Argentina Salta & the Andean Northwest

Your Classic Northern Argentina Journey begins in Buenos Aires.

Explore Recoleta on foot and go off the beaten path. You will be introduced to the history, architecture, traditions, and unique features of this historic Buenos Aires neighborhood. Visit Recoleta Cemetery and hear fascinating tales about Evita Perón, the misfortune of Rufina Cambaceres, Tiburcia Dominquez’s miserly husband, and Admiral Brown. Stop by Pilar Basilica to admire its stunning architecture, then learn about the history of Recoleta Cemetery itself at the Recoleta Cultural Center and Old Monastery.

Visit El Ateneo which is as splendid as its name and exudes Buenos Aires’s nostalgic elegance. See Bourdelle’s Monument to Alvear, then continue to the Palais de Glace, where the Argentine tango came of age. Learn about the history of tango before visiting the BA Design Center and Terraces, the National Library, and the National Fine Arts Museum.

Accommodation: Algodon Mansion

Spend a day immersing yourself in the Argentine culture and food scene.

San Telmo has the most classic, old school vibe in Buenos Aires. Cobblestone streets, old lanterns, hundred-year-old buildings match what is generally offered and what many people expect to see in Buenos Aires. While in San Telmo, you will visit El Zanjon de Granados.

All of Buenos Aires’ history is packed into this unusual house. The street it is on was once a small river — the zanjón, or gorge, of the property’s name — where the first, unsuccessful attempt to found Buenos Aires took place in 1536, and now is a private museum.

La Boca is famous for its picturesque architecture. The tango was born in La Boca and the colored houses of Calle Caminito are a must see. Here you will enjoy a unique way to experience La Boca’s food and culture. Visit several small local cafés, and mom and pop restaurants to experience delicious food, including authentic Italian, an Argentine classic Parrilla, empanadas, superb wine, desserts, and more.

Puerto Madero, one of the newest and most exclusive places in the City of Buenos Aires, has risen from the restoration of the old Commercial Port. Enjoy a stop for coffee at Café Tortoni, the quintessential Porteño café, located on Avenida de Mayo, was founded in 1858 and has remained the meeting place for famous artists and scholars throughout its 154 years, including Albert Einstein, the King of Spain, Juan Carlos de Borbón, and tango legend Carlos Gardel.

Take part in an authentic tradition, enjoy a dinner and show at Gala Tango.

Accommodation: Algodon Mansion

Fly to Salta, head to Purmamarca.

As you arrive into the tiny village of Purmamarca, you can observe the striking Hill of Seven Colors. It is a rainbow of colour which comes to life in the glow of the afternoon sun, dominated by a deep violet stripe across the middle which fades downwards into strips of turquoise, jade and sky-blue and then upwards into hues of pink, orange, and yellow.

Accommodation: El Manantial del Silencio

Head out to explore Argentina’s northern natural and colourful landscape.

Visit Canyon of Humahuaca, located in the northernmost province of Jujuy, the true kingdom of the Andes, and see nature at its most colorful. The Quebrada, or canyon, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, sets a giant palette of jewel-painted slabs of rock arching across the mountain sides at Maimará, the “Paleta del Pintor,” testimony to the rich variety of minerals to be found there, from the dark blood tints of iron and magnesium to the corroded green of copper and sulfurous yellows.

The village of Tilcara boasts a fascinating Archaeological Museum which has several Incan mummies and other artifacts of this long-extinct civilization on display.

Nearby is the pucara, or stronghold, a detailed reconstruction of the original omaguaca or humahuaca Indian fort which stood there some 10 centuries ago and was only discovered in 1908. It is one of the finest examples of pre-Hispanic civilization, showing how the fortification was split up into living areas, animal corrals, a temple, and a burial ground.

Accommodation: El Manantial del Silencio

Venture out to see the grandeur of Salinas Grandes.

A desert-like expanse of snow-white salt plains await you at the Great Salt Flats (Salinas Grandes), which are located at an altitude of 11,320 feet. Covering 132 square miles, they are the third-largest salt flats in the world and among Argentina’s most impressive natural landscapes. Spend time in this incredible place where the white landscape is bordered with the intense blue sky. Your next stop will be Salta.

