Categories
Bariloche El Calafate

Route 40, pure adventure

Route 40 runs alongside the Andes from la Puna until reaching the Glaciers of the South. 

It is mythical for many reasons. For the solitary stretches it crosses. For the peaks of the Andes that guard the route like centennials. And also because its plan corresponds with the ancient travel routes of the first inhabitants of South America. These wise ancestors were knowledgeable about all of the different microclimates where a traveler could find fresh water supplies, the resource which enabled the development of the cities and towns of today.

Route 40

National Route 40 can practically be considered Argentina’s backbone, running along 5,000 kilometers (3,100 mi), crossing 18 important rivers, 20 National Parks and Natural Reserves and connecting 11 provinces: Santa Cruz, Chubut, Río Negro, Neuquén, Mendoza, San Juan, La Rioja, Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy.

Similar to Route 60 in the United States, but many kilometers longer and reaching higher altitudes (almost 5,000 meters -16,400 ft- above sea level in Abra del Acay, Salta), Route 40 has become the new star of tourism in Argentina.

From South to North

 Route 40 is an astonishing road, a rolling myth, the place of places that represents a milestone. For those who dare take it, there will always be a “before and after” their trip on Route 40.

Since its creation in 1935 and while kilometer 0 (zero) was located in Mendoza city, on the intersection of San MZigzag roadartín Avenue and Garibaldi Street, the route was divided into North and South. But as from 2004, the Highway Department (Dirección Nacional de Vialidad) moved this point to Cabo Vírgenes.

From the current kilometer 0, located 124 km (77 mi) from Río Gallegos -the most southern point of the continent- up to Puna in Jujuy, the route is approximately 5,200 km (3,200 mi) long and goes across a variety of climates, geographies and cultures.

It borders the Andes range for the most part, from latitude 52º to parallel 22º 45’, and goes through three different regions: Patagonia, Cuyo and Northwest.

The area of the Patagonian region that Route 40 crosses (Santa GuanacosCruz, Chubut, Río Negro and Neuquén) shows a geography of plateaus and mountains and arid cold climate. This area is characterized mainly by a landscape full of lakes, mountains and forests. Some outstanding points are: Cabo Vírgenes, Río Turbio coal bed and Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park, Cueva de las Manos in Perito Moreno National Park and Los Alerces National ParkEl BolsónSan Carlos de Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes.

In Cuyo region (Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja), the geography varies Camino Valle de Uco in Mendozabetween plains and mountains and the climate is mainly arid. Here, the rivers come down the mountains to provide water for the vineyards, whose products are  internationally well-known . The most outstanding points touched by Route 40 along this area are: Caverna Las Brujas, Las Leñas, Agua del Toro dam, Laguna Diamante, the famous Penitentes, San Rafael, the imposing Aconcagua, Talampaya National Park, Valle de la Luna and Chilecito.

On the other hand, in the Northwest (Catamarca, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy), the geography presents plateaus and mountains; the climate varies between high altitude arid climate and subtropical. Landscapes Cerro de los siete colores in Purmamarcaare breathtaking, showing mountains in thousands of colors and green valleys, full of vineyards. But in the northwest the beauty of nature equals the cultural richness, since Inca and Kolla traditions are kept intact, alive and everlasting in each town and every inhabitant of these high lands. Some of the interesting points the route joins are: Santa María, the Quilmes Ruins, Cafayate, Angastaco, Molinos, Los Cardones National Park, Nevado de Cachi, Abra El Acay and San Antonio de los Cobres.

Roadside YPF

Route 40 and its surroundings bear an endless number of attractive places. Some are displayed as treasures in a showroom. Others are kept a secret. You only need time to discover them. 

 

Some tips

For those who want to join in a trip along this mythical route, here are some tips:

It is convenient to travel around Cuyo and the Northwest in the winter season since summer rains tend to flood and badly damage the route. In Patagonia, instead, the best time is from October to April, since winter snow and ice make the trip harder.

In terms of clothing, for dry mountain winds or snow storms it is advisable to have a spare change of light clothes and warm clothes as well as sunscreen lotion and related accessories (sunglasses, lip balm, gloves).

Although the trip can be made by car, it is convenient to increase the standard tire air pressure (28 pounds) to 32 pounds.

