Travel along the legendary Route 40: from Mendoza to Salta

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Ezeiza International Airport - Buenos Aires City Tour

  

  Reception at Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) and transfer to the hotel in a private vehicle. Service provided with a French-speaking guide. Half-day tour of Buenos Aires on foot and by public transport Start your visit to the capital with the historic center. You will take Avenue 9 de Julio, dominated by the Obelisk, the symbol of Buenos Aires. You will then pass by the Teatro Colón, one of the jewels of Argentine architecture. You will then arrive at Plaza de Mayo, home to famous buildings such as the Casa Rosada, el Cabildo, and the Cathedral. Continue your discovery with the San Telmo district, one of the oldest in the capital: many antique dealers, a covered market, as well as old cafés... End your visit with the famous and picturesque La Boca district, its small streets with old and colorful houses. Enjoy a few minutes at El Caminito, a meeting place for painters and tango dancers. A French-speaking guide will accompany you throughout your visit. Night at La Querencia Buenos Aires in a standard room.

• day 2

  Buenos Aires - Mendoza

  

  Departure from your hotel and transfer by private vehicle from Buenos Aires to the national airport AEP. Domestic flight Buenos Aires - Mendoza. Pick up your rental vehicle, type 4x2 Duster or Ecosport or similar. Unlimited mileage. GPS included. Vehicle pick-up at the airport. Suggested itinerary: Located at the foot of the Andes, close to the border with Chile, Mendoza is a pleasant city, known for its calm and peaceful pace of life. You can discover its five main squares: Plaza España with its ceramics, Plaza Italia, Plaza Chile, Plaza San Martin, and finally Plaza Independencia, the liveliest central square in the city. Then head to the large General San Martín Park. With its 900 hectares, including 500 wooded, this park, a true oasis in the middle of the city, is the great pride of the inhabitants. You will climb up to the traditional Mount of Glory, where stands the imposing statue of General San Martín, hero of independence. Overnight at Posada Verde Oliva in a standard room.

• day 3

  Mendoza - Inca Bridge - Barreal

  

  Suggested itinerary: Departure this morning towards the Andes mountain range, on international route nº7. You arrive at Uspallata, this charming "oasis" still preserves remnants of the Inca Trail where there were Control Posts called "Tamberías" (supply places) to develop trade between local tribes and the Inca tribes from the north of the country. You continue the road to Puente del Inca. In 1965, an avalanche almost completely destroyed the thermal hotel of this small hamlet, except for its chapel and the thermal rooms. Today, the ruins offer a unique landscape! You then continue towards the Aconcagua Provincial Park. Enjoy the view of Aconcagua (6,962 m altitude). Then, you descend back to Uspallata to head towards Barreal, to the north, a small village living from agriculture. Barreal also has 2 astronomical observatories. 380 km - 5h30 Night at Posada Paso de los Patos in a standard room.

• day 4

  Barreal - Villa Unión

  

  Suggested itinerary: After breakfast, you continue your journey north towards Villa Unión. At noon, stop in the town of Iglesia where you can have lunch at a farm that raises trout. Then, continue to the lake formed by the "Cuesta del Viento" dam. In the afternoon, you arrive at Villa Unión, where the culinary specialty is roasted goat, called “chivito” in Spanish. 400 km, about 5h30 of travel. Overnight at the Cañon de Talampaya hotel in a standard room.

• day 5

  Villa Unión - Talampaya and Ischigualasto Parks

  

  Suggested itinerary: Departure early in the morning to reach the magnificent Talampaya Park. This park was created in 1975 to safeguard the archaeological and paleontological remains present at this magnificent site. The Talampaya river canyon, with its gigantic walls that house condor nests at their summits, is among the most beautiful natural wonders of Argentina. In the afternoon, you get back in your vehicle to take advantage of good light to reach Ischigualasto Park, better known (more simply!) as the "Valle de la Luna". 225 million years ago, the Valley of the Moon was a paradise of gigantic ferns, inhabited by immense vertebrates. Motionless under a blue sky, natural sculptures — the mushroom, the submarine, or the sphinx — and traces of reptiles are among the many treasures of this region. Return route to reach Villa Union. Overnight at the Cañon de Talampaya hotel in a standard room.

• day 6

  Villa Unión - Belén

  

  Suggested itinerary: Early departure to reach Belén, a lovely small village and the capital of the poncho. You can visit Elinda Finguerosa's workshop to discover the artisanal work of her superb weavings, which are highly renowned in Argentina. Before reaching Belén, you cross the El Shincal archaeological reserve, located at the foot of the Quimivil mountain range. It is believed that this site was occupied by the Incas between 1471 and 1536. About 20 kilometers further, you arrive at the village of Londres. This was the second village founded in Argentine territory (the first was Santiago del Estero). This village is home to 2,600 souls who mainly live from weaving. You arrive in Belén at the end of the day. 330 km, about 5 h of travel. Overnight at El Belen hotel in a standard room.

• day 7

  Belén - Quilmes - Cafayate

  

  Suggested itinerary: You leave this morning from Belén to reach the archaeological site of Quilmes, an ancient fortress from the Inca era. This site sheltered up to 3,000 people, resisting both Spanish evangelization and military conquest. The city, with its labyrinth-shaped structure, was built in tiers on the slopes of a hill. Visit of the site. You then continue towards Cafayate. This village, located in the heart of the Calchaquíes Valley in the province of Salta, is internationally known for the quality of its wines, the mildness of its climate, the kindness of its inhabitants, and the beauty of its landscapes. Discover its small streets and the central square of the village. 250 kms, about 4 h of travel. Overnight at La Vieja Posada hotel in a superior room.

