Classic Wine Route
Trip Highlights
Description
Explore the varied landscape of the Valles Calchaquies and its excellent boutique wineries in this Argentine wine tour par excellence.
Our Classic wine route combines Salta's superb boutique wineries in the highest altitude wine region in the world with the breathtaking landscape of north west Argentina.
Apart from the ubiquitous Malbec, this area is known for its fine Torrontes and Tannat.
Click here to view map route.
Tour info
To be discussed upon booking
To be discussed upon booking
Why take this tour?
We head south through the tobacco fields of the Valle de Lerma, and take the winding mountain road up the Cuesta del Obispo, rising to a peak of 3,500m to cross into the Parque Nacional de Los Cardones, where candelabra cacti pepper the landscape as far as the eye can see. We will visit the picturesque towns of Payogasta and Cachi, and may also make a trip to see rarely-visited Inca ruins at Potrero. In Cachi, as in most small towns of the Andean northwest, you'll see typical buildings of adobe and cactus wood, including the beautifully preserved church: this is also our first chance to visit a boutique vineyard.
We continue our trip south through Salta's Argentine wine country via the historic town of Molinos, home of the last ever Spanish Royalist governor, and the picturesque villages of Seclantas and Angastaco: all set in outstanding and constantly-changing scenery. The Quebrada de las Flechas is a breath-taking lunar landscape. I hope we can find time to visit the wine resort of Colomé, which boasts the highest altitude vineyards in the world, and an excellent museum dedicated to the Californian artist James Turrell.
We arrive at Cafayate, the hub of Salta's wine region, home to some of the best boutique vineyards in the New World. And don’t miss the delicious wine ice cream, made with red Cabernet Sauvignon or white Torrontes.
Just south of Cafayate, at the pre-Inca ruins of Quilmes, you’ll discover the extraordinary story of this Diaguita tribe who lived an independent life for centuries, until the Spanish invaders cruelly broke their resistance. Nearby, at Amaicha del Valle, is one of the most impressive museums in Argentina, a work of art in itself: Pachamama Museum, dedicated to the pre-Hispanic indigenous culture.
After lunch in another of Cafayate's excellent vineyards, we will return to Salta via the stunning ochre landscape of the Quebrada de las Conchas, a former river bed thought to be 60 million years old. It's not hard to imagine dinosaurs stalking this prehistoric-looking landscape.
Included
Local Guide Tour
Own Private Vehicle
Wine Tasting
Excluded
Food
Water
Accommodation
Things to know
Your Budget
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lo...
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lot cheaper than Buenos Aires, and your holiday in Argentina is even better value once we take you on the road on one of our trips. Read our guide to the "Blue Dollar" here.
Covid-19
Our tour company conforms to national guidelines on Covid-19. Social distancing of 1.5m is recommended, and the use of protective hand masks is mandatory in enclosed public areas. Within our vehicles (normally 4x4 pick-ups), we will provide masks and sanitizer, and temperature checks for travelle...
Our tour company conforms to national guidelines on Covid-19. Social distancing of 1.5m is recommended, and the use of protective hand masks is mandatory in enclosed public areas. Within our vehicles (normally 4x4 pick-ups), we will provide masks and sanitizer, and temperature checks for travellers during our trips. Transportation vehicles and all equipment are regularly sanitized between use.
Accommodation & Food
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$10 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine...
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$10 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in a smart restaurant is unlikely to set you back more than US$50 for a couple.
Pricing
Below are our daily rates for Argentina holidays, all with your own private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Prices are per person excluding food and accommodation:
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Fo...
Below are our daily rates for Argentina holidays, all with your own private vehicle and English-speaking guide. Prices are per person excluding food and accommodation:
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Prices are per person and valid until 31 August 2023.
Group Size
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.