Experience the full splendor of Northern Argentina with our Complete Northwest: Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán program. This grand circuit takes you from the lush cloud forests of Tucumán to the high-altitude deserts of Jujuy. You will witness the historic sites of the Independence, the breathtaking multi-colored mountains of the Humahuaca Gorge, and the vast white expanse of the Salinas Grandes salt flats. Designed for travelers who want an in-depth exploration of the Andean soul, this itinerary seamlessly blends colonial heritage, indigenous traditions, and some of South America’s most dramatic geological wonders.
Low-impact activities for everyone
Independent trips, with a selection of guided activities
Less than 20 travelers for a personalized experience
Expertos locales liderando el camino
Capture stunning vistas and memorable moments
Engage with local traditions and communities
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Salta, City Tour
On arrival we will have a City Tour, walking through the old town visiting the Basilica Cathedral, the San Francisco Basilica, the San Bernardo Convent and the Güemes Monument, among others. We will slowly get into the history and culture of this city.
Day 2: Cachi
Today we will visit Cachi, a colonial little town famous for its adobe-walled stone houses and steep, cobbled streets.
Across the Lerma valley we will travel trough the subtropical jungle area reaching the highest point: Cuesta del Obispo at 3348 meters above sea level. On our way we will pass through Los Cardones National Park and before our last stop, we will also pass through the town of Payogasta.
Day 3: Salinas Grandes through San Antonio de los Cobres tour. Salta – Purmamarca
Today we will follow the tracks of the famous Tren a las Nubes (Clouds Train) and admire this magnificent work of engineering. We will cross the Puna along Route 40 seeing llamas and vicuñas, before reaching Salinas Grandes (Great Saltworks).
We will go downhill on Cuesta de Lipán and descend of 2,000 meters in 35 km showing us the transition from the desert of the puna to the fertility of the most humid valleys.
Finally we will arrive at the picturesque town of Purmamarca located at the foot of the Hill of 7 Colors.
Day 4: Quebrada de Humahuaca Tour
Today we will tour the Quebrada de Humahuaca and its most important towns: Maimara, Tilcara with its Pucara and Humahuaca. In the afternoon we return to Salta.
Day 5: Cafayate
In this fascinating tour we will visit Cafayate, well known for being the house of important wineries and vineyards and being the soil that gave birth to torrontés wine.
Along the route we will visitCerillos, El Carril, Coronel Moldes, Ampascachi, Talampaya, and we will also pass by Alemania, which has an old train station. Once we arrive in Cafayate, we will have the opportunity to visit one of the wineries and enjoy a tasting.
Day 6: Quilmes Ruins and Tafi Del Valle
Today we will head southward to visit the Quilmes Ruins, the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina. From there ascending the Calchaquí summits we will reach the 3,042 mask in the Abra del Infiernillo. From there we will descend until we reach Tafi del Valle. We will have a brief tour of Tafí and have the opportunity to see the Church of La Banda.
Day 7: Tafi Del Valle. Free day
Free day to enjoy the hotel and the surroundings. We will stay at Estancia Las Carreras, an 18th century Jesuit estate where we can enjoy a tour of the milking yard, the cheese factory and the museum.
Day 8: Tafi Del Valle and Tucumán
We will take the National Route N ° 307, to cross the Quebrada de los Sosa, an area of abundant vegetation (yungas) until we reach Tucumán. Upon arrival we will visit the Cathedral, the Historic House, Plaza Independencia, 9 de Julio park, De la Merced Church, and several historical buildings. We suggest visiting the Historic house of Tucumán in the afternoon and enjoy the Light and sound show at night.
Day 9: End of the tour
Say goodbye and transfer to the airport.
Included Activities
Salta City Tour
The Salta City Tour is ideal for newly arrived visitors, exploring this simultaneously colonial and modern city, known as "Salta La Linda" (Beautiful Salta). We'll admire its architecture, temples, and historic buildings.
We begin at 9 de Julio Square, the historic center of the city. We'll visit the Basilica Cathedral, the Cabildo (Town Hall), San Francisco Church, San Bernardo Convent, and Hernández House (now the City Museum).
We'll continue to the Artisan Market and the Monument to General Martín Miguel de Güemes, hero of Argentina's northern independence.
We'll conclude by taking the cable car up San Bernardo Hill to enjoy panoramic views of Lerma Valley.
Cachi
The excursion to Cachi, departing from Salta, allows us to discover an 18th-century colonial town. Crossing the Calchaquí Valleys, we'll reach Cachi (2200 masl), famous for its stone houses with adobe walls and cobblestone streets.
We begin at 07:30 with hotel pickups in Salta. The route passes through Carrillos, El Carril, Pulares, Quebrada de Escoipe and Cuesta del Obispo. At the highest point (3348 masl) we find Piedra del Molino, marking the transition between Lerma Valley and the Calchaquí Valleys.
We enter Valle Encantado, gateway to Los Cardones National Park, traveling along Recta de Tin Tin amidst landscapes of cardón cacti. We pass through Payogasta before arriving in Cachi (2210 masl), a typical northern town on the banks of the Calchaquí River.
Cachi (meaning "salt" in Quechua) preserves its colonial architecture with cobbled streets, stone and adobe houses. Its stone plaza and church stand out.
At 18:00 we begin our return to Salta.
Quebrada de Humahuaca
We begin our journey towards Jujuy, arriving at Purmamarca (Hill of Seven Colors) in the morning. We'll visit Tilcara with its Pucará (reconstructed indigenous fortress) and after lunch return to Salta. We'll explore the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The tour starts in Volcán, where the brown mountain ranges begin. We visit Tumbaya with its 1796 church. In Purmamarca (at the foot of the Hill of Seven Colors), we'll see the Santa Rosa de Lima Church (1648).
In Tilcara we'll visit the reconstructed Pucará. We continue to Uquía to see the Arcabuceros Angels paintings in its church. We arrive in Humahuaca, where we'll visit the Independence Heroes Monument and witness the noon appearance of San Francisco Solano's image.
On our return, we'll visit Jujuy (Cathedral and main monuments) before ending in Salta.
Cafayate and Wineries
We depart early to explore Quebrada de las Conchas en route to Cafayate, renowned for its wineries and Torrontés wine. We'll visit a winery including a tasting.
The route passes through Cerillos, El Carril, Coronel Moldes, Ampascachi, Talampaya and Alemania (with its historic train station).
In Cafayate, enjoy free time for lunch at the main square and visit the wine museum.
In the afternoon, we return through Quebrada de las Conchas, observing its red rock formations (like Devil's Throat and the Amphitheater), which at sunset create a unique landscape.
Important Notes
Bookings are subject to availability. In the event that the scheduled hotels are unavailable, accommodation of equal or higher category will be provided. The order of the itinerary may be modified for organizational purposes.
