Argentina · TOURS IN SALTA
Everything good out of Salta is a long drive and a lot of altitude. The 15 below cover the painted gorge, the salt flats, the Calchaquí valleys and Cafayate, with prices, hours on the road and how high each one goes.
Spend a full day traveling from Salta into Jujuy with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Purmamarca, the 7 Color Hill, Cuesta de Lipan, and Salinas Grandes. Guides such as Eduardo, Monica, Cesar, and Monserrat have been praised for clear explanations and careful care at high altitude.
“Great guide, comfortable transportation, enough time at each spot and beautiful scenery.”
Travel from Salta through the Lerma Valley and Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate in a small air-conditioned minibus. You’ll stop at red-rock formations such as Devil’s Throat, hear geology and local stories from a bilingual guide, visit a winery, and return by a different route. Expect a long day and several hours on rough roads.
“The most breathtaking sceneries I have ever seen - 100% must see. The tour was well organized, our guide Omar gave us excellent information on the geological background of the places we were visiting and was very kind and patient with the group. The road is bumpy and long, especially if you are sitting in the back of the van (if you get car sick easily maybe ask for a seat in the front next to the driver), but that is the nature of the territory. All in all AMAZING tour.”
This 12.5-hour trip from Salta takes you through Yala, Volcán, Tumbaya, Purmamarca, and the high-altitude Salinas Grandes. Expect bilingual guiding, scenic mountain drives, a short salt-flat stop, free time for lunch and crafts, and a possible Los Colorados walk. Guides such as Samuel, José Luis, and Ximena have made a strong impression, though English ability can vary.
“Nice day trip - got to see lots of the Salta and Jujuy provinces just from the bus window. Salinas Grandes is well worth visiting (didn't find much to do in Purmamarca). The bus was comfortable (had USB charging points) and the guide (Mauricia I think was the name) was great- gave lots of explanations, organized things well and took care of the group.”
Spend 12 hours traveling from Salta to Cafayate along Ruta 68, with guided stops at the Devil’s Throat, Amphitheater, Yesera, and other red-rock formations. Visit a winery for a short tasting, then enjoy free time in Cafayate. English and Spanish guides, hotel pickup, and transport are included.
“Great trip, great guide - would recommend. Cafayate is beautiful and the landforms visited are amazing. The bus driver on route back, made it feel like a bit of a rollercoaster.”
Travel from Salta through the Lerma Valley and Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate. Expect Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, Los Castillos, free time for lunch, an artisan market, and a winery visit with Torrontés tasting. Guides including Angie, Jazmin, and Ximena have offered bilingual commentary, though group size and English service can vary.
“Although it was a very long day (13 hours), it was well-paced and interesting. We had enough time for photos and good explanations along the way. The guide and driver were great. The scenery is spectacular and Cafayete is charming. The wine tour and tasting were quite short, but that was okay with me.”
Travel from Salta through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, stopping at Purmamarca, Tilcara, Uquía, and Humahuaca before switching to a 4WD for Hornocal’s famous Hill of 14 Colors. Guides such as Fabio, Abel, and Leo have made this long day especially engaging, though the ride can be cramped and English service varies.
“It's a beautiful tour. The mountains in Hornocal are magnificent. Beautiful views throughout the tour. The tour was conducted in two languages: Spanish and English. The time flew by. The bus was very late and the guide did not warn us about it, although we left all contacts. We did not have time to visit the cities mentioned in the description, we only saw Hornocal and Humahuaca.”
Spend 12 hours climbing from Salta’s Lerma Valley to Cachi by minibus, with bilingual guidance, mountain viewpoints, Los Cardones National Park, and two free hours in town. Guides such as Ximena, Fernando, and Carolina have led recent departures. Expect dramatic scenery, high altitude, and many hours on winding roads.
