Salta & Jujuy
Colors, Pre-Hispanic History, and Northern Landscapes

7 Days - 6 Nights

Day 1 - Arrival in Salta: Discovering Salta

Transfer from Salta Airport to the hotel.

We will start our tour along the city from the nice 9 de Julio Square, so eye-catching because of its decorated coloured quarries and its fruited trees which leave a nice fragrance in the salteño air. From the square we will be able to have a first vision of its history and colonial past, as we will be surrounded by old buildings such as the Cabildo, the Cathedral, the Church of San Francisco, the Convent of San Bernardo de las Monjas Carmelitas, one of the oldest buildings in the city which was the entrance door to the convent and it is made of carob wood that was carved by the natives in 1762; its old houses complete the historical quarter, which are today very important monuments.

Then, we will go to the impressive and most recognised hill in the salteña city: Cerro San Bernardo. Before getting to it, we will tour along the streets, getting to Güemes monument, an argentinian general who is known because of its ideals of freedom, dispise to materialism and his love to his Motherland. We will get to San Martín Park where we will find the cable railway station, our means of transport to get to the hill so we can have an amazing panoramic of the city and its surroundings, with the hills at the background.

After the ascent, we will continue to a really charming place, which is chosen by many tourists because of its wonderful natural attractions and the different activities to do: the summer village of San Lorenzo, where we will find the Quebrada, an ideal place to spend the day at the edge of the river, listening its relaxing sounds. We will enjoy our way to it, as we will go through flowered Gardens, mansions and castles which are surrounded by small hills and where we can do (horse) riding, trekking and pic-nic. We will go back to the city, going through the Handmade Market (Mercado Artesanal) first, where we will be able to get some souvenirs from this beautiful city, such as silver and pottery pieces, rustic fabric of llama wool, craftwork in leather, among others.

Day 2 - Calchaquí Valleys through Cafayate

We will continue our journey from Cafayate, by visiting the Calchaquí Valleys. We visited the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary in contrast to the hills in the background of various shades, and then cover the most traditional wineries in this beautiful city between valleys and hills of an impressive green color, which is the most important outstanding Valles Calchaquíes above all, for its Torrontes wines, ideal for temperature and humidity to the development of this kind of grape with a sweet and fruity flavor, along with goat cheese instead. The name of the city is due to an old native settlement, which means "Burial of the penalties."

We will have the pleasure to taste wines from some wineries. We continue to visit the Archaeological Museum where many objects that belonged to aboriginal people and has led to much research, excavation, restoration and exhibition of the same is to be made.

We marvel when entering field curious and very striking ways, through Quebrada de las Conchas, where we see figures like the Devil's Throat, the Amphitheater, wonderful place where you can hear the echo of any sound perfectly and which are carried out various folklore festivals, the Obelisk which is a solitary rock, Castles bright red reminiscent of medieval castles, Yesera with clear sandstone formations, the House of Parrots as the stone walls have holes that are home to large flocks of parrots during the summer, the Friar, the Frog and the impressive Garganta del Diablo Salta, shaped like a human trachea and also named for its color.

We stop in Germany, one, impossible not stop to admire the old manor houses among green hills in station no longer used, now we can see the beautiful works of craftsmen who invite lead lonely people a cute memory of this town. We prepare to descend through the valleys.

We get to Dique Cabra Corral, near Coronel Moldes, an ideal place for water sports site, passing through towns where the farming activities such as El Carril, where several foragers companies snuff and develops can also be seen plantations fig, walnut and peach trees, La Merced with its clean streets and green spaces make it very picturesque, and Cerrillos. All these towns belong to Valle de Lerma, where it is said, according to the legends that have arisen, there are treasures which come from mines that were found and they are hidden somewhere between the hills. We will continue towards the city of Salta, through stunning scenery changing with every curve colorful magnificent as the reddish hills, ocher of dry grass, gray stones and green cactus. We sleep in Salta.

