Whilst self-drive can easily be arranged in both destinations we don’t offer car hire from Mendoza to Santiago. Extra permits are required taking cars across borders, but also it works out incredibly expensive to drop a car off in another country. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend having a car in Mendoza as you have mentioned a stay at the Cavas Wine Lodge, where your excursions are included and you wouldn’t make best use of them as you would be restricted trying the lovely local wines. You can travel to Santiago on a comfortable tourist bus, with fantastic views of the high Andes. This can also be done on a private basis with a driver or alternatively take a short flight.