“Cachi is a beautiful city with a lot of beautiful houses, restaurants and shops. On the way there, we did several stops to see the amazing landscape of the Anden. It was a great experience”
Travel from Salta through Lerma Valley villages and the red-rock Quebrada de las Conchas to Cafayate. You’ll stop at the Devil’s Throat, Amphitheater, and other formations, taste regional wines including Torrontés, and have two hours to explore Cafayate. English and Spanish guides lead the trip, with Angie and Jasmine especially praised for their care and clear explanations.
“The tour was great🥰 I highly recommend it Just one ☝🏻 thing - they not gonna pick up you, in last moment they gonna txt you and tell that you need to came by yourself”
Leave Salta at 6:30 am for a full day through Andean valleys and high passes. Visit Purmamarca, the Hill of Seven Colors, Humahuaca Gorge, and Salinas Grandes, with time for photos, lunch, and market shopping. Expect a long drive, altitude up to 4,150 meters, and commentary that may be mainly in Spanish.
“Nice scenic day trip with a mix of sights. Consider taking a remedy as the high altitude/twisting road might affect you. There wasn't any trekking involved but it was a good activity with sufficient time to see the salt flats and mountains as well as browse markets for souvenirs.”
Travel from Salta to Cachi with a Spanish or English-speaking guide such as Monica, Claudio, Arthur, or Ximena. The 13-hour trip follows the Gorge of Escoipe, Cuesta del Obispo, El Valle Encantado, and Los Cardones National Park before free time in Cachi. Hotel pickup, transport, guide, and park fees are included.
“beautiful view..nice driver.Was on time..Was exelent”
Set out from Salta around 7:00 to 7:40 AM for a 13-hour ride through Andean valleys and high mountain roads. You visit Purmamarca, the Hill of 7 Colors, Tilcara, Humahuaca, and artisan markets. English and Spanish guides lead the trip, though some stops may be Spanish-only.
“It is a full, full day on a bus. And you go above 10,000feet. There is some steep walking. These are really important factors. The scenery of the mountainous areas are breathtaking, unique to Argentina.”
Leave Salta at 7 a.m. for an 11-hour journey through Escoipe Gorge, Cuesta del Obispo, Los Cardones National Park and the Tin Tin straight road. You will stop for photos, walk in the cactus park, and have two hours in Cachi. Guides such as Fernando, Ximena, Vanessa and Marcelo are praised for clear multilingual commentary.
“Visit to los cardones park was very interesting. It is good to learn that this species of cactus in the park is protected.”
Travel from Salta into Jujuy by air-conditioned minivan, stopping at Purmamarca, Cuesta de Lipán, and Salinas Grandes. You will reach 4,170 meters above sea level, so prepare for wind, sun, and possible altitude discomfort. Guides such as Fabio, Ximena, Leonardo, and Claudio have earned praise, though English service can vary.
“A bit chaotic but relatively knowledgeable guide. Make sure to bring shades, salt is very reflective!”
Leave Salta at 7:00 am for a bilingual journey through the Lerma Valley and Quebrada de las Conchas. Stop at Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, other striking viewpoints, Cafayate, and a local winery. Guides such as Monica, Fernando, Eduardo, and Maru have been praised for clear storytelling, though winery explanations may be in Spanish.
“Amazing experience! Best tour we had in Salta, highly recommended! Driver Alexandra and guide Cezar were the best! The winery had delicious wine, and although the tour in winery was in Spanish, Cezar immediately stepped in and translated everything. There were so many beautiful breathtaking stops on the way to Cafayate, honestly the long road because of that was not tiring at all and very enjoyable. So worth the money! Bus was comfortable, for max 15 people, with A/C”
Leave Salta at 6:30 am for Cachi, Los Cardones National Park, Bishop’s Cliff, and the Calchaquí Valleys. Your guide explains the region’s geology, history, plants, and wildlife, with guides such as Jeremy, Pablo, Leo, and Cecilia praised for clear commentary. Lunch in Cachi is on your own.
“Great tour. Highly professional and very informative guide. Lots of stops on the way up, with time to take photos. Comfortable bus, good price. As others have said: you might want to go eat lunch in Salta itself, say at one of the restauraRead more”
Pick an evening, a glacier or a cellar.
