This 14-day road trip follows Ruta 40 from through the Andes and Patagonia, linking deserts, mountains, glaciers and lakes on the way to . The route is built around driving, with a stop at each town and natural wonder along the way, which suits a road trip well.
Buenos Aires to San Juan
A flight north to starts the journey, with time to explore the city's parks.
Morning
Fly from Buenos Aires to
Start your journey by flying from Buenos Aires to , where you can pick up your rental car and begin your road trip.
Afternoon
Explore the parks of
Spend the day exploring the city and its beautiful parks, such as and .
Evening
Visit
Finish the day in the city's other large park, .
San Juan to Barreal
A drive west into the Andes foothills, with desert landscapes and a night under the stars.
Morning
Drive to
Drive west towards the Andes Mountains and stop at the , also known as the Valley of the Moon.
Afternoon
Discover the Valley of the Moon
This UNESCO World Heritage Site features unique rock formations and fossils dating back millions of years.
Evening
Stargaze in
Continue driving to , a small town surrounded by mountains and perfect for stargazing.
Barreal to Malargüe
A drive south past a high-altitude lake to the town of near the Chilean border.
Morning
Drive south towards
Drive south to , a town located near the border with Chile.
Afternoon
Visit
Along the way, stop at the , a stunning high-altitude lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Evening
Arrive in
Settle into after the day's drive through the high country.
Malargüe to Las Leñas
A short trip south to the mountain resort of , enjoyed on foot or by bike.
Morning
Drive to
Continue south to , a ski resort that offers plenty of outdoor activities during the summer months.
Afternoon
Hike or bike around
Hike or bike around the area, taking in the surrounding mountain scenery.
Evening
Relax with the mountain views
Simply relax and enjoy the mountain views.
Las Leñas to San Rafael
A drive east to , a wine city with dramatic canyon scenery.
Morning
Drive east to
Drive east to , a city known for its wineries and outdoor adventures.
Afternoon
Explore the
Visit the , a natural wonder with impressive rock formations and turquoise waters.
Evening
Enjoy 's wineries
Finish the day with the local wines that is known for.
San Rafael to Malargüe
A return to to explore the town and its natural history.
Morning
Drive back to
Drive back to and spend the day exploring the town and its surroundings.
Afternoon
Visit the
Visit the , which showcases the region's flora, fauna, and geology.
Evening
Wander around
Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the town.
Malargüe to El Chaltén
A long drive south into the Patagonian Andes, with scenic stops along the way.
Morning
Begin the long drive south
Drive south towards , a small town located in the heart of the Patagonian Andes.
Afternoon
Stop at scenic viewpoints
This is a long drive, so plan to stop at some of the scenic viewpoints along the way.
Evening
Arrive in
Arrive in at the end of the long drive.
El Chaltén
A full day of hiking in , with views of .
Morning
Hike in
Spend the day hiking in , which surrounds .
Afternoon
See the glaciers, lakes and mountains
The park features stunning glaciers, lakes, and mountains.
Evening
Admire
End the day looking out over the iconic .
El Chaltén to El Calafate
A drive south to the lakeside city of and its famous glacier.
Morning
Drive south to
Drive south to , a city located on the shores of Lake Argentino.
Afternoon
Visit the
Visit the , one of the most famous attractions in Argentina.
Evening
Settle into
Rest in on the shores of Lake Argentino.
El Calafate
A second day at the , by boat or on foot.
Morning
Take a boat tour on the glacier
Spend another day exploring the and its surroundings with a boat tour.
Afternoon
Hike on the glacier
Hike on the glacier itself for an unforgettable experience.
Evening
Return to
Head back to after a day among the ice.
El Calafate to Gobernador Gregores
A drive north across the Patagonian steppe, with a stop at a petrified forest.
Morning
Drive north towards
Drive north towards , a small town located in the middle of the Patagonian steppe.
Afternoon
Visit
Along the way, stop at the , where you can see ancient tree trunks that have turned into stone.
Evening
Arrive in
Arrive in the small steppe town of .
Gobernador Gregores to Perito Moreno
A drive north to the town of and its ancient cave paintings.
Morning
Drive north to
Continue driving north to , a town located near the border with Chile.
Afternoon
Visit the
Visit the , a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features prehistoric cave paintings.
Evening
Rest in
Spend the evening in the town of .
Perito Moreno to Bariloche
A drive east to , with a stop among the lakes and forests of Los Alerces.
Morning
Drive east towards
Drive east towards , a city located in the foothills of the Andes Mountains.
Afternoon
Stop at
Stop at the , which features pristine lakes and forests.
Evening
Arrive in
Arrive in at the end of the drive.
Bariloche
A last day in , exploring the city and the .
Morning
Explore
Spend your last day in exploring the city and its surroundings.
Afternoon
Enjoy
Visit the , which offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and fishing.
Evening
Reflect on the trip in
Spend your final evening in after a trip through some of Argentina's most beautiful landscapes.
Good to know
Packing
Pack warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and a camera to capture the sights along the way.