Overview of Your Discover Salta Tour
Though increasing numbers of visitors are discovering Argentina’s vast northwest region, by most anyone’s standards, this is still the road less traveled. The picturesque colonial city of Salta makes a perfect base for exploring the vicinity’s major natural attractions on this eight-day travel to Argentina. These include not just the Andes but also stunning multi-colored canyons and valleys in an unusual cactus landscape. The Quebrada de Humahuaca, recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its archeological riches and remnants of its indigenous heritage, plus Argentina’s vast salt flats spanning the borders of four northwest provinces are among the sights you’ll see north of Salta during these Argentina tours. To the west, you will visit the quaint village of Cachi and distinctive Los Cardones National Park, finishing to the south in the Calchaqui Valley wine region with a stay at the Cafayate Wine Resort. This travel to Argentina begins with a whirlwind 24 hours in Buenos Aires which you may wish to extend, coming or going, since spending only a day in Buenos Aires is like scheduling just one day in Paris on a trip to France.
Trip Features
- 8 Days
- Starting at $4,395 per person
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PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate -
ACTIVITIES
Hiking, Wine Tasting -
HIGHLIGHTS
Salta, Cafayate, Humahuaca Canyon, Salinas Grande, Pre-Colombian Ruins
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Talk to a Travel ExpertBuenos Aires – 2 Hour Walking Tour
Buenos Aires is a city for walkers. Whether you wish to learn about its engrossing history or just soak up the atmosphere, there is a walking tour here to match your interests.
Upon arrival in Buenos Aires, a Southern Explorations guide will meet you and take you to your hotel. From your hotel, your guide will accompany you by taxi to reach the neighborhood of your choice and then show you the highlights. Safe, flat, and fascinating, these neighborhoods, traveled on foot, will make a memorable component to your Argentina tour.
Spend the rest of the day at your leisure, enjoying the many sights and sounds of this sophisticated metropolis.
After breakfast, you are transferred from your hotel to the domestic airport for your flight to Salta. Upon arrival, you will be taken to the hotel that will be your lodgings for your stay in Salta. The rest of the day and evening you are free to roam. (B)
After an early breakfast, you depart on your drive through spectacular mountain scenery, following the route of the Train to the Clouds, one of the highest in the world. Traveling northwest into the spectacular Toro Canyon, you will reach the archaeological site of Santa Rosa de Tastil, one of Argentina’s oldest pre-Columbian ruins. This route is one of the most dramatic entrances to the Puna Highlands, taking you to 12,385-ft San Antonio de los Cobres and the impressive 226-ft high, 882-ft long La Polvorilla viaduct. Continuing north, you come to Salinas Grandes, a most exotic, photogenic sea of salt where you will learn about the salt extraction process. Following the Lipan Slope to Purmamarca, you will cross the highest point of the day, an elevation of 13,680 feet. After a free evening, you’ll spend the night at the scenic La Comarca, a comfy hotel surrounded by colorful hills. (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, you meet your guide for today’s travel in colorful, multi-hued Humahuaca canyon. Today you will experience music, street fairs, craft markets and gastronomy of the areas regional cultures. The visit includes stops in the villages of arty Tilcara and the more indigenous Humahuaca. Within walking distance of Tilcara, you will hike to Pucar de Tilcara, a restored pre-Columbian fort that offers marvelous views. At the end of the day you return to your Salta lodgings for an evening on your own. (B)
On today’s Argentina tours, you travel south up the Cuesta del Obispo, famous for its winding, scenic road to the ancient village of Cachi. You skirt rust-colored tobacco fields before heading west on RP 33, a gravel road through parched Quebrada de Escoipe. At the canyons end, the landscape changes abruptly as the Cuesta del Obispo Pass and the Valle Encantado (Enchanted valley) come into view. Condors and eagles may be seen overhead as the roads switchbacks eventually reach an elevation of about 12,000 feet. You will see cattle, sheep and llama grazing on the arid lower and middle slopes. The trail levels off at 11,874-ft La Piedra del Molino, on reaching beautiful Los Cardones, National Park that protects thousands of huge Cardon cacti and is crisscrossed by a myriad of stone Inca trails. The areas main attraction, Cachi (7,544 feet) is located near the parks western border. Cachi’s restored colonial church is a national historic monument and the archeology museum here houses a collection of native Andean artifacts. You spend the night at El Cortijo, a quaint hotel in Cachi. (B)
After breakfast, you depart for Cafayate, a tiny paradise for wine enthusiasts looking for a tranquil hideaway. At 5,740 feet, the valley is home to some of the worlds highest vineyards, producing Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as the local white specialty, Torrontes. This Spanish fruity but dry grape with distinctive flavor has found its perfect terroir here. It was first planted in 1850 in the La Florida vineyard, owned by the Etchart Bodega and later passed to Pernod Ricard, the famous wine and spirit company. You stay the night at the scenic Cafayate Wine Resort. (B)
In the morning, you tour a winery before returning to Salta. The drive from Cafayate passes impressive geological formations produced by erosion on the colorful sedimentation of sandstone over the past sixty million years. You will spend a final night at your Salta lodgings. (B)
In the morning, you tour a winery before returning to Salta. The drive from Cafayate passes impressive geological formations produced by erosion on the colorful sedimentation of sandstone over the past sixty million years. You will spend a final night at your Salta lodgings. (B)
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Phone
1-877-784-5400Trip FAQs
We have so much to share with you! How does this all work? Start with the frequently asked questions below, and if you want to talk to us directly, simply reach out by phone or form.
Talk to a Travel ExpertYou have the flexibility to choose your own travel dates on most of our trips. Certain trips, such as cruises, have fixed schedules. Availability on these trips is always changing so please contact us with your preferred travel time and we can find the perfect itinerary for you
We provide full service tours so in general our trips include all guided activities with professional English-speaking guides, accommodations, transportation, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits, select meals, and pre-departure services. You will be responsible for international airfare while we will book all in-country airfare. Contact one of our expert travel planners for even more details on this specific tour.
The first step is to get in touch with a Southern Explorations travel planner for date availability and information on activities, accommodations and other travel aspirations you may have. Give us a call at 1.877.784.5400, fill out this form or email info@southernexplorations.com.
Yes! All of our posted itineraries can be considered a starting point and we’re happy to tailor a trip to your exact desires. There may be some elements of a trip, such as a cruise or all-inclusive lodge stay, that cannot be modified but we can always adjust the tours around those components.
We have more detailed information about each destination in the Plan Your Trip section of this website. Our team of friendly travel planners is also available to walk you through various options and to work with you on the perfect trip!
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Everyone at the SE office was helpful and returned calls promptly. We just cannot say enough about how enjoyable our entire trip was.
– Kathy & Peter Brackett