Salta: Calchaquí Valley Scenic Drive and Day Trip to Cachi
Overview
See the incredible natural attractions of the Calchaquí Valley on this ‘wow’-inducing day trip from Salta to Cachi!
Enjoy a comfortable and scenic round-trip drive to the charming village, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who describes the terrain along the way.
From gorges to bridges to snowcapped Andean mountains, the breathtaking landscape will fill up all the space on your camera. Make several stops — including the town of Payogasta — until you reach Cachi, where you can explore on your own.
Visit the Archeological Museum if you wish before returning to Salta via Los Cardones National Park.
Enjoy a comfortable and scenic round-trip drive to the charming village, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who describes the terrain along the way.
From gorges to bridges to snowcapped Andean mountains, the breathtaking landscape will fill up all the space on your camera. Make several stops — including the town of Payogasta — until you reach Cachi, where you can explore on your own.
Visit the Archeological Museum if you wish before returning to Salta via Los Cardones National Park.
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned car, van or minibus (depending on the group size)
- Local guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Cachi, Cachi, Province of Salta, Northern Argentina
Your day trip begins with hotel pickup in Salta. Settle into your seat for the 5- to 6.5-hour drive through the stunning scenery of the Calchaquí Valley and listen to your guide's informative commentary en route to Cachi. (Drive time varies depending on the weather and how long you spend at the various stops along the way).
Start by heading south through the Lerma Valley, past the towns of El Carril and Chicoana. After a 20-minute photo op at Puente Malcante (Malcante Bridge), continue along Route 33 through two gorges — Quebrada de los Laureles and Quebrada de Escoipe — where you’ll stop at a mirador (viewpoint) for another look with your guide.
Stop again at Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Slope), a viewpoint on a curvy road with panoramic vistas of the corn fields and fruit trees of the Enchanted Valley, before reaching Piedra del Molino (Millstone), a rock landmark 11, 100 feet (3, 384 meters) above sea level — your highest point on the trip. Enjoy another 20- to 30-minute break to soak up the spectacular mountain views, and then continue to a point overlooking the Nevado de Cachi, a range of snowcapped mountains.
In the town of Payogasta you have a 1-hour break to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) or eat your packed lunch if you brought one with you. Finally, arrive in the village of Cachi, where you have one hour of free time to explore the village at your leisure. Admire its historical architecture, from the whitewashed adobe homes to the 16th-century church, a National Historic Monument, and visit the Archeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico) to see its collection of artifacts from this region, some dating back 10, 000 years (optional; entrance at own expense).
Afterward, meet up with your guide for the return drive to Salta. The approximate 3.5- to 4-hour route takes you through Los Cardones National Park (Parque Nacional Los Cardones), which you’ll cross via the Recta del Tin Tin, a 7.5-mile (12-km) stretch of straight road, whose exact origins are unknown. Many believe that the Incas built the original thoroughfare, which lies at an elevation of 9, 800 feet (3, 000 meters), using a series of fires to create the alignment. Stop for about 20 minutes, and then continue back to Salta, where your day trip ends with hotel drop-off.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Cachi, Cachi, Province of Salta, Northern Argentina
Your day trip begins with hotel pickup in Salta. Settle into your seat for the 5- to 6.5-hour drive through the stunning scenery of the Calchaquí Valley and listen to your guide's informative commentary en route to Cachi. (Drive time varies depending on the weather and how long you spend at the various stops along the way).
Start by heading south through the Lerma Valley, past the towns of El Carril and Chicoana. After a 20-minute photo op at Puente Malcante (Malcante Bridge), continue along Route 33 through two gorges — Quebrada de los Laureles and Quebrada de Escoipe — where you’ll stop at a mirador (viewpoint) for another look with your guide.
Stop again at Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Slope), a viewpoint on a curvy road with panoramic vistas of the corn fields and fruit trees of the Enchanted Valley, before reaching Piedra del Molino (Millstone), a rock landmark 11, 100 feet (3, 384 meters) above sea level — your highest point on the trip. Enjoy another 20- to 30-minute break to soak up the spectacular mountain views, and then continue to a point overlooking the Nevado de Cachi, a range of snowcapped mountains.
