Puente Del Inca

29.12.2014
Journey: Uspallata - Puente del Inca – Uspallata (140 km).

The title of this post might as well be, for example, "Time to accustom oneself again to the heights", or something similar, as during the previous months any type of "aklimati" has very likely got lost. Uspallata is two thousand meters from the sea level and driving here around - higher places were also experienced, but only a few hours.

It is said to be the right thing to do is the following – in the daytime upwards and then later downwards to overnight. The previous experience in Bolivia showed that driving slowly upwards this way there would be no problem in the altitude of 4000 m


In short - Uspallata was to be the place where to overnight later. It is in the mountains, and the temperature is also quite ok, not that almost + 35, and otherwise also quite a decent place.


The price list in the gas station was the usual – in Argentine pesos.


And here is a queue this time, and then it turns out that there is no euro diesel and one must put up with the usual one. The usual will also do, not much difference.


Uspallata. Places to eat on the main street.


While driving out of town it is clear that Racuil Luncay , that I was looking for last night, is situated on the other side of the town.


The Andes are next to the road.


And straight ahead there are the Andes as well.

RN7 or Ruta National 7 is a very decent and important road that takes over the Andes to Chile. But not going there today.


A century – old railway in the valley is not used any more is just next to the road .


And sometimes the remains of an earlier, much more curved road , come in sight.


Former bridges and low tunnels.


Some of the tunnels are open, you can stroll through, and some of them have collapsed.




Climbing higher one more unusable railway with an unusable tunnel appears in sight.


Then - the small settlement Penitentes, that seems from every angle as a ski resort.


At the end of the village there is a diner and on the walls – flags of various countries. My order is 4 meat-pies or empandas and eating them confirmed that they were one of the best ones of recent times and quite worth to come here even only already because of them. Freshly prepared..


Just like a real ski resort.


And you can get up by the elevator. This option should not be missed. Backpack, and water, and GPS, some warmer clothes too - and to the elevator.


A View from the top .

While driving on along the major road the next very important landmark is on the left.


Puente del Inca. Could not get very close as the baths, that were built under the bridge, had ruined the natural balance and the bridge was said to be in the state of falling in.

The baths were built in 1917 by Compania Hotelera Sudamericana, and was in use until 1965, when a landslide blemished the hotel.


Having taken time to look around - one can find here other interesting issues. Further on - a depot with the paintings.




On the next wall there is a strange formations that invites to have a closer look and it is made of ...


…footwear and empty bottles. And then painted blue and white.


At the post office, The postal museum is at the post office.


In a small room one can see things belonging to the early years of the last century. Temples, old phones, scales and weights etc.




Telephone Central Station. Or a manually operated router from the year of 1930s.


Handicraft area.


Some unique wall paintings.




Charles Darwin.




Just a couple of miles to the next major national park.


South America's highest mountain.




At the entrance of the National Park there is a short , one – kilometer long walking track.




So there it is - Aconcagua.


Fossils in stone.




Railroad.




And then back towards Uspallata.


One more railway bridge.


Made in Paris.




Above - the next railway tunnel.


And then vehicles with Chilean plates pass and the labels on the sides of the cars leave no doubt that their purpose is to participate in the Dakar Rally.


Andes in the evening.


Continued ...