Inspirational Itinerary

Salta & Jujuy

11 Days Salta · Cachi · Colomé · Cafayate · Purmamarca Best season: Apr–Dec

Welcome to the enchanting realm of Northern Argentina, a region where time seems to slow down, and the landscapes weave tales of history, culture, and natural beauty.

In the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, a treasure trove of experiences awaits, offering a glimpse into the heart and soul of this captivating corner of the country. It is the ideal place to taste high-altitude wines and experience the culture, crafts, and traditions of the native communities who have inhabited the area since before colonization. Take a guided cooking class and learn about the art of weaving, enjoy a gourmet picnic in the Acsibi Caves, and explore hidden lagoons with your native hosts. Discover the lives of an ancestral community — are you ready for a heart-warming experience?

Highlights

Bespoke Experiences

  • Wander through the colorful streets of Purmamarca and connect with the Andean spirit on a scenic walk along the Paseo de los Colorados.
  • Stand in awe before the endless white expanse of Salinas Grandes, where shimmering salt flats meet the vast Andean sky.
  • Experience the warmth of northern Argentina at an authentic peña, enjoying traditional folk music, regional cuisine, and local hospitality.
  • Discover the ancestral heritage of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, from the pre-Inca fortress of Tilcara to the breathtaking Hornocal, the Mountain of 14 Colors.
  • Explore the colonial elegance of Salta, visiting its historic landmarks, the fascinating High Mountain Archaeological Museum, and panoramic viewpoints above the city.
  • Journey through the dramatic Calchaquí Valleys, crossing Los Cardones National Park, the legendary Ruta 40, and the striking Quebrada de las Flechas.
  • Meet master artisans in Seclantás, the “Cradle of the Poncho,” and witness the centuries-old tradition of handwoven textiles.
  • Savor Argentina’s highest-altitude wine region with exclusive winery visits, exceptional tastings, and unforgettable vineyard lunches.
  • Marvel at the extraordinary red rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas, one of Argentina’s most spectacular landscapes.
Day by Day

Our Itinerary

Day 1 — Welcome to Jujuy, Purmamarca
Day 1

Welcome to Jujuy · Purmamarca, Among Colors and Andean Flavors

Upon arrival in Jujuy, meet your guide and chauffeur for your transfer to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, we suggest beginning with a stroll through the charming surroundings of Purmamarca. This picturesque village, framed by the multicolored hills of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, invites you to immerse yourself in its serene atmosphere, dirt streets, the scents of the artisan market, and the warmth of its people.

As an introduction to the majestic landscape of northern Argentina, we recommend a guided walk along the Paseo de los Colorados — a short, easy mini-trek that winds through unique geological formations, inviting you to admire hypnotic landscapes and connect with the vastness of the natural environment.

Accommodation in Purmamarca, Jujuy
Day 2 — Discover Salinas Grandes
Day 2

Discover Salinas Grandes

From Purmamarca, embark on a journey to the majestic Salinas Grandes, a vast salt flat stretching over 12,000 hectares at more than 3,600 meters above sea level. This white desert, formed by the evaporation of ancient lakes, is one of the largest salt flats in South America and a truly unique landscape.

You’ll admire its spectacular immensity, the salt crystals that reflect the sky, and natural formations that seem otherworldly, while learning about the traditional use of salt by indigenous communities. In the evening, we suggest visiting the authentic peña El Rincón de Claudia Vilte, where you can enjoy traditional music, local cuisine, and a warm atmosphere that captures the true spirit of the region.

Accommodation in Purmamarca, Jujuy
Day 3 — Humahuaca to Salta
Day 3

Humahuaca to Salta

Today’s journey includes visits to iconic sites such as the Pucará de Tilcara, an impressive pre-Inca fortress built on a strategic hill. This archaeological site offers a deep dive into the ancestral history of the region, with panoramic views of the valley and carefully restored walls and terraces that tell stories of resilience and high-altitude living.

Next, the tour continues to the Hornocal viewpoint, popularly known as the “Mountain of 14 Colors,” a natural wonder displaying a spectacular palette of ochres, greens, yellows and purples. Lunch is enjoyed in Humahuaca at Pachamanka, a specially recommended local restaurant, before transferring to the city of Salta (approx. 3.5-hour ride).

Accommodation in Salta
Day 4 — Discover Salta, La Linda
Day 4

Discover Salta, La Linda!

