Lagunas de Epulafquen

In the far northwest corner of Neuquén is a provincial preserve of lakes at the base of the Andes mountains. A long drive through the arid dusty roads from the town of Chos Malal made this a very remote place to visit in the middle of summer.

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For at least half the 200km drive south of Malargüe in Mendoza Province, Ruta 40 disintegrates into a mix of broken concrete, dirt and gravel. It is flat, though slow and desolate until crossing into Neuquén.