Across the Andes

Spinning out of town, the cyclists will find themselves pedalling through the picturesque Valles Calchaquies, passing by small villages and weaver’s workshops. A rest day in the town of Cafayate allows the riders time to explore the red rocks of the Quebrada de las Conchas and the Garganta del Diablo as well as local wineries like Finca Las Nubes which specializes in the Torrontés varietal. Heading south on historic Ruta 40 the landscape shifts from Triassic badlands to mountainsides striped with rocks of green, yellow, red, brown, purple, white and pink.

The route continues south, weaving through the Valle Calchaquí, past dry riverbeds and scrubland with views of far-off, snow-covered mountains. Refreshments are available in the picturesque tiny village of Hualfin, surrounded by red rock walls. Approaching Belén, known as one of the best places to purchase a poncho, the scenery changes as the riders enter the Quebrada del Complejo Termal, a red sandstone gorge formed through geothermal activity. The views are spectacular as the road follows a valley flanked on the west by the Sierra de Famatina range and to the east by the Sierra de Velasco. This is one of the highest areas of the Andes with some mountains reaching up to 6,000 m above sea level. Next up is the Wild West mining town of Chilecito surrounded by a sea of cardon cacti.

The route now bends to the west and passes through a spectacular gorge, the Cuesta de Miranda, on the way to the city of Villa Union. Beautifully situated amidst the intense red mountain ranges of the Sierra de Famatina and the Sierra de Maíz, it is famous for delicacies like Vino Patero (foot-stepping wine) and dried fruits. Dry, hilly landscapes dominate the next stretch with the oasis town of San José de Jáchal providing a welcome break. The road passes through San Juan, the provincial capital and site of a 1944 earthquake that killed more than 10,000 people, and skirts the sand desert near Lavalle, the only desert or that kind in South America. Before long the famous vineyards of Mendoza begin to appear.

After a rest day sampling a glass or two of Mendoza’s famous Malbec, the cyclists will spin west towards the Andes. The road climbs up to almost 4000 m in the shadow of Cerro Aconcagua, at 6922 m, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. This is wild high country and the riders can expect gusting winds, chilly temperatures and, if clear, incredible views. The border crossing into Chile, one of the highest in the world, is at 3200 m. Once across the pass the cyclists will enjoy a twisting ride down the other side of the mountain range on a series of switchbacks, keeping an eye out for the area’s soaring condors. A couple stages later, the riders will pedal into the country’s capital Santiago with its 19th century neo-classical architecture and winding side streets.

Highlights

• Red rock formations of the Calchaqui Valleys
• Cycling historic Ruta 40
• Mendoza - Argentina's capital of wine production
• Cross the Andes into Chile