Water is vital in this kind of trips. You really need to have plenty just in case.

The entire journey, leg by leg, at these articles:

  • Absolute Argentina

    Absolute Argentina
    A 13-day journey across landscapes so distinct they appear drawn from different worlds: the vibrant rhythm of cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, the timeless ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the remote stillness of Ushuaia — known as the End of the World — and the lush vastness of Iguazú...
  • Adventures in Patagonia

    Adventures in Patagonia
    A trip crafted for active travelers and those in search of genuine adventure. It connects two of Patagonia’s most emblematic destinations: the Perito Moreno Glacier, icon of the southern ice fields, and Tierra del Fuego, the legendary archipelago at the end of the world. In each location, the...
  • Bariloche, the Lakes Capital

    a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains
    Bariloche is at the heart of the Andean Lakes District. This tour explores its most iconic routes—from the serenity of the Circuito Chico to the sweeping views atop Cerro Campanario, and the ever-changing scenery along the famous Seven Lakes Road. Between outings, there’s time to enjoy regional cuisine,...
  • Buenos Aires, Essential City

    Buenos Aires, Essential City
    This three-night journey offers a first approach to Buenos Aires, a capital with a distinctly European sensibility. The experience weaves together the contrasting layers of the city: from the colorful façades and working-class spirit of La Boca to the bustling streets and leafy parks of Palermo, a neighborhood...
  • Walking with penguins

    Walking with penguins
    A brief yet immersive journey through one of Patagonia’s most emblematic natural sanctuaries. On the Valdés Peninsula—UNESCO World Heritage Site—wildlife thrives across stark, wind-swept plains. Further south, Punta Tombo welcomes nearly a million Magellanic penguins each season. Along narrow paths etched into the steppe, one walks among them—an...
  • Iguazu Falls, water magic

    Iguazu Falls, water magic
    Staggeringly beautiful and a sensory jolt like no other, Iguazú Falls in northeastern Argentina offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Set amid lush subtropical rainforest, these thundering cascades defy description—raw, cinematic, and unforgettable.
  • W Circuit – Hiking Torres del Paine

    W Circuit - Hiking Torres del Paine
    An in-depth exploration of Torres del Paine National Park awaits, through one of Patagonia’s most iconic hiking experiences. The journey follows the famed W Circuit, named for the shape it traces across the map. Designed for those drawn to remote landscapes and long treks, this 43.5-mile (70 km)...
  • ”The spirit of the Glaciers” Cruise

    "The spirit of the Glaciers" Cruise
    Towering walls more than 50 meters high, deep blue ancient ice, majestic icebergs, and long Patagonian sunsets that set the sky ablaze—followed by nights so clear the Milky Way reflects on the lake. “Spirit of the Glaciers” is a luxury cruise aboard the exclusive Santa Cruz, offering two...
  • Australis Cruise: Ushuaia – Punta Arenas

    Australis Cruise: Ushuaia - Punta Arenas
    Cruising the fjords aboard the Mare Australis offers a rare exploration of Patagonia’s far south, through the wild archipelagos of Tierra del Fuego, following routes navigable only by Australis Cruises. The journey retraces the history of Cape Horn and Wulaia Bay—sites shaped by early exploration, indigenous presence, and...
  • El Calafate and El Chaltén Express

    El Calafate and El Chaltén Express
    A four-day journey that moves between silence and motion in the southern reaches of Patagonia. At Los Glaciares National Park, the Perito Moreno Glacier stands in full view from the walkways, vast and shifting. Aboard the Gourmet Glaciers Experience, the landscape opens further—revealing distant walls of ice, fractured...
  • Deep El Calafate and El Chaltén

    Deep El Calafate and El Chaltén
    Six days in southern Patagonia, shaped by two distinct experiences. In El Calafate, the journey includes a guided trek on the ancient ice of the Perito Moreno Glacier — a physical encounter with one of Nature’s most iconic landmarks. In contrast, El Chaltén offers two full days of...
  • El Calafate and Torres del Paine Express

    a man standing on top of a mountain next to a lake
    This cross-border itinerary links two extraordinary landscapes in southern Patagonia: the compact, crevassed surface of the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park, and the weathered granite towers of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, rising above a mosaic of lakes and plains. From the glacier’s...
  • Deep El Calafate & Torres del Paine National Park

