THE
NORTHWEST
Scenic, folky, small town-feel with lots of personality, and extremely attractive
THE NORTHWEST
7 DAYS OF DISCOVERIES AND ADVENTURES
SALTA
Sophisticated Salta is a favorite with its outstanding museums, its plaza-side cafes, and the live música folklórica of its vibrant peñas (folk music clubs). It offers the facilities (and the traffic and noise) of a large town, retaining the comfortable pace of a smaller place and preserving more colonial architecture than most Argentine cities.
PURMAMARCA
Little Purmamarca sits under the celebrated Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors), a spectacular, jagged formation resembling the marzipan fantasy of a megalomaniac pastry chef. The village is postcard-pretty, with adobe houses and ancient algarroba trees by the bijou 17th-century church.
CAFAYATE
Argentina’s second center for quality wine production, Cafayate is a popular tourist destination but still has a tranquil small-town feel. A spectacular scenery, backed by soaring mountains, makes this one of the most seductive destinations in the Northwest.
Tour Program
The Northwest
DAY 1 - SALTA
Pick up rental car at Airport Stand. You will be assisted by a member of our staff. He will explain you about driving conditions in the region. Departure from the airport to hotel. Time at leisure to visit the city and the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology of Salta (MAAM). Accommodation.
DAY 2 - SALTA, PURMAMARCA
Early departure following the route of the Train to the Clouds rails towards the Quebrada Del Toro (Bull’s river Gorge). You will pass by the Ruins of Santa Rosa de Tastil, ancient pre- Inca settlement to finally arrive at the small village of San Antonio de los Cobres. You will continue crossing the Puna up to Salinas Grandes, and start descending through the Cuesta de Lipan to Purmamarca, a typical village at the foot of the Seven Colors Hill and it’s colorful handcraft fair. Arrive in Purmamarca. Accommodation.
DAY 3 - PURMAMARCA, SALTA
Full day excursion to Humahuaca’s Gorge visiting typical and colorful villages such as Purmamarca, Tilcara with it’s Pucara, an old pre- Colombian native fortress partially rebuilt, and Uquia with its local parish church which holds a collection of paintings coming from Cusco, representing the harquebusier angels. Arrive at Humahuaca and visit the church, the old Town Hall, and the Argentine Independence War’s Monument. After lunch (not included) return to Salta. On the way you can stop at Maimara to admire La Paleta del Pintor (Paintor’s Palette). Arrival at Salta. Accommodation.
DAY 4 - SALTA, MOLINOS
Departure towards the Calchaqui Valleys, a natural treasure enclosed in one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes. You will pass by Chicoana, Cuesta del Obispo, known as the condor’s home, Recta del Tin-tin and Los Cardones National Park. We arrive at Cachi, visit the church and continue towards Molino. Accommodation.
DAY 5 - MOLINOS, CAFAYATE
Departure towards Cafayate, driving along mountainous roads passing by Seclantas, Molinos and Angastaco. You will pass by Quebrada de las Flechas (Arrows’ Ravine). This is a very particular rock ravine formed by 20-meter- high rock walls that skirt the winding road. Finally arrival at Cafayate, a peaceful, colonial town with its vineyards that produce renowned wines, Accommodation.
DAY 6 - CAFAYATE, SALTA
Departure departure towards Salta. The panoramic view of the valleys continues along Quebrada de las Conchas, (Cafayate’s Gorge) with reddish sandstone walls, curious rock formations that have been masterfully carved by the erosion of wind and weather. All these formations have been baptized by locals according to their fancy shapes with names such as: the Amphitheatre, the Devil’s Throat, the Obelisk and the Castles. Arrival at Salta and accommodation.
DAY 7 - SALTA
Departure to the airport. Drop off car at car rental office. From January to march the itinerary could be changed because of the rainy season.