100% customisable travel idea
From Mendoza to Salta Along the Andes, the Great Argentine West
Argentina - Buenos Aires - Andes - Mendoza - Northwest - Salta
100% customisable travel idea
Argentina - Buenos Aires - Andes - Mendoza - Northwest - Salta
100% customisable for you
On arrival, private transfer to the lively Palermo district. Behind this name lie cobblestone streets, countless small restaurants, bars, designer boutiques, and green parks where the Porteña elite, designers, and fashionistas mingle. Stay for two nights at an accommodation venue chosen specifically for its urban style and resolute ecological values. Water and energy are used efficiently; the materials in the interiors are natural and come from sustainable sources. Vertical gardens cover the walls of the facade and patio. On the rooftop, a small pool invites you to cool off before or after exploring the vibrant streets of the capital.
Things to see and do - Stroll through the chic Recoleta district and its cemetery; lose yourself in the charming cobbled streets of San Telmo, known for its antique shops; take in a tango show in an authentic milonga; explore the “Caminito” in the colourful La Boca district, where the first European immigrants arrived; go window shopping in the streets of Palermo and pick up a unique piece from a local designer; savour the famous Argentine beef in a renowned parrilla; visit the outstanding Nacional Museum of Fine Arts; wander through the centre and cross Plaza de Mayo, the social and political heart of Buenos Aires.
Already planned for the evening - Dinner at an excellent parrilla in the capital (your table has already been booked).
Optional - Discover the city in the footsteps of a local.
Private transfer to the airport, then flight to Mendoza. On arrival, collect your rental vehicle and drive to your hotel at the gateway to the city. Comfortably nestled within a late 19th-century Renaissance villa, and despite being restored, it has managed to preserve the soul of the original agricultural estate. The estate, covering 13 hectares (32 acres), is dotted with olive trees and vines. In the evening, their nectar is sipped alongside organic, locally sourced cuisine. On site, guests can also enjoy a spa and a beautiful pool with views of the Andes.
At the foot of the Cordillera, in the heart of the desert, on the edge of western Argentina, it is hard to believe that Mendoza is Argentina’s wine capital. Yet it is! This is where you’ll find the best Argentine wines and 90 per cent of the country’s total production. This famous vino is everywhere - in the bodegas (cellars) around the city, on wine shop shelves, and, of course, in the provincial capital’s many bars and cafes. Founded in the mid-16th century, Mendoza lost most of its colonial buildings following the earthquake of 1861. It has a modern yet pleasant feel, with fountains in its Plaza Independencia and Plaza España. As evening falls, the mood turns festive. And where there is a celebration in Mendoza, there is always wine…
Not to be missed - A wellness break at the Cacheuta hot springs, a complex of pools at different temperatures located about 40 km (25 miles) from Mendoza. Here, you can enjoy an exceptional setting on the edge of the Andes. Locals often come here to relax for a few hours, sipping the essential mate.
Optional - Visit to three bodegas and tastings in the Mendoza area.
Optional - Tour of Mendoza with a private guide.
See you soon, vineyards! We head north to reach Barreal. As you gradually approach a new mountain range with higher peaks, you soon reach Puente del Inca. At the beginning of the 20th century, this small town was home to one of the largest hotel spas of the time. Since then, an avalanche has almost completely destroyed the hotel - only a few rooms and the chapel remain. The latter is very well preserved, and thermal water still flows over the paving stones of the ancient rooms. This is a spectacle in itself. We continue on to Aconcagua Provincial Park. You find yourself only 40 km (25 miles) from the base of the “Stone Sentinel”, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the highest peak in the Andes (6,962 metres or 22,841 feet). Depending on the weather, you can take a walk (30 to 45 minutes) to Lake Horcones. From there, you will be treated to a full and breathtaking view of Aconcagua. We then turn back to Uspallata and continue north to explore El Leoncito National Park. This former lake, now dried up, lies on high plateaus and enjoys one of the clearest skies in the world.