    Deep El Calafate & Torres del Paine National Park
    A remarkable journey that brings together the highlights of Argentine and Chilean Patagonia. It begins with a visit to Los Glaciares National Park, home to the striking Perito Moreno Glacier. The experience culminates deep within Torres del Paine National Park, with two nights at an exclusive all-inclusive lodge—an...
  • The Glaciers: Heavenly Ices

    The Glaciers: Heavenly Ices
    This itinerary includes a journey into Los Glaciares National Park to reach the renowned Perito Moreno Glacier, with time to explore the walkways and viewpoints that offer sweeping perspectives of the ice. A direct encounter with vastness, where the sheer size of the glacier speaks for itself. The...
  • Iguazu Falls & Patagonia: Glaciers and Waterfalls

    Iguazu Falls & Patagonia: Glaciers and Waterfalls
    Argentina’s two most iconic natural landmarks—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites—unfold across six unforgettable days. The colossal glaciers of Patagonia and the thundering Iguazú Falls in the country’s northeast overwhelm the senses with scale, power, and untamed beauty.
  • Valdes Peninsula, whales paradise

    Navegación de avistaje de ballenas - Puerto Madryn
    An exceptional stretch of Atlantic Patagonia, where raw nature and cultural legacy converge. At Valdés Peninsula—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—native wildlife thrives in its purest form. The journey peaks with a navigation offering a close encounter with Southern Right Whales, as they surface and glide beside the boat....
  • Deep Patagonia

    Deep Patagonia
    An itinerary that weaves together three essential Patagonian landscapes. It begins on the Atlantic coast, between Puerto Madryn and the Valdés Peninsula—home to sea lions, elephant seals, and a vast colony of Magellanic penguins spread along the rugged shoreline. The journey then continues inland to Los Glaciares National...
  • Puerto Madryn, penguins and whales paradise

    Puerto Madryn, penguins and whales paradise
    A compact journey into one of Patagonia’s most remarkable natural regions. At Valdés Peninsula—UNESCO World Heritage Site—native wildlife flourishes in raw, untamed landscapes. A boat navigation brings close encounters with Southern Right Whales—gentle giants that glide silently through the open sea. The following day unfolds at Punta Tombo,...
  • Wine Roads in Mendoza

    Wine Roads in Mendoza
    Mendoza stretches out beneath the Andes, where vineyards meet desert light and the rhythm of mountain life prevails. This tour explores both sides of the region: the calm elegance of the city—shaded squares, ordered groves, and a deep connection to water—and the vastness beyond, where the mountain roads...
  • Land of Glaciers and Seven Lakes

    Land of Glaciers and Seven Lakes
    An itinerary that connects two of Patagonia’s most iconic regions. It begins in the south, at Los Glaciares National Park, where Perito Moreno's vast walls of shifting blue ice—recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—define the landscape. The journey then turns north to Bariloche, where the Andean Lakes...
  • Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking

    Perito Moreno Glacier Trekking
    An unforgettable experience in El Calafate: two days that lead deep into the glacial landscape. It begins atop the ice of Perito Moreno, with a minitrekking across crevasses and deep blues, followed by the famous walkways, where the glacier reveals its full scale. The next day, a navigation...
  • A week at the End of the World

    A week at the End of the World
    A journey linking the glacial vastness of the Andes with the southern edge of Tierra del Fuego. It begins in El Calafate, with time to explore the Perito Moreno Glacier, sail among drifting icebergs, and take in the stillness of the steppe. Then comes Ushuaia: crossing the Andes...
  • Tierra del Fuego: the End of the World

    Tierra del Fuego: the End of the World
    Surrounded by mountains and the waters of the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia is the gateway to Tierra del Fuego and the closest city to Antarctica. Over the course of a three day tour led by expert guides, it’s possible to explore and navigate its striking geography, learn about its...
  • Bariloche, the Lakes Capital

    a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains
    Bariloche is at the heart of the Andean Lakes District. This tour explores its most iconic routes—from the serenity of the Circuito Chico to the sweeping views atop Cerro Campanario, and the ever-changing scenery along the famous Seven Lakes Road. Between outings, there’s time to enjoy regional cuisine,...