The route 40 drive from Mendoza to Salta will bring you through many dry small towns. San Juan towns outside that city, lIke Jachal, though I like the smaller parallel route farther east through Barreal to finally arrive to Jachal. Then onto La Rioja province to see canyons of Talampaya national park, and the neighboring national park which I forget. I do not know La Rioja city, but have stayed days in small town of Anillaco which benefit$ from being the hometown of Carlos Menem. Cafayate is a dry touristy plaza, then Cachi. Lots of cactus, llama and guanaco. Along the way decide to go, or not, to the cities of Tucumán and Salta. We have made it as far north as Jujuy which is also in Salta Province.