Day 3 - Calchaquí Valleys through Cachi

Breakfast at the hotel. We will do the way around through the Calchaquí Valleys, this time through Cachi, driving between extremely lovely landscapes. During our tour to this charming town, we will be able to see beautiful tourist spots in particular, starting in Quebrada del Escoipe, almost a wild region followed by the homonymous river and it crosses several Bridges until getting to Cuesta del Obispo. This last one is also a nature work, as we start the ascent by a twisted and cornice road, where we will be surrounded by impressive green coloured hills, an indescribable view together with the vegetation, in contrast with the sky. The highest point in this way is Piedra del Molino, to 3348 metres above the level of the sea and, from where we will have a unic panoramic of the Quebrada del Escoipe.

Two kilometres before getting to Piedra del Molino, we will be able to appreciate the sign which says that we are in Los Cardones National Park that protects its vegetation, such as Neblina, Monte, Puna and Alta Montaña bushes. Some fauna like the taruca, vicuña, guanaco, puma, red fox, wild cat, Wessel, quirquincho, condor, carpintero de los cardones, ututo lizard, coral, yarara, among others, are preserved in this national park.

After coming through the highest point, Piedra del Molino, we will arrive at Valle Encantado, a place where shapes and colours are mixed and where the action of the wind and water sculpt the landscapes with curious shapes and reliefs. There we will find a small lagoon and cave paintings. Of course, if we are lucky, we will be able to watch condors flying through the sky. Later on, we will get to a small soft mountainside valley covered of bushes, which is eaten by the cattle, that we are surely going to cross during the tour. If we continue a few kilometres more, we will appreciate an enclosed basin and El Hervidero lagoon, the favorite place to graze by the guanacos.  

The Tin Tin Straight Line (Recta de Tin Tin) will be another unforgettable spot in our tour as we will watch it along the way we go, as it is a perfect straight line of 18 kilometres, from where we will be able to watch a great quantity of thistles and looking at our right we will see the Tin Tin Hill and at our left we will see the Negro Hill. We will go through this old inca road so we can get to Payogasta where we will be surprised with the red and reddish pepper plantations, now descending to Cachi town, which is located at the base of Nevado Hill between the homonymous river and Calchaquí. There we will go for a walk along the streets watching its dazzled white buildings, its houses made of adobe and paving streets, but the town stresses more because of its kindness and warm contact that the local people give. We will return to Salta in the afternoon.

Day 4 - Quebrada de Humahuaca

Breakfast at the hotel. Today a full day of history and landscapes will be waiting for us, as we will do the circuit to Quebrada de Humahuaca, where we will visit its prehispanic villages which date from hundred years ago and some are so well kept that they shows us its original buildings and houses, so we can visit and tour closer around them.

In first place, the Quebrada de Humahuaca was declared a Natural and Cultural Heritage Mankind in 2003.

We will start by crossing the Siancas Valley through Gral. Güemes town to tour a sugar cane, tobacco, cotton farming area, among others and we will get to the bordering province of Jujuy and its capital in a valley of 155 kilometres extense, which is surrounded of multicoloured mountains and hills, an arid vegetation area and río Grande. We will get into an area of an amazing variety of brown, green, ocres and reddish tonalities. We will continue to Yala, a summer village which is located in the middle of the mountains, rivers and lagoons, with guest houses and weekend houses, there is also the Potrero de Yala Provincial Park which preserves the Lagunas de Yala (Yala Lagoons) where some birds´ species can be watched. We will start ascending the quebrada, going through villages which are kept like the ancient years and they make an unforgettable postal through the landscapes.

We now arrive at Purmamarca, a picturesque town located at the foot of the impressive and unic Cerro de los Siete Colores, which surprise us with its amazing ranges that mixes with the environment tranquility, its vegetation and the blue sky, apart from the hundred ruins of the first villages in the region. We will continue to Maimará, a town which is exactly in the centre of the quebrada, there we will be able to appreciate la Paleta del Pintor (Painter´s Palette), with is multicoloured hills which honours its name; Posta de Hornillos where we will find a museum to live and be witnesses of the prehispanic life; we will go to Tilcara, a famous village because of its caves and its small church, which is one of the oldest ones in the area. We will enjoy some regional and exquisite dishes and then, we can do a tour where the craftsmen are so we can buy some native souvenirs, rustic fabrics made of llama and vicuña, with the company of those kind and thankful people.

