Our Tours.
Salta: The Calchaquí Valleys
Welcome to the great and colourful northwest of Argentina! This one week tour through the gorgeous landscapes of Salta and Catamarca is an unforgettable adventure for anyone who looks for fun, sun, good rides, interesting culture and loads of remote mountain scenery.
The rides take us through the most stunning areas of northwest Argentina, to the deep valleys with their bizarre and colourful rock formations, breathtakingly steep and curvaceous mountain passes and traditional villages.
This trip can be done in a 4 x 4 off road vehicle, too!
Day 1
You will be picked up at the airport in Salta and brought in the Hotel from where the tour starts next day. After an introduction to the bikes and the tour and some general information about Salta, you have the rest of the day at your free disposal.
Day 2
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. After lunch we carry on to the ancient ruins of Quilmes, ride up the "Small Hell Pass" and dive down into the lush and green valley of Tafí, a village beautifully built around a small lake.
Day 3
We leave Tafí to El Mollar where we visit the Mehir Park before riding down through tropical cloud forests to the sugar cane fields of the lowlands of Tucuman. After lunch we climb up the stunning gravel pass of Los Alisos to get to the sleepy town of Andalgala.
Day 4
Directly behind the town of Andalgala there's a steep and windy pass up into the mountains. Way into these mountains there is a Rodochrosite Mine - typical Mineral for Argentine Jewelleries - where we have lunch. In the afternoon we'll get to the famous 40 Road again and ride into Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, where we spend the night in a lovely Hotel.
Day 5
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.
Tour details
Duration:
7 days / 6 nights
Distance:
about. 1200km, 40% gravel roads
Route:
Participants:
4 - 10 riders
Dates:
please see our tour calender
Level of experience:
The trip is suitable for any experienced motor-biker with some basic off-road experience.
Prices
| on BMW F650 GS: | 2400 US$ |
| on BMW F800 GS: | 2600 US$ |
| on BMW R1200GS: | 2800 US$ |
| on BMW R1200 Adv.: | 2990 US$ |
| pillion/passenger: | 1400 US$ |
| single room surcharge: | 300 US$ |
Climate & 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, but in the daytime temperatures rise to 20-30°C. Dry winds are common, and even in the rainy season rainfalls are rare. The altitude (around 3000m) intensifies the effects of the ever-present sun (don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!).
Day 6
We´ll be crossing the National Park Los Cardones with it´s forest of thousands of Cactuses. Crossing the Cuesta del Obispo we´ll snake down from the Calchaquí Valley desert into the lush green Lerma Valley to reach Salta.
Day 7
We will bring you to the airport to catch your flight. You will take awesome impressions, great memories and a Horizonte present with you on your way back home.
Adventure Northwest Argentina