Lonely Road South America E28: Ruta 40 Strikes Back
Ruta 40 in Argentina switches to full adventure mode, but high mountain passes, swollen rivers, and unexpected urban hazards threaten to end the trip early!
In Episode 28 of our overland motorcycle travelogue, we leave Cachi and tackle the stunning, unpaved high country of the Rio Calchaqui valley, aiming for Argentina’s highest road pass: the legendary Abra del Acay (~5,000m). But when police turn us back due to impassable flooded river crossings, we’re forced into a 300km detour through the breathtaking Parque Nacional los Cardones and the winding curves of the Cuesta del Obispo down to Salta.
Just when we think the tough terrain is behind us, a sneaky city pothole in Salta cracks our front wheel tyre sidewall—leaving us scrambling for an adventure motorcycle tyre replacement in Northern Argentina before the long ride back to Buenos Aires!
📌 In this episode:
📍 Riding Ruta 40 from Cachi towards San Antonio de los Cobres
🌊 Swollen river blockades & unexpected police checkpoints at La Poma
🌵 Crossing Parque Nacional los Cardones & descending the Cuesta del Obispo
🛠️ Motorcycle repair drama: Fixing a blown front tyre on a KTM in Salta
🏍️ Epic high-altitude South American dual-sport adventure riding
All footage is original. No AI voices.
MUSIC CREDITS / LICENSES
Josh Kramer - A Perfect Moment / Audiio.com
Friggin Foxes - Wild Side / Audiio.com
Amick Cutler - Angel Eyes (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Seb Sanders - She's My Religion (instrumental) / Audiio.com
Ben Winwood - Canyons (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Henry Miles - Epic Adventure (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Raphael Treza – Ojha / Audiio.com
birø - say my name (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Daniel Stark - La Liebre (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
HARBRS - A Little More Time (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Proteus - Disappearing Grace (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
Vico V - 620 (Instrumental) / Audiio.com
South America vector map courtesy of https://freevectormaps.com.