Malargüe Department

Best of Malargüe Department

Departamento Malargüe Essentials

Departamento Malargüe in Mendoza Province features a diverse landscape ranging from the high-altitude ski slopes of Las Leñas to the volcanic fields of La Payunia, which contains over 800 cinder cones. The region is home to significant scientific facilities, including the Pierre Auger Observatory for cosmic ray research and the Malargüe Deep Space Antenna. Visitors can explore geological formations like the Pozo de las Ánimas sinkholes and the limestone galleries of Cavernas de las Brujas, or visit the memorial site of the 1972 Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash.

Departamento Malargüe Essentials — Map

Andre Charland from Canada / CC BY 2.0

A

Las Leñas Ski Resort

Las Leñas is a ski resort in Argentina, located in the western part of Mendoza Province.

B

Reserva La Payunia

Volcanic reserve characterized by over 800 basaltic cones and extensive lava fields. It is a habitat for guanacos and Darwin’s rheas, offering a lunar-like landscape in the Patagonian steppe.

BoomerKC / Public domain

C

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571

Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 was the chartered flight of a Fairchild FH-227D from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Santiago, Chile, that crashed…

Roberto Fiadone / Public domain

D

Well of Souls

Pair of adjacent karst sinkholes formed by the collapse of underground gypsum deposits. The pits are approximately 200 meters in diameter and contain deep, permanent water pools.

E

Cavernas de las brujas

Extensive limestone cave system featuring diverse karst formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. Guided tours explore multiple subterranean galleries containing ancient marine fossils.

Roberto Fiadone / Public domain

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Pierre Auger Observatory

The Pierre Auger Observatory is an international cosmic ray observatory in Argentina designed to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays: sub…

G

Beautiful Valley

High-altitude valley located deep in the Andes, featuring a natural lagoon and ancient petroglyphs. It is accessible via a mountain pass from Las Leñas during the summer season.

H

Laguna de la Niña Encantada

Small lagoon of crystalline water sourced by underground springs. It is framed by a wall of volcanic rock and is known for its intense blue and emerald colors.

Damian Bikiel / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Payún Matrú

Payún Matrú is a shield volcano in the Reserva Provincial La Payunia of the Malargüe Department, south of the Mendoza Province in Argentina.

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Entrada al Volcán Malacara

Hydromagmatic volcano featuring yellow-toned canyons and chimneys carved by water erosion. Guided walks lead through the interior of the volcanic structure.

Robycol03 / CC BY-SA 4.0

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Malargüe Deep Space Antenna 3

Malargüe Station is a 35-metre ESTRACK radio antenna in Argentina. It enables the European Space Agency to communicate with spacecraft in…

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Llancanelo Lagoon

Large saltwater lagoon and protected wetland area. It serves as a major nesting and feeding ground for diverse bird species, most notably large colonies of flamingos.

Other Lists

Malargüe's Volcanic Wonders Volcanoes and Mountain Peaks Parks & Nature