Northern Argentina
A journey through unforgettable landscapes
We flew to the city of Salta and from there we set off on journey to Cafayate, where we enjoyed the city and tasted some wines. Along the way, the landscapes were constantly changing, offering a unique visual experience that left us breathless.
On the journey from Salta to Cafayate via Route 68, you can enjoy the Quebrada de las Conchas, which offers unique rock formations, each of these formations tells a millennia-old geological story carved by wind and water.
Cafayate is a town in the province of Salta, Argentina, famous for being a high-altitude wine-growing region in the Calchaquí Valleys. It is known for its impressive desert and mountain landscapes, unique rock formations such as the Quebrada de las Conchas, and wineries that produce high-quality wines, especially Torrontés and Malbec.
Visitors can enjoy wine tastings, explore the colonial architecture of the town, and visit local museums that tell the rich history of the region.
The journey from Cafayate to Cachi via Molinos is along Route 40, traversing a largely gravel road that takes approximately 3 to 5 hours and covers between 160 and 170 km. The route crosses spectacular landscapes such as the Quebrada de las Flechas, where rock needles rise dramatically toward the sky, and it is recommended to make stops in the towns along the way, such as Molinos, to enjoy the valleys and immerse yourself in the tranquility of these Andean communities.
Cachi is a picturesque colonial town in the Province of Salta, Argentina, known for its adobe houses, white colonial buildings, and cobblestone streets. Located in the Calchaquí Valley, it is surrounded by impressive natural landscapes, including the snow-capped mountains of Nevado de Cachi and Los Cardones National Park. Visitors can explore the historic San José church, the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum, and enjoy the scenic routes to and from the town.
Here we stayed at El Cortijo Hotel and recommend eating at Restaurante Viracocha, which also has accommodation.
We also visited the traditional Isasmendi winery, where we could appreciate the artisanal process of making high-altitude wines.
When traveling from Cachi to Salinas Grandes via Route 40, you can enjoy desert and mountain landscapes, Los Cardones National Park with its majestic candelabra cacti that can live for hundreds of years, and the La Angostura Dam near Cachi.
Upon reaching your destination, visiting Salinas Grandes is the main attraction. Additionally, along the way you can visit the town of San Antonio de los Cobres, an old mining town that retains its high-mountain charm, although the route is not direct.
Salinas Grandes are vast salt flats in northwestern Argentina, located between the provinces of Salta and Jujuy. This "white desert" is one of the largest salt flats in the world, created by a prehistoric lake that evaporated millions of years ago. The area is a popular tourist destination for its unique landscape that seems to extend to infinity, but it also has industrial importance for the extraction of salt and lithium, which has caused concern among local communities seeking to preserve this natural treasure.
The journey from Salinas Grandes to Purmamarca involves crossing the Cuesta del Lipán, a scenic mountain route that traverses impressive landscapes and reaches 4,170 meters in altitude at Abra de Potrerillos. The main attractions on this route are the salt flat itself with options for guided tours to see the turquoise water pools that contrast dramatically with the brilliant white of the salt, and the Hill of Seven Colors in Purmamarca, a geological marvel that displays layers of sediments from different eras.
Purmamarca is a charming town in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, famous for the Hill of Seven Colors.
It is a popular tourist destination known for its adobe architecture, artisan markets where local craftspeople sell their creations, and scenic desert landscapes within the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a site declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore the town, walk the Paseo de los Colorados trail to get views of the colorful hills, and visit the historic Santa Rosa de Lima church. Here we stayed at La Comarca hotel, a place that combines comfort with spectacular views of the multicolored hills.
We want to especially thank FIT Rental Car, which took care of providing us with one of their modern vehicles to complete this unforgettable itinerary. Thanks to the reliability and comfort of their fleet, we were able to travel gravel roads, ascend to great heights, and enjoy every moment of the trip without worries.
FIT Rental Car is present in several cities in Argentina, offering professional service and vehicles in excellent condition. If you are planning your next adventure through northern Argentina or any other region of the country, we recommend visiting them at https://www.fitcarrental.com.ar or following them on Instagram to learn about their promotions and rental options.
