MENDOZA BEYOND WINE: CACHEUTA THERMAL BATHS HOTEL AND SPA – BATHROBES PROVIDED

High desert country . . . abandoned railroad tunnels cut into the mountains as the road keeps climbing following the river path . . . a V-shaped valley with mountain sides rising over 2000 feet from the valley floor. Overhead, against a deep blue sky, without a cloud to be seen, circle Andean Condors riding the thermal air currents rising from the valley.

In the Andes at an altitude of 4100 feet, 24 miles south of Mendoza, at the end of this road, is the Cacheuta Thermal Baths Hotel and Spa.

Entering to the baths /spas via the hotel front desk and payment for the day taken care of, every visitor receives a white bathrobe and instructions to proceed to the check-in building for the baths. The spa takes the guests’ health very seriously. Every guest has a blood pressure test. Depending on the results, guests are advised which of the pools to use. (High BP, no very hot pool.) Changing into bathing suits and after a warm shower, guests proceed to the thermal pools. Clothes are left at the check-in counter, safe in a locker.

The seven thermal pools form a cascade overlooking the raging river. The higher up the cascade the pool is located, the hotter the water. Temperatures range from 108°F to 83°F. The best way to enjoy the pools is to start at the top, at the hottest, spend 5 minutes in each pool while working one’s way down to the last pool, a large pool with “warm” (83°F) water. Some of the pools have bubblers providing “massages” along the way.

At the top of the cascade, guests lather themselves with warm mud located in a tub. It is quite a sight to see 10-15 life-size, clay statues – the guests all mud-covered baking in the sun! WIthin15-20 minutes the mud has hardened and can then be washed off taking an outdoor shower of mineral-laden warm water. The skin is left feeling soft and smooth – like new.

Lunch, served at the hotel dining room, consists of buffet stations of various salads, local vegetables and the meats of an Argentinian “Asado” (BBQ). However, the most amazing part of lunch is the sight of over 100 guests all wearing their bathrobe – the formal lunch attire, mandatory for all guests.

A sight not to be missed – unfortunately, no pictures allowed.