Explore the province of Salta, a spectacular wine region with a diverse geographic, cultural and climatic landscape. Salta’s landscape offers a unique mixture of multi-coloured rock formations, high altiplano (altitude) villages, and many other geographic novelties. Llamas can frequently be seen roaming the countryside on this 5 day trip covering Salta and its surrounding sights including Humahuaca Gorge, Cafayate and Cachi.
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the city of Salta with its striking architecture, whitewashed buildings and a beautiful leafy plaza.
- Try some of Argentina’s finest wines in the most stunning surroundings.
- Visit the Hill of Seven Colours.
- See spectacular desert formations on the road between Salta and Cafayate.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Salta
- Day 2: Huamahuaca Horge
- Day 3: Salta - Cafayate
- Day 4: Cafayate - Salta
- Day 5: Half Day Salta City Tour - Depart
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Consider another day at leisure in Cafayate to soak in the spectacular views and do some more wine tasting.
- Salta is worth another day to explore its interesting streets and enjoy its fabulous food.
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1 - Salta: Arrive in Salta
Arrive in Salta
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 - Salta: Humahuaca Gorge
Humahuaca Gorge
A trip through the Quebrada declared a World Heritage Site, where the landscape and the colors of the hills combine with the equally colorful cultures that inhabit this area. It is a journey of social contact and a view of the ancestral. It begins with the arrival to the Pueblito de Purmamarca to observe the Cerro de los Siete Colores, the church and the handicraft market in the square. Pass by the Posta de Hornillos. Continue to Huacalera, pass of the Tropic of Capricorn, from where you can see the colors of the hill called the Pollera de la Colla. Visit the Church of Uquía, where the paintings of the Arcabuceros Angels (important vestige in the area of the Cuzco school).
Arrival to Humahuaca with its important Cathedral and the Independence Monument (El Indio) of the sculptor Soto Avendaño. Return after lunch to observe from the road the Paleta del Pintor that frames the town of Maimara. Arrival to San Salvador de Jujuy.
Return to Salta.
Breakfast included.
Day 3 - Salta: Salta – Cafayate
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.
Day 4 - Cafayate: Cafayate - Salta
Cafayate - Salta
In the morning you will have a couple of guided tours at some local wineries to see their process and then taste different wines produced in the area.
After lunch (not included) you will depart Salta and head through the barren, spectacular Quebrada de Cafayate, a wild landscape of richly coloured sandstone and unearthly rock formations. Carved out by the Río de las Conchas, the canyon's twisted sedimentary rock exhibits a stunning array of tones, from rich red ocher to ethereal green. It's one of the country's more memorable drives and a short way from Cafayate we reach Los Médanos an extensive dune field where a series of distinctive land forms are found including the impressive Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) and Anfiteatro (Amphitheater).
Eventually we reach Salta where the evening is at your leisure.
Breakfast included.
Day 5 - Salta: Half Day City Tour / Depart Salta
Half Day City Tour
After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, depart on a guided tour to the most important places in Salta: the Cathedral (1855) where Gral. Güemes, patriotic hero, rests; Cultural Centre America, Historical Museum of the North (Town Council) with exhibitions of sacred art and rooms dedicated to old traditional families of Salta, "San Francisco" Church, "San Bernardo" Convent, and the monument to General Güemes. We ascend to "San Bernardo" Hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the city. After a visit to "Batalla de Salta" Monument (Battle of Salta), and "20 de Febrero" Park (February 20th Park), we travel towards the outskirts and visit a summer village called "San Lorenzo", characterised by the subtropical microclimate. Lastly, we'll visit the Artisan Market where craftsmen of the entire province display their original crafts.
Depart Salta
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport.
Comfort
Salta, Argentina - Posada del Marques
Cafayate, Argentina - Los Sauces
Superior
Salta, Argentina - Hotel Almeria
Cafayate, Argentina - Viñas de Cafayate
Deluxe
Salta, Argentina - Salta Design Suites
Cafayate, Argentina - Patios de Cafayate
Whats included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Entrance fees
- Small Group Tours with English speaking guides
- Private Transfers
- Meals as specified
What’s not included?
- Air Transportation
- Airport entrance/departure taxes/hotel taxes
- Passport, visa, and immigration fees
- Additional hotel nights
- Travel Protection Plan
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
Hotel rates are based on twin share in lead in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events. Single supplement will be applied if travelling alone or if you wish to have a room to yourself.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: South America
The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!
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