• Cerrillos - Tradition Gaucha and Carnival Capital
  Located just a few kilometers from Salta city, Cerrillos serves as the entrance to the Lerma Valley. This charming village is renowned for its rich folk heritage and fertile lands, where tobacco fields and historic estates create a picturesque rural setting.
• La Merced - The Lerma Valley Garden
  Affectionately known as the Flower Capital, La Merced is a vibrant oasis of color and peace situated in the productive heart of Salta. This delightful village is celebrated for its well-kept gardens, vast tobacco fields, and traditional ambiance that invites relaxation.
• El Carril - Taste and Tradition in the Lerma Valley
  El Carril is a must-visit for those who appreciate fine dining and railway history. Conveniently located at the crossroads to the Calchaquí Valleys, this town has transformed its railway and tobacco heritage into a lively present, filled with color and regional aromas.
• La Viña - A Journey to the Roots of Salta
  Situated at the southern end of the Lerma Valley, La Viña is a town seemingly frozen in time, where colonial history and rural life blend seamlessly. Its name honors the ancient vineyards planted by the Jesuits, and today it is a must-visit for those seeking authenticity and tranquil landscapes.
• Valle de Lerma - From the Lerma Valley to the Shells
  The journey begins by traversing the fertile Lerma Valley, the productive heart of the province. This expansive valley, surrounded by lush hills, is home to traditional villages like Cerrillos, La Merced, and El Carril, where tobacco fields and gaucha culture shape the landscape. It is a haven of peace and hospitality that serves as a gateway to adventure.

As the journey continues, the lush green transforms into a deep red upon entering the Quebrada de las Conchas. This nature reserve is an open-air geological museum with sediment formations dating back millions of years.

Highlights of the Quebrada:

Amphitheater: A circular formation with perfect acoustics.

Devil’s Throat: A towering deep crevasse between reddish walls.

Geoforms: Wind-shaped figures such as El Toad, El Friar, and Los Castillos.

A journey that combines the rural harmony of the valley with the untamed power of Andean nature.

• La Garganta del Diablo - A Red Stone Giant
  Devil’s Throat is undoubtedly one of the most impressive stops on the route to Cafayate. It is a monumental geological formation, created by water erosion millions of years ago, which has exposed a deep crack in the terracotta mountains.

Why it is an unmissable experience:

Natural Architecture: As you enter it, you will feel small in front of its vertical walls over 40 meters high that close to the sky, creating an imposing passageway.

It is a privileged place to observe the layers of sediment and the force of nature that shaped the region when the sea still covered these valleys.

Photo Challenge: Sunlight filtering through the top opening creates shadow and reddish color games that are any photographer’s dream.

Unique Energy: Walking through its sandy soil to the bottom of the formation allows you to perceive the magnitude and vibrant silence of the Andes.

• Los Castillos - Located on the side of National Route 68, in the majestic Quebrada de las Conchas, the formation known as Los Castillos is one of the most iconic sights on the road to Cafayate. These towering reddish sediment towers are named after the erosion of wind and water, which has sculpted the rock into a medieval castle guarding the valley.

The iron oxide in the rock creates red, orange, and ochre tones that change intensity according to the position of the sun, with the sunset being the most magical moment.

Its vertical walls and crenellated shapes at the top create an amazing optical illusion that invites the imagination.

Photo Scenario: It is one of the favorite stops for taking panoramic photographs, as the contrast between the red of the stone and the blue of the Salteño sky is perfect.

It represents millions of years of Earth’s history, allowing you to see up close how time shapes the most arid landscapes.

• La Yesera - A Stone Rainbow
  La Yesera is one of the most visually rich spots in the Quebrada de las Conchas. This deposit of sedimentary layers stands out for its multicolored formations ranging from ash white to intense greens, grays, and ochre, breaking with the prevailing red of the rest of the way.

Highlights of this site:

The Colored Stratums: Observe how the different geological eras were etched into the mountain in perfectly defined strips, creating a landscape that looks like hand-painted.

El Paso de los Colorados: From here you can take a short walk to a natural amphitheater surrounded by mountains of vibrant red, offering an immersive 360-degree experience.

• El Anfiteatro - The Natural Acoustics of the Andes
  The Amphitheater is one of the most amazing formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas. This monumental reddish rock enclosure, with walls exceeding 20 meters high, was sculpted by water erosion for millions of years, creating a semi-enclosed space with perfect acoustics.

Why it’s a magic stop:

Surround Sound: It is common to find local musicians playing the quena or guitar in its center; the sound bounces off the millennial walls creating a mystical and moving atmosphere.

Monumental Geology: Entering through its narrow opening, the vastness of the interior space and the curved shapes of the stone will make you feel in a natural cathedral.

Unique Postcards: The play of light and shadow projected inside, together with the contrast of the blue sky that peeks over the top, offers an unrivaled photo opportunity.

• Tres Cruces - The Infinite View of the Quebrada
  The Mirador Tres Cruces is possibly the most spectacular panoramic point of the Quebrada de las Conchas. Nestled atop a natural formation, it offers an unrivaled aerial perspective where you can appreciate the true magnitude and contrast of colors of this prehistoric valley.

Which makes it unforgettable:

360° panorama: From here you will observe the meandering Las Conchas river flowing between the mountains of a deep red, creating a landscape that looks like another planet.

Contrast Colors: It is the perfect place to admire how the ochre and reddish tones of the earth blend with the green of the riverside vegetation under the blue sky of Salta.

The Best Moment: Sunset light transforms the landscape into a spectacle of shadows and reliefs, ideal for lovers of professional photography.

• Cafayate - Tierra del Sol and Good Wine
  Framed by the Calchaquíes Valleys, Cafayate is the most emblematic destination in southern Salta. Famous for its Torrontés wine — a white grape of unique height — this town combines colonial elegance with breathtaking natural landscapes.

What makes Cafayate essential:

Cradle of Torrontés: Visit wineries to taste high-altitude wines with fruit aromas achieved thanks to their sunny microclimate.

Colonial Charm: Walk through its central square, surrounded by cafes, craft shops, and the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Museum of Vine and Wine: A cutting-edge space that offers a sensory experience on regional winemaking history and passion.

Gastronomy: Don’t miss wine ice cream, a local delight, or a lunch paired with the best labels in the valley.

• Bilingual tour guide (English)
• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Meals
• Bottled water

Departure: 7:00 AM | Duration: 12 hours

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Roundtrip transfer from your accommodation.
• Expert guide and premium transportation.
• Visit to Quebrada de las Conchas: Devil’s Throat, Amphitheater, and The Castles.
• Winery visit with Torrontés wine tasting.
• Leisure time in the village of Cafayate.

DESCRIPTION

Discover the enchanting Cafayate and the Calchaquí Valleys! The journey begins on RN 68, passing through the Lerma Valley and its tobacco plantations.

The adventure proceeds to the Quebrada de las Conchas, a vibrant display of colors with stops at renowned sites like La Yesera and El Obelisco, featuring landscapes sculpted by centuries of erosion. In Cafayate, a visit to a traditional winery reveals the secrets of high-altitude wines. After enjoying lunch and a stroll through the village, the return to Salta offers a breathtaking sunset view, transforming the mountains into a spectacular sight. Embrace the spirit of Salta!

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.