Today you’ll uncover the soul of Salta, one of Argentina’s most charming colonial cities, with a private guided tour. Your journey begins at Plaza 9 de Julio, the elegant main square framed by arcaded walkways, grand cafés and architectural gems such as the Cathedral Basilica and the Cabildo.

Continue to the MAAM (Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña), world-renowned for the exhibition of the perfectly preserved Inca child mummies discovered atop Mount Llullaillaco at over 6,700 meters. Step back in time at the Convento de San Bernardo, then rise above the city on the San Bernardo Hill cable car for breathtaking panoramic views of the colonial rooftops, the Lerma Valley, and the Andean foothills.

Accommodation in Salta
Day 5 — Salta to Cachi
Day 5

Salta to Cachi

The journey from Salta to Cachi is one of the most spectacular drives in northwest Argentina, crossing a wide variety of landscapes — from lush green valleys to high-altitude semi-arid plains — showcasing the unique beauty of the Calchaquí Valleys. Departure toward the Cuesta del Obispo, an impressive mountain pass offering breathtaking panoramic views, where you may spot condors soaring overhead and guanacos in their natural habitat.

Continuing on, you’ll enter Los Cardones National Park, known for its towering cacti that dominate the landscape, before arriving at your accommodation in Cachi with free time to relax. Estimated travel time including stops: 4 to 4.5 hours.

Accommodation in Cachi
Day 6 — Cachi to Estancia Colomé
Day 6

Cachi to Estancia Colomé

Depart Cachi along the gravel roads of the iconic Ruta 40, with expansive views of arid plains, distant mountain ranges and small picturesque villages. One stop is Seclantás, a charming town known as “La Cuna del Poncho” (The Cradle of the Poncho), where craftsmen along the Camino de los Artesanos open their workshops to showcase handwoven ponchos and intricate textiles — an authentic chance to witness the art of weaving firsthand.

Arrive at Estancia Colomé, one of the oldest working estates in Argentina and home to the country’s highest-altitude vineyards. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, it offers an exclusive retreat combining wine, nature and history, including its renowned winery and the unique James Turrell Museum dedicated to light and space. Estimated travel time including stops: 2 to 2.5 hours.

Accommodation in Estancia Colomé
Day 7 — Colomé to Cafayate
Day 7

Colomé to Cafayate

In the morning, depart Colomé toward Cafayate. The route takes you through the Quebrada de las Flechas, an extraordinary landscape where sharp, jagged rock formations rise dramatically like stone arrows, shaped by millions of years of wind and water erosion.

Upon arrival in Cafayate, enjoy lunch at Pausa Restaurant, savoring local flavors in the relaxed atmosphere of Argentina’s wine capital. Afterward, visit El Porvenir de Cafayate, a family-owned boutique winery at over 1,700 meters above sea level, known for terroir-driven, expressive varieties such as Torrontés, Malbec and Tannat. Estimated travel time including stops: 4 hours.

Accommodation in Cafayate
Day 8 — Cafayate wineries
Day 8

Cafayate

In the morning, explore two of Cafayate’s most renowned wineries. The first stop is Bodega El Esteco, one of the most traditional wineries in the area with origins dating back to the 19th century, combining historic character with modern techniques to produce wines that reflect the identity of the Calchaquí Valleys — particularly Torrontés and Malbec.

Continue to Viñas en Flor, a boutique winery recognized for its small-scale, artisanal production and personalized approach. Focused on expressing the unique terroir of Cafayate, it offers an intimate experience surrounded by vineyards and mountain landscapes, with wines that highlight elegance and balance.

Accommodation in Cafayate
Day 9 — Cafayate to Salta, Quebrada de las Conchas
Day 9

Cafayate to Salta

At the scheduled time, continue toward Salta through the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas, a natural wonder known for its vibrant red rock formations and unique geological sculptures such as The Amphitheater and The Devil’s Throat. The interplay of colors and shapes makes this one of the most scenic drives in northern Argentina.

This 65-kilometer stretch, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of sedimentary rock formations from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras (90–60 million years old). Its intense red tones come from ferric oxide in the mineral deposits, while its name — “Las Conchas” — originates from the abundance of fossilized shells, evidence of the ancient humid tropical climate that once dominated the area. Estimated travel time including stops: 4 to 4.5 hours.

Accommodation in Salta

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