Salta – Cafayate
After breakfast, the journey starts in Salta and proceeds on to the famous Cuesta del Obispo, from an altitude of 1,100 m to 3,348 m/a/s/l in only 20 km. once in Los Cardones National Park you will descend to the Encantado Valley, which marks a transition between two climatic regions: monte (with jungle-like vegetation) and pre-puna (An arid plateau). If weather permits, you might be gifted with the majestic flight of a condor overhead.
Continuing with the trip, you will travel across the Payogasta Village where, a few minutes later, you will arrive at the small city of Cachi for lunch and to visit its picturesque chapel and the archaeological museum. Then you will continue to the south along the famous National Route No. 40. You'll view small villages such as: San Jose, Seclantás and Molinos, also known as “the Poncho's capitol”. Molinos has an historical chapel built in the seventeenth century and a Vicuñas breeding place (one species of llamas) that belongs to a local artisanal cooperative.
After Angastaco, you will begin to notice one of the strangest landscapes in South America, the Quebrada de Las Flechas. The strong contrast between desert, green valley and snow capped mountains on the background will take your breath away. After San Carlos, you will arrive in the most important wine areas of the region: first Animaná (name of the local Indian tribe) and finally the small city of Cafayate, with ten thousand inhabitants surrounded by wineries and extended vineyards. Please note any visit to a local winery will be due to arrival time. If a winery visit is not possible, your guide will point out the several wineries within walking distance in the city.
Breakfast included.
