8 Days Private Salta and the North West Luxury Tour in Argentina

Day 1 Arrival in Salta with a half day city tour

1. 1

   Salta

   4 hours

   A half day Private City tour around Salta exploring the landmarks of the city and its wonderful attractions.

2. 2

   Cerro San Bernardo

   1 hour

   We will start the tour by taking you up to the top of the Cerro san Bernardo (San Bernardo Hill)
   to have a look over the city from this beautiful veiw point.

3. 3

   10 min

   The Park of San Martin is situated in the center of the city and makes a great place for locals to enjoy the weather at the weekends.

4. 4

   Quebrada de San Lorenzo

   1 hour

   We will then visit the quante neighbourhood of San Lorenzo
   on the edge of the lush yungas cloud forrest. Here we will stop for lunch next to a small stream listening to local bird life.

5. 5

   1 hour

   The Plaza of 9 de Julio is the central point of the city surrounded by the cathedral, museums, art galleries and mant coffee shops and restaurants.

Day 2 Quebrada del Toro, S.A.Cobres, Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca.

1. 1

   Campo Quijano

   10 hours

   After an early start we will make our way out of the city of Salta west towards the
   town of Campo Quijano known locally as "the gateway to the Andes".

2. 2

   Quebrada Del Toro (The Toro Gorge)

   30 min

   The Quebrada del Toro made famous by the Train to the clouds/ tren a las nubes
   that used to follow it into the mountains. We will criss cross the tracks of the train
   all the way up to 4080 meters above sea level before we drop down into the
   Altiplano.

3. 3

   San Antonio de los Cobres

   1 hour

   Nestled into the Altiplano, San Antonio de los Cobres is situated on the spine of the Andes.
   The route then takes us from the province of Salta into the province of Jujuy.

4. 4

   Salinas Grandes

   1 hour

   At the end of the dirt road we will come to the Salinas Grandes Salt Flats. Here you will be able to explore on foot and take some amazing photos.

5. 5

   30 min

   The drive down from this dizzying height must be one of the most spectacular in the world! Affording unforgettable views down onto the Cuesta de Lipan.

6. 6

   Purmamarca

   12 hours

   We will wind our way down the cuesta to the town of Purmamarca, home to the famous Hill of Seven colours where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Day 3 Private full day tour exploring the Humahuaca gorge and the Hornacal hill

1. 1

   Humahuaca

   1 hour

   Today we will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, up to the up to the most northern point of our trip and the town after which the gorge was named.
   In the town of Humahuaca you will have ample time to walk around the local plaza and climb up to the towering monument to the war of independence.

2. 2

   1 hour

   Leaving the town of Humahuaca behind we will make our way into the mountains to visit the amazing 14 coloured hill aslo known as the Hornacal.
   Here you will be able to walk around the area taking pictures and soaking up this amazing natural wonder before returning to Humahuaca.

3. 3

   Uquia

   30 min

   Visit the small chapel known for its strange colonial archangel paintings

4. 4

   Tilcara

   12 hours

   After Uquia and the Tropic of Capricorn we will arrive in the beautiful and lively town of Tilcara. Known to be the home of carnival in Northern Argentina your senses will tingle with the vibes this town radiates. Having looked around the center we will drop you at your hotel.

Day 4 Private full day tour. With activities, walking, museums and the Hill of Seven colours.

1. 1

   Pucara de Tilcara

   1 hour

   This morning you will have the oppurtunity to walkup to the reconstructed ruins
   of an ancient civilization.
   Originaly home to the Umahuaca indians it later became an Incan fortress called the Pucara. (entrance fee not included)
   Once we have taken in the amazing views and history offered by this sight
   we will make our way back into the town of Tilcara to see the accompanying
   museum to the Pucara before lunch.

2. 2

   San Salvador de Jujuy

   1 hour

   Having eaten we will make our way back down the gorge past the city of San Salvador de Jujuy the Capital of the province.

3. 3

   1 hour

   After passing the city of San Salvador we will make our way on to Salta through the lush cloud forest known as the Yungas.

