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North of Argentina Travel

North of Argentina, local immersion (Private Tour)

from $2,240

trip to explore the North of Argentina in 9 days. An immersion in the traditions of the original peoples of Salta and Jujuy, their culture, their history and their colorful landscapesYou will discover the local life while you travel through the beautiful landscapes of northern Argentina.

Duration: 9 days.

Price per person on a double basis, in US dollars

  • Reviews 6 Reviews
    5/5
  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
      Community tourism, Cultural
    • Activity Level Easy
    1. Day 1 Arrival to Salta

      Arrival in Salta and private transfer to your hotel. Free evening to discover the city. We suggest you to spend the evening in one of the many ”peñas” (traditional tavern) that Salta offer, we have many recommendations in order to spend an unforgettable evening.

    2. Day 2 Private tour from Salta to Cachi - Los Cardones National Park

      Your driver picks you up at the hotel to take you to the north-west trails, towards Cachi. You will cross the Los Cardones National Park, passing by the so-called ”Inca Trail”, the Recta Tin Tin, name given to a perfectly straight stretch of road of Route 33, which runs for 18 km through the cactus of the Los Cardones National Park. The name of this route dates from the Inca empire, between 1480 and 1535 and was then part of the long trail that ran along the Andes from Ecuador to Argentina. You will probably see lamas and cactus, across the Andean plateau.

      Arrival to Cachi, charming small town of colonial inheritance, with low houses tinged with white lime. 

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

    3. Day 3 Andean Rural Community: Sharing and discoveries

      From Cachi, the famous Route 40 runs along the Calchaquí River south to Seclantás. From there a gravel road will take us to the town of Brealito, where we will meet an Andean rural community.

      You will learn about local traditions and participate in weaving, ceramics, viticulture, paprika and other spices. A real immersion in this respectable and warm community. After having lunch with your hosts, you will be able to walk in the hills along the irrigation channels guided by the inhabitants, enjoying the surrounding nature and beautiful views.

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

      Note: Activity to be confirmed according to the schedule of the local family.

      You will learn about local traditions and participate in weaving, ceramics, viticulture, paprika and other spices. A real immersion in this respectable and warm community. 

      After a lunch shared with your hosts, you will be able to walk in the hills along the irrigation channels guided by the inhabitants, in order to make the most of the surrounding nature from the most beautiful views. 

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide 

      Note: Activity to be confirmed according to the schedule of the local family. 

    4. Day 4 Trip through the Calchaquies Valleys

      The route 40 continues to Molinos and Angastaco with its pepper fields and its small center that comes alive when the heat falls. In the afternoon, you arrive in the city of Cafayate, famous due to its wine production.

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

       

    5. Day 5 From Cafayate to Salta

      In the morning, you go towards Salta making some stops to enjoy breathtaking views next to the road. You cross small colonial cities like Alemania. You will also enter to the Quebrada de Las Conchas, a beautiful and spectacular rock formations carved by erosion and winds such as the Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), El Anfiteatro (the Amphitheater), El Sapo (The Toad), El Fraile (The Monk), El Obelisco (The Obelisk) Los Castillos (The Castles).

      In the end of the afternoon, you are free to visit Salta at your own pace.

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

    6. Day 6 On the road to Jujuy: Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca

      You head towards San Antonio de los Cobres through the winding roads of the Northwest by the Quebrada del Toro along the old railway of the famous ”Tren a las Nubes”.

      After a break for lunch (not included), you take the road to discover the “Salinas Grandes”, an impressive salt desert at over 4.000m above sea level, just on the border between the regions of Salta and Jujuy. Finally, you will descend by Cuesta del Lipán observing condors and llamas to Purmamarca, beautiful village next to the Hill of Seven Colours.

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

    7. Day 7 Discover the Quebrada de Humahuaca & visit to a local community in Ocumazo

      Set off along the Quebrada de Humahuaca and its small villages, this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your driver and guide you will discover the curiosities and colorful markets of each small village, including those of Tilcara, where you will also visit the Pucará (archaeological site). At lunch time, arrived at the village of Humahuaca. Free time to explore the city on your own and have lunch (not included).

      In the afternoon, you will meet a rural community of Ocumazo, which inhabits the Quebrada de Humahuaca preserving the customs and traditions of their people for several generations. A local family will welcome and make you discover their rural life. You will do a 3-hour trek to visit a pre-Columbian archaeological site (Antigal) while learning about the history of the indigenous people (low level of difficulty) Later, enjoy a homemade dinner with the host family. 

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

    8. Day 8 Living the authentic andean culture

      Today you will do a 3-hour horse riding in the surroundings. You will enjoy the magnificent landscapes from the viewpoint of Cerro Santa Ana, where the Mount Hornocal is located, known as the ”mount of 14 colors” Ocumazo is located on a hidden valley between enormous mountains and the families take advantage of the land and its productions. A local guide will explain to you their traditions in the rural area. At noon, you will do an Andean cooking workshop, while you learn more about agricultural activity such as corn, potato, ollucos, habas, or the breeding of goats. You will have your creations for lunch. 

