Program
DAY 1: ARRIVAL BUENOS AIRES – ARGENTINA
Today you take the plane to Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. After arrival in the evening (local time), you will be transferred from the airport to your hotel. Check-in at your hotel and the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Overnight.
DAY 2: BUENOS AIRES (B, D)
After breakfast you will discover today in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and of the Tango.
Buenos Aires is a cosmopolitan city with European characteristics and is one of the 10 most dynamic cities in the world. City of art, cultures, theaters, traditions … The diversity satisfies the most demanding visitor. Take Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest boulevard in the world, dominated by the Obelisk, the symbol of Buenos Aires. You will pass the Teatro Colon, one of the jewels of Argentine architecture.
You continue your discovery from the Argentine capital to the famous main square “Plaza de Mayo” with buildings such as the Casa Rosada or Casa del Gobierno, el Cabildo and the cathedral. You end your day with the picturesque neighborhood of La Boca and, more specifically, the El Caminito alley, a meeting place for painters, tango dancers and singers.
In the evening you are expected in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city. After this you are expected for dinner in a wine restaurant.
Overnight.
DAY 3: BUENOS AIRES- SALTA (O)
After breakfast, depart from your hotel with a private transfer to Buenos Aires National Airport for a domestic flight to Salta. Please note, this flight departs from AEP airport, so not the same as where you arrived from Europe. Upon arrival, reception at Salta airport and private transfer to your hotel. Transfer made with an English-speaking guide.
This is followed by a half-day excursion dedicated to visiting the city on foot. Salta, the capital of the province of the same name, is located at an altitude of 1187 meters at the foot of the San Bernardo mountain. The capital of Salta was founded on April 16, 1582 by Hernando de Lerma. Colonial-style houses meet here with modern buildings. In addition to historical buildings, you will visit the 19th-century cathedral and the Cabildo with the picturesque historical museum of the north. You climb to “Cerro San Bernardo” to enjoy a panoramic view of Salta. Then you will discover the recent and very interesting MAAM museum (Museo Archelogia de Alta Montaña), which mainly exhibits mummies found at over 6,000 meters.
Overnight.
Note: Maam Museum is closed on Mondays.
DAY 4: SALTA – QUEBRADA DE ESCOIPE – CACHI (O)
After breakfast you will depart by private vehicle to reach the small colonial village of Cachi which is located at an altitude of 2200 meters. During this drive of approximately 150 kilometers via the RN33 road, you will cross spectacular landscapes: the Col de la Piedra del Molino located at 3600 meters, the Quebrada de Escoipe, a deep gorge where the green forests contrast with the ocher color of the earth, the mountains of the Cuesta del Obispo, the natural park of Los Cardones, the arid lands full of candlestick cacti and much more …
Cachi is a peaceful Indian village with whitewashed low houses and dominated by the 18th century San José Church with its roof made of cactus materials. We visit the small archaeological museum that presents very nice collections of ceramics from the pre-Inca and Inca period and more, in particular of the Santa Maria culture. This is followed by a short excursion to the village of Cachi Adentro. You will explore the most beautiful landscapes of Cachi, see snowy peaks and mountain streams and more. Check-in at your hotel.
Overnight.
DAY 5: CACHI – MOLINOS (O)
Today you will discover the first vineyards of this trip in Cachi. You will get to know the region and about the different grape varieties that are grown here. You also participate in a wine tasting. Cachi has a unique diversity of soils, ranging from stony soils to sandy loamy soils. The altitude is about 2600 meters and the thermal amplitude exceeds 20 degrees. These factors form an explosive cocktail and are ideal conditions for the production of premium wines.
After this, depart for the small village of Molinos from 1659 where you will discover a beautiful church and the elegant farmhouse of Governor Isasmendi, the last governor of the city of Salta.
Overnight in a beautiful and charming hacienda.
DAY 6: MOLINOS – COLOMÉ (O)
This morning, after breakfast, you will leave Molinos and continue towards Colomé. The estancia or wine farm you will visit covers 39,000 hectares and dates from 1831. It is known for its wine but also for the modern art museum of a Californian artist who creates works of art by playing with light effects (Entrance included).