Day 5 Private full day tour. To the beautiful P.N Cardones, Puesto de Payagasta, and visit the towns of Cachi and Molinos.

1. 1

   El Carril

   30 min

   The route will take us south through the tobacco fields of some of the most fertile
   land in the North west of Argentina until we reach the small town of El Carril.

2. 2

   Cuesta del Obispo

   30 min

   From this point on we will continue to climb up the valley and onto the famous
   Cuesta del obispo where if we are lucky we will be able to see condors soaring
   above us.

3. 3

   30 min

   We will then pass by the Valle encantado known for its amazing views and wild flowers.

4. 4

   Parque Nacional Los Cardones

   30 min

   Having gone over the highest poitn of the cuesta we will enter the National park of Los Cardones and travel down
   the old Inca road named the "Recta del Tin Tin"

5. 5

   Payogasta

   30 min

   Having passed through the other side of the Parque National de los Cardones we will stop at the small town of Payogasta to try some of the wines made in the boutique winery.

6. 6

   Cachi

   1 hour

   Upon our arrival in Cachi you will have the chance to explore the little town and
   its 16th century church before having lunch.

7. 7

   Molinos

   12 hours

   After lunch we will continue our trip down the route 40 past the scattered little villages and the small town of Seclantas on to the town of Molinos.
   You may chose to stay in the Estancia de Colome winery for a real treat for the Senses!

Day 6 Private full day tour from Molinos to the Quebrada de las Flechas, various wineries and Cafayate.

1. 1

   30 min

   After breakfast we will continue our way down the route 40 to the town of Angastaco where you may stop for a mid morning coffee.

2. 2

   1 hour

   From Angastaco we will make our way into the awe inspiring "Quebrada de
   las Flechas" which shows off a huge expanse of jagged rock
   formations that really needs to be seen to be believed.

3. 3

   30 min

   From here we'll carry on to the old Royalist stronghold of San Carlos a sleepy town surrounded by vineyards.

4. 4

   2 hours Admission ticket not included

   We continue south until we turn off up into the hills where we will visit the winery of Piattelli.
   Here you will have the option of a vineyard tour and tasting.
   For your lunch we would recommend the tasting menu which offers an opportunity to try the wineries produce with plates specially made
   to complement each wine.
   This is a long continental type lunch for which you will need at least a couple of
   hours to fully enjoy and soak up the ambiance.

5. 5

   Cafayate

   1 hour

   After your long lunch we will visit the Yacochuya and Domingo Molinos wineries (optional).Before dropping down into the town of Cafayate where you will be able to explore at your leisure.
   After having a look around we will drop you off at your hotel.

Day 7 Private full day tour Pachamama Museum, Quilmes ruins, Cafayate, Quebrada de las Conchas

1. 1

   2 hours Admission ticket not included

   Once you have had your breakfast we will make our
   way further south down the route 40 to the small town of Amaicha del Valle
   Home to awe inspiring Museo de Pachamama (Mother Earth Museum)

2. 2

   2 hours Admission ticket not included

   After exploring the amazing feat of local artwork which is the Museo de Pacha Mama we will return north to the pre-columbian ruins of Quilmes where we will be able to walk around
   this monumental landmark pointing to the way of life before the arrival of the Spanish "Conquistadors".

3. 3

   Cafayate

   1 hour

   From the ruins we will make our way back to Cafayate where you will have lunch in one of the many restaurants around the main plaza.

4. 4

   2 hours

   After lunch we will make our way through the amazingly colourful
   Quebrada de las Conchas and stop at all the breathtaking view points and areas of interest along the way.

5. 5

   1 hour

   After leaving the breathtaking Quebrada de las Conchas we will top for a coffee at the Posta de las Cabras.

6. 6

   Valle de Lerma

   After your coffe (and maybe a local cake) we will enter into the Valley of Lerma and continue north to the city of Salta.

Day 8 Transfer to Airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires

1. 1

   30 min

   Private transfer to airport in time for your flight