5 days
Full Day
1 person
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This fascinating 5-day tour through Salta and northwestern Argentina combines history, unique landscapes, and a deep connection to local culture. Explore historic sites in Salta, marvel at the Salinas Grandes, Quebrada de Humahuaca, and El Hornocal, and savor exquisite wines in Cafayate within the Calchaquí Valleys.
When you arrive at Salta Airport, our shuttle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city. Look for the sign with your name on the way out of the airport.
Then you´ll visit the historic splendor of Salta can be fully appreciated by foot, walking without haste through the city. The tour begins at the 9 de Julio square, which is surrounded by the cathedral, the town hall (where the northern historical museum can be visited), the high altitude archaeology museum (MAAM, which showcases the mummies found atop mount Llullaillaco), the Day palace and the America cultural center.
You’ll then visit the colonial style street of Caseros, in which you’ll be able to visit the house-museum of former Argentine president José Evaristo Uriburu, the minor San Francisco basilica (which boasts one of the highest altitude bell towers in South America) and the ancient San Bernardo cloister. Moving on, the Martín Miguel de Güemes monument makes an appearance, located at the foot of the San Bernardo and 20 de Febrero hills. The excursion continues through the gastronomic district of paseo Güemes, Belgrano square, the notable Güemes museum and the Leguizamón residence. Finally the trip ends at the San Miguel market, a fantastic place to try the local and regional foods and spices.
Overnight in Salta: Hotel del Antiguo Convento, Hotel Altos de Balcarce, Legado Mítico Salta (or similar).
Meals Included: none.
A splendid panorama of northwestern Argentina, 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, Manantial del Silencio, La Comarca (or similar).
Meals included: Breakfast.
In the morning, before leaving for Tilcara, is the best time to take photos of the Hill of the Seven Colors. Once in Tilcara, you can visit the Pucará, a renowned archaeological site built around the 8th century.
Once again on the route, you 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.
The town of Cafayate belongs to the Calchaquií valleys located in the southwest of the province of Salta in northwestern Argentina. Head of the department of Cafayate and renowned for the quality of the wines produced there.
The tour begins in the Lerma Valley, crossing tobacco fields and towns with colonial architecture such as Germany, which used to be the end point of the Belgrano railway. Entrance to the Quebrada del Rio Las Conchas where the curious formations eroded by wind and water will be the main attraction: the dunes, the frog, the bishop, the devil's throat, the castles, the amphitheater, among others.
Then we continue along National Route 68 to Cafayate, the youngest city in the Calchaqui Valleys, recognized internationally for the varieties of its wines, in particular Torrontés, which can be tasted during visits to its wineries, whether artisanal or industrial.
You return to Salta along the same route, but with completely different sunlight whose lighting will completely modify the landscape of the ravine.
Overnight in Salta.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
At the appropriate time we will pick you up for your hotel to accompany you to SLA Airport where you will continue with your scheduled itinerary.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
