14-Day Itineraries
Explore Northern Argentina - 14 Days
Northern Argentina is filled with beautiful desert landscapes and historic colonial cities. Over 14 adventure-filled days, you'll discover this region's myriad charms when you arrive in Salta from Buenos Aires. You'll then hit the road and explore, from the giant salt flats of the Salinas Grades to ancient archeological settlements to the wine region around Cafayate.
Enjoy dinner and a tango show in Buenos Aires
Take a city tour of Salta, the most beautiful colonial city in northern Argentina
Visit the expansive salt flats and painted mountains outside Salta
Tour historic colonial towns like Cachi and Cafayate
Enjoy a wine tour of Calchaquí, one of Argentina's most productive wine regions
Day 1 Arrival in Buenos Aires Buenos Aires
Day 2 Walking Tour of Buenos Aires Buenos Aires
Day 3 Buenos Aires to Tigre Buenos Aires
Day 4 Gaucho Experience at Estancia Santa Susana Buenos Aires
Day 5 Fly from Buenos Aires to Salta Salta
Day 6 Salta to Purmamarca - Day Trip to Quebrada de Humahuaca Purmamarca
Day 7 Pumamarca to Salinas Grandes Purmamarca
Day 8 Purmamarca to Chicoana - Country Horseback Ride Chicoana
Day 9 Chicoana to Cachi Cachi
Day 10 Free Day in Cachi Cachi
Day 11 Cachi - Cafayate: Wine & Lnadscapes Tour Cafayate
Day 12 Visit Ruinas de Quilmes Cafayate
Day 13 Fly from Salta to Buenos Aires Buenos Aires
Day 14 Depart Buenos Aires
Day 1: Arrival in Buenos Aires
The famouos Obelisco in downtown Buenos Aires
Welcome to Argentina! Renowned as the "Paris of South America" and the "Queen of El Plata," the capital city of Buenos Aires is defined by passion. This is exemplified in the rich tango heritage and its citizens' limitless enthusiasm for fútbol (soccer), which is by far the country's most popular sport.
When you arrive at the airport, your driver will be waiting to take you in a private car to your hotel where you can relax after a long flight. But make no mistake: the city will beckon you. So after a quick recharge, be sure to venture out into the welcoming arms of Buenos Aires and explore.
When evening falls and dinnertime arrives, do like the locals and order a thick, juicy steak (Argentina has some of the best beef in the world) drizzled with the nation's famous chimichurri (a garlic, herb, and vinegar sauce). Know that Buenos Aires is a culture that thrives after dark, and it's not uncommon for locals to have dinner well past nine in the evening, especially on weekends.
Day 2: Walking Tour of Buenos Aires
The Teatro Colón
After breakfast, you'll take an organized tour of Buenos Aires. During this three-hour walking excursion, you'll visit the neighborhood of Retiro plus stroll Avenida 9 de Julio—South America's widest avenue. You'll pass through the historic city center, home to the Teatro Colón opera house, National Congress, Plaza de Mayo, and the Casa Rosada (Presidential Palace). Then, visit the oldest neighborhood in the city, San Telmo. Afterward, you'll stop by the city's original port, La Boca.
In the evening, enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by a tango performance—one of Argentina's most well-known cultural highlights.
Day 3: Buenos Aires to Tigre
The canals of Tigre
Today you'll travel up Río de la Plata where it converges with the Paraña River Delta, located about an hour north of Buenos Aires. During the boat ride, you'll enjoy views of the city skyline as you enter a network of freshwater canals and sail among the islands that make up this unique region. The main port is in Tigre, a Venetian-style village whose small-town and relaxing atmosphere contrast with Buenos Aires' bustling energy.
On the waterfront, you'll find Puerto de Frutos, a maze of craft markets, produce stalls, and artisanal goods. The Museo de Arte features a grand collection of Argentine art spanning two centuries. The Naval Museum and the Museo de Maté are other highlights worth a visit. The latter offers an overview and tasting of maté, an herb cultivated in the Paraná region of the country and used for tea.
Day 4: Gaucho Experience at Estancia Santa Susana
Argentinian gauchos in colorful garb
Just as North Americans have their cowboys, Argentines have their gauchos. This frontier culture is strongest in the pampas (prairies) immediately surrounding the capital since this is where the country was first settled. Gauchos are national symbols in Argentina, whether it's the real-life horsemen who still exist today, or the folk heroes of epic Argentine poems, like Martín Fierro, whose stories are passed down over generations.
