Mountains to Cloud Forest trekking

This deep dive into the tranquility of north west Argentina's extraordinary landscape takes you into areas most locals haven't even explored. It straddles two completely different eco systems: the semi-desert Quebrada de Humahuaca and verdant green Cloud Forest.

Days 1 & 2: we travel north into the Quebrada de Humahuaca, seeing all the main highlights of this colourful canyon, including the Seven Coloured hill of Purmamarca, the Painter’s Palette of Maimara and (weather and time permitting) the Fourteen Coloured Hill of Hornocal. There are also many vestiges of the past in this historic area, an important stop along the main road from Buenos Aires to Lima in colonial times: ancient churches, a Spanish fort and pre-Inca ruins. We’ll also visit the salt flats of the Salinas Grandes: and may also have time to visit one of the new boutique wineries in this developing wine region. 

Day 3: hike day 1: we set off from Tilcara in local transport to begin our hike in the hills above Casa Colorada, and start with a tough climb of 6km which takes us up to lunchtime: reaching a peak of 4,200m altitude, the highest point along the whole journey. After lunch in the mountains with a view of the 5,050 peak of Cerro Naranjo (Orange Tree Hill), there’s a gradual descent across an open plain studded with lagoons, pools, yaretilla grass hillocks and pink quartzite rock (if we’re lucky we’ll spot wild guanaco or vicuña). Then we take a narrow mountain path, offering panoramic views of our destination in three days’ time: Calilegua Cloud forest, shrouded in mist and mystery.

distance: 16km: hiking time: 8 to 10 hrs: highest altitude: 4,150m: overnight altitude: 3,215m.

Day 4: hike day 2: for the first couple of hours, we zig-zag up the opposite side of the mountain from our point of arrival yesterday, arriving at an Apacheta shrine: a cairn built by the ancient peoples to mark high crossings at just over 3,500m. We are rewarded with stunning views of the Cloud Forest at every turn of the narrow mountain trail. After hiking through open hillsides we descend to our overnight stop of Molulo, Here, If we arrive early enough, we can visit the residential primary school nearby: 14 pupils whose families live in the nearby hamlets live and study here, 20 days on and 10 days off.

distance: 12km: hiking time: 6 to 8 hrs: highest altitude 3,500m: overnight altitude: 3,450m.

Day 5: hike day 3: for most of the third day, we transition into the verdant landscape of Calilegua Cloud forest: gently descending before a final (and tough!) 2km climb at the end of the day. From here we follow the rolling green hills to the small settlement of adobe houses that is San Lucas: one of the most delightful villages in northwest Argentina.  

distance: 18km: hiking time: 8 to 10 hrs: highest altitude 3,060m: overnight altitude: 1,865m. 

Day 6: hike day 4: the final short day trek takes us through the lush green valleys and red rockscape of the Cloud forest: if we’re lucky we’ll spot condors nesting here. As the hike ends at Peña Alta (1,353m altitude), we bid farewell to our baqueano and the mules who head off on their three day return to Tilcara. From here, we can return directly to Salta or continue on to the Bolivia wine region. 

distance: 12km: hiking time: 5 to 6 hrs: highest altitude 1,865m. 

overall distance: 58 km over 4 days

highest altitude: 4,200m

maximum distance per day: 18km

grade of difficulty: 5/5

Available April to November