Argentina / Salta, Jujuy & the Northwest
Salta, Jujuy & the Northwest — Argentina's Andean Heart
Colonial cities, rainbow mountains and ancient Andean culture
Introduction
Salta is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in South America — its rose-pink buildings grouped in a fertile valley ringed by the Andes, preserved with unusual care across four centuries. Jujuy province extends north into landscapes of extraordinary colour and silence. Together they form the heart of the Argentine northwest, a region that rewards the curious and surprises even those who believe they know South America well.
The experiences we arrange in Salta and Jujuy are exactly what makes this region memorable. Private colonial city tours cover the cathedral, the Cabildo, and the MAAM — which houses the most significant collection of Inca high-altitude artifacts in the world. Day excursions south take you through the coloured rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas to the Cafayate wine valley and its high-altitude Torrontés. The two-day Vuelta a los Valles Calchaquíes covers the full circuit through Cachi, the Quebrada, and Cafayate. And from Purmamarca, full-day circuits through the Quebrada de Humahuaca and 4x4 excursions to the Salinas Grandes at altitude reveal the region's most dramatic landscapes.
Quick Facts
April–October
Salta Airport (SLA)
5–7 days
Culture, Nature, Photography
Highlights
What Awaits You
Quebrada de Humahuaca
UNESCO-listed canyon of fourteen-coloured mountains and ancient villages.
Salta Colonial City
Rose-pink architecture, the country's finest empanadas, and Andean foothills.
Salinas Grandes
Vast white salt flats and the silence of the high Puna.
Tilcara & Purmamarca
Indigenous markets, adobe villages, and the famous Cerro de los Siete Colores.
Experiences in Salta, Jujuy & the Northwest
Jujuy · Half Day
Jujuy City Tour
Explore the colonial heart of San Salvador de Jujuy, one of Argentina's oldest and most culturally rich cities. Visit the historic cabildo where Argentina's national flag was first blessed, the cathedral, the government palace, and the artisan markets that reflect the region's deep indigenous heritage.
Jujuy · Full Day
Quebrada de Humahuaca — UNESCO World Heritage Valley
Journey through the spectacular Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed valley of extraordinary geological color and deep Andean cultural significance. Visit the village of Tilcara, the Pucará fortress ruins, and the iconic Hill of Seven Colors near Purmamarca.
Jujuy · Full Day
Salinas Grandes & Purmamarca — Salt Flats & Seven Colors
Two of Argentina's most visually stunning landscapes in one day: the blinding white expanse of Salinas Grandes at 3,450m altitude and the multicolored cerro of Purmamarca with its famous Hill of Seven Colors. A photographer's dream.
Jujuy · Full Day
Hornocal & Humahuaca — Hill of Fourteen Colors
Push beyond the well-known Seven Colors to reach Hornocal, the stunning 14-color mountain considered the most vibrantly colored geological formation in Argentina. Combined with a visit to the historic town of Humahuaca.
Jujuy · Full Day
Lagunas de Yala & Termas de Reyes
A restorative day combining the crystal-clear mountain lakes of Yala Provincial Park with a soak in the thermal springs of Termas de Reyes, nestled in a dramatic Andean gorge just 19km from Jujuy city.
Jujuy · Half Day
Diques — Mountain Reservoir Circuit
Explore the series of stunning mountain reservoirs surrounding Jujuy, whose mirror-like surfaces reflect the surrounding Andean peaks in extraordinary fashion. A peaceful, scenic excursion that showcases a lesser-known side of the Jujuy landscape.
Jujuy · Full Day
Iruya — Remote Andean Village
A challenging but unforgettable journey to Iruya, one of the most remote and preserved indigenous villages in Argentina. Perched at 2,780m and accessible only via a dramatic mountain road, this ancient community offers a genuine window into Andean life unchanged for centuries.
Jujuy · Full Day
Parque Nacional Calilegua — Cloud Forest
Descend from the Andean highlands into the spectacular Yungas cloud forest of Calilegua National Park — one of Argentina's most biodiverse ecosystems, home to pumas, tapirs, toucans, and howler monkeys.
Jujuy · Full Day
Parque Nacional Calilegua & San Francisco — Extended
An extended exploration combining the Yungas cloud forest of Calilegua with the San Francisco Valley, traveling through four distinct ecological zones in a single dramatic day.
Jujuy · Full Day
La Quiaca & Yavi — Bolivian Border & Colonial Heritage
Travel to the Bolivian border at La Quiaca and visit the remarkably preserved colonial church and village of Yavi, one of the finest examples of 17th-century Andean architecture in Argentina. A journey to over 3,400m altitude.
Jujuy · Full Day
Termas de Jordán — Trekking & Hot Springs
Trek through the cloud forest to reach the remote thermal springs of Jordán, where natural hot pools offer a spectacular reward after a beautiful mountain hike. One of Jujuy's most rewarding active experiences.
