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Travel North Argentina: Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy.
Circuit of Cafayate to Humahuaca, from Cachi to Iruya.
Parks and reserves: Los Cardones, Los Colorados, Las Flechas, Las Conchas, Quebrada of Humahuaca.
Season: All year round. Recommended from April to November.
Circuit duration: 12 days, in 7 hotels.
Accommodation: charm.
2 domestic flights: Buenos Aires > Salta roundtrip.
International flight: not included in pricing. Don't hesitate to consult.
Ground transportation: we'll organize your rental vehicle, which you will drive for the entire circuit. Upon arrival we will provide all the necessary maps for your trip, as well as the required documents.
Transfers: we take care of the airport transfers - hotel > airport.
Rates: dependent on the number of passengers and vehicle type. See below. The prices listed do not include the car rental. This is calculated separately, according to the category and mileage required. For this circuit, we recommend requesting a daily mileage of 400 km (250 mi).
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Argentina Excepcion's opinion: for lovers of nature's colors and the exotic, this circuit offers a wide-ranging palette of landscapes of great beauty. This region also possesses great historical, cultural and archeological richness. The Quebrada of Humahuaca and the Calchaqui Valleys very frequently are above the clouds.
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DAY 1 : INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Dinner and night: on the plane.
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DAY 2 : BUENOS AIRES
 Description: you will be greeted at Ezeiza airport by one of our drivers, who will transfer you to your hotel. At the end of the day, a briefing around a map with one of our Operations Representatives will take place.
What to see?: you may spend the afternoon touring Buenos Aires. The most interesting circuit runs through 9 de Julio, the widest avenue in the world, with its 65 meter (213 ft) obelisk and Avenida de Mayo, which is well known for its buildings of Galician architectural influence. At Plaza de Mayo you will discover the Casa Rosada, the president's HQ. You may then visit the La Boca neighborhood, with its colorful houses built from recovered materials from ships, inspiration for painters and poets. San Telmo is home to antique shops and traditional tango bars. Recoleta is a traditional residential neighborhood: walking through its numerous parks and squares is a true pleasure. To end the circuit you may visit Puerto Madero, the old city port which has recently been completely refurbished.
Lunch and dinner: not included.
Accommodation: My BA Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 3 : BUENOS AIRES / SALTA - "The city of Salta and its outskirts"
 Description: you will be driven from the hotel to the airport. After a 2-hour-15-min flight, a representative from Argentina Excepcion will be waiting for you at Salta airport to provide you with your vehicle. After carrying out the vehicle security inspection and signing the rental contract you will be free to head for the city of Salta.
What to see?: we recommend you visit 9 de Julio Square, the Cathedral, the city council, the basilica of San Francisco, the San Bernardo convent, San Bernardo hill, the General Guemes monument and the artisans fair.
Distances: from the airport to Salta city: 12 km (7.5 mi) from the airport to Salta, 14km from Salta to San Lorenzo
Lunch and dinner: not included (numerous restaurants in Salta).
Accommodation: El Lagar Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 4 : SALTA / CACHI - "Weaving in and out of the cactuses"
 What to see?: heading towards the Calchaquies Valleys through the tobacco plantations of Lerma Valley you will pass through the towns of Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril and Chicoana. When taking the magnificent route through the Valley of Escoipe you will discover subtropical vegetation. Under the intense blue Andean sky, the vegetation grows scarce as you ascend the impressive Obispo Hill which will take you to the highest point of the excursion: the Windmill Stone, 3348 meters (11048 ft) above sea level. After a detour through the magnificent region of Los Colorados, you will retrace your steps to take the Tintin route. You will then cross Los Cardones National Park to the picturesque town of Cachi.
Distances and duration: 160 km (100 mi), 4 to 5 hours from Salta to Cachi. The hotel is 6 km (4 mi) from the town of Cachi.
Lunch: not included (numerous restaurants in Cachi).
Accommodation: Bodega El Molino Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 5 : CACHI / LA POMA / CACHI - "The valley of the sun"
What to see?: you may take route 40 towards La Poma, the highest town in the Calchaquies Valley (3015 meters, 9892 ft). The road goes through the Indian towns of Payogasta and Palermo, offering magnificent views of sheep and llama herds. Then, a short walk until Devil's Bridge, a natural structure which frames the Calchaqui River, where you can enjoy an impressive panorama of the Twin Volcanoes, millenary guardians of La Poma town, semi-destroyed by an earthquake on Christmas Eve of 1930. Apart from the town's ruins, you can visit pre-Columbian vestiges. Frozen in time, this site is an explosion of colors and aromas.
Distances and duration: Cachi to La Poma round trip, 90 km (56 mi), 6 hours approx.
Lunch: not included. We recommend requesting the picnic option at your hotel the night before.
Accommodation: Bodega El Molino Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 6 : CACHI / CAFAYATE - "A taste adventure"
What to see?: you will depart for Cafayate, stopping on the way at a vicuña breeding farm in the town of Molinos. Before reaching Molinos, you may stop at a poncho weaving workshop in Seclantas. Later you will continue along route 40, which is surrounded by the surprising landscapes of Las Flechas formations. The Calchaquies Valleys take you to Cafayate where, after lunch, you will be able to enjoy a wine tasting circuit at the local wineries, discovering an amazing vine-stock: the Torrontés, specialty of Cafayate.
We recommend: Mounier (las Nubes) Winery and Etchart.
Distances and duration: 156 km (97 mi), approximately 4 and a half hours. The hotel is 20 km (12.5 mi) from Cafayate.
Lunch: not included (numerous restaurants in Cafayate).
Accommodation: Casa de la Bodega Hotel or equivalent (dinner: not included, excellent cuisine at Casa de la Bodega).