In Barreal, settle in for the night at a beautiful posada that radiates the energy and kindness of its hosts in an inviting setting with vintage decor. People love the light and the great outdoor scenes to take in from the terraces. On sunny days, guests also enjoy the swimming pool, relaxing between walks with views of the distant Andean peaks.
Drive to San Agustín del Valle Fértil, taking - for a while - the legendary Route 40, which runs the length of the country from north to south, linking the Bolivian border to Cape Virgenes at the southern tip of Patagonia.
Enjoy a one-night stay in a hotel with simple comfort, overlooking the lake. The view from the restaurant and its surrounds to natural sites are a delight.
Early in the morning, we head to Ischigualasto Provincial Park or Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), 70 km (43 miles) from San Agustín. Located at an altitude of 1,200 metres (just under 4,000 feet), this is one of the region’s major geological and palaeontological sites - something that has not eluded UNESCO. Here, you travel through a mineral, desert landscape where, in a paradoxical balance, strange sculptures shaped by erosion rise up with intriguing names such as “submarine”, “mushroom” or “petanque balls”. These geological formations, some dating back 235 to 201 million years, have yielded many fossils of reptiles and primitive dinosaurs.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore Talampaya Park, which covers 215,000 hectares (531,200 acres). You will need to leave your vehicle behind and rely on local guides to explore this vast massif, which is split in two by a canyon 4 km (2.5 miles) long and 140 metres (460 feet) deep. You are sure to find rock art, fossils and dinosaur footprints, along with no fewer than 190 animal species, including guanacos, vicuñas, foxes, rheas, hares and more. This incredible park also invites visitors to wander among rock formations with unique shapes and names, such as the “Three Wise Men”, the “Cathedral”, the “Priest” and the “Balconies”. A true open-air museum.
At the end of the day, settle in for the night on the edge of Villa Unión, a charming village that feels a bit like an oasis in the desert. Your hotel features typical La Rioja architecture, with simple yet comfortable rooms and a restaurant serving cuisine of a high standard. We love the different intimate, shaded spaces that inspire daydreaming: the patio, the terrace and the small pool with a view of the surrounding hills.
Drive to Chanarmuyo via the Cuesta de Miranda route, a mountain road with winding turns that offers wonderful views over crimson valleys. Majestic landscapes shaped by time and the elements accompany you all the way to Chilecito, a former mining village whose name (“little Chile”) comes from the many Chilean miners who worked here at the end of the 19th century. One of the province’s landmarks can be found here: a cable car, or “cable carril”, built in 1903. Running over 36 km (22 miles) with its highest point at over 4,500 metres (14,763 feet) above sea level, this is one of the greatest engineering feats of its time.
On arrival in Chañarmuyo, you find a village nestled in the heart of a peaceful valley under vines. Enjoy an overnight stay in a pleasant guesthouse for the night, where you can soak up the unique feel of Argentina’s La Rioja region. Toiling behind the restaurant's stoves, the chef prepares ancestral mountain recipes prepared using local and seasonal ingredients. To accompany its delicious dishes, still and sparkling wines are produced on site.
Heading north towards Cafayate.
Not to be missed along the way - - A stop at the Quilmes Ruins, an ancient fortified stronghold from the Inca era. A labyrinthine structure built on several levels that, at its peak, housed up to 3,000 people. Today, only 20% of the 30 hectares (74 acres) of ruins, perched at an altitude of 1,855 metres (just over 6,000 feet), have been restored. However, you can still see small low walls marking the outlines of the former dwellings. Climbing up to the heights of the fortifications, you become aware not only of the scale of the site but also of the majestic nature of the surrounding landscapes: the view stretches across the entire valley - all the way to the Andes. As a bonus: the museum at the entrance to the site is very informative.