• day 8

  Cafayate - Quebrada de las Conchas - Cafayate

  

  Suggested itinerary: During this day, you cross the "Quebrada de las Conchas," also known as the "Quebrada de Cafayate," which undoubtedly offers the most magnificent landscapes of Northwest Argentina: imposing and semi-desert mountains, with multicolored rocks sculpted by erosion. A spectacle that nature has prepared for you over centuries and that will surprise you! Return route to Cafayate. Note: 3h30 - 170 kms. Night at the hotel La Vieja Posada in a superior room.

• day 9

  Cafayate - Molinos - Cachi

  

  Suggested itinerary: You leave this morning from Cafayate and continue through the vineyards of the Calchaquies valleys. Little by little, we leave behind the lush landscapes for a more desert-like panorama. You then cross the "Quebrada de las Flechas," a geological formation representing arrow-shaped rocks that rise towards the sky. You then arrive at Molinos, a small colonial village dating from 1659, featuring a majestic church and the elegant Isasmendi estate, last governor of the city of Salta. You continue your journey to reach the small colonial village of Cachi, located at 2200 m altitude. Cachi is a peaceful Indian village with low, whitewashed houses, where the San José church dating from the 18th century stands, with its roof carved from cactus wood. You can visit the small archaeological museum which presents very beautiful collections of pre-Inca and Inca ceramics, particularly from the Santa Maria culture. Wine lovers can visit the cellars of Bodegas Puna, Mira Luna, and Isasmendi, which offer tastings of high-altitude wines. 165 km, about 5 hours of travel including 138 km of dirt road. Overnight at Casa de Campo La Paya in a standard room.

• day 10

  Cachi - Quebrada de Escoipe - Salta

  

  Suggested Itinerary: Departure towards the city of Salta, about 145 km away. You will cross spectacular landscapes in the Los Cardones Regional Park, arid lands bristling with candelabra cacti, also known for its long straight line called "recta del tin tin." You will then reach the Piedra del Molino pass at 3350 m and cross the "Quebrada de Escoipe," a large deep gorge where the lush forests contrast with the ochre color of the earth and the bare mountains of the Cuesta del Obispo. You will arrive in Salta in the early afternoon. 155 km, about 4 hours of travel. Overnight at Delvino Boutique Hotel in a "Superior" room.

• day 11

  Salta - San Salvador de Jujuy - Salinas Grandes - Purmamarca

  

  Suggested itinerary: Departure by vehicle from Salta. After 180 km of road, you cross Purmamarca, which means "village of the Holy Land" in the Aymara language. This place is known for its mountain of 7 colors, the "Cerro de los Siete Colores", a kind of mineral rainbow. You then continue on route 52 to visit the Salinas Grandes. You pass the Lipan pass, located at 4,170 m, and arrive at a vast white expanse that contrasts sharply with the pure blue sky. You are in the middle of one of the largest salt deserts in Argentina (12,000 hectares). In this unusual environment, you may have the chance to observe herds of vicuñas. Return to Purmamarca. 5h40 - 385 km - Asphalt Night at Los Colorados Cabañas Boutique in a superior cabin.

• day 12

  Purmamarca - Tilcara - Humahuaca - Hornocal Hill - Tilcara

  

  Suggested itinerary: Departure from Purmamarca and arrival, after about twenty kilometers, at Pucará de Tilcara, a pre-Hispanic Omaguaca village dating back more than 900 years. You can visit the site and the amazing collection of the museum. It notably has funerary vases, jewelry, and other objects from archaeological sites in Northwest Argentina. Then stop at the village of Humahuaca, located at 2940 m, which was one of the most important Inca trading centers. You can continue on the winding track towards Hornocal, where you will have a magnificent panorama of the mountain of 14 colors. In the late afternoon, return to Tilcara to spend the night there. 190 kms (including 50 kms of tracks round trip for Mirador Hornocal) for 3h30 of travel. Night at the Canto el Viento hotel in a superior room.

• day 13

  Tilcara - Salta

  

  Free morning to enjoy the village and its surroundings. Trek suggestion: You can take advantage of this morning to go hiking to the Garganta del Diablo, a high rock formation located about 7 kilometers from the town of Tilcara. It was named this way because of a trench that the bed of the Huassamayo river carved between the rocks to make way for its course. This deep groove carved by the water into the living rock is an impressive natural phenomenon. From this formation, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and the Nevado del Chañi. About 14 km - 3h30 round trip - easy level. We leave Tilcara to take the road back to Salta via San Salvador de Jujuy. Return of your rental vehicle. Note: 210 km - 3h10 - Asphalt. Night at Delvino Boutique Hotel in a "Superior" room.

• day 14

  Salta - Buenos Aires

  

  Departure from your hotel and transfer to Salta airport by private vehicle. Domestic flight Salta - Buenos Aires Reception at Buenos Aires national airport Aeroparque (AEP) and transfer to the hotel by private vehicle. Overnight at La Querencia Buenos Aires in a standard room.

• day 15

  Buenos Aires - Ezeiza International Airport

  

  Departure from your hotel and transfer by private vehicle from Buenos Aires to EZE international airport.