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Route 40! This legendary road leads along the Andes from the very north to the very south of Argentina. On a 3 weeks tour we'll be driving from subtropical Salta in northern Argentina through the dessert areas of Catamarca and San Juan, through the wine region of Mendoza and the Mapuche-Indian areas of Neuquen to the paradisiac lake district of Bariloche, the door to Patagonia.
From Bariloche we'll explore the Carretera Austral in Chile to reach southern Patagonia with it's impressive mountains like Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and Torres del Paine, the famous glacier Perito Moreno and finally the southernmost city of the world Ushuaia.
 Total distance about 7000 km.
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Day 1
We are leaving the southernmost city of the world by crossing a small pass with views on the beautiful Hidden Lake, and after a windy ride over the island of Tierra del Fuego (Fireland) we'll reach the Ferry over the Strait of Magellan to get to the city of Punta Arenas.
Approx. 450 km.
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Day 2
On our way north to the stunning massive of the Torres del Paine National Park we´ll visit the Penguin Colony of Otway and pass a lagoon with flamingos.
Approx. 440 km.
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Day 3
Day at leasure and optional hike to the viewpoint of the Torre Mountains.
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Day 4
We will still visit some parts of the National Park today on the bikes, including the viewpoint of the Cuernos and the waterfall del Paine.
Then we´ll cross into Argentina again to reach the famous Ruta 40 and on the southern shores of shining Lake Argentino where the busy town of El Calafate is situated.
Approx. 320 km.
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Day 5
Visit of the famous Glacier Perito Moreno.
Approx. 160 km.
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Day 6
We´ll go back along the southern shores of shining Lake Argentino to go north to the Lake Viedma and the little village of El Chaltén located on the base of the famous granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
In the afternoon you can go on the optional hike to one of the two viewpoints of the mountain range.
Approx. 220 km.
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Day 7
In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the other viewpoint before we leave to the deserted steppes of the patagonian planes and the Ruta 40, which will be a dusty, windy and rough gravel road for the next 300 km, leading through desolate dessert flats.
Overnight stay in a traditional Estancia.
Approx. 280 km.
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Day 8
Carrying on through the steppes we'll pass the tiny village of Bajo Caracoles.
Taking a detour we´ll visit the famous rock painting cave of Cueva de las Manos.
Overnight stay in the town of Perito Moreno in Argentina.
Approx. 380 km.
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Day 9
In the village of Chile Chico we'll cross over into Chile again.
Then we´ll be driving along the steep cliffs bordering the southern shore of the Lake General Carrera having great views of the northern inland icefield on the far side of the lake.
On the southern tip of the lake we'll hit the legendary Carretera Austral, which we'll be following north for the next 3 days.
Approx. 250 km.
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Day 10
Today we'll finish the tour around Lake General Carrera passing the village Bahia Murta, the Dead Forest Valley and the castle like mountain Cerro Castillo.
In Puerto Ibañez we can visit the impressive waterfall Salto del Ibañez.
Approx. 150 km.
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Day 11
Today we'll travel on a nice and snaking tarmac road to Coihaique and on probably the most interesting part of the Carretera Austral to the small village of Puyuhuapi.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 12
The Carreterra Austral today leads us through a fjord like area with a very humid climate, lush green vegetation and roaring rivers in a beautiful mountain setting.
In Futaleufu we cross over into Argentina again to reach the welsh settlement of Trevelin.
Approx. 250 km.
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Day 13
The Ruta 40 leads us north through the National Park Los Alerces and to El Bolsón entering the paradise of the Lake District. We´ll reach Bariloche the beautiful situated capital of northern Patagonia.
Approx. 310 km.
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Day 14
Day at leisure in Bariloche. Optional drive along the southern shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi to Llao Llao (Approx. 80 km).
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Day 15
Today we'll explore the lake district of Bariloche on the Road of the Seven Lakes, driving through the the 'Bewitched Valley' with it´s bizarre rock formations, along the lake Traful, Lake Falkner and Lake Hermoso
to reach San Martín de los Andes on the shores of Lake Lacar.
Approx. 210 km.
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Day 16
On the Pehuenia Circle today we´ll enjoy an endless amount of Araucaria trees (similar to Sequoias) and lakes and rivers and spectacular views over the area from the crater of the volcano Batea Amuhida.
Overnight stay in Villa Pehuenia on the idyllic shores of lake Aluminé.
Approx. 280 km.
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Day 17
We'll enter the volcanic landscapes of Pino Hachado, Caviahue and Copahue, with their snow capped volcanoes, and shining lakes seamed by unearthly Araucaria forests. Following the Rio Agrio we'll enjoy the evening in the small traditional village of El Huecu.
Approx. 300 km.
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Day 18
We'll carry on following a valley high above the river to reach the basaltic dessert areas of southern Mendoza.
Overnight stay in pleasant Malargüe.
Approx. 430 km.
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Day 19
Going on a small detour we´ll get to the ski resort of Las Leñas in the heart of the Andes.
Our way north on the Ruta 40 today will take us along lakes, the volcano Diamante and fruit plantations,
before reaching the area of Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina.
Approx. 440 km.
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Day 20
Day at leisure to explore the beautiful city and the wineries, or optional ride to the Aconcagua (approx. 390 km).
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Day 21
On tarmac road through wine plantations we pass San Juan and the pilgrim place of Vallecito, carrying on through wild bush land to get to Valle Fertil.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 22
After visiting the Nature Park Ischigualasto (Valley of the Moon) with it's naturally carved bizarre rock formations, we´ll cross the rocky pass Cuesta de Miranda to reach the town of Chilcito.
Approx. 330 km.
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Day 23
Now on the Ruta 40 again we keep heading north on tarmac and gravel roads through the sparsely populated planes of Catamarca.
Overnight stay in Sta. Maria.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 24
The trip ends with a visit of the Quilmes Ruins and a beautiful ride through the colourful Canyon Quebrada de Cafayate and the fertile Lerma Valley where our final destination Salta is located.
After this monumental trip we will enjoy a traditional barbeque on invitation of Horizonte Tours.
Approx. 300 km.
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