Settle in for the night among the vineyards, in a beautiful hacienda just a few minutes’ walk from Cafayate. Your room features a charming terracotta tile floor and beautiful rugs, a colonial bed and period furniture. At the end of the day, sink into the large leather sofas in the lounges, facing the fireplaces, or stroll from patio to patio to the pool surrounded by greenery. The restaurant, with its high timbered ceiling or its terrace overlooking the vineyards, offers a generous breakfast and a gourmet dinner - the five-course menu is exquisite. The spa also offers vinotherapy.
Cafayate, at the foot of San Isidro hill, is a charming colonial-style town surrounded by red mountains grooved with canyons, renowned for its vineyards. In addition to its five-nave cathedral and bodegas, the town owes its charm to the coolness of its patios, delightfully shaded by vine-covered arbours. On arrival, enjoy a well-deserved break and a glass of Torrontés, the region’s white wine.
On your itinerary: A visit to a winery on the legendary Route 40, about 10 km (6 miles) from Cafayate. There, the vineyards benefit from exceptional conditions: perched at 1,700 metres (5,577 feet) above sea level, they receive 300 days of sunshine a year, little rainfall, and experience significant temperature variations. A tasting takes place in the heart of the vineyards, with stunning views of the valley. Unique feature of the estate: more than 1,200 rose bushes surround the vineyards and add their aroma to the grapes.
On your itinerary - A horse ride through the heart of the Calchaquí Valley. The region, bordered by hills dotted with cacti, offers panoramic views of the Tolombón valley. Along the way, stop to visit a rancho with a stone mill dating back to Jesuit times, then to taste local wine at a nearby cellar.
Not to be missed in the area - A hike along the Quebrada de Cafayate trail, an easy two-hour walk through a landscape of rocks, canyons and mountains where wind and water erosion have carved astonishing sculptures in the hills. Another wonderful place for a stroll is the Lerma Valley with its tobacco plantations and towns with colonial architecture: Los Cerrillos, La Merced, Ampascachi, and La Viña. In the Calchaquí and Alemania Valleys, colours multiply across the landscape, dotted with ruins and semi-buried adobe houses. About 10 km (6 miles) from there, you enter the canyon, or Quebrada de las Conchas, which evokes a Hollywood-style western decor. Suddenly, shapes of red sandstone appear before your eyes, shifting to yellow and orange as the sun moves across the sky. Amazed, we discover the Garganta del Diablo (the Devil’s Throat), El Anfiteatro, El Sapo, El Fraile, El Obelisco, Los Castillos and other remarkable formations that shift with the time of day, the light and each person’s imagination.
Drive to Cachi. This village, perhaps the prettiest in the region, is perched at an altitude of 2,300 metres (7,546 feet). It appears like a mirage, with its cobbled streets and white houses clustered around a square shaded by pepper trees. Its archaeological museum documents life in the Calchaquí Valleys before the Spanish Conquest. It houses an admirably well-preserved mummy, nicknamed the “Lady of Cachi”, as well as superb Inca ceramics.
Settle in for the night in the heart of the village, in a house full of character. The renovation of the building has brought modern comforts, while preserving the original structure and the warm atmosphere of this historic estancia. Adobe (baked earth), stone and wood blend skilfully with antique furniture and works of art, imbuing the place with charm. And you never tire of the breathtaking view of Nevado de Cachi, the snow-capped peak overlooking the region.
Drive to Salta, a trip that immerses you in magnificent scenes of high plateaus, lush valleys and deep canyons.
Overnight stay in a family-run finca at the foot of the Andes. The house, surrounded by a beautiful garden with a swimming pool taking pride of place, echoes the colonial style. The walls are white, the woodwork dark and waxed. The decor is sleek and contemporary, and the rooms are pleasant and airy. Generosity is what characterises the restaurant.
Set off for Purmamarca via San Antonio de los Cobres. You’re about to discover one of the most impressive landscapes in all of northwestern Argentina, the Quebrada del Toro: high, colourful valleys, giant candelabra cacti and archaeological remains, the most important of which is the pre-Columbian site of Tastil. Stop off at Salinas Grandes, a 120 km² (46 square mile) salt desert situated at nearly 3,500 metres (11,482 feet) above sea level - a marvel.
