Tour of the Calchaquí Valleys

This circuit begins in the city of Salta, which offers nature spots worth visiting: the Parque Bicentenario (Bicentennial Park) -with an 11 hectares artificial lake where you can enjoy different recreational activities-; the Cerro San Bernardo Municipal Reserve -one of the most biodiverse places in the city- and the Natural Park -to explore jungles, forests, and lakes through easy and short trails-.

For those who want to experience its cultural heritage, in the historic centre you can visit the Town Hall, the Basilica Cathedral, the Alta Montaña Archaeology Museum, the America Cultural Centre and the Explora Salta and San Francisco museums. Other interesting places to visit are the handicraft market and the San Bernardo cable car station. You will also find peñas, local gastronomy and all kinds of lodgings.

More information on the amazing city of Salta and its surroundings.

This circuit begins in the city of Salta, which offers nature spots worth visiting: the Parque Bicentenario (Bicentennial Park) -with an 11 hectares artificial lake where you can enjoy different recreational activities-; the Cerro San Bernardo Municipal Reserve -one of the most biodiverse places in the city- and the Natural Park -to explore jungles, forests, and lakes through easy and short trails-.

For those who want to experience its cultural heritage, in the historic centre you can visit the Town Hall, the Basilica Cathedral, the Alta Montaña Archaeology Museum, the America Cultural Centre and the Explora Salta and San Francisco museums. Other interesting places to visit are the handicraft market and the San Bernardo cable car station. You will also find peñas, local gastronomy and all kinds of lodgings.

More information on the amazing city of Salta and its surroundings.

This colonial style town, south of the city of Salta, is characterised by its history and traditions. There are several places where you can see how handicrafts and cigars are made, which makes Chicoana one of the magic places of the province.

A culinary classic is the tamale, a dish with great historical value, which is part of the heritage of the pre-Columbian and criollo cultures (the National Tamale Festival is celebrated every year in July).

From Chicoana you can go on horseback rides and bicycle tours through the Quebrada del Escoipe and the Cuesta del Obispo, accompanied by authorised tourist guides.

More information on the Chicoana tourism website.

This colonial style town, south of the city of Salta, is characterised by its history and traditions. There are several places where you can see how handicrafts and cigars are made, which makes Chicoana one of the magic places of the province.

A culinary classic is the tamale, a dish with great historical value, which is part of the heritage of the pre-Columbian and criollo cultures (the National Tamale Festival is celebrated every year in July).

From Chicoana you can go on horseback rides and bicycle tours through the Quebrada del Escoipe and the Cuesta del Obispo, accompanied by authorised tourist guides.

More information on the Chicoana tourism website.

This farm valley, known as Quebrada del Escoipe, stretches along Provincial Route 33 from Chicoana to the lower part of the Cuesta del Obispo.

This area has very narrow stretches between very high stone walls of great beauty, and is covered with walnut trees, laurels and other species of great size. Here you can go trekking or cycling accompanied by local guides. You will find small villages with basic services.

As we continue our journey along Provincial Route 33, the road starts to climb and bend after bend goes through velvety mountains and high pastures. Along the way, there are viewpoints inviting you to stop and enjoy the scenery.

More information on the scenic route Cuesta del Obispo.

As we continue our journey along Provincial Route 33, the road starts to climb and bend after bend goes through velvety mountains and high pastures. Along the way, there are viewpoints inviting you to stop and enjoy the scenery.

More information on the scenic route Cuesta del Obispo.

Just before reaching the highest point of the Cuesta del Obispo, you can enter Los Cardones National Park, where you can trek through narrow canyons with walls of more than 100 metres high until you reach El Maray, in the Quebrada del Escoipe.

Just before reaching the highest point of the Cuesta del Obispo, you can enter Los Cardones National Park, where you can trek through narrow canyons with walls of more than 100 metres high until you reach El Maray, in the Quebrada del Escoipe.

The highest point of the scenic route Cuesta del Obispo, at 3348 metres above sea level, is Piedra del Molino. There is a viewpoint providing a spectacular panoramic view of the entire slope, a small chapel with a large stone from which the place takes its name.

The highest point of the scenic route Cuesta del Obispo, at 3348 metres above sea level, is Piedra del Molino. There is a viewpoint providing a spectacular panoramic view of the entire slope, a small chapel with a large stone from which the place takes its name.

This is where the Cuesta del Obispo scenic route ends, and where the landscape of Los Cardones National Park comes into view.

If you continue along Provincial Route 33, you will cross the Los Cardones National Park, where you can walk through one of the largest cactus forests in the world. There are information signs and short walking trails at several places. Following the route through the heart of the park, you will find the Recta del Tin Tin (Tin Tin Straight Line), an old Inca trail of 15 kilometres. 

