Traveling to the province of Salta requires a change of pace. In the Andean region, the altitude dictates the rhythm of breathing, mountain roads require careful driving, and the enormous temperature range, with differences of up to 20 degrees between midday and dawn, necessitates dressing in layers.
Exploring the Valleys Region of Salta is to enter a territory where the exposed geology tells millions of years of Earth's history. Here, the resilience of the indigenous Diaguita and Calchaquí peoples lives on in the architecture, gastronomy, and agricultural techniques.
If you're looking for vacation spots in Salta , this guide will help you plan your itinerary along National Route 40 and Provincial Route 33. You'll find all the necessary information about distances, road conditions, and the attractions of each town. And if you'd like to explore the beautiful landscapes of Salta with accommodations, transfers, and guided tours, check out our Salta travel packages .
How to get to Salta and where to start the trip?
The city of Salta is the ideal starting point (kilometer zero) for any expedition to the valleys or the Puna. Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport is located just 10 kilometers from the city center (about 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle ).
For those who prefer to drive, the distance from Buenos Aires to Salta is approximately 1,500 kilometers via National Route 34. That's about 17 hours of continuous driving, so it might be advisable to plan an overnight stay in provinces like Córdoba or Santiago del Estero to ensure you get some rest.
Acclimatization and culture in Salta Capital
Before ascending the mountain, it's advisable to spend at least two days in the capital city (located 1,187 meters above sea level) to allow your body to acclimatize and avoid altitude sickness. This first stage of the trip is the perfect time for a city tour of Salta .
The epicenter is Plaza 9 de Julio. Here you'll find the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology (MAAM) , one of the country's most important scientific institutions. Its main exhibit is the "Children of Llullaillaco" : three cryopreserved human bodies from the Inca period (over 500 years old), found on the summit of the Llullaillaco volcano at an altitude of 6,700 meters.
Another must-see is the cable car ride up San Bernardo Hill. To appreciate the Lerma Valley from above . And at dinnertime, Paseo Güemes awaits with the best Salta-style empanadas, llama stew, and other typical dishes paired with local Torrontés wine.
Calchaquí Valleys of Salta: the route of the historic towns
Leaving the capital behind, the traditional route west and south follows a network of mountain roads connecting the high-altitude oases. This circuit, known as "the loop around the valleys," is one of the best places to explore in Salta .
Cachi: colonial architecture and altitude
To reach Cachi from Salta city, you must travel 160 kilometers along Provincial Route 33. This journey takes approximately 4 hours and crosses the Cuesta del Obispo (reaching 3,457 meters above sea level at Piedra del Molino). Then you cross the Recta del Tin Tin, a perfectly preserved Inca road through Los Cardones National Park. For those who prefer not to drive on winding mountain roads, a full-day excursion to Cachi is the easiest option.
This town in Salta province awaits visitors with its cobblestone streets and whitewashed adobe architecture. The most prominent building is the Church of San José, a National Historic Monument , whose roof is constructed entirely from cardon wood, the giant cactus of the region. Across from the main square, the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum houses more than 5,000 artifacts dating back 10,000 years.
If the goal is to go beyond the traditional route and climb even higher into the mountains, from Cachi you can take the excursion to La Poma . This tour travels along the most pristine and untamed stretch of Route 40, visiting the Inca Granaries , mud silos built under rock overhangs to store corn, and the Devil's Bridge , a natural cavern crossed by an underground river.
A more complete alternative is the tour to Cachi with a visit to the Enchanted Valley , which includes a walk through eroded rock formations shaped like castles in the Torreón area.
Seclantás and Molinos: the artisanal heart of Salta
Descending south from Cachi on National Route 40, you'll find two towns in Salta province worth exploring at your leisure. Part of the route is unpaved, so slow driving is recommended.
Thirty kilometers from Cachi lies Seclantás, the "Cradle of the Salta Poncho ." Here, the Artisans' Trail invites visitors into the courtyards of family homes to observe the rustic wooden looms where master weavers spin sheep and llama wool. This material is dyed with local roots and bark to create the traditional red and black garment.
Continuing another 15 kilometers along the same gravel road, you reach Molinos . Its urban layout is like stepping back into the 18th century. The main building is the old Isasmendi Hacienda (now a hotel), which belonged to the last royal governor of Salta. Opposite it stands the Church of San Pedro Nolasco , which houses the mummified remains of Isasmendi himself.
Angastaco and the Quebrada de las Flechas
About 40 kilometers south of Molinos (always on gravel road Route 40), lies Angastaco . This town is located within one of Argentina's most impressive geological phenomena: the Quebrada de las Flechas (Arrow Gorge ).
For approximately 20 kilometers, the route winds through a gorge flanked by slabs of gray and reddish sedimentary rock, tilted by tectonic movements and wind erosion. Their sharp peaks, pointing skyward, create a landscape that seems otherworldly.
Cafayate, capital town of Torrontés
Cafayate is 200 kilometers from the city of Salta (via National Route 68) and 160 kilometers south of Cachi (via Route 40). It is the second most important tourist destination in the province and the wine-producing epicenter of northern Argentina. Its altitude of 1,683 meters and its wide temperature range create the perfect microclimate for the Torrontés grape, Argentina's only 100% native white grape variety .
The modern Museum of Vine and Wine explains the physiological processes of the vine at high altitudes and local winemaking techniques. Its exhibits are presented in audiovisual and interactive installations.
If you're traveling to Salta without a car, a private tour to Cafayate is excellent, as it covers the entire Quebrada de las Conchas (Shells Gorge). The tour stops at famous geological formations like the Amphitheater and the Devil's Throat and includes a visit to a winery for a tasting of high-altitude wines .
The best way to explore the entire valley without driving on gravel roads is the 2-day Calchaquí Valleys tour . It connects Cachi, Cafayate, and Salta, with transfers included and options for overnight stays along the route.
Exploring the Salta Puna: High-altitude excursions
Salta's geography doesn't end in the valleys. To the northwest, the Andes Mountains rise, forming the Puna , a high desert plateau that reaches over 3,500 meters in altitude. If the Calchaquí Valley is ochre and reddish, the Puna is white and blue. The Vuelta por las Alturas (Tour of the Highlands) tour is perfect for exploring this extreme region on one of the most scenic routes in the country.
The route ascends through the Quebrada del Toro gorge, following the tracks of the famous Train to the Clouds, until reaching the mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres . From there, it crosses the provincial border into Jujuy to walk across the immense salt flats of the Salinas Grandes , returning to Salta via the Cuesta de Lipán pass.
Another alternative focused exclusively on railway and mining history is the full-day tour to San Antonio de los Cobres , which allows you to thoroughly explore this remote Andean settlement at almost 4,000 meters above sea level and admire the monumental La Polvorilla Viaduct , a masterpiece of Argentine engineering.
Technical tips for traveling around Salta
For those planning a 10- to 15-day trip, logistics are crucial. Distances shouldn't be measured in kilometers, but in driving hours , especially on Route 40, where loose gravel, potholes, and washboarding require driving at no more than 40 km/h.
Hydration is the primary tool for combating altitude sickness; it is recommended to drink 3 to 4 liters of water daily above 2,000 meters . Additionally, it's always a good idea to download offline maps (such as Google Maps or Maps.me) before leaving Salta or Cafayate, as there is no internet or cell service on more than 70% of the mountain and valley routes.