Settle in for two nights in the native village of Purmamarca, the most typical in the region. Your accommodation showcases the purest colonial style, notably whitewashed walls, turrets, a bell tower, a veranda, terracotta tiles and oversized fireplaces. The rooms are few, spacious and well-equipped. At the restaurant, exposed beams and a fireplace set the scene for hearty breakfasts. During the day, the pool offers mountain views and the spa provides relaxation; in the evening, the spacious lounges embellished with traditional azulejos tiles welcome guests fireside, to share stories and impressions from the day.
Purmamarca is a charming little village of adobe and cactus wood houses, blending harmoniously into the natural landscapes surrounding it. On the square, shaded by a majestic carob tree several centuries old, local artisans offer wood carvings, hand-woven rugs and medicinal herbs. Behind the small church decorated with paintings from the Cusco school (17th century), you get your first glimpse of it: the Quebrada de Humahuaca, listed as a UNESCO natural and cultural heritage site. Lining this canyon, several villages offer excellent departure points for unique walks. Starting from the departure point in Purmamarca, the Paseo de los Colorados hike (about 1 hour and 30 minutes) lets you admire the splendour of the quebrada and watch the colours shift with the light throughout the day. You should also set out to discover the Cerro de los Siete Colores (the Hill of Seven Colours), where the shades form a mineral rainbow from beige to violet. A little further north, the authentic village of Maimará gives you access to the “Paleta del Pintor” (the Painter’s Palette), a very apt name to describe these western landscapes with their shades of red sandstone. In Tilcara, don’t miss the Pucará, a fortress built by the Omaguaca people shortly after the year 1,000. Finally, we take time to stroll through the cobbled streets of Humahuaca after admiring the Hornocal, a mountain range where nearly 14 colours unfold before our eyes, reminding us of our humble place as humans in the face of nature’s grandeur.
Return drive to Salta, drop off the car, and check in for one night in the city centre at a charming colonial-style accommodation venue dating from the early 1900s. Its location is strategic, on an iconic street, just 50 metres (55 yards) from the main square and close to everything: restaurants, craft shops, wine cellars, and more. The hotel has combined old-world charm with modern comfort and carefully decorated rooms - not to mention a swimming pool.
Scheduled for the evening - Dinner in a traditional peña In Argentina, peñas cannot be separated from music. You eat, drink, play guitar and sing there. Your evening venue brings together locals and people from further afield in a vibrant atmosphere. Argentinians say people from the north are good singers; an evening here proves them right. Grilled meat, milonga and zamba for everyone!
On your itinerary: A tour of Salta, in private. The city known as “Salta la Linda” (the beautiful Salta) truly lives up to its name. On foot, you explore its well-preserved historic centre. By your side, a specialist guide in the history of this charming town in the Northwest, which boasts beautiful colonial monuments you simply cannot miss: the cathedral, the Basilica of San Francisco, the Cabildo (seat of the colonial municipality), the splendid San Bernardo Convent dating from the 16th century, and the old town hall. We will also visit some interesting museums and perhaps the craft market.
In the afternoon, it’s a private transfer to the airport and a flight to Buenos Aires. Another transfer and check-in for a final night in the historic San Telmo district, with its charming cobblestone streets. Your arty accommodation venue is arranged around a former covered shopping arcade that is part of the capital’s history. The establishment has preserved the best of its heritage from its historic architecture - high ceilings, parquet floors, columns - combined with Argentine contemporary works of art. Paintings, sculptures and even a mural of Carlos Gardel, the local tango hero, appear on the rooftop terrace - an ideal place to unwind with a drink at the end of the day, away from the bustle of the city. At the restaurant, a delightful fusion cuisine sees Argentina, Peru and Japan sit side by side on the same menu.
Private transfer to the airport and direct international flight home. Night on board, arrival the next day.
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