Accommodation: House of Jasmines

Learn about Argentina’s rich northern cultural heritage during your visit in Salta.

Enjoy the sites in Salta and learn about this fabulous city and its traditions and people. Visit the High-Altitude Archaeology Museum of Salta, which proposes a journey of 500 years back in time to appreciate and understand a culture that remains alive.

Salta, the capital city of the province of Salta, is situated in the Valle de Lerma (Lerma Valley), at 3,894 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Monumento de 20 de Febrero and San Bernardo. Located in such a fertile valley, the city preserves its typically colonial appearance with its age-old architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

It preserves buildings from the colonial period like houses with wooden balconies, iron framework, richly engraved entranceways and pillars, and interior patios with fountains. The centre of the city is the Plaza 9 de Julio. Some of the most interesting and traditional buildings to visit in Salta are el Cabildo (Town Hall), where the Museo Histórico del Norte (Northern History Museum) operates and the Iglesia (Church) de San Francisco.

Accommodation: House of Jasmines

Take the scenic route.

Head to Cafayate, taking one of the most scenic drives in Argentina as you head towards Quebrada de las Conchas.

The highway between Salta and Cafayate runs right through the heart of the ravine. Take in the natural beauty of the region and the diversity of the landscape, with its otherworldly rock formations, jagged cliffs, and red rocks. Shells’ Ravine (Quebrada de las Conchas) is one of Northern Argentina’s most impressive natural wonders.

Accommodation: Patios de Cafayate

Explore Argentina’s northern wine region.

Utama carries its long family tradition today as it hosts clients from all over the world. Get to know how this wonderful family home transformed into a true artisan winery and art and pottery workshop. Join the owners of these shops and discover the history of their sculptures, paintings, and ceramics on an immersive tour. Enjoy the peace of the gardens while tasting its organic wines, baked goods, and homemade sweets.

Continue to Las Nubes Winery, enter the magical world of flavor, aromas, and expressions of the wine of the Calchaquí valleys. Deep, intense, and full of typicity. What was once mountain and stone, is today sun and vineyard. Effort, dedication, and commitment to the quality of the wines transformed this geography to extract the best expressions of our wines from terroir. Indulge in a delicious wine.

Accommodation: Patios de Cafayate

Your journey continues to Mendoza wine region.

Head back to Salta and fly to Mendoza for a wine and culinary immersion with Cavas Wine Lodge.

Enjoy visits and tastings at the most personalized wineries in the area. Horseback through vineyards or choose from other soft adventures such as hiking, biking, zip lining and whitewater rafting.

Cavas Wine Lodge is the first Lodge of its kind in South America, blessed by the natural beauty of Mendoza, an idyllic wine-growing region at the foot of the Andes. The lodge is one of the most luxurious accommodations from which to explore the Argentinean wine region.

Accommodation: Cavas Wine Lodge

Enjoy visits and tastings at the most personalized wineries in the area. Horseback through vineyards or choose from other soft adventures such as hiking, biking, zip lining and whitewater rafting.

Cavas Wine Lodge is the first Lodge of its kind in South America, blessed by the natural beauty of Mendoza, an idyllic wine-growing region at the foot of the Andes. The lodge is one of the most luxurious accommodations from which to explore the Argentinean wine region.

Accommodation: Cavas Wine Lodge

Enjoy visits and tastings at the most personalized wineries in the area. Horseback through vineyards or choose from other soft adventures such as hiking, biking, zip lining and whitewater rafting.

Cavas Wine Lodge is the first Lodge of its kind in South America, blessed by the natural beauty of Mendoza, an idyllic wine-growing region at the foot of the Andes. The lodge is one of the most luxurious accommodations from which to explore the Argentinean wine region.

Accommodation: Cavas Wine Lodge

Your luxury journey through Northern Argentina comes to an end.

Fly to Buenos Aires and proceed to your departure flight from Argentina.