In the town of Payogasta you have a 1-hour break to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) or eat your packed lunch if you brought one with you. Finally, arrive in the village of Cachi, where you have one hour of free time to explore the village at your leisure. Admire its historical architecture, from the whitewashed adobe homes to the 16th-century church, a National Historic Monument, and visit the Archeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico) to see its collection of artifacts from this region, some dating back 10, 000 years (optional; entrance at own expense).
Afterward, meet up with your guide for the return drive to Salta. The approximate 3.5- to 4-hour route takes you through Los Cardones National Park (Parque Nacional Los Cardones), which you’ll cross via the Recta del Tin Tin, a 7.5-mile (12-km) stretch of straight road, whose exact origins are unknown. Many believe that the Incas built the original thoroughfare, which lies at an elevation of 9, 800 feet (3, 000 meters), using a series of fires to create the alignment. Stop for about 20 minutes, and then continue back to Salta, where your day trip ends with hotel drop-off.
Additional information
- It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Note: The region of Salta sits at an elevation that reaches a high point of 11, 100 feet, which may cause altitude sickness for some; it is recommended that you drink plenty of hot tea or water prior to the tour and carry any necessary medication
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
osiris_v
August 2022
Me cancelaron la excursion al ultimo momento y jamas me volvieron el dinero. No se puede tener confianza con Viator
Me cancelaron la excursion al ultimo momento y jamas me volvieron el dinero. No se puede tener confianza con ViatorPaula_M
October 2022
nunca nos confirmaron, no vinieron a buscarnos y nos cobraron, no podemos lograr comunicarnos para que nos reembolsen el dinero
nunca nos confirmaron, no vinieron a buscarnos y nos cobraron, no podemos lograr comunicarnos para que nos reembolsen el dineroAnaliaV25
January 2020
No hice la excursión, sino que me quedé dos noches en la Hostería del ACA, un lugar con un entorno hermoso. Volvería para recorrer los alrededores y alguna caminata al Nevado.
No hice la excursión, sino que me quedé dos noches en la Hostería del ACA, un lugar con un entorno hermoso. Volvería para recorrer los alrededores y alguna caminata al Nevado.Viajosola1
December 2019
Fue mi mejor experiencia a Salta,un lugar al que no iva desde hacía 35 años.Un viaje hermso con paisajes maravillosos ,gente amable,respetuosa y muy cálida.Un lugar al que prometo volver.Conocer el Teleférico en el cerro San Bernardo.Hacer el viaje del tren a las nubes,sin palabras. FUE SUPER EMO...
Fue mi mejor experiencia a Salta,un lugar al que no iva desde hacía 35 años.Un viaje hermso con paisajes maravillosos ,gente amable,respetuosa y muy cálida.Un lugar al que prometo volver.Conocer el Teleférico en el cerro San Bernardo.Hacer el viaje del tren a las nubes,sin palabras. FUE SUPER EMOCIONANTE.Un viaje imperdible.El que pueda,no se lo pierda.Blanca b
October 2018
El recorrido es increíble, pero el camino de montaña esta lleno de curvas,es sinuoso, y hay que conocerlo bien. Recomiendo ir con un chofer que lo conozca, ya que de alquilar un auto y manejar, quien conduce se pierde todo el paisaje y no es un camino fácil.
El recorrido es increíble, pero el camino de montaña esta lleno de curvas,es sinuoso, y hay que conocerlo bien. Recomiendo ir con un chofer que lo conozca, ya que de alquilar un auto y manejar, quien conduce se pierde todo el paisaje y no es un camino fácil.margri15
July 2018
Lo recomiendo,para la,primera vez ,si se tiene poco tiempoy yambien enviajes q repitas ,ya que se recorren los lugares más lindos ,elegidos ,con paradas para fotos o comer ,donde se sabe q vas a estar bien atendido. Si no se lleva ya todo organizado se corre el riesgo de contratar un poco en cad...
Lo recomiendo,para la,primera vez ,si se tiene poco tiempoy yambien enviajes q repitas ,ya que se recorren los lugares más lindos ,elegidos ,con paradas para fotos o comer ,donde se sabe q vas a estar bien atendido. Si no se lleva ya todo organizado se corre el riesgo de contratar un poco en cada lado lo q hace perder mucho tiempo. Por otra parte hay q tener referencia de con quien vas ,los caminos ,rutas no son fáciles,los paisajes son todos muy lindos,pero la seguridad de quien conduce es muy importante,como el estado de las unidades. Importante q s e cumpla lo pactado ,en cuanto a destinos .