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Welcome to the great and colourful northwest of Argentina! This 8 days tour through the gorgeous landscapes of Salta and Jujuy is an unforgettable adventure for anyone who looks for fun, sun, good rides, interesting culture and a lot of remote mountain scenery.
The rides take us through the most stunning areas of northwest Argentina, on one side to the deep valleys with their bizarre and colourful rock formations, breathtakingly steep and curvaceous mountain passes and traditional villages, and on the other side to the high altitude desert planes of the Puna with it´s wide open planes, dazzling white salt lakes, remote lagoons and towering volcanoes.
 Total distance about 2000 km, 50% on gravel roads.
The trip can be done in the 4 x 4 off road support vehicle, too!
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Day 1
We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes.
Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayte, the wine capital of Salta, where we spend the night in a lovely Hotel Boutique.
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Day 2
Today's ride takes us along the Calchaquí River, through narrow gorges and broad valleys. We snake through the rough landscapes of the "Valley of Arrows", the beauty of this remote valley almost tops the famous Quebrada de Cafayate. Lunch at a pleasant wine estancia, overnight stay in the picturesque mountain town of Cachi, overshadowed by mountains over 6000m high.
The well run anthropological museum can be visited here.
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Day 3
First we cross the National Park Los Cardones with it´s forest of thousands of Cactuses. Then crossing the Cuesta del Obispo we snake down from the Calchaquí Valley desert into the lush green Lerma Valley to reach Salta.
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Day 4
This very intense day takes us on a twisting tarmac road through densely wooded into the picturesque Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.
The road then winds over the 4000m high pass Abra del Condor to the remote mountain town of Iruya, lying in a narrow part of a deep valley, surrounded by colourful mountains and bizarrely eroded rock walls.
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Day 5
Crossing the Abra del Condor, we reach the main road to keep heading north into the desert planes of the Puna and to the Bolivian border. Overnight stay in remote village of Yavi, where we visit the historic church, the cave paintings of Las Cuevas and nearby rock carvings.
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Day 6
We set out to the most extreme north western corner of Argentina to admire the overwhelming view of the Angosto Canyon ant to explore the beautiful landscapes of the national monument, Laguna Los Pozuelos, a lagoon at 4000m altitude, home to unique flora and fauna.
Then we carry on to the Quebrada de Humahuaca to stay the night in the lively village of Tilcara.
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Day 7
We visit the Ruins of Tilcara before climbing the twisty tarmac road crossing the Cuesta de Lipan (4170m). We reach the dazzling white salt lake Salinas Grandes, and after a short stretch of tarmac road we hit a gravel track which takes us through a beautiful hidden valley to the viaduct La Polvorilla of the "Train to the Clouds".
A short ride later we reach the mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres.
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Day 8
Today you've got a challenging trip: we cross the highest pass in Argentina, the 4895m high Abra El Acay! Snaking up the mountainside to the pass to enjoy the stunning views from 5 km above sea level before diving into the Calchaquí Valley, challenged by some river crossings and hairpin bends. Going down the Cuesta del Obispo we arrive in Salta late afternoon.
(Alternative ride if the pass is closed will lead us along the tracks of the legendary "Train to the Clouds" through the colourful valley Quebrada del Toro.)
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| TOUR: 8 Days Valleys & Puna |
| Duration of the tour: |
8 days / 7 nights |
| Total distance: |
about 2000 km, ca. 50% gravel roads. |
| Participants (drivers): |
minimum: 3, maximum: 6 |
| Level of experience: |
The trip is suitable for any motorbiker with some off-road experience. |
| Prices: |
With support vehicle:
driver
2300 €
passenger
1300 €
own bike
1300 €
Without support vehicle:
driver
1900 €
passenger
1000 €
own bike
1000 €
Single room surcharge:
400 € |
| Included: |
- Motorbike rental (Honda Transalp)
- Third party insurance
- Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
- 4x4 support vehicle
- Petrol for the whole trip
- Maps
- Accommodation in hotels and comfortable guesthouses with breakfast
- Dinner
- Baggage storage
- Airport transfer in Salta
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| exlcuded: |
- Lunch
- Drinks
- Entry fees
- Flights
- Travel insurances
- Health insurances
- Accident insurances
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| Climate and season: |
The climate of the Calchaquí valleys is very pleasant: they receive little rain, because the rain clouds coming from the east are blocked by the first mountain ranges. Temperatures are moderate even in winter, although at night it can get quite cold.
The Puna (high plains), on the other hand, are characterised by a harsh climate: temperatures regularly drop below zero at night (even in the summer). In the daytime temperatures rise, and it's comfortably warm compared to the night. Dry winds are common, and even in the rainy season rainfalls are rare. The altitude (around 4000m) intensifies the effects of the ever-present sun (don't forget your suncream!).
Rainy season: January - March
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