Today you'll get a real gaucho experience. You'll be picked up in the morning and whisked off to Santa Susana, a working Argentine estancia (ranch). Here you'll enjoy a welcome reception that includes wine, soft drinks, and empanadas. After a guided tour of the property, you'll do some horseback riding (or perhaps enjoy a carriage ride) before settling in for a traditional folkloric music performance—and everyone's invited to get up and dance.
Lunch will be an Argentine asado (mixed grill) paired with even more of the country's fantastic wine. Real gauchos will then showcase their prowess with the bolas—traditional throwing weapons comprised of round weights connected by cords. Their displays will demonstrate how these deceptively simple weapons, when used in the right hands, can be effective at bringing down horses, cows, and even people.
After lunch, you'll be treated to more entertainment. The gauchos will continue to showcase their abilities, this time as they perform a series of feats known as carreras de sortijas (ring races). These are typical in gaucho equine competition and showcase the cowboys' great skills on horseback. You will end the day at the estancia with a late-afternoon serving of mate, the popular tea-like infusion that is an indispensable part of Argentine culture.
By the time you transfer back to your hotel in the evening, you can be happy in the knowledge that you've enjoyed a traditional Argentine frontier experience.
Day 5: Fly from Buenos Aires to Salta
Salta's Pink Cathedral
This morning, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Salta, one of Argentina's most impressive Spanish colonial cities. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Take the rest of the day to get settled in and enjoy the town. Easy to explore on foot, Salta's compact colonial center is lined with gorgeous neoclassical buildings, lively cafes, and cool bars that draw a young and energetic crowd.
Day 6: Salta to Purmamarca - Day Trip to Quebrada de Humahuaca
The Quebrada de Humahuaca
There are few more mystic, historic, and evocative areas in Argentina than the Quebrada de Humahuaca. This arid desert valley gets its start in the high altitude Andean plateaus before running down into Jujuy Province and meeting the Río Grande, at which point it forms a 96-mile (155-km) corridor.
This valley gorge has been populated for over 10,000 years, starting with the earliest hunter-gatherers. It then became an important Incan trading route in the 15th and 16th centuries and later was a link between the Viceroyalty of Buenos Aires and the Viceroyalty of Peru. It was even an important battleground in the War of Independence. You can see remnants of Pre-Columbian towns here, and white-washed colonial chapels still dot the valley.
Your tour of the area begins with a pick up at your hotel in Salta at 7 am. The first place you'll visit is the village of Purmamarca, where you'll find the famous Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of the Seven Colors), which is notable for its strata, which is seemingly "painted" various shades of red. Other notable sites in the village include the whitewashed Iglesia de Santa Rosa, and the artisanal craft market.
You'll head a few kilometers north to the town of Tilcara and Pucará de Tilcara, the hilltop remains of a pre-historic fortress. Here you'll visit a fascinating archeological museum. Next is Huacalera, located two kilometers north of the Tropic of Capricorn (a giant sundial marks the exact location).
Then you'll visit the tiny village of Uquía, which boasts one of the most impressive whitewashed churches in the region, the Iglesia San Francisco de Paula, which was built in 1691. Inside you'll find a number of paintings done in the Cuzco style and featuring angels in 17th-century battle dress. Before lunch, you'll Arrive at the town of Humahuaca, which is denoted by its labyrinthine narrow streets, adobe houses, and its monument to independence, El Indio, done by sculptor Soto Avendaño.
After lunch, you'll head to Maimará, a town notable for its haunting hillside cemetery and the brightly colored mountains that surround it. These are known as La Paleta del Pintor (The Painter's Palette). If time allows, we will return to Salta via the Abra de Santa Laura ( a mountain path lined with subtropical vegetation), which is surrounded by stunning scenery, including Las Maderas Dam, and the Campo Alegre reservoir.
In the evening, transfer to your hotel in Purmamarca where you'll spend the evening.
Day 7: Pumamarca to Salinas Grandes
Salinas Grandes salt flats
After breakfast, you'll drive along the Cuesta de Lipan, a spectacular tract of winding mountain road, to Salinas Grandes. This expansive salt flat lies high up in the puna and covers an area of 81 square miles (212 sq. km). Once a lake, the flat is comprised of a salt crust that's half a meter thick.
