Discover the Calchaquí Valleys: a journey through history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore Cachi, Los Cardones, and more with expert guides.
Discover the Calchaquí Valleys: a journey through history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Explore Cachi, Los Cardones, and more with expert guides.
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Cerrillos - The Heart of Gaucho Culture and Gateway to the Valley
Situated just a few kilometers from the capital, Cerrillos is a town rich in tradition and serves as the entrance to the breathtaking landscapes of the Lerma Valley. Dubbed the “Provincial Capital of Carnival and Folklore,” this location offers a genuine experience of Salta’s rural…
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Cerrillos - The Heart of Gaucho Culture and Gateway to the Valley
Situated just a few kilometers from the capital, Cerrillos is a town rich in tradition and serves as the entrance to the breathtaking landscapes of the Lerma Valley. Dubbed the “Provincial Capital of Carnival and Folklore,” this location offers a genuine experience of Salta’s rural customs. -
La Merced - La Merced: The Blooming Garden and Land of Heritage
Affectionately known as the “Garden of Salta,” La Merced is one of the most charming stops in the Lerma Valley. This town is renowned for its vibrant floral displays and deep connection to Gaucho traditions, providing a serene atmosphere and fresh air just minutes from the capital. -
El Carril - Flavor and Heritage in the Lerma Valley
Nestled in the productive heart of Salta, El Carril is more than just a stopover to Cafayate; it is a destination inviting visitors to pause and savor the countryside’s delights. Known for its warm hospitality and strong Gaucho identity, this town beautifully blends railway history with top-notch culinary offerings. -
Quebrada del Escoipe - The Valley of Contrasts
The Quebrada de Escoipe is a captivating natural setting where the mountain forest meets the arid Andes. This valley, traversed by the river of the same name, is famous for its deep red rock formations that contrast strikingly with the lush green vegetation of the Yungas.
What makes it stand out:
Remarkable Geology: Marvel at the towering walls of reddish sandstone and the whimsical shapes carved by wind and water over millennia.
Transition Landscapes: Witness the dramatic change in scenery as you ascend from lush forests to fields of vegetables and fruits.
Photo Opportunities: The area offers unique panoramic views, perfect for capturing the wild essence of the Salta Precordillera.
Cradle of Tradition: Small farms and homesteads line its edges, providing an authentic glimpse into the region’s rural life.
- Cuesta del Obispo - A Journey to the Clouds
This section of Route 33 is one of the most spectacular in Salta. In just 20 km, the road zigzags from the green of the Lerma Valley to 3,348 meters above sea level at the Millstone. It’s a unique sensory experience where clouds often lie beneath your feet, creating a white sea among reddish peaks.
Highlights:
Epic Views: Breathtaking panoramas of the Enchanted Valley.
Landscape Transformation: Observe the transition from lush forest to the arid puna.
Photo Opportunities: Sharp curves and transitional landscapes ideal for capturing the vastness of the Andes.
- Valle Encantado - The Enchanted Valley is one of Salta’s most fascinating hidden gems, located at the highest point of Cuesta del Obispo, within Los Cardones National Park. It is a natural amphitheater where wind and water erosion have sculpted whimsical shapes into rocks, creating a landscape reminiscent of a fairy tale.
- Piedra del Molino - The Summit of Salta
At 3,348 meters, it is the highest point of Route 33 and the gateway to the Calchaquíes Valleys. This natural viewpoint offers one of the most moving panoramas of northern Argentina.
Why it’s a must-see:
360° Views: Enjoy the Cuesta del Obispo and the vastness of Los Cardones Park.
History: Its name derives from an ancient granite millstone left there centuries ago.
San Rafael Chapel: An iconic stone structure that provides a postcard of faith in Andean solitude.
Nature: Breathe fresh air and watch for condors soaring over the high peaks.
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Recta del Tin Tin - The Inca Path
Located within Los Cardones National Park, this remarkable 19-kilometer straight line is a marvel of pre-Hispanic engineering. Originally laid out by the Incas at an altitude of about 3,000 meters, it traverses a desert landscape surrounded by thousands of giant cacti and colorful hills.
Highlights:
Perfect Engineering: Its nearly perfect layout, created centuries before modern technology, is astonishing.
Cinematic Landscape: Flanked by the Nevado de Cachi and Cerro Tin Tin, it offers one of Salta’s most iconic vistas.
Nature and Silence: An ideal spot to appreciate the vastness of the highlands and feel the energy of the ancient Andean world.
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Parque Nacional Los Cardones - Where Time Stands Still
After conquering the heights of Cuesta del Obispo, the landscape opens onto an endless plain guarded by thousands of green “sentinels”: Los Cardones National Park. This desert setting, surrounded by colorful hills, is the perfect prelude to reaching Cachi, one of the most authentic and beautiful villages in northern Argentina.
What makes this experience unique:
The Kingdom of the Cardons: Traverse the legendary Tin Tin Straight, a path laid by the Incas, surrounded by thousands of giant cacti that reach for the sky in a landscape that seems otherworldly.
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Payogasta - Tradition and High-Altitude Wines
Located at the entrance to Cachi, the charming village of Payogasta is a peaceful haven that preserves colonial adobe architecture and the leisurely pace of the Calchaquíes Valleys. This destination is renowned for its paprika pepper production and exceptional wines, cultivated at over 2,400 meters above sea level. - Cachi - Cachi is a colonial treasure frozen in time, situated at 2,531 meters above sea level and surrounded by the majestic snow-capped peaks of the Andes. With its cobblestone streets and white adobe facades, this village is the most authentic destination in northern Argentina.
Highlights for your visit:
Colonial Architecture: Admire the Church of San José, famous for its ceilings and carved furniture made from cardon wood.
Majestic Views: Take in the Nevado de Cachi, a towering 6,380-meter giant that dominates the skyline.
Culture and Flavor: Explore its central square, visit the Archaeological Museum, and savor the region’s finest wines.
A sanctuary of peace and tradition that is a must-see on any itinerary through Salta.

- Private transportation
- translator
- Private transportation
- translator
- Meals
- Meals
What’s Included?
- Roundtrip transfer from your centrally located hotel.
- Expert guide and luxury transportation with air conditioning.
- Photo opportunities at Cuesta del Obispo, PN Los Cardones, and Recta del Tin Tin.
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Free time for lunch and a guided tour in the historic village of Cachi.
Discover the enchanting Calchaquí Valleys! Ascend RP 33…
What’s Included?
- Roundtrip transfer from your centrally located hotel.
- Expert guide and luxury transportation with air conditioning.
- Photo opportunities at Cuesta del Obispo, PN Los Cardones, and Recta del Tin Tin.
- Free time for lunch and a guided tour in the historic village of Cachi.
Discover the enchanting Calchaquí Valleys! Ascend RP 33 through the lush greenery of Quebradas de Los Laurels and Escoipe. The highest point is Cuesta del Obispo (3348 meters above sea level), offering breathtaking panoramic views and the chance to see condors soaring over the Enchanted Valley.
Travel through Los Cardones National Park along the Tin Tin Straight, a remarkable line traced over the ancient Inca Trail. Upon reaching Cachi, explore its cobblestone streets, white colonial architecture, the Church of San José, and the local artisan market. This unforgettable journey combines ancient history, culture, and the pristine landscapes of northwest Argentina.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.