The northwest around Salta is arguably the most beautiful part of Argentina. The variation of scenery on this tour is simply amazing and unmatched anywhere is South America with its wine Country, Andean puna, bright red gorges, jagged mountain valleys, salt flats, jungle, arid desert and of course really friendly people and great food

 Day 1: Arrival in  Salta

On arrival in Salta, you will be transferred to the hotel in a private vehicle. The afternoon will be left free to explore this beautiful city and acclimatise. We recommend a visit to the MAAM, an excellent High Mountain Archaeological Museum which includes mummified Inca remains found on a nearby mountain top. The cable car up to the Cerro San Bernardo is also worthwhile. Tonight you may like to visit a traditional peña (folklore bar) on Balcarce street or dine out at one of the Monumental chain of restaurants for the best steak in town (try the asado de filet).

Day 2: Salta to Cafayate via the Calchaquies Valleys and the Arrow Gorge

After heading south from Salta until El Carril, we then enter the Laurel Gorge and then the Escoipe Gorge as we climb up the Cuesta del Obispo, on a beautiful mountain road which snakes up the mounatinside– an amazing piece of engineering. We get an excellent view of the Enchanted Valley, which is dotted by small houses, maize fields and fruit trees. At Piedra del Molino we reach 3.384 meters above the sea level, the highest spot in our trip. Then we cross the Los Cardones National Park, famous for the tall cactus that give the park their name. We stop for lunch (not included) in the delightful mountain village of Cachi, before continuing on to the hamlet of Molinos. In the late afternoon our wonderful drive down the Calchaquies Valley continues, through the imposing Valley of the Arrows, to the sleepy wine town of Cafayate. Tonight we recommend trying some of the town’s most renowned wine, a Torrontes or Syrah.

Day 3: Cafayate to Salta via the Valley of the Shells

After exploring the town, the journey back to Salta goes up the route 68 traversing the Quebrada de las Conchas, where wind and water erosion carved curious shapes on the bright red rocks (The Amphitheater, Devil’s throat, The Toad, The Castles, among others). The first part of the drive is one of the best in Argentina.  When we arrive in  Salta you will be dropped at the hotel.

Day 4: Across the Salt Flats to Purmamarca

The trip begins in Salta, heading out towards the Tastil Ruins before heading up high into the Andes following the tracks of the world famous train to the clouds, arriving at San Antonio de los Cobres. After a two hour stop for lunch and a short visit the town  we continue our trip along Route 40 crossing one of the most desertic and starkly beautiful areas of the country. Soon, and already in the province of Jujuy, we arrive to Salinas Grandes (The Great Salt Flat), where the inmensity of the area  is truly overwhelming. We continue down the Lipán Cliff arriving to Purmamarca, a typical town of Humahuaca Gorge. There is a great local market in the plaza most days, from where you can see the iconic Seven Colour Moutain which is famous throughout Argentina. Tonight we recommend eating at the restaurant Los Morteros for very good local food.

Day 5: Visit the Humahuaca Gorge and then return to Salta

At 11am the tour bus from Salta will stop and collect you. We continue towards the town of Tilcara where we visit the ancient ruins, the Archaeological Museum, and then we cross the Tropic of Capricorn, from where the colors of La Pollera del Coya Hill can be seen. We visit Uquía and its church, where the paintings of the Arcabuceros Angels are kept. We arrive in Humahuaca and will some some free time for lunch (not included). This town has an important Church and the Independence Monument of the indigenous sculptor Soto Avendaño. After lunch we can get a good view from the orad of “La Paleta del Pintor” (The Paintor’s Palette), a multi coloured mountain framing the town of Maimará. We continue to San Salvador de Jujuy where we can see the Cathedral and the bustling town square. Finally, we return to Salta along the National Route N° 9 through abundant subtropical vegetation.

Day 6: Tour Ends

The tour ends with a private transfer to Salta airport at the appropriate time.

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Salta is also famous for the remarkable Train in the Clouds, which reaches the height of 4,200m above sea level over the course of its 217 km voyage, and is regarded as one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. Email us at info@chimuadventures.com for more details of departures.