Adventure Across Northwest Argentina

An expert guide will take you on a walking tour to the centre of the city, including the cathedral and main square, the impressive MAAM Museum (High Altitude Archeology Museum) and the most remarkable local colonial buildings. You will also visit the main textile producers, silver handcraft makers and designer shops.

The Humahuaca Gorge is a large valley that ends at the border with Bolivia and is located in the province of Jujuy in the far north of Argentina. The Gorge is famous for its colourful mountains, its geological formations and its historical villages. Visit the best places in the region including; the Humahuaca Market, Colorado’s Gorge, the sacred garden of the Cardones (cactus species) at 3200 metres, and the impressive 14 coloured mountains of Hornocal and the Pucara of Tilcara – a pre-Inca fortress. You will also visit the villages of Tilcara, Humahuaca and Purmamarca, with their artisanal markets.

Embark on an exhilarating day of travel starting from the picturesque town of Purmamarca. Drive along the breathtaking Cuesta de Lipan, a winding mountain road offering panoramic views. As you ascend, marvel at the changing scenery, from colourful rock formations to vast valleys. Your next destination is Salinas Grandes, a vast salt flat. Explore the unique salt formations, capturing the otherworldly beauty of this natural wonder. The road then leads to Susques, and next  the iconic Viaducto la Polvorilla, a remarkable piece of engineering perched amidst the high-altitude landscapes. Your day concludes in San Antonio de los Cobres, a town steeped in Andean culture. Explore the charming streets and savour a delightful meal.

Take an extraordinary journey from San Antonio de los Cobres to Tolar Grande, venturing through a tapestry of diverse landscapes. Be captivated by the multicoloured palette of the Pocitos Salt Lake, where vibrant hues reflect the beauty of the surroundings. The odyssey continues through the Labyrinth Desert, a mesmerising expanse adorned with hundreds of red rocky domes. Here you’ll discover the enigmatic Los Ojos de Mar – serene natural pools cradling stromatolites, ancient bacteria that played a pivotal role in the production of oxygen on Earth. Finally, head for Tolar Grande, a charming mining town nestled at the feet of the Arizaro Salt Flat.

The crossing of the Arizaro Salted dry lake resembles the ancient journey of the Arrieros (shepherds guiding caravans of animals to Chile). You’ll see Antofalla, a spectacular example of a Puna oasis full of poplar, molle and willow trees. Antofalla, together with Antofagasta and Santa Rosa, were important stations for Llama caravans connecting this part of the Andes with the Oasis of Atacama.  Antofalla is still inhabited by a small community of  shepherds. You will stop for lunch, and then travel across the coloured mirror of the salt lake. The valley of Calalaste  is the best spot to find wild camelids. Antofagasta de la Sierra is a big village with more than 2,000 people who maintain their ancient traditions and culture.

Today the adventure starts at the edge of Campo de Piedra Pómez, as you reach the Carachi Pampa basin. In its margins there is a volcano of the same name, surrounded by black lava fields and a lagoon, where the Andean flamingo and the James (or puna) flamingo can be found. During the dry season a small salt lake is formed around the lagoon. Later, the journey will continue into the Natural Reserve Campo de Piedra Pómez, a stunning landscape carved into the rock that gives rise to its name: The Pumice. Of purely igneous origin, it was produced from a massive explosion of the volcanic stratum.

After days of intense travel on the High Desert Plateau, the North West still has plenty of surprises. The paved road from El Peñón that meets Route 40 is the 150 kilometre long yellow field of Paja Brava, as well as white lagoons and a deserted narrow canyon filled with rich vegetation. You will visit the Quilmes Ruins, a Pre Inca Archeological site with a dramatic story that gave an end to an ancient population. You will then arrive in the charming town of Cafayate and its green vineyards.

Spend a day exploring the Cafayate region, visiting wineries and enjoying a delicious lunch along the way. Often referred to as Argentina’s Tuscany, this is the country’s lesser known wine region where the pace is slow, its Cabernet Sauvignons are sweetly perfumed, and its boutique wineries are rustic and known for their Torrontes and Tannat.

En route back to Salta, explore the canyon of Quebrada de las Conchas, a Natural Heritage Site formed by sediments from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras (90 to 60 million years). The intense red colour is present due to the ferric oxide contained in its mineral basins. The name of the gorge – ‘conchas’ meaning shell – comes from the many marine fossils found here.