Hoping some of you who have done this trip can help.

We want to leave Tupiza early morning and spend the night in Tilcara traveling by bus. Is this possible?

We plan on exploring this area by bus and then renting a car in Salta to explore Cafayate etc. Is the north of Salta area easy to get around by bus? We have the time but not sure of the logistics.

Many thanks.

Me again. Might it be better to take the bus straight to Salta and then rent a car to travel north as well, even though is backtracking. Thanks….

I think it is possible. We got a taxi from Tupiza to the border at Villazon, crossed the border to El Quiaca (interesting!). A 20 min walk to the bus station and another bus to Salta. The bus passes through Tilcara en route to purmamarca so it would be no problem jumping off there. As for buses around the area, we didn't see many so I don't imagine they are that frequent.

Good luck!

Me again! Yes, I think it would.

thanks crellston. do you remember the timing of your trip? would be get to Tilcara by evening?

As I recall we left around 9.0am and it took 2 hours to get to the border at Villazon. Maybe an hour to get through exit/ immigration and walk to the bus station in El Quiaca. We had to wait around for a bus for an hour or so I guess we left sometime between 12-1 pm. I think it is around 1-1.5 hours to Purmamarca so a little less to Tilcara.

Leaving in the morning, you would have no trouble reaching Tilcara by evening. You biggest delay could be getting a bus in El Quica but they did seem to leave every hour or so in the morning. Probably less frequently as the day goes on.

Thanks. That gives me a much better idea.