Tour of Northwest Argentina, including Salta, Calchaqui Valley, the 'Road to the Clouds' and the Humahuaca Canyon
6 days / 5 nights
From $1,097 per person, double occupancy for 2013

Day 1: Salta
Salta Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy this wonderful colonial city and gateway to the High Andean Puna. Overnight at El Lagar Hotel (or similar), breakfast included. Founded in 1582 as the stopover on the commercial route from Lima to Buenos Aires. Salta is no doubt the most interesting of the Argentine capitals. Life takes place around the central square, or plaza, where local people gather to drink before or after the famous and mandatory "siesta". Lots of very interesting colonial buildings can be visited, such as the very rich Cathedral, some Jesuit churches, the Crafts Market (ideal to buy good and genuine pieces) and the nearby Cerro San Bernardo (a good option for a short hike). It is the starting point for most of the tours to the Calchaqui Valleys and horseback rides in Salta (visiting homesteads in the Andes).

Day 2: Salta - Cuesta Del Obispo - Cachi (Calchaqui Valleys) - Quilmes
Departing Salta, you will travel along the winding and scenic ‘Cuesta del Obispo’. On the way you will visit Los Cardones National Park and the ancient town of Cachi. You may also stop in small towns such as Payogasta and Molinos. You then continue the trip through a very narrow and picturesque route (Route 40) that will take you by the fertile valleys of the Calchaqui River and, through the extraordinary "Quebrada de las Flechas" (Arrow's Gorge) to Quilmes, site of the spectacular fortifications and town built by the Indians of the same name. Overnight accommodations in Quilmes, breakfast included. (B)

Day 3: Quilmes – Cafayate – Salta
You will have a free time to visit the ruins. Once in Cafayate, you visit a vineyard and winery to learn about the main production in the valley. Return to Salta passing through "Quebrada de las Conchas" (Las Conchas Gorge) with its fascinating and colorful geological formations. Late afternoon arrival in Salta. Overnight at El Lagar Hotel (or similar), breakfast included. (B)

Day 4: Salta - Road To The Clouds - Purmamarca
Early morning departure in the Movitrack. The trip - the "Road to the Clouds" - follows the famous railway track of the "Train to the Clouds" through the "Quebrada del Toro" (Bull's Gorge) up to San Antonio de los Cobres. The second leg goes through the Puna, along route 40, up to "Salinas Grandes" (Salt Lakes) of Jujuy. And the third one, the downhill trip of Lipan to the picturesque village of Purmamarca, at the base of the well known "Mount of the Seven Colors". Continue to Tilcara. Overnight at a Tilcara hotel, breakfast included. (B)

Day 5: Tilcara - Quebrada De Humahuaca - Salta
Today you will visit Tilcara´s amazing indigenous ruins, "Quebrada de Humahuaca" and the picturesque village with the same name. On the return to Salta there will be a short city tour of San Salvador de Jujuy. Overnight at El Lagar Hotel (or similar), breakfast included. (B)

Day 6: Salta
Day at leisure in Salta to enjoy the city. Afternoon transfer to the airport. (B)

Price based on double occupancy and private services based on 2 travelers.