I'm not planning on booking this immediately, but just gathering information. I know the accommodations are budget, so ignore that part if you are not into that. I'm more interested in the content of the tour as described.

BUDGET TOUR SALTA & MENDOZA (8 nights)
http://www.budgettoursargentina.com/...dget-tour.html

Thanks for your feedback.

I wouldbetter takea day tour to Humahuaca and one day tour to Cafayate. The tour Backpacjers to the clouds is at the moment too long, there are some parts of the road damagesd by a slide and the whole loopis really exhausting and too mcuh driving for a day...
Just CAfayate and Humahuaca if you are limitted in time.
Flintstones

I agree with the poster above that Day 4 of that tour is way too long, and I thought the route of the clouds was not very interesting compared to the other options around Salta. I liked the route south to Cafayate, and north to Humahuaca/Tilcara quite a lot. They were different enough to make both interesting. We accessed the salt flats (Salinas Grandes) which I highly recommendfrom Purmamarca. If you can make time, try to spend the night in Purmamarca or Tilcara, both pleasant small towns with lots of dining and lodging options. I can't comment on Mendoza vs. Salta (have only been to the northwest), but given the distance to get there, personally I'd rather not spend so much time traveling between these regions and would concentrate on taking more time at a more leisurely pace in the Northwest. Just my opinion. Depends on what interests you. There is wine touring around Cafayete if that is your main reason to go to Mendoza, although the route into the high Andes would probably be worthwhile. I just haven't done it to comment.

I looked at the tour. It costs about US$505. If you look at the days when you are actually being toured somewhere it would be days 3,4,6,7 and 8. The rest is time on a bus or a free day. There do not appear to be any lunches or dinners included so you would need to add the cost of those. I make it about 17 meals you need to pay for.
If you are just starting your research, why not check out the cost of a bus between the points you would be traveling. Note that there are different classes of bus with different prices, but you could get an idea. They don't say what class of bus you travel on.
http://www.omnilineas.com.ar/
Then price the nights you would spend in a hostel. Also look at some day tours in the areas you would be visiting and what they cost. That will give you some idea of what it would cost to do the trip independently.
I would almost say concentrate on the NW only, but I am not a huge fan of Mendoza.

We did something similar over a longer period but driving ourselves in a rental car for the circuit of Salta and overnight buses for for the longer trips between regions. If you are happy driving yourself or I would suggest that you look into costing the trip idependently as the flexibility that yur own car provides will IMO add greatly to your experience.

Many people love Mendoza but, having spent quite a bit of time in both regions, like Huentetu, I have to say it was not a favourite for me and I would be inclined to spend the whole 8 days in Salta.

It is perfectly possible to organise this trip yourself if you have the time and, if there are two of you travelling, you could probably do it a bit cheaper. From memory the longer overnight bus trips from say BA to Salta were costing us around 250-300 pesos pp for "full cama" which provides a flat bed and a bit of luxury essential if you value your sleep! - well worth the extra cash).
I cant recall how much we paid for renting the car in Salta but I do recall that it wasn't as expensive as I expected (we used Hertz who were very helpful).

The budget hostel accommodation in Argentina is generally of a reasonable standard with clean rooms, hot showers (en-suites are easy to find). We were paying around $20-25 US for a private ensuite double. If travelling solo, dorms are a lot cheaper - www.hostelworld.com .

We drove the route alongside the tren de la nubes which follows the train line virtually all the way with some great scenery but totally agree that it is a VERY long way. BTW San Antonio is a complete dump and I can't think why they are promoting a walk around the town (Think those old westerns with tumbleweed and dust storms!).

As for the rest of the Salta trip, there is just so much to see and I just recall being totally amazed at the beauty and diversity of the region almost at every turn. Shame that they are making you choose between Cachi and Cafayte as both are beautiful. The Salt flats are breathtaking.

This is very good feedback. Thanks. It will be a while before I can get to Argentina again, but I am still thinking about it .

From Crellston ....We drove the route alongside the tren de la nubes which follows the train line virtually all the way with some great scenery but totally agree that it is a VERY long way. BTW San Antonio is a complete dump and I can't think why they are promoting a walk around the town (Think those old westerns with tumbleweed and dust storms!).
That is perfectly true, Crellstone... and do not mention it when people get sick! And traveller318.... "I thought the route of the clouds was not very interesting compared to the other options around Salta."
Two great advices! Listen to them. Those are valuable advices!
FLintstones