Salta Extension

Name: Salta Extension
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

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Activity Level

Easy & Moderate

Ways to Travel :

Activity :

Trip Extensions

Group Size :

1 - 12

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

XAA

Carbon Footprint :

69kg CO2e per person per day

Visit the provinces of Salta and Jujuy, some of Argentina’s most scenic and lesser known regions.

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

Explore the beautiful city of Salta
Visit the Salinas Grandes Salt Flats
Drive along exquisitely picturesque roads passing colourful gorges, including the famous Humahuaca Gorge

Key Information

7 days / 6 nights
6 nights comfortable hotel
2024 price from £1799 (per person, shared room and travelling together)
2024 mandatory single supplement from £420 (no single share option) / sole traveller supplement from £1300
Note - this extension runs on a shared tour basis with Exodus and non-Exodus guests

Countries visited: Argentina

What's Included

All breakfasts
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities

What's Not Included

Lunch and dinners
Single accommodation (available on request)
Round trip flights to Salta from Buenos Aires (quoted separately)
Travel insurance
Visas & vaccinations

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Learn more about our Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan, including our commitment to rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller
Read about the work of the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
Find out how you can travel more sustainably here.

TRIP

XAA - Salta Extension

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

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Itinerary

Buenos Aires Buenos Aires

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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)

Meals included: Breakfast

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.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

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

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

Transfer Details

Transfers to and from the airport are included.

Vaccinations and Health

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.

Visa

Argentina

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.

Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/argentina
Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/argentina
United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/argentina/entry-requirements
USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html

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.

Food & Drink

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.

Weather

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.

TRIP

XAA - Salta Extension

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Brian Guest

Reviewed March 2019

A rocky road; a wilderness of salt; and an ancient culture.

Rocks; mummies; Routa 40; rocks; vineyards; rocks; cactus; salt flats; rocks; Inca ruins and more rocks!

Most Inspirational Moment

The heat and stark beauty of the Salinas Grandes salt flats

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a series of leaders over the week. The first was very helpful and acted a driver and guide. Later we were on minibus day tours with different leaders.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't put too much trust in LATAM's schedules. There were several flight amendments before our trip and finally a 12 hour change just days before we were due to fly to Salta. Further delays made us 14 hours late and we missed our first day in Salta. The trip notes and itineraries are liable to change. But this allows you to extend the tour by a few days. Spending a whole day in Purmamarca proved a really good option as it's a long day in a minibus. Your tour may be cut short or altered due to other travellers being late or preferring not to visit sites. We only had 30 minutes to visit the Inca ruins because we were running so far behind the schedule. Research beforehand. More options are available for your free days than may be advertised. Take a good camera with a wide angle lens as the landscapes are stunning. And it also pays get up early for the dawn light on the rocks at Purmamarca. ATM's in Argentina restrict you to 4,000 ARS and cost a lot to use. But Santander Rio have branches in all the towns we visited. If you have an account, it gives you a much better rate. Spend a few days in Buenos Aires if you have the chance. It's pretty safe and easy to get around. There's some lovely Art Nouveau architecture, a lively cafe culture, craft markets at the weekend, fine Opera and bookshops, tango dinner dances and lots of urban art. We recommend a 5-hour cycle trip: Hidden Graffiti And Urban Art Tour.

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