Higher than the Mont Blanc!

The reward of the cold night was there. After a 30 min walk I could be very close to the laguna and observe the pink and red floyds.

On my way some vicunas surprised to see someone walking there at that time.
Having reached the northern point of my travel, it was now time to finally follow the road 40 as I wanted to. There is no macadam there so less cars, everything very quiet. (not a good place to break your engine though!) but well, this is all what I wanted. In around 150 kms, I crossed only one car and they were asking me the way because some signs were missing. Well here you are, no signs, then strait ahead. That´s the way!
I reached Salinas Grande where you can literally drive on salt. Everything is white and after that you feel very thirsty.

Salinas Grandes

Then I reached San Antonio de los Cobres famous for the viaduc where the "very" touristic train to the clouds stops at 4300 m. I didn´t like the city so I decided to go on till Cachi. On the way the roads didn´t finish to climb to finally reach 4895m. Even if the Mont blanc grew from 3m since I learned it at school (4810 instead of 4807m), this is much higher and every corner was again worth a picture.

Almost the top

twisty road at 4895m

Update Sunday 18/11:
I encounter extreme difficulties to find a connection where I can upload pictures, so be patient :-)

written by

thetourist on November 14, 2007 from Cachi, Argentina

from the travel blog: No news, Good news! in Peru & Argentina

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