Day 5 - La Quiaca, Yavi & Villazón

In the far north of Argentina lie ancient lands that preserve the legends of an old marquisate, located in a green oasis in the heart of the Jujuy highlands, right on the border with our sister country Bolivia and on the way to Cuzco, blending tradition, landscapes, and commerce.

We will cross the remaining stretch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, starting from Purmamarca and heading toward the northernmost part of Argentina. Along the way, we pass by the Posta de Hornillos, where we can appreciate the history of the ancient highland route. We continue to Uquía, famous for its church that houses the impressive paintings of the Arquebusier Angels, created by artists of the Cuzco School from Peru during the colonial period. Then we proceed to Huacalera and finally arrive at Humahuaca, located at 2,600 meters above sea level. There, we will explore its historic center, visit the Monument to Independence and the main square, receive the blessing of San Francisco Solano, and wander the colonial streets accompanied by local guides who will share the rich history of this town, recognized as a Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The journey continues along the same route through Abra Pampa, known as “The Argentine Siberia,” a name given by its inhabitants, most of whom are descendants of Syrians. From there, we proceed to La Quiaca, with free time for lunch (a light lunch is recommended). La Quiaca is located on the border with Bolivia. In the early 20th century, the railroad reached the border from the Puna region, where a terminal station and a viaduct with three arches over the La Quiaca River were built. Over time, La Quiaca has grown and gained importance, especially since the mid-20th century.

La Quiaca is a place of constant movement of people from the Andean highlands, easily recognizable by their traditional puna clothing. After a short rest, we visit the nearby town of Yavi, with its stunning church gilded in gold and its rich history as part of the Marquisate of Tojo. The Museum of the House of the Marquis and the old mill are faithful reflections of the remnants of this old marquisate. After touring the village, we return to La Quiaca to cross the border and visit Villazón (Bolivia), famous for its vast market.

Day 6 - Salinas Grandes & Purmamarca

We depart directly from Purmamarca, at the foot of the famous Hill of Seven Colors, beginning our journey through the Puna region. We start with a brief technical stop to walk a bit and acclimate to the altitude, while enjoying panoramic views of the hill and the town’s typical atmosphere. We continue our trip along the spectacular Cuesta del Lipán, a cliffside road where we’ll make several stops to take photos and relish the experience of being above the clouds, reaching our highest point at 4,170 meters above sea level. From there, we descend to 3,600 meters to arrive at the imposing Salinas Grandes, a dazzling white landscape that invites you to take the most creative photos and videos, living a unique and unforgettable experience.

The Salinas Grandes are one of the most impressive landscapes in northern Argentina, situated at about 3,600 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Puna region. This vast salt flat stretches as far as the eye can see, with its white, gleaming surface formed by millions of years of evaporation of ancient saline lagoons. Walking on the salt is a unique experience, as the horizon merges with the sky creating a sense of vastness and purity. The sunlight constantly transforms the colors and reflections, offering unique opportunities for memorable photos and videos. Furthermore, the Salinas Grandes are not only a visual spectacle but also a place rich in geological and cultural history, where one can feel the connection with the extreme nature and the traditions of the indigenous peoples who inhabit the region.

The return is made by the same route, but with a different landscape: the sun at our backs transforms the colors of the mountains, offering new surprising perspectives and hues. Back in Purmamarca, we’ll have the opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine (optional, not included), walk through the main square, visit the town’s church and stroll along the Paseo de los Colorados, admiring again the Hill of Seven Colors from different angles. We return to Purmamarca or we can head back to Jujuy or Salta.

Day 7 - Salta

Transfer from the hotel to Salta Airport. End of our services.