Road trip round Salta & the northwest

A road trip round Salta & the northwest is the perfect way to get to know the region. The time you spend travelling is as much the attraction as the destinations. Salta province alone has fourteen different habitats and each day of your journey will take you through a vastly different landscape. The combination of this constantly changing scenery and the fascinating mix of Andean indigenous and Spanish colonial cultures makes this trip a photographer’s paradise.

Itinerary

Day 1

You will be met in Salta city by your guide who will pick you up in a 4×4 double cabined truck. You’ll then begin your road trip round Salta & the northwest heading south through the lush green plantations of the Lerma Valley, Salta’s most verdant region. The land will then gradually get drier as you drive into the beautiful red hills of the Conchas gorge.

The first leg of the trip will end in the pretty colonial town of Cafayate, famous for its wine – in particular its white wines made from the Torrontes grape.

Night at Viñas de Cafayate

Las Conchas Gorge

Day 2

Today you will head west into the Andes, towards the heart of the Calchaquí valleys. If the previous day at times felt like you were driving along the surface of Mars; today, with the extraordinary rock formations of Las Flechas valley, it’ll feel like you’re on the Moon.

Night at Hacienda de Molinos

La Quebrada de las Flechas

Day 3

Continuing along the Calchaquí valleys, you’ll follow a crystalline river with farm land either side causing a bright green ribbon that makes a sharp contrast to the dry hills that surround them. Along the way you’ll see the local craftsmen weaving Ponchos and other textiles in the little hamlets that lie beside the road.

Night at Hotel Cortijo

Poncho maker on Craftsmen’s road

Day 4

The road back to the city of Salta will take you through the Los Cardones national park, famous for its thousands of Cacti, before zig-zagging down the Ovispo’s ridge back to the lowlands.

Night at Finca Valentina

La Cuesta del Ovispo

Day 5

Today you’ll be up at the crack of dawn to catch the engineering marvel that is the Cloud Train; it traverses 29 bridges, 13 viaducts, 21 tunnels, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags to get you up 4,2220 meters above sea level. At the train station of the sleepy town San Antonio de los Cobres you’ll jump out where you’ll be met by your driver who’ll then drive along the high mountain plateau knowns as the Puna to Argentina’s largest salt flats before dropping down to the lively mountain town of Tilcara, in the Humahuaca valley of Jujuy province.

Night at Posada de la Luz

The Cloud Train

Day 6

Today you’ll take a break from the truck and go hiking in the hills with the charming Santos who has a herd of llamas which he uses to carry your back packs and a fabulous picnic lunch.

Night at Posada de la Luz

Hiking above Tilcara

Day 7

The final day will be heading back down to Salta, stopping on your way to see the magnificent mountain of seven colours in the village of Purmamarca

End of trip

Price

• Price includes – All transfers in a 4×4 double cabined truck and all activities mentioned in the itinerary. All accommodation:  in double rooms – please enquire if you require single accommodation. All local tax.
• Price does not include  – Food & beverages – unless specified. International flights to Argentina. Transport to the northwest. Personal medical insurance (compulsory). Any visa fees and extras such as tips, laundry etc.

Prices are quoted in US dollars. 

Notes

This program is an example of one of many programs we organize round Argentina. All our trips are tailor-made and we can adapt all our programs to your specific needs. And, if you would like help organizing transport, accommodation or any other activity in any other part of the country we would be very happy to help.