Hiking Tours
All our tours in the North West of Argentina are designed and timed to avoid the crowds, and because we travel at a gentle pace we can incorporate hikes of a couple of hours a day into most of our trips. We can also hire mountain bikes and arrange horseriding expeditions (or even trekking with llama) with local specialists.
And if you really want to get off the beaten track, we can take you hiking into the hills, where you’ll discover a world largely untouched by modern progress.
These trips are dedicated to getting out of the vehicle and off the beaten track: invited into the homes of local country folk far from the main tourist trails in the stunning, untouched landscape.
Hiking Tours
Colours of Vallecito
A voyage of discovery into the untouched landscape between the Valles Calchaquies and the Quebrada del Toro, only accessible on foot, horse, or donkey.
This challenging hike covers 48 km over 3 days, rising to 3,558m altitude.
It follows the old trade route between the fertile valleys of the Calchaquies and Lerma and the mountain plateau.
You won't forget the experience of being far from the hubbub of modern life, in touch with the inner tranquility of times past.
This hiking tour combines perfectly with our Classic Wine route of the Valles Calchaquies Salta wine region.
Mountain Trekking in Iruya
This high-altitude trek through the multi-coloured hills around Iruya takes us into the heart of local communities untouched by the modern world.
We visit small settlements in the mountains surrounding the tiny hill town of Iruya, close to the Bolivian border. Following trails used for centuries by the locals, we stay with local indigenous families in tiny hamlets only accessible on foot. This trip is combined with a visit to the must see attractions sites of the UNESCO-protected Quebrada de Humahuaca, like the Seven Coloured hill of Purmamarca and the 14 Colours of Hornocal.
Expedition to the Cloud Forest
Hiking verdant green trails in the sub-tropical Argentina Cloud Forest in Jujuy: an oasis of plants and birdlife.
This is part of the UNESCO region of the Yungas, which contains 300 different species of birds and 100 different types of mammal. Yungas is a word from the Inca language Quechua, meaning “Warm Valleys”.
For lovers of the holy grape, this trip can be combined with the emerging wine region of Jujuy province, Fourteen Colours and Cloud Forest or a
Bolivian wine tour.
Available April to November
Click here to view map route.
Mountains to Cloud Forest trekking
This is one of our most challenging north west Argentina hiking trips, recommended only for experienced trekkers: covering 58km over four days, we climb to an altitude of 4,200m, gradually descending to 1,325m, following the contours of mountain tracks along the way.
This hike offers a complete change in eco-system during four days: starting in the mountains which enfold the Quebrada de Humahuaca, we descend into the Yungas Cloud Forest of the east, following the trail of indigenous traders who travelled between the salt flats and the sub-tropical jungle.
There is an extraordinary range of landscape in these four days, and a warm welcome for modern hikers from the families in the refuges where we sleep overnight.
Available April to November.
The Untouched Landscape
Salta gaucho Jose Sisti, accompanied by his trusty steed, is our local guide for the Colours of Vallecito hike which follows trails linking tiny communities between the Valles Calchaquies wine region and the Quebrada del Toro.
Salta gaucho Jose Sisti, accompanied by his trusty steed, is our local guide for the Colours of Vallecito hike which follows trails linking tiny communities between the Valles Calchaquies wine region and the Quebrada del Toro.
Staying with the locals
Andreas and Heidi Furrer-Küttel from Switzerland with the Herrera family, who welcome Poncho Tours guests to their remote farmhouse. They live along a mountain trail half a day’s walk from Iruya, in Salta’s northeast, close to the Bolivian border.
Andreas and Heidi Furrer-Küttel from Switzerland with the Herrera family, who welcome Poncho Tours guests to their remote farmhouse. They live along a mountain trail half a day’s walk from Iruya, in Salta’s northeast, close to the Bolivian border.
Hike, Bike and Horses
Apart from hiking trips, we can organise mountain biking expeditions and
horseriding: for just a few hours, or for several days. So get in touch with us now and we can start planning your trip to Argentina.
Apart from hiking trips, we can organise mountain biking expeditions and
horseriding: for just a few hours, or for several days. So get in touch with us now and we can start planning your trip to Argentina.
Above the Clouds
Many of our hikes take us to high altitudes, so we always acclimatise along the way, and we never rush. Besides, why would you, when every time you stop for a breather you’re treated to views like this one from Panti Pampa nr Iruya?
Many of our hikes take us to high altitudes, so we always acclimatise along the way, and we never rush. Besides, why would you, when every time you stop for a breather you’re treated to views like this one from Panti Pampa nr Iruya?
A word on the accommodation
Bear in mind overnight stops on these treks can be quite basic, without a phone signal or internet. Part of the appeal of our longer hiking tours are that we normally sleep in a simple adobe house which is off the grid but equipped with solar panels, and there will always be a private room and your own bathroom. (In extreme circumstances we may have to camp).
But we guarantee roughing it for a few days will be worth it; staying with the locals and sharing the routine of their everyday lives is an experience that will live long in the memory.
* Simple gifts of pens, foreign coins, or anything typical of your country will be much appreciated by the children you meet, many of whom have little experience of the wider world.
Planning a hiking tour in Argentina? Don't hesitate to get in touch!