Salta

Driving experiences

Discover Argentina's breathtaking natural beauty on this full-day tour. After getting picked up from your hotel in Salta, begin the journey towards the neighboring province of Jujuy, passing through the towns of Volcán and Tumbaya along the way.  Your first stop of the day is at the beautiful town of Purmamarca, one of the most picturesque villages in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quebrada de Humahuaca. Visit the town's vibrant main square and perhaps pick up some souvenirs at one of the many surrounding craft stands. Afterward, enjoy a visit to the breathtaking and aptly-named 7 Color Hill. Later, continue your ascent along the majestic Cuesta del Lipan to reach the Salinas Grandes, one of the 7 Wonders of the Argentine Republic. Here, enjoy some free time to admire the unique salt planes and famous pools. Finally, return to Purmamarca, and break for lunch at one of the many traditional restaurants before returning to Salta.

After departing from central Salta, drive through the picturesque towns of Yala, Volcán, and Tumbaya. On the way, stop at the Seven Colors Hill viewpoint to appreciate the wonderful views of the multi-hued mountain illuminated by the sun. Arrive in the magical village of Purmamarca at the base of the Seven Colors Hill. Start by ascending the slopes of Cuesta del Lipán, Cuesta del Saladillo, and Abra de Potrerillos. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife including vicunas and llamas along the way. When you reach 4,150 m above sea level, be dazzled by the Salinas Grandes - a spectacular white salt plain which creates a striking contrast with the blue sky. Spend about 45 minutes at the salt plain taking in the breathtaking views.  Follow the trail back to Purmamarca where you will have free time for lunch (not included in the tour price). Take the opportunity to stroll through the charming narrow streets, admire views of the mountain, and explore the craft market. At the end of the tour, return to Salta on the bus where your tour will end.

Depart Salta and head south along Provincial Route 68, offering panoramic views of the farms and tobacco plantations of the Lerma Valley. Admire the new and old tobacco chimneys made of adobe and clay, and see tobacco leaves being dried under the sun. Pass the town of Alemania and marvel at the red mountains and rock formations of attractions such as the "Devil´s Throat" and "House of the Parrots." Upon arrival in Cafayate, visit 1 or 2 wineries to learn more about the local wine industry and famous torrontes wines. Following lunch, journey back to Salta via a different route to see a completely different landscape from the morning drive.

After departing from central Salta, head south into the stunning, red-tinged lands of rock formations and towering cliffs. The trip begins south of the province, where you’ll soak up some local culture by visiting the historic villages of the Lerma Valley. Afterwards, head to the Quebrada de las Conchas, a canyon of curiously shaped rocks, eroded for centuries by water flow and strong winds. Marvel at the complex rock formations within the ravine, from the Devil’s Throat, to the Amphitheater, to The Castles, among many other spectacular displays. After a thorough exploration, head to Cafayate to visit a vineyard to taste some of the best wines that the region has to offer, including Torrontés. After the tasting, you’ll head back to Salta through the Quebrada de las Conchas.

Depart from Salta and begin your drive towards the iconic landscapes of Argentina. During your tour visit the villages of San Salvador de Jujuy, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara, Uquía, and Huacalera. See the hills of Cerro de los 7 Colore, the scenic Paleta del Pintor, the pre-Incan archaeological ruins of El Pucará de Tilcara, and the Cuzco paintings in Uquía. Once you arrive in Uquía, switch vehicles to ride a 4WD vehicle. Take the road to Hornocal and enjoy panoramic views. On the return, have a short stop in Humahuaca before returning to Salta.

Leaving the fertile Lerma Valley behind, we ascend through Escoipe Gorge and continue along the imposing Cuesta del Obispo and Enchanted Valley, surrounded by mountains. After visiting The Windmill Stone (at 3,400 meters above sea level) you will be crossing Los Cardones National Park. The magical little town of Cachi, located at the foot of the snow-capped mountain of the same name (6,320 meters above sea level) is characterized by its colonial-style facades, with large houses sitting on the edge of narrow, cobbled streets. We will visit the Lerma Valley, El Carril, El Maray, Calchaquí Valley, Escoipe Gorge, Cuesta del Obispo, Enchanted Valley, The Windmill Stone (3348 meters above sea level), Recta del Tin Tin (an 11-kilomoters long road built by the Incas), Los Cardones National Park (the only high-altitude National Park in Argentina), Sighting of Cachi's Snowpeaks (6,380 meters above sea level) and 2 free hours Cachi town.

