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COLOR
+ TRADITION | NORTH ARGENTINA |
5 DAYS SALTA - SALTA
CalchaquI VALLEY | SALINAS GRANDES | Quebrada de Humahuaca |
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North Argentina
- a trip for the senses. Rainbow coloured mountains, towering candelabra
cacti, picturesque villages, age-old traditions, indigenous cultures,
outstanding wines and delicious regional meals are waiting to be
discovered and tasted. |
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DAY
1 | Salta - Cafayate
Leaving the city of Salta we head south to traverse the fertile
Lerma Valley, the green lowlands of Salta with prospering farms
and tobacco plantations, and to travel along the stunning Las
Conchas Gorge, an eroded riverbed-ravine. Its bizarre terracotta
hued rock formations carry names like Amphitheatre, Sapo (Toad)
or Castillo (Castle). The city of Cafayate (1,660 masl), north
Argentina's wine capital, is encircled by vineyards and well known
for its aromatic torrontés white wine variety, which we
could taste by visiting a winery. We spend the night in a nice
posada.
DAY 2 | Cafayate - Calchaqui Valley - Cachi
Today we continue on Route 40 through the long and sandy valley
of the Calchaqui River, which is at its most attractive in autumn,
when red peppers are laid out to dry on the fields. Driving in
the midst of astonishing landscapes such as the Quebrada de las
Flechas (Arrows Gorge), a labyrinth of serrated rocks stabbing
upward like arrows, we also will follow the meandering river and
visit picturesque villages, like Seclantás and Molinos,
featuring adobe-houses and delightful churches. Upon arrival in
Cachi (2,280 masl), a laidback, quiet town at the foot of the
snow-covered Nevado de Cachi (6,380 masl), we wander around on
cobbled streets and among adobe homes painted white. Overnight
accommodation in a cosy posada (guesthouse).
DAY 3 | Cachi - Acay Pass - Purmamarca
Entering the northern Calchaquí Valley we steadily ascend
through a backdrop of sinuous gorges, green farmlands and several
hamlets until we reach the enchanting village of La Poma. From
here, we head up the long curving mountain to the highest road
pass in America, the Abra del Acay, where a superb panorama opens
up at an altitude of 4,985 m. Afterwards we pass by the ancient
mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres (3,775 m), the 'gate'
to the Andean high plateau, called Puna in Argentina, and travel
through barren and expansive land until getting to Salinas Grandes
(Big Salt Flats), an immense white gleaming salt surface. Winding
up again to an altitude of 4,175 m, the road (Cuesta de Lipán)
finally zigzags down a steep slope and takes us to Purmamarca
(2,192 masl). Overnight in a lovely posada.
DAY 4 | Purmamarca - (Quebrada de) Humahuaca
Purmamarca is a tiny scenic village sitting framed by a red, pink,
purple and white mountain, the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Seven
Colours Hill), where we take a walk before heading north. Following
the same natural track used by our ancestors, we travel up the
Humahuaca Ravine. The "Quebrada" is a long and narrow
path of valleys and hillsides miraculously coloured, dotted with
towering cacti and charming small towns. We visit Tilcara and
its nearby 'Pucará', an invaluable pre-Inca hilltop fortification.
Maimará's hillside cemetery and the polychrome Paleta del
Pintor (Painter's Palette). The amazing church in Uquía,
notable for its unique paintings featuring angels armed with Spanish
weapons. And we stroll along the narrow streets of bewitching
Humahuaca (2,939 masl), where we spend the night in a comfortable
hotel.
DAY 5 | Humahuaca - Salta
We head back south along the Quebrada and pass by the city of
Jujuy. To reach Salta we either can follow the old connection
road meandering through a lush jungle, or we can drive on a highway,
a longer, but faster stretch. End of trip. |
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6 DAYS SALTA - SALTA (incl.
iruya)
SALINAS GRANDES | Quebrada de Humahuaca | CalchaquI Valley |
DAY 1 | Salta
- Salinas Grandes - Purmamarca
Departing from Salta we gradually ascend driving up the Quebrada
del Toro (Bull's Gorge), almost paralleling the Tren a las Nubes
(Train to the Clouds), and visiting the ruined city of Santa Rosa
de Tastil, an enormous pre-columbian settlement, superbly set
on a hillside with overlooking views. At the mining town of San
Antonio de los Cobres we reach an altitude of 3,775 m and go further
to Salinas Grandes (Big Salt Flats), a fantastic sight of an immense
gleaming salt field. Winding up again to an altitude of 4,175
m, the road (Cuesta de Lipán) finally begins a vertiginous
descent zigzagging down a steep slope until the arrival at Purmamarca
(2,192 masl). Overnight in a lovely posada.
DAY 2 | Purmamarca - (Quebrada de) Humahuaca
Traveling along the Quebrada de Humahuaca (as described above
DAY 4).
DAY 3 | Humahuaca - Iruya
A curvy gravel road winds up the grass-covered mountainsides until
crossing a pass at altitude 4,000 m, where we enjoy fantastic
bird's eye views of the mountain valley below. We corkscrew down
through deeply cut slopes and, further ahead, into a magnificent
colourful gorge, where Iruya is perched on top of a cliff, 2,780
m high. This enchanting village is dotted with a remarkable church
and with steep cobblestoned streets, and the inhabitants still
maintain numerous ancient traditions. In the afternoon we can
trekk up to the viewpoint or alongside the river to explore the
splendid surroundings. We spend the night in a friendly local
guesthouse.
DAY 4 | Iruya - Cachi
Heading back south and passing by the cities of Jujuy and Salta
and the fertile Lerma Valley the road enters a verdant ravine
enclosed by steep red cliffs, and begins to ascend the Cuesta
del Obispo until reaching in scenic serpentines the highest point
at 3,348 masl. Here we emerge onto a barren plain and traverse
the Los Cardones National Park, a vast desert crowded with hundreds
of centenary candelabra cacti. Upon arrival in Cachi (2,280 masl),
a laid-back, quiet town at the foot of the snow-covered Nevado
de Cachi (6,380 masl), we wander around on its cobbled streets
and between adobe homes painted white. Overnight accommodation
in a homely guesthouse.
DAY 5 | Cachi - Calchaqui Valley - Cafayate
As described above (DAY 2), the reverse way. Overnight accommodation
in Cafayate (1,660 m) in a typical posada.
DAY 6 | Cafayate - Salta
After visiting a famous winery in Cafayate we return to Salta
as described above (DAY 1), the reverse way. End of trip. |
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TOUR CONNECTION
HIDDEN PUNA
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CUSTOMIZED
DEPARTURE DATES, please
contact
:: Best time to travel: March - June | September - December
:: Itinerary can be customized
:: Reservations at least 5 weeks in advance
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INCLUDED SERVICES |
:: terrestrial
(incl. from/to airport) + overlanding 4WD fully equipped transfers
with driver
:: bilingual coordination + accompaniment (English/German/Spanish)
:: accommodation in local guesthouses based on double room and breakfast
:: refreshments and snacks
:: local guides support
:: access to national parks / tolls |
NOT INCLUDED SERVICES |
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:: meals,
alcoholic beverages / additional drinks
:: individual activities + expenses
:: medical expenses/insurance
:: tips |
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CONTACT
| BOOKING | INFO |
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