Salta and NW Argentina
 

Hey,
we are going to Salta in Augsut and have 4 days for going around in that region.
We are planning on doing the following trip, maybe you guys can give us some input?

D1: Salta – Purmamarca (7coloured Hill) – Tilcara (Inca ruins Pulcara) – Humahuaca – Maimara (La Paleta del Pintor) – Salinas Grandes – San Antonio de los Cobres

D2: San Antonio de los Cobres – Viaducto La Polvorilla – via Road 51 (Puerto Tastil) - Cuesta del Obispo – Parque Nacional Los Cardones – Cachi

D3:Cachi – Valles Calchaquies – Cafayate + Bodega Tour

D4: Cafayate – Ruinas de Quilmes – Cafayate (lunch) – Quebreda de las Conches (Garganta del Diablo + El Anfiteatro + Sierras de Carahuasi) –Salta

It's probably quite tough to do all of it but it should be doable?
Thanks

We did this trip 5 years ago and, if all goes to plan, will probably do a variation again in a couple of months when we cross into Argentinal from Bolivia. Details and photos of our first trip are on our blog, entries 75 -81

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blo...ai/1/tpod.html

I would say it is doabl but that 4 days is not really enough. The roads are mostly dirt tracks and it does take longer than you think added to which there is something to stop and wonder at around every corner. If at all possible, I would add another day, ideally two.

I'll ask our resident unofficial Salta expert, who posts here as Flintstones, better known as Angie, to help with your question.

She happens to be the best independent guide in our NW. Don't take my word for it. Research her as "Angie", using TA's search feature here: http://tinyurl.com/nw9f4

Have a great time in our country.

Hi; everyone; Thanks, Avrooster, I hope to fulfill your expectations...
I think your plans are very ambitious. But, can you tell me how would you do this? Are you going to drive yourself?
In my opinion, it is a lot to do in such a short time.
Four days seem to be a lot for some destinations as Iguazu, where most of the interesting spot is in one place... but in the NW the distances are long.
I think you should better consider this itinerary;
Day one; Salta - Purmamarca - visiting the salt flats in the late afternoon, to see the sunset.
Day two; Purmamarca - Humahuaca - Tilcara - Salta.
Day Three; Salta - Cafayate
Day four; Cafayate - Salta...
Viaduct La Polvorilla is over the 14,000 ft and if you get jsorolchi (altittude) Sickness it will not be easy for you to drive. Most people get sick there. When you go to the slat flats from Purmamarca you go over 13,600ft but for some reason the air is not as thin as it is at Abra Blanca.
Let´s analyse this...
D1: Salta – Purmamarca (7coloured Hill) – Tilcara (Inca ruins Pulcara) – Humahuaca – Maimara (La Paleta del Pintor) – Salinas Grandes – San Antonio de los Cobres
250 kms to Humahuaca(5hours drive) + 70 kms back to Purmamarca(1hour) +70 kms to the salt flats...(1hour)+100 (2,5hours)kms to San Antonio de los Cobres...490 kms and almost ten hours pure drive... No stops...
D2: San Antonio de los Cobres – Viaducto La Polvorilla – via Road 51 (Puerto Tastil) - Cuesta del Obispo – Parque Nacional Los Cardones – Cachi
Assuming you are still alive to drive 19 kms to La Polvorilla it takes about 1 hour... and five hours down on Quebrada del toro for 190 kms. plus 156 kms (four hours to Cachi) ...
D3:Cachi – Valles Calchaquies – Cafayate + Bodega Tour
Wine tour after that drive?? (I am sorry...)

D4: Cafayate – Ruinas de Quilmes – Cafayate (lunch) – Quebreda de las Conches (Garganta del Diablo + El Anfiteatro + Sierras de Carahuasi) –Salta
Quilmes? Sierras de Carahuasi?? No way man...
I give you all this details just to make you think about it. Do not think in the drive here as it would be somewhere else. The winding roads and the bumping roads meke everythign very hard. I am sorry...
If you need any other info, pls, I will be pleased to help you.
Angie/Flintstones

Thanks for your answers! Yes i am planning to drive myself but since your estimation of the driving hours is a little longer than those of the trip planners in the internet we might reconsider our iternary.
Btw great blog!

Thank you, Flintstones/Angie.

I agree with the above posters and I think that the driving times and suggestions that Giena gives you are right on the money. This is a gorgeous area to visit with much of interest culturally, as well. It would be a shame, IMO, to put so much time into driving that you cannot appreciate the scenic beauty and the culture.

Sometimes,as I have learned in my own travels, LESS is MORE !

Have a lovely time in the Northwest, whatever final plans you make; and please post back about your experiences.

Hey,

I have one more question concerning the accomodation. Since you were great help before I was wondering if you think it's better to book the rooms (rather on the cheap side) in advance or if it would be no problem to find somerhing once we arrive (we prefer the second option)?

Thanks

We were there in Oct last time and cheap rooms were very easy to come by. The one expensive place we chose in Cachi we had to come back to the next day. We are are going to be there again sometime this August and plan just to turn up at each town and find somewhere on arrival. Who knows, we may bump into you!,

frankechristoph when are you coming? If there is a long weekend you will be in trouble as the local tourism is now very active on those days. But I would suggest the following hotels.
ACA in Cachi, Killa in Cafayate, La Comarca in Purmamarca, carpe Diem in Salta.
Angie/Flintstones...

Late to answer but I don't see how you can do day #1 and have time to see anything. Personally, having spent 8 days in the northwest several years ago, I'd recommend you skip San Antionio de los Cobres and spend the night in Purmarca. We thought San Antonio was the least interesting of all the passes/valleys, and you don't have much time so you should concentrate on the better things.

If you don't want to stay in Purmamarca (or Ticara), you could go back to Salta (the same way you came) for that night (still an extraordinarily long day) and then do Cuesta del Obispo – Parque Nacional Los Cardones – Cachi on day 2.

Thanks again for your fast responses! Im going to Salta on the 19th of august.

Flintstones, when are the long weekends you mention in Argentina? We are planning to arrive late August / early September and will try and avoid them if possible ( unless of course there are any good fiestas on!)

crellston: http://feriadosargentina.com/2013#listado

Aug. 17/19, Oct. 12/14 and Nov. 23/25.

So, those long weekends should NOT affect your plans.

I'll leave the info about fiestas to top DE Angie Valdez!

Have a great time in our country, preferably avoiding large egg salads (private joke, LOL!!!).