My husband and I are returning to Argentina at the end of December - we were in Mendoza and BA a couple of years ago, and now want to visit Cafayate area, but we only have 5 nights. We fly into Salta around noon and will rent a car.

Now we need your suggestions - route? length of time in an area? must see things?

We enjoy seeing the landscape, meeting people, good wine ( and while we only have a short time, we don't want to be rushed). We were thinking driving right away to Cachi and spending 1 night, then spending 4 nights in Cafayate, before returning to Salta to fly out.

Thanks, your suggestions are greatly appreciated....

Here is a link to our blog with photos and details

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/1/tpod.html Entries #75 on cover our time in the Salta region. We rented a car and found that the area suits a driving circuit staying maybe a night or two in each place rather than 4 days in just one place as there is so much to see along the way as well as in the individual towns and villages. It is really dificult to chose any favourite places as everywhere was great but try not to miss the Salineras Grande salt flats. Cachi was great and we stayed at a fantastic place about 8 kms outside of town called Finca La Paya - definitely worth a look but you will need to book. Otherwise we just turned up at each place and took pot luck.

Put Salta in the search box top right and that should bring up lots of trip reports for ideas. 5 days is good but 6 would be better. The tourist office in teh centre of Salta had some simple but very good maps of the circuit which were free.

I would suggest a night or two in the Purmamarca area to explore Humahuaca, Tilcara, etc.

We spent our four nights in Salta which is a great town, but it made for extremely long day trips, going out in each direction. I think you would find the same thing if you spend four night in Cafayate unless that is the only area you want to see.

Five nights are not a lot of time but if two dasy for Cafayate and two to see the northern area, Purmamarca,Humahuaca and the salt flats are a good way of enjoying. If you want to include Cachi in your itinerary you need one more day... and maybe a day for SALTA town.
Flintsotne

We spent 8 nights in the NW and there were places that I think can be skipped, so in five nights you would hit the highlights. I think 4 nights in Cafayate would be too much, and agree with the comments that you want two nights in Purmamaraca or Tilcara. We stayed in both and each had something to offer, but they are close enough that you can visit one from the other, along with the salt flats. I found that area (along with Humahuaca) and Cafayate and the canyons just to the north of Cafayate (can't remember the name) the most interesting.

Personally, I think Cachi could be skipped if time is short. We chose to skip the treacherous Rte. 40 from there to Cafayate so we backtracked to Salta. Santa Rosa de Tastil and San Antonio de los Cobres were our least favorite places. And make sure to spend some time in Salta itself. Lovely colonial town and the MAAM museum was very good.

Trip report starts here (and the next four pages)

http://mwillia.users.sonic.net/Matts..._Cafayate.html

Have a great trip.

I agree with travellers. You cna skip Cachi. And I think you have no time to see SAC and Santa Rosa de Tastil, but Humahuaca GOrge, (Purmamarca - Tilcara - Salt flaats - Humahuaca) is something you should not miss.
Have a wonderful time!!!
Angie/Flintstones

Thannk you for your suggestions - too little time, too much to see.... We have decided to rent a vehicle when we land and drive to Cafayate, enjoying the sights along the way and stopping at Bodega Colome. We will spend three nights in Cafayate exploring the wineries, seeing the surrounding sites, and exploring the town, then drive back to Salta for 2 nights.

From Salta we will do a full day drive to Purmamarca /Salt Fields and then Humahuaca. Any recommendations on that drive from Salta (best route; which to see first)? Is this even doable? If we can't do Purmamarca /Salt Fields and then Humahuaca in 1 day, what do you recommend? Another possible obstacle is that this 1 day whirlwind tour is planned for New Year's Day....