North of Argentina, local immersion

Your driver (English speaking) 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 peak of the Inca between 1480 and 1535 and was then part of the Inca Trail that ran along the Andes from Ecuador to Argentina. You will probably see lamas spinning between cactus across the Andean plateau. 

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

Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.  

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 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. 

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.  

In the morning, you go towards Salta making some stops to enjoy the most breathtaking views. You cross small colonial cities like Alemania. You will also enter the Quebrada of the Río de Las Conchas, and enjoy the beauty and its 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). On your arrival you are free to visit again Salta  

Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.  

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” (train to the clouds). 

After a break for lunch (not included), you take the road to discover the “Salinas Grandes”, an impressive salt desert at over 1400m 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 at the foot of the Seven Colors Mountain. 

Private tour with English speaking driver-guide.  

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, arrival to the village of Humahuaca. Free time to explore the ciy on your own and have lunch (not included)  

On the way back to Purmamarca, you will visit a small rural village where you will meet a community called Hornaditas. A family invites you to participate in their daily activities, including bread making and goat cheese making. Lunch included. Back to Purmamarca in the late afternoon.  

Return to Salta with your driver by private car. 

Note: depending on your flights schedule for the next day (Day 9), you could sleep this night (Day 8) in Purmamarca and be transferred to the airport the next day.   

Private transfer to Salta airport.