Current as of: March 14, 2025 - 05:25
Current as of: March 14, 2025 - 05:25
2 out of 7 - Easy & Moderate
Travel to the northwest Argentinean provinces of Salta and Jujuy and encounter a wonderful and surreal Dali-esque land where nature bends the rules in truly breathtaking fashion. This extension is the perfect way to end your trip to Argentina by getting to explore a truly different destination. Salta is known as the most beautiful city in Argentina and you will not be disappointed.
Highlights
There is no Exodus leader on this shared extension, but you will have the services of local guides, transfer agents and be provided with the contact details of our local partner in Argentina in case you should require assistance.
On this extension we experience some high altitudes throughout the trip, with the highest being at Salinas Grandes (the salt flats are at approx. 3450 m.a.s.l., however coming down to Purmamarca we’ll have a brief photo stop at Alto El Morado which is 4170 m.a.s.l.). The itinerary covers quite a lot of ground and so it involves some long journeys, (please check daily driving distances listed per day in the itinerary) however the time spent on the road is a highlight in itself, as we follow some spectacular and dramatic routes and regularly stop for photo opportunities.
Altitudes:
Salta 1152 metres
Cafayate 1683 metres
Cachi 2210 metres
Salinas Grandes 3450 metres
Tilcara 2461 metres
Purmamarca 2800 metres
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 1
Max group size: 12
On arrival in Salta, you will be transferred to the hotel in a private vehicle. The rest of the day will be left free to explore this beautiful city and acclimatise. We recommend a visit to the High Mountain Archaeological Museum “MAAM”, which includes mummified Inca remains found on a nearby mountaintop. We also recommend taking the cable car up to the Cerro San Bernardo, where you will have the best panoramic views of the city. This evening is free for you to choose one of the many delicious restaurants serving steaks and locally produced wine.
Accommodation: Antiguo Convento Hotel (or similar)
Today is a long driving day as we start heading south into the province of Salta until we arrive at El Carril. From here we begin to climb the Cuesta del Obispo, a beautiful mountain road which snakes up the mountainside. At Piedra del Molino we reach 3.384 meters above sea level, the highest spot in our trip. We then cross Los Cardones National Park, famous for the tall cactus that gives the park its name. We stop for lunch (not included) in the delightful mountain village of Cachi, before continuing on to the hamlet of Molinos. In the late afternoon we continue driving through the imposing Valley of the Arrows before arriving into Cafayate, where we check into our hotel for the night. Tonight we recommend trying some of the town’s most renowned wine, a Torrontes or Syrah.
Today’s driving time is approx. 8-9 hours (300km)
Accommodation: Hotel Killa (or similar)
After breakfast we visit a couple of wineries in town and get the opportunity to sample some of the regions famous Torrontes wine. We have some free time to have lunch before we begin our journey back to Salta. We take a different journey back to Salta using the route 68 which crosses the Valley of the Shells, where we will stop in order to photograph the most famous rock formations (The Amphitheater, Devil’s throat and The Toad, among others). We will arrive in Salta in the late afternoon.
Today’s driving time is approx. 3 hours (186km)
Accommodation: Antiguo Convento Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast we head into the Andes following the tracks of the world famous train to the clouds. We will stop for lunch at San Antonio de los Cobres, where we will also have some free time to explore the town. We continue our trip along Route 40 crossing one of the most desertic and starkly beautiful areas of the country, before arriving in Salinas Grandes (The Great Salt Flat). We make a stop to learn about the mining process and take some pictures before continuing our drive to Purmamarca. On most days in the main plaza, there is a great local market, from where you can see the iconic Seven Colour Moutain which is famous throughout Argentina. Tonight we recommend eating at the restaurant Los Morteros for very good local food.
Today’s driving time is approx. 9-10 hours (418km)
Accommodation: Hotel Refugio de Coquena (or similar)
At 11am the tour bus from Salta will stop and collect you. We continue towards the town of Tilcara where we visit the ancient ruins and the Archaeological Museum. Afterwards we cross the Tropic of Capricorn, from where the colours of La Pollera del Coya Hill can be seen. We arrive in Humahuaca and will some free time for lunch (not included). After lunch we continue to San Salvador de Jujuy where we can see the Cathedral and the bustling town square. Finally, we return to Salta along the National Route N° 9 through abundant subtropical vegetation.
Today’s driving time is approx. 8-9 hours (280km)
Accommodation: Antiguo Convento Hotel (or similar)
Depending on the flight time, we may have some free time at the hotel this morning before we transfer to the airport. We fly back to Buenos Aires and usually arrive in time to explore more of this fascinating city.
Accommodation: Argenta Tower Retiro Hotel (or similar)
Today you will be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight. Depending on the time of your flight you may have another chance to see more of Cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.
All breakfasts included.
Hotel breakfasts are normally buffet-style. There is a variety of good, quality food on offer in local restaurants. Please advise us at the time of booking if you have any special dietary requirements. Vegetarians are catered for throughout the trip, but please ensure that you advise us before you travel so that we can make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.
We use a private transfer to pick you up and drop you off at the airport.
Since Argentina is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons there are opposite to those in Europe. For this reason trips to Argentina are organized between October and April. November to February is considered the warm season in this region and thunderstorms can occur. The cold season is June to August. Temperatures can drop quite a lot at night time because of the altitudes.
Transfers to and from the airport are included.
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Argentina. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
Please note, if you are crossing the border into Argentina from Chile on your trip, we will need to know your profession to provide when entering Argentina.
There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever (strongly recommended if you intend to visit the Iguazu Falls due to a recent outbreak in the Misiones province). Please check all vaccination recommendations with your doctor or travel clinic.
Bilharzia is known to occur in some lakes or rivers in Argentina; follow advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim.
Dengue and zika, both mosquito‐borne viral diseases, are known risks in Argentina. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available; therefore, the best form of prevention is to take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
Argentina's time zone: America/Argentina/Buenos_Aires (UTC -03:00)
Argentina's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and I (three flat pins) – 220V, 50Hz
Argentina's currency: Argentine peso (ARS)
The most straightforward method of obtaining travel money these days is simply to use your credit or debit card to withdraw cash directly from a cash machine at a local bank. ATMs supporting major credit cards are easily accessible in Buenos Aires, Salta and Cafayate. If you intend on using your bank card then first inform your bank of your travel plans and destinations.
Gratuities are not something we can include in the tour cost and are of course totally at your discretion. We recommend approximately USD 3-5 per day for the local guide. Drivers and other local staff may be given closer to USD 2 in tips per day per person.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony though practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.