On a tour of the area, you'll walk along the flat and learn how salt is extracted from this vast expanse. Take some time to snap photos and enjoy the panoramic views, which look out to the snow-capped Nevado de Chañi. In the afternoon you'll transfer back to Pumamarca, where you'll overnight.
Day 8: Purmamarca to Chicoana - Country Horseback Ride
Go horseback riding in the country
In the morning, you'll drive from Purmamarca south towards Salta, continuing past the city another 45 minutes to the rural area of Chicoana. Your destination is a traditional finca (ranch) located in the countryside. Here you'll learn about traditional gaucho (cowboy) culture and explore the nearby dusty roads and trails on horseback.
As an added bonus, you'll have the option to overnight at the finca or embark on a horseback ride and camping excursion in the surrounding mountains. Whichever you choose, you'll enjoy a traditional asado (BBQ) feast at least once during your stay.
Day 9: Chicoana to Cachi
San José de Cachi Church
From Chicoana, you'll drive two hours west to Cachi. This may be a small town, but it's one of the most beautiful in Argentina. Located in the Calchaquí Valley, Cachi is denoted by its whitewashed adobe houses, wide plazas, Spanish-colonial chapel, and cobbled streets.
After checking in to your hotel, you'll have the rest of the day free. You can spend this time exploring the streets, interacting with locals, and browsing the shops for traditional handicrafts. Don't miss the Cachi Archeological Museum, which features thousands of artifacts spanning the pre-ceramic era to the Inca Empire to the Hispanic-Indian and colonial periods.
Also, if you happen to be traveling between April and May, you'll have the option to take a pepper tour where you'll visit rows of bright red peppers being harvested for paprika.
Day 10: Free Day in Cachi
Quebrada de las Flechas, Argentina
Today is a free day to spend however you wish. We recommend venturing beyond town and exploring the region around Cachi. One option is to travel to the nearby village of San Carlos and visit a local artisan to see how they craft handmade pottery. Or you can embark on a guided hike through the Acsibi Caves, a network of desert caves that are positively Martian in their red-hued geologic formations.
Then there's the Quebrada de las Flechas. This expansive canyon stretches for 12 miles (20 km) and is characterized by endless craggy rock formations protruding out of the ground. All in all, its a scene of dramatic beauty that's truly unique to the area.
Day 11: Cachi to Cafayate - Wine Tour
Vineyard in Cafayate
The multicolored mountains and canyons around the town of Cafayate lie 3.5 hours south of Cachi. You'll arrive here via the famous Route 40, and the stunning desert scenery is sure to keep you entertained during the drive. Of course, there will be many pit-stops along the way to stretch your legs and snap photos.
After arriving in the city, take a stroll and do some souvenir shopping around the main square, or head straight to a vineyard and bodega for empanadas and a wine tasting. The dry climate that creates such spectacular scenery here is also ideal for growing some of the best and most unique wine in the country. Torrontes is one such varietal. This dry white wine is cultivated mostly in the Calchaquí Valley.
Day 12: Visit Ruinas de Quilmes
The archeological site of Ruinas Quilmes
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you'll head to Ruinas de Quilmes, the largest Pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina. The entire archeological site covers about 75 acres and dates back to the middle of the 9th century. Back then it was home to over 5,000 members of the Quilmes indigenous people.
On a tour of the site, you'll get to walk around the remains of the terraced settlement, which rises up a hillside. You can visit the ruins of stone dwellings as well as see the stone tools that the residents used in their daily life. There's a museum here as well as a restaurant should you desire refreshments.
In the afternoon you'll return to Cafayate where you'll have the rest of the day to relax and explore at your leisure.
Day 13: Fly from Salta to Buenos Aires
Take one more stroll around Salta before departing
After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye to the city of Salta and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival, you'll take a private transfer to your hotel. Once settled, enjoy free time to relax and explore at your own pace, perhaps taking advantage of any sights, parks, or neighborhoods that you may have missed earlier in your trip.
Day 14: Depart Buenos Aires
Goodbye, Buenos Aires!
Enjoy one last breakfast in Buenos Aires. When it's time to leave, a driver will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight home. Buen viaje!
Map of Explore Northern Argentina - 14 Days
Written by Kristy Tizon, updated Nov 11, 2019
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