Active North – Valleys & Altitude | 7 Day Trip

It will all start in the Lerma Valley, and when you arrive at the town of El Carril, you will take Provincial Route 33, which will enter the Quebrada de Escoipe, an area of dense yungas that will disperse as the route gains height. In the El Maray area, the ascent of the famous Cuesta del Obispo will begin, climbing 1,400 meters in just over 20 kilometers. On the way, you will enter Los Cardones National Park, and soon after, you will reach the highest point of the slope: the Piedra del Molino, 3,450 meters above sea level. Here, the panoramic views will be breathtaking.

Then, the route will descend into the Calchaquí Valley, crossing the endless Tin-Tin Straight (traced by the Incas as part of their remarkable road network), passing RN 40, and going through the town of Payogasta, from where you will have a beautiful view of the Nevado de Cachi, a mountain range that reaches 6,380 meters in height. The white and colonial Cachi will appear after crossing the Calchaquí River.

There, you will have lunch and then, in the afternoon, you will be free to explore its small town at your own pace, where the square, the old San José de Cachi church, and the Pío Pablo Díaz archaeological museum will stand out. Then, already on Route 40, you will head south to visit the towns of Seclantás (cradle of the best ponchos in Salta) and Molinos.

In the afternoon, the highlight will be the amazing Quebrada de las Flechas, followed by a pass through San Carlos and Animaná, and your arrival to Cafayate will be anticipated by the appearance of the first vineyards, the origin of the famous Salta wines, which in recent decades have added Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and other grapes to their traditional Torrontés.

Overnight in Cafayate: Hotel Los Sauces.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

After spending the night in Cafayate, in the morning you will visit one of the many wineries that produce here, of course with tasting included.

After lunch, the excursion continues with the tour of the wonderful Quebrada de las Conchas: 83 kilometers in which the view is breathtaking, due to the colors of its hills and the incredible shapes drawn over thousands and thousands of years by the erosion of water and wind.

Overnight in Cafayate.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

The Amphitheater, the Devil's Throat, the Obelisk, the Toad, the Monk, the Castles and the Tres Cruces viewpoint are the most renowned attractions, although every meter of this path is unmissable.

Further on, to the east, you can see the gigantic mirror of the Cabra Corral reservoir and finally you go back up to the city of Salta.

Overnight in Salta.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

A splendid panorama of northwestern Argentina on a two-day excursion, which covers a wonderful diversity of landscapes. It starts in Salta and the action begins in the ravine of the Toro River, where the C-14 railway branch adds attractions to the natural beauty.

You pass by the ruins of Tastil, an important pre-Inca city, and after reaching 4080 meters above sea level in the Abra Blanca, you can see the Puna for the first time, with the city of San Antonio de los Cobres nearby. There is lunch, and later, along the old route of the RN 40 (made of gravel), we start towards the Salinas Grandes, which are scattered between Salta and Jujuy.

After being dazzled by this endless white world, take the RN 52, go up to 4170 meters above sea level in Alto El Morado and descend towards the Quebrada de Humahuaca along the Cuesta de Lipán, to arrive in Purmamarca in the afternoon, where there is time to explore and buy handicrafts at the market in the square. 

Overnight in Purmamarca: Casa de Piedra, Colores de Purmamarca, Manantial del Silencio (or similar).

Meals Included: Breakfast.

Once in Tilcara, you can visit the Pucará, a renowned archaeological site built around the 8th century. Once again on the route, you will cross the imaginary line of the Tropic of Capricorn and enjoy the vision of multi-colored hills, such as La Pollera de la Coya and Las Señoritas.

The city of Humahuaca is set aside to face the incredible mountain range of El Hornocal, also called Cerro de los 14 Colores, whose viewpoint is 4350 meters above sea level.

On the way back, you have lunch in Humahuaca and visit the historic center, where the Cathedral, the Cabildo and the Monument to Independence stand out, also called El Indio.

On the way back to Salta, stop at the Uquía chapel (the oldest in La Quebrada, with notable examples of Cuzco art) and the afternoon sun offers beautiful views of the hills located above the cordon oriental, especially the Painter's Palette, which gives frame to the town of Maimará

Overnight in Salta.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

At the appropriate time we will pick you up for your hotel to accompany you to Salta Airport, where you will continue with your scheduled itinerary.

Meals Included: Breakfast.