Exploration and the Fiambalá thermal baths

Road 76 from Laguna Brava to Vinchina

Route 76 leading to Laguna Brava is just as magnificent as the latter. I descend from an altitude of 4210 metres to San José de Vinchina at 1450 metres.

I'm now off the reserve.

Fiambalá

Fiambalá's main attraction is its superb spa. The mountainside site has a total of 14 pools with temperatures ranging from around 45 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius.

The variety of vehicles used to travel is really interesting. It starts with a simple rucksack, then a bicycle, a motorbike, a tuk-tuk, an old car, a van, a 4x4 pick-up and finally a truck. So you can hit the road for as little as $0, or as much as $500,000 for the most luxurious trucks.

This photo shows a Ford Falcon. This model was built between 1960 and 1970.

A Volkswagen made in Brazil, a 1960s Ford Falcon and my Suzuki DR650.

Cuesta de Zapata

The Cuesta de Zapata is a former section of the famous Ruta 40 that crosses Argentina from north to south. This segment was in service from 1935 to 1979. This road also runs alongside one of the Inca trails that crossed the ancient empire.

As soon as you leave Tinogasta, you are greeted by a sign indicating that this road is impassable. Obviously, it's a bit scary, but on a motorbike it's always easy to turn back. In the end, the road was relatively straightforward. However, it's true that for a 4x4, there are some narrow stretches with a rather intimidating precipice in a few places.

There are a few narrow sections where a normal car would not pass. The difficulty with the 4x4 is the narrowness of the track. You have to trust the unmaintained track to support the vehicle and, what's more, there can't be another 4x4 coming in the opposite direction. Backing up on such a narrow track would be a nightmare.

It is to be hoped that the road will not collapse through lack of maintenance.

Sierra de Belén

A short detour through the Sierra de Belén near the village of the same name. The track is only accessible by motorbike, as it is very narrow in several places.

Villa Vil

A small lizard by the roadside.

Landscape behind the lodging where I spent the night.