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THE CALCHAQUI VALLEYS

SELF-DRIVE IN THE NORTHWEST

The itinerary offers the possibility to drive into some of the little villages lost in time in the Northwest. Our recomended itinerary will include:

DAY 01: TUCUMAN - TAFI. Arrival in Tucuman, called "El Jardin de la Republica". Arrival, meet at the airport and pick up a car (Category D - Fiat Tipo or similar) with free millage, air conditioning and insurance included.

Tucuman is one of the oldest cities in Argentina, as its territory was colonized by the Spaniards coming from the North, (Peru). Tucuman still shows many signs of the old colonial times, mainly through its architecture: churches, government houses, mansions and the house where the Argentine Independence was declared in 1816.

After visiting the city, we suggest driving to Tafi del Valle. This drive will be amazing since the landscape slowly changes from a lush subtropical or montane forest covered with bromeliads and ferns to rolling hills. Arrive in Tafi del Valle, with its old Jesuit chapel and local production of fruits and cheeses, some of the latter seasoned with red peppers. Tafi del Valle is a small village located in the heart of the Aconquija range at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and is considered the sacred valley of the Diaguitas natives.
Accommodation at LUNAHUANA Hotel or MIRADOR del TAFI.

DAY 02: TAFI - QUILMES. Morning visit of the little village where one of the great pre-inca cultures flourished. They were known as Tafi. One of their most distinctive features was the construction of menhirs or megaliths (standing large stones). Close to Tafi del Valle you will be able to appreciate some of them brought from different sites into what is called El Parque de los Menhires. From Tafi, follow a dusty gravel road, which winds up to EL INFIERNILLO (little hell) at 3000 m (9,000 ft) above sea level to get into the Calchaqui Valleys. The weather and the landscape change dramatically once again from rollling grass-covered mountain to desert highlands. Afternoon arrival in QUILMES, site of the spectacular fortifications and town built by the natives of the same name. Accommodation at PARADOR RUINAS de QUILMES. Before getting to Quilmes, we suggest a small detour at AMAICHA del VALLE, hometown of Artesano Cruz, worldwide known for his tapestries and the owner of the Hosteria in Quilmes. In his former house he built a Cultural Center, which deserves a visit.

DAY 03: QUILMES - MOLINOS. We suggest a morning hike of the monumental fortress of Quilmes. Drive the Calchaqui valley, which runs parallel to the river of the same name. Stop en route to visit CAFAYATE, a small city home of the true argentine varietal -the Torrontes wine and its crafts market. We suggest lunch at Bodega La Rosa (La Rosa winery) to try exquisite local food and taste the peculiar wine.
Arrival in the little village of Molinos and accommodation at HOSTAL PROVINCIAL de MOLINOS.

DAY 04: MOLINOS - SALTA. Molinos -with its massive adobe church, colonial streets, is a quiet place worth a stop. Across the river, is a recently formed artist cooperative housed in a beautiful renoved colonial house, complete with a large patio, arches and an inner courtyard. The local craftspeople sell only handmade goods including sweaters, rugs and tapestries. Along the Valley, each one of the many romantic small villages derserves at least a short sightseeing walk, as La Paya and Cachi, a small village which has an archaeological Museum regarded to be best museum of its kind in Argentina.

After a visit of this interesting village, drive to Salta. The road will lead to the Enchanted Valley, and climb over a high plateau called TIN-TIN, the native terrain of the sleek, giant cardon. Because of its being an endemic species, the CARDONES NP has been created in this location. Climb the impressive CUESTA del OBISPO (Obispo Pass) where condors, eagles and guanacos will be a frecuent sight. Late afternoon arrival in Salta. Accommodation at SELVA MONTANA Hotel -in San Lorenzo - for 3 nights. San Lorenzo is located 15 km out of Salta in the Quebrada of the same name.

DAY 05: SALTA. Rest day in Salta to visit the city, its impressive Cathedral, the churches of San Francisco and San Bernardo built in colonial times and the Crafts market. If this day coincides with a Saturday, we suggest a ride on the famous TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS, the highest railroad in South America. This railroad built in the 1930s links Salta city with the native town of San Antonio de los Cobres, traversing the most impressive heights and valleys of the Andean range, climbing to reach 4000 m above sea level on its way.

DAY 06: FD HUMAHUACA. Full day visit of the colorful Humahuaca canyon, driving through the picturesque Quebrada (canyon) and visiting numerous indigenous villages on the way such as Purmamarca and Tilcara with its impressive pre-hispanic fortress: the Pucara and finally reaching Humahuaca (9000ft - 3000m above sea level).
Return to Salta.

DAY 07: SALTA. Last day to enjoy the city; visit its surrounding villages such as San Lorenzo, Tres Cerritos, Lerma. Afternoon drop off the car at the airport in Salta.

rates per person sharing a double room: U$S 535. Single supplement: $175

The rate includes:
*Accommodation with breakfast and local taxes included throughout the itinerary.
*Car rental: CATEGORY D (Fiat Palio or similar) Includes air conditioning, insurance, taxes and free millage.
*Area map with instructions and pre-departure information to be provided.