Argentina Road Trip: National Route 40

We will continue to San Antonio de los Cobres, a town of five thousand people, main attraction is the ‘Tren a las Nubes’ (train to the clouds). On its origins, it connected Argentina and Chile for commercial reasons. Now it is only for touristic reasons, but it is still a masterpiece of engineering.

Salinas Grandes – Jujuy and Salta

At only 40km west Cachi and its white houses made out of adobe will be your next stop. In this classical Andean town, remains of ancient civilizations were found and dated to 10,000 years.

Close in the scale of awesomeness, comes Cafayate. In the Calchaquies Valleys, surrounded by high walls of red stone, Cafayate is where the most important wineries of the north are located. High altitude wines are their trend mark.

The oldest town in Catamarca will be your home during the night. This mesmerizing city is a true archeological treasure of both nature and culture since the very own Inca empires reached this area in the year 1,400.

But by far nothing can compare to the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) in Ischigualasto National Park. This hypnotizing landscape made out of eroded rocks that, as you can tell, resembles the surface of our natural satellite.
After ‘an afternoon in space’, you’ll return to Villa Union to rest.

This is by far the most important city near the Andes, casinos, clubs, bar pubs, mountains, rivers, ski centers, vineyards and fine cuisine, are only some of the things that makes Mendoza a touristic paradise. As you can see, one night is not enough to enjoy it, that’s why we’re giving you two.

In this area not only Inca mummies were found but this is in fact, one of the key spots that José de San Martin (liberator of America) had to cross in its crusade for the Independence. That being said, the natural and cultural value of the Park is immense.

The unique weather that combines dry winds, the right amount of rain and rich lands, makes Mendoza the ultimate paradise for wineries. This is the home of the many awarded and celebrated Argentinian Malbec, and you’ll have the opportunity to witness the whole process of making this ‘elixir of life’, first hand.

As we don’t recommend drinking and driving, it is better to take a guided tour. After you’ll return to Mendoza city to take a night bus that will take you to Patagonia, from where you will continue your Ruta 40 Argentina road trip.

Loved by families, sports fans, and teenagers, Bariloche will welcome you with a wide variety of options regarding tourism.

Three hours up North San Martín de los Andes is the main way to access the Lanín National Park. This area is full of life and vegetation and offers unique access to the Lanín volcano. A few minutes from the city the road of the Siete Lagos is a tour anyone should miss. Greenish and deep lakes at high altitude surrounded by huge mountains, where you can kayak or simply swim during the summer, are definitely unforgettable.

Between San Martin de los Andes and Bariloche, the chic city of Villa Langostura awaits. A paradise for skiers, this town hosts one of the best natural ski slopes on the planet.

After passing the National Park you will reach Esquel where you’ll spend the night. This dreamy is famous for being a top destination during the winter due to the snow and mountains.

After spending the afternoon in this landscape taking out of a dinosaur movie, you’ll be spending the night in the city of Sarmiento

Once your adventure day is over, a new night awaits at Lago Posadas, on the Southeast of Santa Cruz. But if you are feeling excited, we recommend you to spend an extra night so you can visit de marble chapels (on the Chilean side of the border), and the Lago Pueyrredón and its 150 meters high cascade.

Once this part of the journey ends, you’ll have to travel about 530 kilometers West to El Chaltén. In this city is where you’ll spend the night and also, where you’ll find a whole variety of activities to do.

Rock climbing, kayak, rafting, horse riding and biking, are some of the things we recommend you to practice here.

El Chalten

During this trip you’ll see waterfalls, wild animals (like horses living in ice islands) and of course, huge walls of blue ice.

Golden grasslands, deep blue blocks of ice and bright crystal clear green waters, are the perfect ingredients of this one of a kind dreamy landscape.