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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 adventurous part of the rough Ruta 40 to reach southern Patagonia with it's impressive mountains like Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre, the famous glacier Perito Moreno and finally the southernmost city of the world Ushuaia.
 Total distance about 7000 km, 30% gravel roads.
The trip can be done in the 4 x 4 off road support vehicle, too!
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Day 1
We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes.
Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, where we spend the night.
Total 200 km, all tarmac.
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Day 2
We visit the impressive pre Inca ruins of Quilmes, and now on the legendary Ruta 40 we keep heading south on tarmac and gravel roads through the sparsely populated planes of Catamarca to get to the town of Belen.
Approx. 240 km.
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Day 3
On good tarmac road we'll reach Chilecito to have lunch and visit the museum before crossing the rocky pass Cuesta de Miranda to stay in the village of Villa Union.
Approx. 300 km.
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Day 4
Today we'll visit the National Park of Talampaya impressing us with it's spectacular canyon and diverse fauna and flora. We'll carry on to reach the Nature Park Ischigualasto (Valley of the Moon) with it's naturally carved bizarre rock formations which can be visited on the bikes. Overnight stay in Valle Fertil.
Approx. 300 km.
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Day 5
On tarmac road through bush land and wine plantations we pass San Juan and drive into Mendoza City, the wine capital of Argentina.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 6
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 7
On our way south on the Ruta 40 along the Andes we'll pass fruit plantations, lakes and the Volcano Diamante. Going on a small detour we´ll reach the ski resort of Las Leñas in the heart of the Andes. Overnight stay in pleasant Malargüe.
Approx. 440 km.
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Day 8
We'll carry on through basaltic dessert areas into Neuquen and follow a valley high above the river to reach the little village of El Huecú.
Approx. 430 km.
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Day 9
We'll enter the volcanic landscapes of Copahue, Caviahue and Pehuenia, with their snow capped volcanoes, and shining lakes seamed by unearthly Araucaria forests, and we'll enjoy the evening of the idyllic shores of lake Aluminé.
Approx. 300 km.
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Day 10
On the Pehuenia Circle today we´ll enjoy an endless amount of Araucaria trees and lakes and rivers on our way to San Martín de los Andes on the shores of Lake Lacar.
Approx. 280 km.
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Day 11
Today we'll enter the lake district of Bariloche on the Road of the Seven Lakes, and reach the beautiful situated capital of northern Patagonia.
Approx. 210 km.
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Day 12
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 13
The Ruta 40 leads us south to El Bolsón and through the National Park Los Alerces to the welsh settlement Trevelin.
Approx. 310 km.
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Day 144
Crossing over to Chile we'll hit the legendary Carretera Austral, which we'll be following the next 3 days. With it´s very humid climate this fjord area has lush green vegetation and roaring rivers in a beautiful mountain setting.
Overnight stay in the small village of Puyuhuapi.
Approx. 250 km.
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Day 15
Today we'll travel on probably the most interesting part of the Carretera Austral to Coihaique, and on a nice and snaking tarmac road to Villa Cerro Castillo. Overnight stay in Puerto Ibañez.
Approx. 400 km.
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Day 16
The next two days we'll be going round the green shimmering Lake General Carrera having spectacular views of the northern inland icefield. After visiting the impressive waterfall Salto del Ibañez we´ll pass the castle like mountain Cerro Castillo, the Dead Forest Valley and the Villages Bahia Murta to get to Puerto Rio Tranquilo.
Approx. 150 km.
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Day 17
Today we´ll have great views of the Northern Inland Icefield on the far side of Lake General Carrera, and we´ll be driving along the steep cliffs bordering the southern shore of the lake. In the village of Chile Chico we'll cross over into Argentina again.
Overnight stay in the town of Perito Moreno.
Approx. 250 km.
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Day 18
We'll reach the Ruta 40 again, which will be a dusty, windy and rough gravel road for the next 300 km, leading through desolate dessert flats. Taking a detour we´ll visit the famous rock painting cave of Cueva de las Manos.
Overnight stay in a traditional Estancia.
Approx. 380 km.
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Day 19
Carrying on through the steppes we'll pass lake Cardiel and Lake Viedma to reach El Chaltén, a little Village on the base of the famous granite towers of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre. If possible, optional hike to the viewpoint of Cerro Torre.
Approx. 280 km.
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Day 20
In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the viewpoint of Fitz Roy.
In the afternoon we´ll go back along Lake Viedma to the Ruta 40 and on the southern shores of shining Lake Argentino we'll reach El Calafate.
Approx. 220 km.
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Day 21
Visit of the famous Glacier Perito Moreno.
Approx. 160 km.
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Day 22
Crossing into Chile we'll head a little north to get to the stunning massive of the Torres del Paine National Park. We will visit some parts of the National Park today on the bikes, including the viewpoint of the Cuernos and the waterfall del Paine.
Approx. 320 km.
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Day 23
In the morning you can go on the optional hike to the viewpoint of the Torre Mountains.
In the afternoon we´ll drive south to the village of Puerto Natales.
Approx. 120 km.
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Day 24
On our way south to Punta Arenas we´ll pass a lagoon with flamingos and will visit the Penguin Colony of Otway.
Approx. 320 km.
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Day 25
On the Ferry over the Strait of Magellan we'll reach Tierra del Fuego, and after a windy ride over the island we'll finally reach our destination, Ushuaia the southernmost city of the World.
Approx. 450 km.
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TOURS
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