Ruta Nacional 40 · Northwest Argentina
The high road through the NOA
From the Bolivian border at La Quiaca, over the Abra del Acay, through Cachi and the vineyards of Cafayate, down to Belén and Chilecito. Gravel, adobe villages and five provinces of mountains.
5provinces
7stopover towns
4,895 mAbra del Acay
4ready-made itineraries
Ways to drive it
However you are travelling
Gravel, altitude and 200 km between fuel stops. What you arrive in changes the whole trip.
By 4x4
The default. High clearance for the ripio, and the only way over the Abra del Acay without worrying.
By motorcycle
Exposed, cold above 4,000 m and unbeatable through the Calchaquí valleys. Carry fuel.
By camper
Slower on the climbs, but you sleep where you stop. Towns with services are far apart.
By bicycle
Weeks, not days, and real altitude. Or skip the climb and join a guided section.
Itineraries
Pick a road trip
The Calchaquí loop
The classic Ruta 40 drive in Salta: cactus forests, adobe villages, a canyon of stone blades and a final night among the Torrontés vineyards of Cafayate.
Roof of Ruta 40
Salt flats, the Puna and the highest pass on the whole route: the Abra del Acay at 4,895 m, before dropping into the Calchaquí Valleys.
Wine, ruins and ponchos
South from Cafayate into the quieter half of the NOA stretch: the Quilmes ruins, the weaving town of Belén and the mining history of Chilecito.
The full NOA stretch
From the northern milestone at the Bolivian border to La Rioja: every highlight of Ruta 40 across five provinces in one road trip.
Tours