Depart Salta and journey along Provincial Route 68, traveling through the small towns of Cerrillos, La Merced and El Carril. Then, drive along Provincial Route 33 to pass the dramatic Gorge of Escoipe and Los Laureles. Next, start your journey along the famous winding road of the Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop's Slope). Admire the magnificent rock formations and natural walls en route to the summit at 3,348 meters above sea level. Look for condors flying above, and marvel at the majesty of the "King of the Sky." Get a stunning view of El Valle Encantado ("The Enchanted Valley"), where the scenery is like something out of a fairytale. Notice how the landscape changes as you leave the sub-tropical valleys to go to Recta del Tin Tin, built during the time of the Incas. Travel through the Parque Nacional los Cardones ("National Park of the Cactus"), named for its abundance of cardon grande cactus bush formations. Arrive in the beautiful town of Cachi in time for lunch. Then, stroll through streets of perfectly-preserved colonial architecture. Visit the town church in Central Plaza, and go to the historical museum showcasing the history of the Aboriginal communities. Pick up some souvenirs in the craft market and enjoy some free time to shop before the return drive to Salta.

This full day tour departs from Salta. We will discover the most interesting places. Marvel at the 7-colors hill. Pose for creative and imaginative photos at the amazing white salt pans of Salinas Grandes, and why not buy some souvenirs at the famous Purmamarca handicraft market. Get surprised by the natural wonders. Look for colorful handicrafts in the Purmamarca market. This tour visits: San Salvador de Jujuy, Volcán, Purmamarca, Cuesta del Lipán, Abra del Potrerillo, Chañi Snowpeek, 40 minutes to 1 hour of free time in Salinas Grandes. Return to Purmamarca and 2 free hours there. Within those 2 hours, you will have the chance to participate in the Paseo de los Colorados (between 30 to 40 minutes).

Embark on an adventure that will take you through striking landscapes and scenic villages. The tour commences as you travel to Purmamarca village which rests at the base of the Seven Colors Hill, a stunning multi-hued mountain. Journey to Maimará, a small village nestled in the shadow of the Monolith Painter’s Palette. Admire the stunning red, yellow, orange, and pastel hues of the Monolith. Visit Pucará de Tilcara, a fort built in the 12th-century by the Omaguaca tribe who were later conquered by the Incas. Stop in the sleepy town of Uquía, which is notable for its historic church which boasts paintings of gun-toting angels. Pause at the Tropic of Capricornio, the most southerly latitude at which the sun can appear directly overhead at noon. Enjoy a short visit to Humahuaca's town en route to the main destination - the 14 colours mountain of Hornocal. In Humahuaca you will switch from your van or bus and hop into a 4x4 all-terrain vehicle as you travel to Hornocal. Hornocal is part of the calcareous formation called Yacoraite that extends from the province of Salta, crossing the Quebrada de Humahuaca and then the Bolivian Altiplano to Peru. Upon your return, you will meet up with the rest of your group.

We will travel to Cafayate city, the land of wines, located in the Calchaquí Valley, 180 km away from the capital of Salta, through one of the most impressive and renowned routes in the North of Argentina. We will depart from Salta city, touring the center and south of the Lerma Valley, to then enter the Las Conchas gorge's Natural Reserve. A low-altitude road takes us through a narrow valley surrounded by colorful hills, where the colors orange and red are the highlights. Here we will find geoforms carved by nature such as La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil's throat), El Amphitheatre (The Anfitheatre), The Windows, The Castles, La Yesera, The Toad, The Friar, The Obelisk, etc. In Cafayate you will have the chance to visit a winery, with tasting of the best wines in the area. After lunch, we return to Salta by the same route.