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.

We travel south from Salta through the Parque Nacional de los Cardones into the Valles Calchaquies. We will have time for a couple of hours hiking along the way, and could even visit a vineyard in the world's highest-altitude wine region.

Overnight and acclimatization in Cachi (2,300m altitude), a restful, scenic town protected by a 6,300m mountain range.

On our first day of full hiking, we follow a riverbed upstream, hitting the 3,000m altitude mark before a picnic lunch. Then it’s a tough climb to a peak of 3,558m, our highest altitude along the whole walk, to be rewarded by some stunning views of the snow-topped mountains of Cachi, Palermo, and San Miguel: and the multi-colored canyon of Vallecito. We arrive at Patahuasi for our overnight stop in the adobe brick home of Juan and Nilda. They will cook us dinner before the night’s entertainment: marveling at the stunning starscape in this corner of the wilderness.

distance 16km: hiking time 6 to 8 hrs: highest altitude 3,558m: overnight altitude 3,531m

The following day we descend gently into Vallecito canyon: a little-visited spot of great natural beauty between the Valles Calchaquies and the gorge of the Quebrada del Toro. We can visit the primary school where a teacher and a cook live most of the year dedicated to a handful of pupils. The landscape over the next few kilometres, as we continue our descent along the river bed, was transformed by a mudslide during the rainy season of summer 2016. A 10-metre deep channel was gouged out in the course of a few hours: an example of the dramatic erosion which constantly changes the landscape in this area. Overnight in the adobe home of Beto and Elda.

distance 13km: hiking time 4 to 5 hrs: highest altitude 3,531m (start): overnight altitude 2,690m

An early morning start to walk out of the valley, climbing to a peak of 3,276m, with great views of snow-topped mountains and the Parque Nacional de Los Cardones. We get a birds’ eye view of Payogasta valley before descending for lunch: empanadas and cold Salta beer. From here we can visit the Inca ruins of Potrero before returning to Salta. Or, with a few extra days, we can continue by vehicle south into the Valles Calchaquies wine region or north towards La Poma and the Altiplano mountain plateau.

distance 17km: hiking time 6 to 8 hrs: highest altitude 3,276m

overall distance: 46 km over 3 days

highest altitude: 3,558m

maximum distance per day: 18km

grade of difficulty: 4/5

• English-speaking Driver/Guide accompanied by Local Spanish-speaking hiking guide

• Own private vehicle (days 1 & 5)

• All meals and accommodation

• Sun Protection

• Dinner on Day 1

• Hiking equipment