La Juguetería
Wonderful Puna Road 
The iconic Route 40 is known for the impressive landscapes it crosses and for being the road that runs through Argentina, from La Quiaca to Cabo Vírgenes in Patagonia. Its route on the edge of the Andes provides unique views of the country's main tourist attractions.
In the north, it crosses the Puna, the high plateau. The so-called Juguetería is a section of the road that runs from north to south, from Susques -province of Jujuy- to San Antonio de los Cobres -province of Salta-.
It is a gravel road, relatively well signposted, although at times its condition is not so good, thus it is advisable to drive on it in high vehicles or 4WD vehicles during the rainy season.
We started that morning from Susques, a town on the altiplano, due to its proximity to the border with Chile, in which stands out its old church of Our Lady of Belen, dated no less than the year 1598.
It crosses three very small towns, Huancar, Pastos Chicos and Sey, being this last one the most known for being the entrance door to the Juguetería, a sector of the route surrounded by high ravines in which gigantic stones, of the most capricious forms, seem to have been deliberately placed in order to surprise the visitors.
They are ignimbrites, formed by the activity of the Tuzgle volcano, which majestically accompanies the entire route, embellishing the road even more. Because of the great thermal amplitude typical of the Puna, these huge rocks break and fall down the ravine.
That morning the wind was not very strong, so it allowed us to go down to enjoy the silence only accompanied by the relaxing sound of the water flowing through the valley and the breeze that blew from time to time.
The formidable rock formations surprised us as much as the moment when the La Polvorilla viaduct, the highest of the Tren de las Nubes section, solemnly appeared before us. Tremendous engineering work in an inhospitable environment of absolute natural beauty.
After such an unforgettable experience, upon arriving in San Antonio de los Cobres, the capital of the Puna, we did not hesitate to make a stop at Hotel de las Nubes to savor the delicious regional flavors of its dishes, among which the empanadas de charqui and mote with llama steaks stand out.
And before taking the final road to cross the Quebrada del Toro, we were at last able to visit one of the most authentic stores in Salta, Doña Teo's medicinal herb store.
