HIKING THE CALCHAQUÍ VALLEYS

A private 4x4 journey with guided hikes (3D/2N)

A journey combining private 4x4 travel with guided hikes through some of the most representative landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys.

Over three days, we cross the Cuesta del Obispo and Los Cardones National Park, hike through the mountains of Valle Encantado and around Brealito Lagoon, visit historic villages and follow National Route 40 to Cafayate. The return journey to Salta takes us through the Quebrada del Río de las Conchas, with a final walk among its remarkable geological formations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Duration: 3 days / 2 nights
• Starting point: your accommodation in Salta
• Endpoint: Salta
• Travel style: private and tailor-made
• Transportation: 4x4 vehicle
• Hikes: Valle Encantado, Brealito Lagoon and Quebrada del Río de las Conchas
• Overnight stays: Cachi (1) and Cafayate (1)
• Maximum altitude: approximately 3,450 m above sea level
• Difficulty: moderate
• Languages: Spanish or English

DAY 1 – VALLE ENCANTADO AND LOS CARDONES NATIONAL PARK

We leave Salta in the morning and ascend along the Cuesta del Obispo towards Los Cardones National Park. On the way, we enter Valle Encantado, provided that weather conditions and access to the protected area permit the visit.

Here, we take an approximately two-hour hike through high-altitude grasslands and rock formations, with sweeping views across the mountains. Andean condors frequent this area and, under favourable conditions, may be seen riding the thermal currents rising above the Cuesta del Obispo.

After the hike, we return to the vehicle for a picnic lunch. We then continue to Piedra del Molino, one of the highest points along the route, and cross Los Cardones National Park before descending into the Calchaquí Valley.

In the afternoon, we arrive in Cachi, where we spend the night and have time to explore its historic centre.

• Route: Salta – Cuesta del Obispo – Valle Encantado – Los Cardones National Park – Cachi
• Approximate distance: 160 km
• Hiking time: approximately 2 hours
• Road conditions: paved, gravel and mountain roads
• Maximum altitude: approximately 3,450 m above sea level
• Lunch: picnic during the journey
• Overnight: Cachi

DAY 2 – BREALITO LAGOON AND NATIONAL ROUTE 40

After breakfast, we continue south along National Route 40. We visit Seclantás, a village renowned for its traditional crafts and handwoven textiles, before travelling to Brealito Lagoon, located at approximately 2,700 metres above sea level.

From there, we take a four- to five-hour hike around the lagoon. The trail forms a complete circuit, without retracing the same path, and offers a quiet, rarely visited environment surrounded by the mountain landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys.

After completing the hike, we return to the vehicle and continue to Molinos. We visit its historic church and pass the former residence of Nicolás Severo de Isasmendi, the last royalist governor of Salta.

We then continue along National Route 40 through Angastaco and the Quebrada de las Flechas, one of the valley’s most striking geological landscapes. After passing through San Carlos, we arrive in Cafayate, where we spend the night.

• Route: Cachi – Seclantás – Brealito Lagoon – Molinos – Angastaco – Quebrada de las Flechas – San Carlos – Cafayate
• Approximate distance: 182 km
• Hiking time: 4 to 5 hours around the lagoon
• Terrain: natural trails and mountain terrain
• Hiking altitude: approximately 2,700 m above sea level
• Road conditions: paved and gravel roads
• Overnight: Cafayate

DAY 3 – CAFAYATE AND QUEBRADA DEL RÍO DE LAS CONCHAS

After breakfast, we may visit a winery or Cafayate’s Museum of the Vine and Wine, depending on the travellers’ interests and the time available.

We then begin our return journey to Salta through the Quebrada del Río de las Conchas. Along the way, we observe sedimentary rock formations shaped over millions of years by the erosive action of water and wind.

In one section of the gorge, we take an approximately 45-minute walk along a trail offering a closer view of the geological layers and the different colours of the rock formations.

After the walk, we continue through the Lerma Valley and arrive in Salta during the afternoon.

• Route: Cafayate – Quebrada del Río de las Conchas – Lerma Valley – Salta
• Approximate distance: 195 km
• Hiking time: approximately 45 minutes
• Road conditions: paved roads
• End of the journey: Salta

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Private transportation in a 4x4 vehicle throughout the journey
• Experienced Spanish- or English-speaking driver-guide
• Guidance and assistance from the driver-guide during the hikes
• Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast
• Picnic lunch on Day 1
• Operational coordination and assistance throughout the journey

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Lunches, except for the picnic specified on Day 1
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Entrance fees to museums, wineries or sites, where applicable
• Wine tastings
• Optional rafting activity
• Personal expenses
• Any service not expressly listed as included

ACCOMMODATION

The programme includes two nights’ accommodation:

• One night in Cachi
• One night in Cafayate

We work with different categories of hotels and inns, selected according to the travellers’ preferences and availability at the time of booking.

HIKES AND DIFFICULTY

The programme includes three hikes:

• Valle Encantado: approximately 2 hours
• Brealito Lagoon: a circular hike of between 4 and 5 hours
• Quebrada del Río de las Conchas: approximately 45 minutes

The hike around Brealito Lagoon is the programme’s main walking activity. It takes place at approximately 2,700 metres above sea level and follows a circular route across natural trails and uneven terrain, without retracing the same path.

No technical mountaineering experience is required, but travellers should have a suitable level of fitness for walking for several hours. The duration and route of the hikes may be adapted to the travellers’ pace and weather conditions.

The driver-guide accompanying the passengers throughout the journey also leads the hikes.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
• Comfortable walking clothes
• Warm layers and a waterproof or windproof jacket
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Small daypack
• Water bottle

VEHICLES AND OPERATION

The journey is operated in 4x4 vehicles with an experienced driver-guide, who also accompanies and guides the travellers during the hikes.

This is a private journey, and departure times are arranged in advance with the passengers. All hikes are subject to weather conditions, trail conditions and any regulations established by the protected-area authorities.

If access to Valle Encantado is closed, an alternative hike will be arranged along the route.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

The programme can be operated throughout most of the year. The best hiking conditions are generally found between April and November, when rainfall is less frequent.

During the summer, particularly between December and March, rainfall may affect mountain roads and trails. All hikes are therefore subject to weather and safety conditions.

RAFTING ON THE JURAMENTO RIVER

Travellers wishing to add another adventure activity may enquire about rafting through the Juramento River Canyon.

This is an optional activity with an additional cost and requires adjusting the schedule or duration of the final day. Operation depends on the rafting dates scheduled by Salta Rafting, the company we work with, as well as availability and river conditions.

Rafting must therefore be requested in advance and will be confirmed independently from the main programme.

TAILOR-MADE OPTIONS

The programme can be adapted to the travellers’ fitness level, preferred hiking duration, flight schedules, accommodation category, particular interests and travel pace. Any modification may require a different duration or rate.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Tell us your preferred travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred accommodation category, your hiking experience and any particular interests you would like us to consider.

We will confirm availability and prepare a private proposal for exploring the landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys on foot and by 4x4.