Wine and Mountains
Trip Highlights
Description
A 4WD safari tour of the heart of Argentina’s Andean mountain plateau, combined with the Valles Calchaquies wine region.
It’s combined with a tour of the Valles Calchaquies wine region, where the white grape of Torrontes finds its best expression, and apart from the classic Argentine Malbec, you can also sample Tannat, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Wine lovers should see our Classic Wine route or Salta to Mendoza trip for more details on the sacred grape: either of those trips can be combined with this one.
Click here to view map route.
Tour info
To be discussed upon booking
To be discussed upon booking
Why take this tour?
From Salta city, we head south into the Valles Calchaquies over one or two days, gradually acclimatizing with overnights at close to 2,000m altitude before climbing into the very southern edge of Argentina’s mountain plateau nr Hualfin, Catamarca, where we rise gradually to nearly 4,000m altitude.
There is a complete change of landscape as we transition from the valley to the Altiplano: we are rewarded with views of snow-topped mountains and lagoons speckled with wild vicuña, the cameloids of the high mountain plateau. We arrive in El Peñon, an oasis of a town set in the middle of the plain, and a strategic jumping-off spot to visit the extraordinary lunar landscape of the Piedra Pomez (pumice stone) fields at the very southern edge of the Altiplano.
We can visit Laguna Grande, home to thousands of flamingoes during the breeding season of September to March and the pukara (fort) of La Alumbrera, built by the Belen tribe, dating from 1,000AD. This vantage point offers some great views of the lagoons, the Puna town of Antofagasta de la Sierra, and the mountains beyond.
We will visit the oasis town of Antofalla, then head on to the Cono de Arita Salt Pyramid, set like an island in the ocean of the biggest salt flat in Argentina, the Salar of Arizaro: from here it’s a short journey north with some breathtaking close up views of the Andes mountain range, onto Tolar Grande.
This old railway town in the shadow of the volcano of Llullaillaco is set in an extraordinary red rock landscape.
We return to Salta through the Desierto del Diablo, via the viaduct of La Polvorilla where the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) finishes its journey, and the Quebrada del Toro: another complete change of landscape, where we can visit the pre-Inca ruins of Tastil.
Included
Local Tour Guide
Private Own Vehicle
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 Info
This trip covers some very rough roads in the mountain plateau, so for safety and comfort we advise a maximum of three passengers per vehicle. If you're travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we can normally accommodate you in two 4x4s.
This trip covers some very rough roads in the mountain plateau, so for safety and comfort we advise a maximum of three passengers per vehicle. If you're travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we can normally accommodate you in two 4x4s.