More information on the must- see destination on this link: Los Cardones National Park.

If you continue along Provincial Route 33, you will cross the Los Cardones National Park, where you can walk through one of the largest cactus forests in the world. There are information signs and short walking trails at several places. Following the route through the heart of the park, you will find the Recta del Tin Tin (Tin Tin Straight Line), an old Inca trail of 15 kilometres. 

More information on the must- see destination on this link: Los Cardones National Park.

This small village of narrow streets and adobe buildings is 22 kilometres away from Los Cardones National Park. It has services, some lodgings, and restaurants. Also, you can visit high altitude wineries that are part of the famous Ruta del Vino (Wine Route). Payogasta is surrounded by hills and mountains ideal for hiking and cycling.

Only 31 km away from the town you can visit Potrero de Payogasta, an archaeological site declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO for being part of the Qhapac Ñan, the Andean road system used more than 500 years ago by the indigenous peoples. Another site is the Graneros Incaicos, mud silos located very close to the iconic National Route 40, at kilometre 4545.

Cachi is a classic of the Calchaquí Valleys. This town, at 2280 metres above sea level, offers lodging, restaurants, and services, and is part of the Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) with outstanding high altitude wineries. 

One of its great nature spots is the Nevado de Cachi, a mountain range with nine peaks, the highest of which is El Libertador, at 6380 metres above sea level, one of the most chosen peaks in the province for mountaineering. There are several routes to reach the summit, which must be taken accompanied by qualified mountain guides.

In the town, it is worth visiting the old church, built in the 16th century and declared a National Historic Monument, and walking through its small stone streets with big street lamps that add a special charm to this Calchaquí village. In the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum, you can take a 10,000-year tour to understand the region's rich history. 

More information on the Cachi tourism website.

Cachi is a classic of the Calchaquí Valleys. This town, at 2280 metres above sea level, offers lodging, restaurants, and services, and is part of the Ruta del Vino (Wine Route) with outstanding high altitude wineries. 

One of its great nature spots is the Nevado de Cachi, a mountain range with nine peaks, the highest of which is El Libertador, at 6380 metres above sea level, one of the most chosen peaks in the province for mountaineering. There are several routes to reach the summit, which must be taken accompanied by qualified mountain guides.

In the town, it is worth visiting the old church, built in the 16th century and declared a National Historic Monument, and walking through its small stone streets with big street lamps that add a special charm to this Calchaquí village. In the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum, you can take a 10,000-year tour to understand the region's rich history. 

More information on the Cachi tourism website.

Driving south on National Route 40 you will reach Seclantás, another magical spot located at 2100 m.a.s.l. It offers lodgings and some gastronomic services.

You can visit the Quebrada del Rincón Municipal Nature Reserve, also known as the Acsibi Caves, a landscape shaped thousands of years ago, and the Route of the Artisans, to discover the production of the traditional ponchos of Salta. Another place worth visiting is the Brealito Lake, a few kilometres away from Seclantás, on Provincial Route 56.

More information on the Seclantás tourism website.

Driving south on National Route 40 you will reach Seclantás, another magical spot located at 2100 m.a.s.l. It offers lodgings and some gastronomic services.

You can visit the Quebrada del Rincón Municipal Nature Reserve, also known as the Acsibi Caves, a landscape shaped thousands of years ago, and the Route of the Artisans, to discover the production of the traditional ponchos of Salta. Another place worth visiting is the Brealito Lake, a few kilometres away from Seclantás, on Provincial Route 56.

More information on the Seclantás tourism website.

If you follow National Route 40 for about 19 km, you can visit Molinos village, whose church has been declared a National Historic Monument, and the Artisan and Growers Association, a cooperative that makes handicrafts using vicuña wool.

Here you can visit one of the highest wineries in the valley, taste wines and experience the local culture.

Heading south, we find Angastaco, a small town located in a valley crossed by the Angastaco River, where you can enjoy different activities such as trekking, horseback riding, rural tourism and visiting wineries.

Los Colorados, a geological formation with a great variety of cacti, is only 3 km away from the village. It can be reached on foot (1-hour walk) or by car (10-minutes ride).

Heading south, we find Angastaco, a small town located in a valley crossed by the Angastaco River, where you can enjoy different activities such as trekking, horseback riding, rural tourism and visiting wineries.

Los Colorados, a geological formation with a great variety of cacti, is only 3 km away from the village. It can be reached on foot (1-hour walk) or by car (10-minutes ride).

