Mendoza to Salta

Iconic Road Trip Along Route 40

Ideally a 10 day/ 9 nights self-drive of 1580km, taking your time to immerse yourself in the sensational sights and special locations from Mendoza, northward, up iconic Ruta 40, to Salta. This is the ultimate self-drive route in all of Argentina.

LAGUNA BRA VA - Laguna Brava is a 16km azure lake, the landscape dominated by volcanoes. This is a protected area with an abundance of Andean wildlife, mammals and avian species. Situated within the 'Reserva Provincial la Vicufias', aside from the flocks of guanaco, the robust flocks of pink flamingos found feeding in the low water levels make for excellent photo opportunities.

TALAMPAYA NATIONAL PARK - The main feature of this UNESCO World Heritage National Park is the impressive Talampaya canyon. Surrounded by massive towering red 180m high naturally eroded sandstone cliffs, with circling Andean Giant condors and eagles overhead and ancient petroglyphs lining the gorge, for a glimpse into the original inhabitants of the region.

ISCHIGUALASTO - VALLE de LA LUNA - Commonly referred to as Valle de la Luna, this is a truly astonishing moonlike desert landscape. Composed of strange clay formations, displaying strange hues, shapes and a kaleidoscope of vast layers of mineral and sediments, it offers a glimpse of Earth's evolution in the Triassic Period. Dominated by formations in the "Painted Valley" and "Bowling Field" there are dinosaur fossils in the Park's museum. Trails run up Cerro Morado, with views over the valley, that if the conspirators are right and Neil Armstong never walked on the Moon, NASA surely had to have filmed the event here!

CAFAYATE - Cafayate is a magical town located in the Valles Calchaquies, 168km south of Salta. It's Argentina's second most premium wine region, focused especially on Torrontes white wines. From Cafayate are the archaeological ruins of the once 7000 inhabitant ancient city of Quilmes, well worth visiting en-route. The journey from Cafayate to Salta is a scenic banquet and photographers nirvana, passing through breath-takingly impressive red rock canyon formations, along Ruta 68, on your way north to Salta. There are Glorious accommodation options are here, to make your road trip even more special.