San Rafael. It's just a half day tour if you are staying in San Rafael. Start from Dique Valle Grande and end it at Dique El Nihuil.If you go to San Rafael and do not visit this wonderful place, then it's like not going to San Rafael.

If you are coming to San Rafael, you should visit the Atuel Canyon as well as the Valle Grande which is escentially the end bit of the canyon. Its uniqueness is that the mother rock which is older than the Patagonia has been carved by water and wind and as is composed of various types has achieved different colours and shapes depending on the mother rock. At different times of the day and depending on the sun light, the shadows can cast an ever changing pattern over the canyon.I have to mention that I live near this canyon and have been there at least a dozen times.

Absolutely spectacular scenery, rivaling what you would see in the national parks in Utah. The photos and descriptions don't really do this justice. It is a "must see" if you are in the San Rafael region,

Surrender to the wild beauty Nature ,so peaceful!! The whole Canon Offer a great Scenery is a Place you must have to visit!!

Spectacular Canon, it is a must see spot if you are in Mendoza, you can drive there, very nice drive, beautiful scenery absolutely splendid.

I took this fantastic tour with Atuel Travel and it was so Good....we saw the whole canon, along with the dam and even took the Catamaran boat ride too!yes, it was a long tour, but so memorable and long lasting.i highly recommend you to visit Canon del Atuel and Atuel Travel on your next visit to Canon Del Atuel.

Very informative about the local area, a little too long on the bus, but tour guides were very well informed

This is a must visit if you are in Mendoza as it has so much to offer in one place.The canon is a road trip between the lakes El Valle Grande and El Nihuil. It goes through the canon following the river Atuel.Through this road trip you will see fantastic and amazing rock formations, lovely river beds as well as the three or four hydro electric stations which are based on the river and one can ask for a tour as well.One is not allowed to bath in the river due to the flash floods that might occur when one hydro station opens its flood gates but you can have picnics beside the river and stop and claim up the rock formations.It is truly a great wonder of natures doing this place and fantastic to go with the family and spend the hole day starting at Valle Grande and then ending it at El Nihuil.The road is mostly dirt road and can be a bit bumpy so best to go in a 4x4 or a high raised vehicle.But if nature and rock formations are what you and the family like then make sure you see this one!

The view is spectacular! You can also go rafting here (level 3-4) , the experience is awsome! Try to go with a guide if you are not a local so the guide can tell you about the mountains and the river formation and so on, very interesting.