Argentina Roadtrip: Ruta 40

Koh Larn

The Ruta 40 is one of the wildest and least travelled roads in South America. It spreads the entire length of Argentina from La Quiaca on the border with Bolivia in the north, all the way down to El Chaltén and Río Gallegos in the South. Nearly the entire length of Ruta 40 passes through breathtakingly beautiful countryside. Known simply as "la cuarenta" the road will allow you to experience the sheer emptiness of Patagonia. You may spot condors coasting high above the Andes, see a Patagonian fox, and not much else aside from the stunning scenery. During the 14 hours it takes to go from Los Antiguos to El Chaltén, you probably won't see more than a dozen cars. Che Guevara travelled along much of Ruta 40 during his famous motorcycle jaunts, and his exposure to poverty and adversity helped him develop his revolutionary spirit. Discover yourself as you roadtrip along la cuarenta playing Argentine tunes on the radio.

Along the way you can hide out at a number of estancias. Many estancias in this area welcome guests and you can learn the warm owners' hardy way of life. Go horseback riding, hiking, or walking through the tall poplar trees. From Estancia La Oriental, venture into Perito Moreno National Park (not to be confused with Glaciar Perito Moreno) and explore the park's stunning and stark landscapes. Get out of the car and stretch your legs on a hike to Lago Belgrano, Lago Burmeister, or Cerro Leon.

To the north of Perito Moreno, the Ruta 40 has some unusual attractions. Cueva de las Manos, near the small town of Perito Moreno, is a striking canyon. Home to the Río Pininturas, the caves contain thousands of human hand prints, made over eight thousand years ago. It is mind blowing to see ancient remnants after traveling for 12 hours without seeing a soul. Slightly further north, near Sarmiento, there's a petrified forest with enormous trunks of monkey puzzle trees that turned to stone 140 million years ago.

When you finally arrive at Mount Fitz Roy, after driving for days on relentless flat lands, you will have the chance to explore one of the grandest sights in the whole country. The great turrets of granite rise up from the flat steppe while condors and clouds breeze over top. Take a short hike to the Loma del Pliegue Tumbado viewpoint or spend days trekking up to Río Blanco and Piedra del Fraile. This will be the ideal end to an once-in-a-lifetime roadtrip.

Posted in: Argentina, Roadtrip