Ruta 40 · NOA

Road trips

Itineraries

Basic day-by-day plans to start from. Distances are long and roads are slow: plan on 40–60 km/h on gravel.

The Calchaquí loopRoof of Ruta 40Wine, ruins and ponchosThe full NOA stretch
4 daysSalta → SaltaFirst-timers and wine lovers

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.

  1. Day 1

    Salta → Cachi

    Climb the Cuesta del Obispo and cross Los Cardones National Park, then join Ruta 40 at Payogasta for the last stretch into Cachi.

  2. Day 2

    Cachi → Molinos

    South on Ruta 40 through Seclantás, known for its ponchos, to the adobe village of Molinos. Afternoon at a high-altitude winery.

  3. Day 3

    Molinos → Cafayate

    Through Angastaco and the Quebrada de las Flechas, then San Carlos and into Cafayate for a sunset tasting.

  4. Day 4

    Cafayate → Salta

    Morning bodega visit, then back to Salta on Ruta 68 through the red Quebrada de las Conchas.

Expect long gravel sections between Cachi and San Carlos.

3 daysSalta → CachiExperienced drivers and high-altitude fans

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.

  1. Day 1

    Salta → San Antonio de los Cobres

    Up the Quebrada del Toro on Ruta 51. Afternoon out to the Salinas Grandes and back; rest and acclimatise.

  2. Day 2

    Abra del Acay → La Poma → Cachi

    The big day: over the Abra del Acay on narrow gravel, down past La Poma and into the valley to Cachi.

  3. Day 3

    Cachi → Salta

    Easy morning in Cachi, then back to Salta through Los Cardones and the Cuesta del Obispo.

Seasonal. Avoid the summer rainy season and always check the Abra del Acay before setting off.

4 daysCafayate → ChilecitoCulture and slow travel

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.

  1. Day 1

    Cafayate

    A day among the wineries, by bike or on foot, with a Torrontés tasting.

  2. Day 2

    Cafayate → Quilmes → Santa María

    Morning at the Ruinas de Quilmes, lunch in Amaicha del Valle, overnight in Santa María.

  3. Day 3

    Santa María → Belén

    Ruta 40 through Catamarca to Belén. Visit weaving workshops and the hill-top Virgin.

  4. Day 4

    Belén → Chilecito

    Via Londres to Chilecito. Ride up to the Cablecarril station and finish at a local winery.

Add a day for the Talampaya detour via Villa Unión.

10 daysLa Quiaca → ChilecitoRoad-trippers with time

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.

  1. Day 1

    La Quiaca

    Arrive, milestone photo, acclimatise.

  2. Day 2

    La Quiaca → Salinas Grandes

    South across the Puna to the salt flats.

  3. Day 3

    Salinas Grandes → San Antonio de los Cobres

    Short drive and a visit to La Polvorilla viaduct.

  4. Day 4

    Over the Abra del Acay to Cachi

    The highest pass of the route.

  5. Day 5

    Cachi

    Rest day: walks, plaza and views of the Nevado.

  6. Day 6

    Cachi → Molinos

    Adobe villages and a high-altitude winery.

  7. Day 7

    Molinos → Cafayate

    Through the Quebrada de las Flechas to Cafayate.

  8. Day 8

    Cafayate → Quilmes → Santa María

    Ruins and Amaicha del Valle.

  9. Day 9

    Santa María → Belén

    Into Catamarca, poncho country.

  10. Day 10

    Belén → Chilecito

    Finish under the Famatina.

Remote sections in the north: fuel up at every chance and carry spare water.