Buenos Aires to Salta: Hiking and Biking the Salt Flats & Wine Region

Salta - Cafayate
Biking and Hiking
After breakfast, at 8:30 am, we will meet in the lobby again to head out on an exciting exploration of the Argentine Northwest. We’ll begin with a scenic drive south into the Lerma Valley and through tobacco plantations. We’ll stop for a cup of coffee close to the old abandoned town of Alemania before getting onto our bikes. We’ll bike through the stunning red formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas all the way to La Yesera, where we will stop for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we will hike into the formations to learn about their incredible geology. Next, we’ll continue to Cafayate where there will be time to explore at leisure. This vibrant small town, located in the centre of the Calchaquí Valley, owes its growth to the wine industry. From late 1800s to mid 1900s, the wineries produced mostly bulk wine, but since late 1990s most wineries chose to produce boutique altitude wines. We’ll get settled into a hotel here, where you’ll be based for the next couple nights. The evening is at your leisure to wander and find a spot for dinner. The town’s main plaza abounds with great restaurants and the guide would be happy to make recommendations.

Biking Duration: 3 hours
Biking Distance: 53 km / 33 mi
Biking Ascent: +441 m (1447 ft)
Hiking Duration: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 4 km / 2.5 mi
Hiking Ascent: + 200 m (657 ft)
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel

Cafayate
Hiking
Early this morning, after breakfast, we'll head out on a hike in Cafayate, in the Sierras de Cajón, on the west side of the Calchaquí Valley. Following a local guide from this community, our route will ascend through big boulders and gigantic cacti. We will stop for lunch at a small house in the mountains, where people live while taking care of their goats there. After transferring back to Cafayate, we will have free time to relax before meeting again later in the evening for a winery visit. There, we'll have the chance to do a tasting while learning about specialty altitude wines. After the tasting, there will be time again at leisure to explore the town or choose your own place to dine.

Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 mi
Hiking Ascent: + 710 m (2329 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine Tasting
Accommodation: Hotel

Cafayete - Cachi
Hiking
After breakfast we drive north on route 40, Argentina’s longest highway and the backbone of the Calchaquí Valley. This road was constructed alongside an old indigenous road so along the ride, there will be plenty of opportunities for photos and you’ll learn from your guide about the area’s culture that blends Andean native traditions with Old Spanish colonial ways. A few photo highlights will be at Quebrada de las Flechas and at the Hacienda de Molinos, We will also visit poncho weavers near Seclantas. We will ultimately arrive in Cachi, where we will stay the night. This is another charming little town, and you’ll have the evening at leisure to explore and find dinner on your own. The guide will be happy to point you in the direction of some great places.

Hiking Duration: 3 hours
Hiking Distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Hiking Ascent: + 600 m (1969 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Cachi - Salta
Hiking
We start with a drive out of Cachi across Los Cardones NP, on way to the Lerma Valley. We’ll first head toward the mountain pass Piedra del Molino, which is where we officially leave the Calchaqui Valley behind and start descending into the greener Lerma Valley. We’ll hop out of the vehicle at a trail head that will lead us into the Valle Encantado, a gorgeous green pocket where the high desert gives way to the lower valleys. The trail will take us along a rocky ridge up to El Torreón and down via part of the Inca Trail. Invigorated by our hike, we’ll hop back into our vehicle for our transfer onward to Salta. Once we’ve arrived, the remains of the evening are free to settle into Salta and enjoy our own dinner at leisure.  

Hiking Duration: 6 hours
Hiking Distance: 16 km / 10 mi (mostly downhill)
Hiking Ascent: + 330 m (1083 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Salta - Purmamarca
Biking
We have the morning free and early afternoon in Salta to explore at leisure. There are many lovely local churches and a walk up the San Bernardo Hill, for its great view, is often a Salta highlight. After lunch, we’ll meet again at the hotel at 2.00 pm to transfer to La Caldera for an afternoon of biking. This town was built in colonial times along the ‘Camino Real’ that connected Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires in Argentina. Upon arrival, we’ll get geared up on our bikes and ride north, following a mountain road that takes us under a green canopy of cloud forest. Energized by the ride, we’ll then transfer north towards the Quebrada de Humahuaca. After checking into the hotel, the rest of the evening is at leisure. The guide can point you toward the best places for dinner in this quaint town of Purmamarca. 

Biking Duration: 3 hours
Biking Distance: 45 km / 28 mi
Biking Ascent: + 291 m (955 ft)
Biking Descent: - 489 m (1604 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Salinas Grandes
Biking
After breakfast today, we’ll drive up to Salinas Grandes for an epic day of biking. This is a true highlight of the itinerary. As we bike down onto the salt flats, we’ll meet several workers from the local community and even have the chance to learn how they extract salt manually. We’ll have time to enjoy walking around on the salt flats, perhaps taking some legendary photos, as well as to enjoy a picnic lunch there. Afterwards, we’ll transfer back to Purmamarca for an afternoon and evening at leisure to relax or explore the local shops. One of the local treasures is Andean woven rugs. 

Biking Duration: 3 hours
Biking Distance: 42 km / 26 mi
Biking Ascent: + 169 m (554 ft)
Biking Descent: - 530 m (1739 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Quebrada de Humahuaca
Hiking
After a wholesome local breakfast, we’ll be prepared to head out from the hotel by foot for our morning hike. We’ll head to the Camino de los Colorados where you find a winding uphill trail that takes us south through the mountains towards Tumbaya Grande. Our hiking efforts will be duly rewarded not only with stunning views along the way but also with a beautiful welcome when we ultimately arrive at Estancia El Bordo de las Lanzas in the early afternoon. This is a traditional colonial house where the owners will personally host us overnight. In the afternoon, we’ll have leisure time at the Estancia, with the chance to go on an optional horseback ride or spend time lounging by the swimming pool. In the evening, dinner at the Estancia will be a typical Argentine asado (barbeque) and we’ll see it prepared traditional gaucho style.

Hiking Duration: 4 hours
Hiking Distance: 12 km / 8 mi
Hiking Ascent: + 523 m (1716 ft)
Biking Descent: - 610 m (2001 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Salta
Free Time and Departure
After breakfast, we have our last morning at leisure to continue relaxing at Estancia or improving our horse-riding skills. There is also the opportunity to learn how to cook over a mud oven, for anyone interested. After a lunchtime snack, we will meet for our transfer at 1:30pm to the Salta airport.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch