A 7-day tour of Northern Argentina: Tucumán, Cafayate, Salta and Humahuaca

About this tour

Day 1: Arrival in Tucumán and City Tour

The tour begins with your arrival in San Miguel de Tucumán, where we will transfer you from the airport to your selected hotel.

In the afternoon, at 3:30 pm, we will begin a City Tour of Tucumán, a fundamental city to understand Argentine history and the events that marked the path to independence.

We will tour the area around Plaza Independencia, where some of its most important historical buildings are located, such as the Government House, the Temple of San Francisco, the Cathedral Church and the Church of La Merced.

We will also visit Parque 9 de Julio, one of the city's main green spaces, and the Casa Obispo Colombres Sugar Industry Museum, which allows us to discover the importance of this activity in the economic and social development of the province.

The tour continues around Plaza Urquiza, where the Legislature, the Casino, the San Martín Theater and the National College are located.

At the end, we will return to the hotel.

Day 2: Tucumán – Tafí del Valle – Amaicha del Valle – Quilmes Ruins – Cafayate

At 07:30 h we will begin the journey towards Cafayate, passing through some of the most representative landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys.

We will take Provincial Route 307, which leads into the Los Sosa River Gorge. During the ascent, we will stop at the El Indio monument and continue towards El Mollar, where the ancient menhirs are located—stone monuments that form part of the region's archaeological heritage.

We'll continue towards Tafí del Valle, a picturesque town surrounded by mountains and verdant landscapes. Then, we'll ascend a winding road to the Abra del Infiernillo pass, at 3,042 meters above sea level, one of the most outstanding panoramic viewpoints on the route.

We will visit Amaicha del Valle, where we will explore its main square and surrounding area, before continuing along National Route 40 towards the Sacred City of Quilmes.

This important archaeological site preserves the reconstructions of an ancient pre-Hispanic city, with residential areas, a hilltop fortress, and old forts. We will take a walk to explore one of the main testimonies of the resistance of the indigenous peoples against the Spanish advance.

Finally, we will cross Colalao del Valle until we reach Cafayate, recognized for its vineyards, its winemaking tradition and its characteristic landscapes.

Day 3: Cafayate – Quebrada de las Conchas – Salta

We will start the day in Cafayate, one of the most emblematic towns in the Calchaquí Valleys and one of the main wine-producing centers of the province of Salta.

Its identity combines traditions of Calchaquí, Spanish, immigrant and Creole origin, which are reflected in its colonial and baroque architecture of the late 19th century.

During the day we will visit a winery in the region, where we can learn more about local wine production and discover the characteristic wines of Cafayate, especially the renowned Torrontés.

Afterwards, we will begin our journey to the city of Salta through the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas, a scenic route famous for its rock formations shaped over thousands of years by wind and water erosion.

Among its main attractions are Los Médanos, El Sapo, El Obispo, La Garganta del Diablo, Los Castillos and the Amphitheater, each with its own unique shapes and colors.

At the end of the journey, we will arrive in Salta.

Day 4: City Tour of Salta and San Lorenzo

The morning will be free to enjoy Salta at your own pace.

In the afternoon we will take a City Tour of Salta, visiting the main historical, cultural and natural attractions of the city.

We will visit the Cathedral Basilica, the Cultural Center of the Americas, the Historical Museum of the North, located in the old Cabildo, the Minor Basilica of San Francisco and the San Bernardo Convent.

We will also visit the Güemes Monument and ascend San Bernardo Hill, from where we can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Lerma Valley.

The tour will continue towards San Lorenzo, a summer resort town located on the outskirts of Salta, known for its subtropical vegetation and pleasant microclimate.

Finally, we will visit the Artisan Market, where regional products and handicrafts with certification of origin from different locations in the province are exhibited and sold.

I return to the hotel.

Day 5: Salta – Purmamarca – Tilcara – Humahuaca – San Salvador de Jujuy – Salta

This day will be dedicated to discovering the Quebrada de Humahuaca, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a region where multicolored landscapes combine with traditional villages and ancient cultural expressions.

We will begin in Purmamarca, one of the most picturesque towns in northern Argentina, where we can appreciate the famous Hill of Seven Colors, visit its church and explore the Artisan Market in the square.

We will continue towards the Hornillos Post and then we will arrive in Tilcara, where we will visit the Pucará, an ancient pre-Hispanic fortress, and the Archaeological Museum.

We will continue towards Huacalera, where the Tropic of Capricorn passes, and we will be able to observe the unique mountain formation known as the Pollera de la Colla.

Later we will visit the Church of Uquía, renowned for its paintings of the Arcabuceros Angels, valuable representations of the art of the Cuzco school.

We will arrive in Humahuaca, where we will visit its Cathedral and the Monument to Independence, also known as El Indio, a work by the sculptor Ernesto Soto Avendaño.

After lunch (not included), we will begin the return journey, observing from the road the Painter's Palette, an impressive geological formation that frames the town of Maimará.

The tour will continue to San Salvador de Jujuy, where we will visit the Hall of the Flag, the Cathedral Church and the sculptures of Lola Mora.

Finally, we'll return to Salta via the scenic mountain road, surrounded by subtropical vegetation. Along the way, we'll pass through the Abra de Santa Laura mountain pass and admire the La Ciénaga, Las Maderas, and Campo Alegre dams before arriving back in Salta via Vaqueros.

Day 6: Free day in Salta

Enjoy a free day to explore Salta and its surroundings at your own pace.

You can explore its colonial streets, visit its museums, discover the regional cuisine, or take an optional excursion through the landscapes of northern Argentina.

Day 7: Departure from Salta

At the agreed time, we will transfer you from the hotel to the Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport, where our services will end.

We hope you enjoyed this tour of Northern Argentina!