Multi-coloured canyons, gorges and salt-lakes, this is a breathtaking road trip through Argentina’s captivating Andean highlands – perfect for more independent travellers. Largely overlooked by visitors, north-west Argentina lends itself beautifully to self-drive. The roads are long, wide and empty and cut through extraordinary landscapes, charming highland villages and remote national parks. The “Quebrada de las Flechas” gorge is something to behold!
Itinerary Highlights
Walk up Pumamarca’s “Rock of Seven Colours”
Visit the spell-binding Salinas Grandes salt-lake
Take a ride on the dizzying “Train to the Clouds”
Drive Argentina’s iconic “Route 40”
Sample Argentina’s finest Torrontés at a boutique winery
What’s included
Private tours for most included activities
Meet & greet airport service
Luxury or boutique accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and include hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
9
Nights
Price Guide
$TBA pp
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Arrive
Argentina
Day 1-3
Pumamarca & the Rock of Seven Colours
Arrive Jujuy, collect a car and drive 2 hours up into Argentina’s colourful north-western highlands to reach the pretty Andean town of Purmamarca, perched at the foot of the iconic “rock of seven colours”. This is a stunning area of terracotta canyons, fascinating pre-Incan ruins and dazzling salt-lakes. Explore the ancient terraces of Tilcara and multi-coloured Maimara Canyons and drive up the picturesque Humahuaca gorge passing the Tropic of Capricorn. High above Pumamarca, a dizzying mountain road leads you to the glittering Salinas Grandes salt-flats and on to remote, long-abandoned mining towns, wonderful for photographers!
Day 4-5
Salta La Linda!
Drive 3 hours south along the main paved highway – or via a longer, more exciting mountain route – to reach the regional capital Salta. Salta is a graceful colonial city awash with pretty churches, leafy plazas and elegant, white-washed architecture set against the distant snowcapped Andes. Wander through the cobbled streets, visit famous Museum of High Altitude Archaeology or (if running) take a ride on the spectacular “Train to the Clouds” on a winding journey high into the altiplano. Engineering masterpiece, the train reaches a maximum height of 4220m above sea level and travels over 29 bridges.
Day 6-7
Cachi & the Calchaquies Valleys
Head south out of Salta on a picturesque journey through the Calchaquies Valleys. Soon the route winds its way into the mountains to reach the historic Andean town of Cachi, surrounded by the multi-hued Andes and the nearby Cardones National Park. Dating back to the 16th century, Cachi is a charming colonial town of cobbled streets and white-washed adobe houses perched around the historic San Jose church. Energy allowing, you may like to arrange a guided hike or horse-ride or instead drive the highest pass in Argentina, the Abra del Acay at close to 4900m above sea-level.
Day 8-9
Cafayate & Torrontés
A long day on the road yet worth every second! This is arguably the most spectacular drive in Argentina as you follow the highway south-west from Cachi through terracotta canyons, eerie landscapes and traditional Andean villages to reach Cafayate. Just past Molinos, the road cuts through the extraordinary rock formations of the “Quebrada de Las Fleches” gorge. Cafayate a pleasant town ringed with boutique wineries famous for their torrontes grapes. Following your drive, you may like to arrange a wine tour or visit the nearby wonderful Los Castillos, El Obelisco and the Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat) rock formations.
Day 10
Drive back to Salta & hand back the car
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide $TBA per person
When to travel
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Argentina’s weather is as diverse as the country’s landscapes. In the far south, temperatures reach the high teens during the spring and summer months of November to March (best time to visit) though can drop close to zero at night. Due to its latitude, days are long – 16 hours of light in December which contrasts with around 8 hours in mid-winter when temperatures run close to zero during the day and sub-zero at night. Heading north, the Lake District follows a similar pattern though is warmer over 20° in the summer and wettest in March/April though with beautiful autumnal colours. Buenos Aires and central Argentina enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with annual highs of 30° while the subtropical north is very hot and sticky with tempestuous downpours during the summer months – Iguazu Falls are particularly impressive in January in February though often the sheer volume of water and surrounding mist shroud the view.
In Argentina, January is usually one of the hottest months of the year with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. It can be quite humid, especially in Buenos Aires, so it's important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. If you're planning to explore the country during this time, be prepared for some intense heat and seek shade during the hottest parts of the day.
February in Argentina is usually warm with temperatures ranging from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius. While it may not be as hot as January, it's still important to stay hydrated and wear light clothing. The weather is generally pleasant and sunny, making it a great time to explore the country.
In March, Argentina experiences an autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 16 and 27 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about the scorching heat. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can drop at night.
In April, Argentina experiences a mild autumn climate with temperatures ranging between 14 and 23 degrees Celsius. It is generally sunny with occasional cooler days, making it a good time to explore the country without worrying about extreme heat or cold. It is recommended to wear layers as the temperature can still drop at night.
May in Argentina is the beginning of winter, with temperatures ranging from 9 to 18 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, especially at night, so it's recommended to pack warm clothes and layers. Despite the cooler weather, it's still a good time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery can be quite stunning.
In June, Argentina experiences the heart of winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 14 degrees Celsius. It can be quite cold, especially at night, so it's important to pack warm clothes and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, June is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer crowds and the scenery is still breathtaking.
In July, Argentina experiences winter with temperatures ranging from 5 to 13 degrees Celsius. It can be quite chilly, particularly in the evenings, so it's important to bring warm clothing and layers to stay comfortable. Despite the cooler temperatures, July is still a great time to visit Argentina as there are fewer tourists and the scenery is still stunning.
In August, Argentina experiences a milder winter with temperatures ranging from 6 to 16 degrees Celsius. While still cool, it's not as chilly as July and visitors can still enjoy the beautiful scenery without having to worry too much about the cold. It's still recommended to bring layers for the evenings, but overall, August is a great time to visit Argentina.
In September, Argentina experiences a gradual increase in temperature with highs ranging from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
During October, Argentina experiences a slight increase in temperature with highs ranging from 16 to 22 degrees Celsius. The evenings can still be cool, so it's best to bring layers, but overall, the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
In November, Argentina's temperature starts to rise again with highs ranging from 20 to 27 degrees Celsius. The weather is generally warm and sunny, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. However, it's still advisable to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
In December, the weather in Argentina is generally warm with temperatures ranging from 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. It's a great time to explore the outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, but it's also a good idea to bring some layers for cooler evenings.
Add on’s
With time and energy, why not continue your drive along Argentina’s breathtaking Route 40 all the way through to the wine capital Mendoza via the wonderful Talampaya National Park? At Mendoza, you can then enjoy some down-time at a glorious boutique winery overlooking the lofty peaks of the Andes and Mount Aconcagua. Or for more self-drive adventures, there are some fantastic routes in both northern and southern Patagonia, Chile’s Carretera Austral is simply unmissable!
Salta is also a short flight away from the magnificent Iguazu Falls which in turn leads you on nicely into either Rio and Brazil or on via the jungle and ruined Jesuit missions of Misiones Province to reach the huge seasonal wetlands and wildlife centre of the Esteros de Ibera. Just across the border, there are direct connections to Chile’s Atacama Desert or, heading north, the dazzling Uyuni salt-lake, the highlight of any trip to South America.
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