The Spectacular Landscapes of Northwest Argentina
Northwest Argentina is a wildly diverse region. There are cities surrounded by towering mountains and lush, green vineyards which give way to dramatic, rocky landscapes within strikingly beautiful valleys and high-altitude deserts. All this makes driving from delightful Salta down to Colomé and then northwards to the striking Atacama Plateau a truly thrilling experience.
Highlights
- Savour wines from some of Argentina’s highest and oldest vineyards
- See the glittering landscapes of the Salinas Grandes (Great Salt Flats)
- Meet Argentinian artisans in local markets and small communities
- Learn about Indigenous culture and history from local community members
- Marvel at northern Argentina’s most astonishing geological formations
- See world-class art and amazing archaeological finds in museums and galleries
Bespoke trips with Jacada
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–2
A night in Salta
Welcome to Salta, the gateway to northwest Argentina’s dramatic canyons, valleys and high-altitude winelands. You can spend your time here exploring the elegant squares during the day and dip into lively folk music clubs (peñas) in the evenings. On walking city tours you’ll notice colonial architecture and will have the opportunity to learn about this part of Argentina’s past, as well as Indigenous history and culture from local historian guides.
Architectural Salta
Explore Salta’s colonial-era architecture with an expert guide. One of the city’s most striking buildings is the 19th-century cathedral. A Neoclassical masterpiece that’s home to the ashes of General Martín Miguel de Güemes, an important figure in Argentina’s independence movement due to his alliance with Indigenous and rural communities. Come after dark and see its façade lit up in spectacular fashion.
Days 2–4
Along winding roads and wineries to Cafayate
Depart Salta and head southward to marvel at the vibrant red walls of the Quebrada de las Conchas. This striking clay and sandstone canyon has been shaped over the last 50 million years, carved out of the landscape by wind and water leaving behind a surreal geological formation. Travel a short distance to the west, to your final destination today, Cafayate, a small town at the heart of one of Argentina’s major wine-producing regions. This place has a wonderfully small-town feel and is surrounded on all sides by brooding mountains.
Make it mine
Wine country
Local community
Sample the wines
Spend some time enjoying the fruits of this fine terroir, where the high altitude, soil composition and climate create perfect conditions for growing several grape varieties. Wander among the vines and see the wineries before sampling some exceptional wines made from Torrentes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec grapes.
Artists and craftspeople
Stay in Cafayate and it’s surrounding area visiting community owned workshops and boutiques. Much of the work produced represents parts of Indigenous tradition and culture. This experience is a way to learn more about history and the local way of life, as well as a thriving arts and crafts scene.
Days 4–6
Explore Colomé's culture
Colomé is home to some of the highest vineyards in the world and Bodega Colomé – owned by the Swiss Hess family – is the oldest in Argentina. Visit the cellar and sample their finest wines while enjoying the captivating mountain views on the horizon. A keen art collector, Bodega Colomé’s founder Donald Hess funded the creation of the James Turrell Museum here, which celebrates the Californian artists’ works alongside the likes of Andy Goldsworthy and Francis Bacon.
Where you could stay
Explore Arrow Gorge
En route to Colomé on the famous Route 40, a 5,000km-long road that runs parallel to the Andes, you will drive through the Quebrada de las Flechas or Arrow Gorge. This desert landscape is characterised by limestone and quartz formations, crafted by the elements to form arrow-shaped peaks.
Days 6–8
Travel back to Salta
Return to Salta for a day of exploring delightful streets and city squares with your own expert guide. Meet the makers of silver handicrafts and colourful textiles, and get your head around the region’s Inca culture at MAAM, the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña or Museum of High Altitude Archaeology.
House of Jasmines
Finca Valentina
Explore the Calchaquí Valley
The journey from Colomé to Salta is full of natural splendour and punctuated by small towns. The Andes rise high in the distance while within the Calchaquí Valley you will find Cachi, another historical town home to leafy squares and an excellent archaeological museum. The route passes Los Cardones National Park, where cardon cacti stand silhouetted against the mountain backdrops.
Days 8–9
Explore the far northwest of Argentina
The scenery on your journey north of Salta is nothing short of extraordinary. Your route carves through the otherworldly Humahuaca Gorge, a million-year-old valley peppered with unique geological formations and deep red canyons. Stop to marvel at the almost unbelievable Hornocal, a jagged, limestone mountain range that looks as if it’s been painted in myriad colours. And walk among a pre-Inca fortress.
Highlights in the Humahuaca Gorge
You will stop in a handful of interesting towns and villages, including the city of Humahuaca in North Jujuy, where a lively municipal market will set your senses alive. See the region’s fresh produce for sale by local farmers and see the work of the area’s artisanal potters and textile makers.
Days 9–10
Into the desert; Punta de Atacama
Looking out across the shimmering white expanse of the vast desert on the Atacama Plateau, it’s almost impossible to believe this was once a lush landscape of freshwater lakes and thriving vegetation. At over 3,500 metres above sea level, the Salinas Grandes (Great Salt Flats) are a seemingly barren swathe of dry, mineral-rich fields, where the crusted salt creates uncanny hexagonal patterns on the ground and mirror-like reflections can be captured on camera.
Discover the Salinas Grandes by night
There are few better places in the world to see the magic of the night’s sky than the enormous, empty desert on the Atacama Plateau. With no light pollution for many miles around, Salinas Grandes is the perfect place to look up to spot constellations, glowing planets and shooting stars.
Days 10–11
A return to reality
Before you make our way out of the ethereal Salinas Grandes, savour one last look at this white natural wonder. Driving south, the landscape warms to soft hues of yellow and brown. And the road – Route 52 – twists and turns as we climb down from the plateau. You will traverse the switchbacks of the Cuesta de Lipán, a slope with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Travel back into Salta to reminisce about the journey’s highlights.
Our 8 days in Argentina, to visit our daughter during her junior year abroad, were just right: 3 days in BA, 2 days in Iguazu and 2 days on an idyllic horse ranch. Intensity to relaxation. Everything went as planned, and felt effortless. Constanza is an amazing guide. We are experienced travellers and had only used an agent once before,…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