      In the afternoon, return to Salta with your driver by private car.

      Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.

    9. Day 9 End of the trip. Transfer to the airport in Salta

      After breakfast, you will be transferred to Salta airport

    All about the North of Argentina, local immersion (Private Tour).

    Travel dates: all year round (rainy season from December to February)

    Blackout dates: none

    Departures every day (subject to availability) 

    Minimum 2 passengers (Extra cost applies for solo travelers)

    The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
    What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
    • 6 nights accommodation in a double room.
    • 2 nights accommodation (homestay) in rural communities (private room with shared facilities) .
    • Private transportation from day 2 to day 8 (4×4 vehicle with English speaking driver-guide)  
    • Breakfasts included in all hotels.
    • All meals at the rural tourism program in Salta (Brealito community).
    • Lunch at the rural tourism program in Jujuy ( Ocumazo community)
    What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
    • Meals (except when mentioned) and additional personal expenses
    • Air transport (national and international), optional.
    • Excursions indicated as optional.
    Local hotels, family homes and unique properties

    At Mater we know that accommodation is much more than a place to sleep. It is an opportunity to experience the local culture. Because of this, our itineraries are designed to stay in local hotels and, whenever possible, have an experience in the family home.

    The published price is in standard hotels, but we have options in superior and luxury category hotels. We work with inns, rooms, and charming hotels.

    At Mater we always search for alternative activities to those usually chosen by large groups of tourists so that you can have more intimate and authentic experiences, without missing out on the most emblematic places in Argentina.

    In this tour you’ll get to visit Salta and Jujuy from a unique perspective that offers the possibility of authentically discovering the lifestyle and traditions of their inhabitants organised in rural communities. Driving through the paths surrounded by incredible landscapes such as ravines, salines or valleys is definitely an extraordinary experience. The tour has a completely different perspective to the ones offered in other conventional circuits in the region, as you’ll have the opportunity to share unique moments with locals.

    On top of our general sustainability policies (see here), there are some specific sustainable actions we take in this particular tour.
    One of the main aspects of rural tourism is the direct and genuine bond that is created with locals, generating a reciprocal cultural exchange. This is the case in Brealito, where you’ll meet an Andean rural community to learn about their traditions and participate on their daily activities such as knitting, making ceramic pieces, viticulture and more. In Hornaditas, a family will invite you to participate in activities such as making bread or goat cheese.

    Salta City – Cachi: 4hs on route

    Cachi – Cafayate: 4hs on route

    Cafayate – Salta City: 3.30hs on route

    Salta City – Purmamarca: 3.00hs on route

    Purmamarca – Tilcara : 0.30hs on route

    In the North the weather is pretty good all year round, although it tends to be very rainy and hot during the summer months. During the other months of the year it’s an arid region with great variability in temperatures: hot during the day and colder at night.
    The city of Salta, located in a valley, has an average temperature of 10 ºC (50 ºF) during the winter and 20 ºC (68 ºF) in the summer, and a rainy season between December and February. In the rest of the province temperatures vary according to the altitude of the area. For example, in the Puna region there is a big thermal amplitude with cold mornings and nights and nicer temperatures during the day. In Cachi and Cafayate the weather is quite warm during the summer, with an average temperature of 28 ºC (82 ºF), long and sunny days and cooler nights. In the winter, temperatures drop to 15°C (59 ºF) during the day. 

    In the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the average temperature in the summer is 23°C (73 ºF) with long, sunny days and cooler nights. In winter, average temperature drops to 16°C (60 ºF) during the day.

    The North is considered quite safe, especially in rural areas. Just like in most countries, you should be more cautious in the city and the areas around it.

    The Northwest is definitely one of the most gastronomically diverse areas in Argentina due to the coexistence of different cultures. We strongly suggest that you try the most typical meals like tamales, locro or empanadas.

    Salta (city) has the main airport in the Northwest area, although San Salvador de Jujuy also has an airport with less frequent flights. Most direct flights connect the largest cities in the country, such as Buenos Aires, Rosario or Córdoba. There are also other flights like Salta – Puerto Iguazú or Salta – Mendoza.

    Overall Rating
    5/5
    Claudia
    Reviewed On 15/01/2021
    5/5

    The itinerary, the grandiose landscapes, the meetings with Argentines, the atmosphere of the country, the community of Brealito (huge crush). This trip was a real success.

    Pablo
    Reviewed On 12/05/2019
    4/5

    An excellent trip! Unbeatable itinerary, without a doubt recommended

    Michael
    Reviewed On 03/05/2019
    5/5

    Local cuisine, cultural immersion, extraordinary meetings and an impressive landscape

    Alex
    Reviewed On 21/04/2019
    4/5

    We're leaving very happy. The guides, the lodging and the luxury transport!

    Noëmie
    Reviewed On 10/03/2019
    4/5

    We let ourselves be carried throughout the trip, it only remained to enjoy the scenery, excursions, animals ... and all without knowing the language. In a word, a magical journey!

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