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DAY 7 : CAFAYATE / QUILMES / CAFAYATE - "Quechua shadow, colonial atmosphere, pre-Columbian ruins"
 What to see?: in the morning you may visit the Quilmes ruins, the most famous archeological site in the country. Quilmes is an ancient pre-Incan city which was inhabited between the 17th and 19th centuries. The site, built on a natural amphitheater, offers an exceptional view of the valley. In the afternoon we suggest you tour the beautiful landscapes that surround Casa de la Bodega, visit the town of Cafayate or visit other wineries.
Distances: 140 km (87 mi) roundtrip to the ruins, 16 km (10 mi) are dirt roads.
Lunch: not included (numerous restaurants in Cafayate and excellent cuisine at Casa de la Bodega).
Accommodation: Casa de la Bodega Hotel or equivalent (dinner: not included, excellent cuisine at Casa de la Bodega).
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DAY 8 : CAFAYATE / QUIJANO - "Whimsical shapes"
 What to see?: after breakfast you depart to the Valley of Las Conchas, which offers numerous opportunities to stop and have a short stroll. Multicolored rocky formations and semi-deserted mountains: a show nature has been preparing for centuries. If you wish, you can do a mini trek in the area of Yesera. The afternoon will be devoted to relaxing at the estancia where several activities are available.
We recommend: a hike in the Yesera area.
Distances and duration: 189 km (117 mi), approximately 4 hours.
Lunch: not included. We recommend requesting the picnic option at your hotel the night before.
Accommodation: Estancia Manantial del Milagro or equivalent.
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DAY 9 : SALTA / SAN ANTONIO / SALINAS GRANDES / PURMAMARCA - "Puna circuit"
 What to see?: you will depart early to San Antonio de los Cobres, following the well-known tracks of the "Train of the Clouds". You will cross the Quebrada del Toro which will take you 3800 meters (2361 ft) above sea level, facing the impressive view of the snowed peaks of the Andes, before reaching Salinas Grandes, a 120-square-kilometers salt desert. You will then take the impressive Lipan's Hill, which descends to Purmamarca. This town is exceptional for its ochre colored adobe houses, built at the foot of the Hill of the Seven Colors.
We recommend: a visit to a salt exploitation site in Salinas Grandes
Distances and duration: 330 km (205 mi), full day excursion.
Note: since it is a long day, it is advisable to set off early.
Lunch: not included. We recommend requesting the picnic option at your hotel the night before.
Accommodation: La Comarca Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 10 : PURMAMARCA / QUEBRADA OF HUMAHUACA / TILCARA - "The route of colors"
 What to see?: today, you will tour the entire Quebrada de Humahuaca, stopping at its small towns, each one with its own distinctive features, beginning with Tilcara and its interesting Pucará, a pre-Columbian fortress built sometime between years 1000 – 1480 AD, the archeological museum and Devil's Throat. Immediately after crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, Uquia appears with its lovely chapel. By the end of the circuit you'll reach Humahuaca, an ancient post of the Incan empire, later of the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata, located 2940 meters (9645 ft) above sea level. You then begin the descent of the Quebrada to enjoy the light's effect over the famous Painter's Palette in Maimara. The wide variety of color tones are due to the successive appearance of different geological layers.
We recommend: in the morning, before leaving Purmamarca, you may take a brief stroll through the Hill of the Seven Colors (20 min), or ascend to a small viewpoint (15 min) to see the morning light over town. It is best to visit Tilcara in the morning to take advantage of the light over the exceptional view the Pucara offers. During the day, a 40-min mini trek through the Quebrada de las Señoritas, in the Uquia area and/or the Pollera de la Coya area.
Distances and duration: 140 km (87 mi), approximately 6 hours.
Lunch: not included (numerous restaurants in Humahuaca).
Accommodation: Rincon de Fuego Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 11 : TILCARA / IRUYA / TILCARA - "The village hidden at the end of the world"
 What to see?: from Tilcara you'll retrace the Quebrada once more, this time up to Abra del Condor, located 4000 meters (13123 ft) above sea level. Your aim is to reach the town of Iruya, nestled on the mountain, with its small stone houses and its narrow steep streets. You'll witness landscapes impressive for their colors and diversity.
Distances and duration: 224 km (139 mi) roundtrip, approximately 7 hours.
Lunch: not included. At the lodge in Iruya or other restaurants in town.
Accommodation: Rincon de Fuego Hotel or equivalent.
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DAY 12: TILCARA / CORNISA / SALTA / BUENOS AIRES - "Forests and cliffs"
 What to see?: after leaving Tilcara, you will descend to the city of Jujuy, a circuit still very rich in colors. You then take the Cornisa route which leads you to a completely different landscape: the yunga forests. The flight departure time will determine if you can make it for tea at Don Zanca's in San Lorenzo or not. You will already have scheduled the time and place for returning the car with the person who first greeted you in Salta. We will arrange your transfer to the airport.
Distances and duration: 150 km (93 mi), approximately 3 hours.
Note: if there is significant fog, the return to Salta should be via General Guemes.
Lunch: not included. At La Cienaga Dam Lodge restaurant or in Salta.
Accommodation: My BA Hotel or equivalent (dinner not included, numerous restaurants in Buenos Aires).
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DAY 13 : BUENOS AIRES / INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
 What to see?: until leaving for the airport, you may continue to discover Buenos Aires and/or go shopping. The leather-goods and gaucho articles shops offer typical and original products. We will arrange the time you will be picked up at the hotel and taken to Ezeiza airport.
Timing: between 50 and 90 minutes should be considered for getting from downtown to Ezeiza airport.
Lunch: not included (numerous restaurants in Buenos Aires).
Dinner and night: on the plane.
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Prices are in U.S. Dollars. Prices in £, € and ARS may vary according to daily exchange rate.
Includes - Does not include