Jujuy · Full Day
Laguna de Pozuelos — Flamingo Sanctuary
Journey to the remote Laguna de Pozuelos, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds in South America. At 3,600m altitude on the high-altitude puna, this is an otherworldly wildlife experience.
Jujuy · Half Day
Solar Train of the Quebrada — 360° Experience
Board the world's first solar-powered tourist train for a unique 360° journey through the UNESCO-listed Quebrada de Humahuaca. Departing from Volcán, the train travels through the valley with panoramic views from all sides. Operates daily except Mondays and Wednesdays.
Salta · Half Day
Salta City Tour
Discover why Salta is called "La Linda" on this guided tour of one of Argentina's finest colonial cities. Visit the main plaza, the MAAM Museum of High-Altitude Archaeology, the San Bernardo convent, and the hilltop panoramic viewpoint. Daily departures.
Salta · Half Day
Walking Tour of Salta
Explore the compact historic center of Salta on foot with a knowledgeable local guide. Dive deeper into the stories behind the colonial facades, the regional cuisine, and the vibrant street life that makes Salta one of Argentina's most beloved cities.
Salta · Full Day
Historical Circuit — Battle of Salta
A specialist historical excursion tracing the sites of the 1813 Battle of Salta — a decisive moment in Argentina's independence war — through the surrounding landscape and museums.
Salta · Full Day
Cafayate — Wine Country & Canyon Drive
Travel south through the dramatic Quebrada de Cafayate — a canyon of rust-red rock formations — to Cafayate, Argentina's high-altitude wine capital. Home to the world's finest Torrontés white wines and exceptional Malbec.
Salta · Full Day
Cafayate Wine Route — Alta Vista Wineries
A dedicated wine route excursion through the Cafayate valley visiting multiple bodegas. Taste the unique terroir of this high-altitude wine region and understand why Cafayate Torrontés is considered unlike any other white wine on earth.
Salta · Full Day
Cachi & Los Cardones National Park
Drive one of Argentina's most spectacular roads through the Los Cardones National Park — a forest of giant candelabra cacti — to the white colonial village of Cachi, set against a backdrop of 6,000m Andean peaks.
Salta · Full Day
Quebrada de Humahuaca from Salta
A full-day journey from Salta through the UNESCO World Heritage Quebrada de Humahuaca, visiting Purmamarca, Tilcara, and the famous Hill of Seven Colors. Note: not valid for use as a transfer to Jujuy.
Salta · Full Day
Salinas Grandes & Purmamarca from Salta
A full-day excursion from Salta to Argentina's spectacular salt flats and the multicolored hills of Purmamarca, including a crossing of the Lipán Pass at over 4,200m altitude.
Salta · Full Day
Cabra Corral — Reservoir & Gaucho Country
Visit the Cabra Corral reservoir, one of Salta province's most scenic landscapes, surrounded by subtropical valleys and traditional gaucho estancias.
Salta · Full Day
Tren a las Nubes — Train to the Clouds
One of Argentina's most legendary train journeys: the Tren a las Nubes climbs from Salta to 4,220m altitude through 21 tunnels, 29 bridges, and 13 viaducts to the La Polvorilla viaduct. A bucket-list Argentine experience.
Salta · Full Day
Vuelta por las Alturas — Salinas Grandes 4x4
An off-road 4x4 adventure through the high-altitude landscapes of Salta province, culminating at the spectacular Salinas Grandes salt flats. A more adventurous and immersive way to experience the altiplano.
Salta · Full Day
San Antonio de los Cobres & the Viaduct
Journey to the remote Andean village of San Antonio de los Cobres at 3,775m altitude, stopping at the spectacular La Polvorilla viaduct — the dramatic climax of the Tren a las Nubes route.
Salta · Full Day
Jujuy & Surroundings from Salta
A full-day excursion from Salta to neighboring Jujuy province, taking in the colonial center of San Salvador de Jujuy, the Quebrada valley approach, and the surrounding Andean landscapes.
Salta · Multi-Day (2 days)
Quebrada de Humahuaca + Iruya — 2-Day Expedition
A two-day expedition combining the UNESCO Quebrada de Humahuaca with a journey to remote Iruya — the isolated Andean village accessible only by a thrilling mountain road. Accommodation in Iruya not included.
Salta · Multi-Day (2 days)
Vuelta a los Valles Calchaquíes — 2-Day Wine & Culture Route
A two-day circuit through the legendary Calchaquí Valleys visiting Cachi, the Quebrada, and Cafayate. Combines colonial heritage, indigenous history, world-class wine, and some of South America's most dramatic scenery. Accommodation in Cafayate not included.
Journeys That Include Salta, Jujuy & the Northwest
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