Check-in at your hotel in a room with a view of the vineyards.
Overnight.
DAY 7: COLOMÉ – QUEBRADA DE LAS FLECHAS – CAFAYATE (O)
After breakfast you will leave for Cafayate on the majestic “Quebrada de las Flechas”. It is surrounded by a mysterious moonscape. White dunes announce the proximity to Cafayate, the main town in the Calchaquies valleys, whose economy is based on wine production. Located in the heart of the Calchaquies valley of the province of Salta, Cafayate is internationally known for the quality of its wines, the mildness of the climate, the friendliness of the inhabitants and the beauty of these landscapes. You will discover the beautiful alleys and the main square of the village.
At the end of the afternoon, visit a local family’s bodega to learn about the winemaking process, discover the vineyards, learn about the region of the region and the different grape varieties. You also participate in a wine tasting.
Overnight in a wine hotel.
DAY 8: CAFAYATE – QUEBRADA DE LAS CONCHAS – CHICOANA (O)
After breakfast, return to Salta this morning by crossing the “Quebrada de las Conchas” which undoubtedly offers the most spectacular landscapes of the Argentine northwest: imposing mountains with multicolored rocks formed by erosion. A spectacle that nature has prepared for you for centuries and that will certainly surprise you! Early in the evening you arrive in Chicoana, a small village with leftist traditions.
Arrival at the hotel. Here you can take advantage of the services offered by the Finca such as the heated swimming pool or the bicycles available for cycling in the area.
Overnight.
DAY 9: SALTA – SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY – SALINAS GRANDES – PURMAMARCA (O)
After breakfast you will leave today for San Salvador de Jujuy. You continue your way to reach a vast white expanse that contrasts sharply with the pure blue sky. You are in the middle of one of the largest salt deserts in Argentina (1200 km2). After a few kilometres of winding path to reach the Lipán Pass at 4170 meters, you will arrive at the last stage of the day: Purmamarca, meaning “village of the Holy Land” in Aymara language. This city is known for its 7 coloured mountain or “Cerro de los siete colores”, a kind of mineral rainbow.
Overnight.
DAY 10: PURMAMARCA – TILCARA- HUMAHUACAN – CERRO HORNOCAL – PURMAMARCA (O)
After breakfast you start your day nice and quiet and enjoy the Cerro de los 7 colores view and the village of Purmamarca. You continue your Andean road towards Pucará de Tilcara. This pre-Hispanic village is over 900 years old and dates from the time of the Omaguaca civilization. You will visit this beautiful village and see the remarkable collections of the local museum. It houses mummies, vases, jewelry and other objects that come from the archaeological sites of the Argentine northwest.
After this, visit a winery in the Quebrada de Humahuaca region and take part in a wine tasting. Thanks to the scarce rainfall and the long, cool autumn, grape varieties such as the Malbec, the Cabernet Sauvignon and the Syrah reach their optimal ripeness during the harvest season. They also retain a high concentration of flavours, aromas and colours. The bodega benefits from the purity of the underground water to irrigate the soil.
After this you travel through the Humahuaca valley and make a stop in the village of the same name at 2940 meters. Then you continue to the Mirador of Cerro Hornocal where you will have a beautiful view of a 14-coloured mountain! You can also walk here.
Overnight.
DAY 11: PURMAMARCA – SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY – BUENOS AIRES (B)
After breakfast this morning head to the airport of Salta via San Salvador de Jujuy. After this you have a domestic flight to Buenos Aires. From here you will get a private transfer to your hotel. After check-in at your hotel in Buenos Aires, go to a theatre in the evening for dinner to see a tango show. You will get a private round-trip transfer to the theatre.
Overnight.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE HOME (B)
After breakfast and depending on your flight times, get a private transfer to Buenos Aires International Airport for your flight back home.
DAY 13: ARRIVAL AT HOME
Depending on the airline taken, you will return home in the afternoon or evening.