This scenic route runs through the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys, among gigantic rocks tilted like arrows sticking out of the earth. Each bend in the road reveals gorges and vertical walls surrounded by mountains and formations dating back 20 million years.

More information on the scenic route Quebrada de las Flechas (RN40).

This scenic route runs through the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys, among gigantic rocks tilted like arrows sticking out of the earth. Each bend in the road reveals gorges and vertical walls surrounded by mountains and formations dating back 20 million years.

More information on the scenic route Quebrada de las Flechas (RN40).

After 10 km of gravel road, the scenic route Quebrada de las Flechas comes to an end.

San Carlos is another magical place in Salta and one of the most important ancient towns in Argentina, declared a National Historic Site in 1942.

Here you will find narrow streets, old mansions, artisans and weavers, and you can also enjoy the Calchaquí River and visit small rural communities.

More information on the San Carlos tourism website.

Cafayate is the most important colonial style town in the Calchaquí Valleys and where most of the wineries are located. There is a great offer of lodging, restaurants and services.

From here you can take hikes to the San Isidro and El Zorrito hills, and to the Siete Cascadas, also known as the Colorado River waterfalls, which we recommend you to do accompanied by local guides.

The Museo de la Vid y del Vino (Vine and Wine Museum) is another place worth visiting: a cultural venue that recounts the stories of the high altitude vineyards. You can also visit wineries and other establishments related to winemaking in the region, where the Torrontés grape is one of the most famous. In the city centre, you can visit the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Cathedral, built in 1885, and the artisan market.

More information on the Cafayate tourism website. 

Cafayate is the most important colonial style town in the Calchaquí Valleys and where most of the wineries are located. There is a great offer of lodging, restaurants and services.

From here you can take hikes to the San Isidro and El Zorrito hills, and to the Siete Cascadas, also known as the Colorado River waterfalls, which we recommend you to do accompanied by local guides.

The Museo de la Vid y del Vino (Vine and Wine Museum) is another place worth visiting: a cultural venue that recounts the stories of the high altitude vineyards. You can also visit wineries and other establishments related to winemaking in the region, where the Torrontés grape is one of the most famous. In the city centre, you can visit the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Cathedral, built in 1885, and the artisan market.

More information on the Cafayate tourism website. 

Some 8 kilometres away from Cafayate on National Route 68, you can take a gravel road that leads to some dunes where you can go horseback riding or trekking, both during the day and at night, accompanied by qualified guides.  

Some 8 kilometres away from Cafayate on National Route 68, you can take a gravel road that leads to some dunes where you can go horseback riding or trekking, both during the day and at night, accompanied by qualified guides.  

The journey along the Quebrada de las Conchas scenic route, a landscape of great colours where formations carved by the wind and water appear along the road, begins by taking National Route 68 towards the north.

The journey along the Quebrada de las Conchas scenic route, a landscape of great colours where formations carved by the wind and water appear along the road, begins by taking National Route 68 towards the north.

It is worth taking a stop at this formation with contrasting colours and walking along the Los Estratos trail (half an hour, low difficulty) to admire a geological park that millions of years ago was the bottom of the sea.

It is worth taking a stop at this formation with contrasting colours and walking along the Los Estratos trail (half an hour, low difficulty) to admire a geological park that millions of years ago was the bottom of the sea.

This is a must if you want to enjoy the Quebrada de las Conchas landscape and its stunning colours. You will reach a viewpoint through a short path.

This is a must if you want to enjoy the Quebrada de las Conchas landscape and its stunning colours. You will reach a viewpoint through a short path.

This natural amphitheatre is more than 20 metres high and has perfect acoustics. Several local artists often play their instruments while enjoying the unique scenery. 

This natural amphitheatre is more than 20 metres high and has perfect acoustics. Several local artists often play their instruments while enjoying the unique scenery. 

This is one of the most visited rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas. You get there after a short walk.

This is one of the most visited rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas. You get there after a short walk.

The Quebrada de las Conchas scenic route ends at this small location called Alemanía. It is worth walking through it and visiting the historic train station, today an art space and museum.

The Quebrada de las Conchas scenic route ends at this small location called Alemanía. It is worth walking through it and visiting the historic train station, today an art space and museum.

Only a few minutes away from the town of Coronel Moldes you can visit the Cabra Corral Dam, a beautiful water body surrounded by green mountains where you can practise zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, rafting and packrafting on the Juramento River. You can also go on catamaran boat rides.

Only a few minutes away from the town of Coronel Moldes you can visit the Cabra Corral Dam, a beautiful water body surrounded by green mountains where you can practise zip-lining, rappelling, kayaking, rafting and packrafting on the Juramento River. You can also go on catamaran boat rides.

End of the route.