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ESTANCIAS & CHARMING COLONIAL VILLAGES

In the numerous valleys and beautiful landscapes there are very interesting and huge estancias and former estates transformed in hosterias awaiting for the travelers to share their daily life. The estancias in the Northwest are among the oldest and exhibit the strongest Spanish colonial heritage, usually diversifying with crops of sugar cane, tobacco, vegetables and vineyards.

This itinerary which includes a private car and guide to assist passengers throughout the itinerary is planned in a very slow pace and it is ideal for those who enjoy to flavor the places they visit. Because it has been planned with a minimum 2 night stay in each location, it will allow visitors to get acquainted with the many secrets in each area, mingle with local people and share the life of the estancias, the owners and the wine producers as well as the local craftmen and artists.

The accommodation has been carefully selected so as to guarantee an experience in itself.

DAY 01: SALTA- CAFAYATE. Early morning arrival in Salta, meeting at the airport and transfer to Cafayate, a small city home of the true argentine varietal -the Torrontes wine and its very interesting crafts market.
Accommodation at Bodega La Rosa (La Rosa winery) to try exquisite local food and taste its unique wine. Afternoon exclusive visit to the winery. Dinner.

DAY 02: QUILMES. Full day visit of the QUILMES Ruins, site of the monumental fortress of the Quilmes, natives that inhabited the area until the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, and AMAICHA del VALLE.
Return to Cafayate. Overnight. B - D.

DAY 03: CAFAYATE - MOLINOS - CACHI. Leaving Cafayate behind we will get into the heart of the Calchaqui Valleys, driving along the river of the same name.
Each one of the many romantic small villages derserves at least a short sightseeing walk. Stops will include: Molinos -with its massive adobe church, colonial streets, is another quite 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. San Carlos, Angastaco and finally Cachi are worth a stop.
Late arrival in Cachi. Accommodation at EL MOLINO de CACHI ADENTRO. B -L- D.

DAY 04: CACHI. Morning visit of the small village, which has an archaeological Museum, regarded to be best museum of its kind in Argentina. Afternoon at the estancia. B- L- D.

DAY 05: CACHI - SALTA. 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 FINCA EL MANANTIAL. B-L-D.

DAY 06: SALTA. Rest day in the estancia. B- L-D.

DAY 07: SALTA - PURMAMARCA, following the tracks of the Train to the Clouds. Early morning meeting with your guide to start a ride up the Andean Range, stop for a visit at SANTA ROSA de TASTIL, the largest and best-preserved pre-hispanic ruins in Argentina. Arrival at San Antonio de los Cobres
If this day coincides with a Saturday, we suggest a ride on the famous TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS, the highest railroad in South America. (extra cost).
This railroad built in the 1930s joins 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.

Upon arrival, visit San Antonio de los Cobres and start the way down to Purmamarca visiting SALINAS GRANDES, the most imposing Salt Bed in the Northwest of Argentina and Chile and then driving down the LIPAN SLOPE, a winding road that leads to the charming village of Purmamarca.
Accommodation at EL MANANTIAL del SILENCIO Hotel. B- D.
Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 08: PURMAMARCA- HUMAHUACA- PURMAMARCA. Moorning visit of the little village of Purmamarca. If we are lucky enough, we will be invited to visit the house of the local inhabitants. Afternoon visit of Humahuaca, a small village with a very intersting museum dedicated to the Carnival Festival. Its director - a coya, native of Humahuaca- has lectured at La Sorbonne,in Paris.
Overnight at EL MANANTIAL del SILENCIO Hotel. B- D.

DAY 09: PURMAMARCA- SALTA. Morning transfer to the airport in Salta or Jujuy. B.

rates per person in double accommodation (English Speaking guide)
Based on 2 passengers traveling together U$S 2015
Based on 3-4 pax traveling together U$S 2065
Based on 5-6 pax traveling together U$S 1974
Based on 7- 8 pax traveling together U$S 1726
Single supplement (minimum of 2 traveling together) U$S 492

These rates include:
*Accommodation with breakfast and taxes included and dinner and activities as the estancias.
*Transfers and tours in private car (4WD vehicle) with an exclusive bilingual guide throughout the itinerary.
*Entrance fees to parks, reserves and Museums
*Meals as described on the itinerary without beverages

These rates do not include:
*Airline tickets, airport taxes and local taxes
*Personal Expenses and extras (optional visits)
*Tips for baggage handling and optional gratuities to guides / drivers
*Meals -except the ones mentioned on the itinerary.

Season: Mar to November
Level of difficulty: Easy
Minimum / Maximum: 2 / 16 pax
Departures: Daily