3-week trip of Argentina

21 days – From €6,565 per person

driving – the Andes – ancient civilisations

Day 4 | Buenos Aires – Salta

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Buenos Aires airport, where you will board your domestic flight to Salta. Once you arrive, you’ll be taken to your hotel. You’ll be staying at the Kkala Boutique Hotel, situated in the Tres Cerritos neighbourhood at the foot of one of the mountains surrounding Salta. Salta city centre is less than five minutes’ walk from your hotel. The hotel has 10 rooms, each with its own name and character. The names are based on national parks and beautiful spots in Salta. Here you will find peace and exclusivity.
Overnight stay: Kkala Boutique Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Salta – Purmamarca

(approx. 190 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll collect your rental car and drive to Purmamarca. You’ll head towards the city of Jujuy, the northernmost city, not far from the Bolivian border. This area is also the heart of the country’s most indigenous region, with the majority of the population of Native American descent. Here you’ll experience the genuine, authentic Andean atmosphere, characteristic of Peru, Bolivia and northern Chile. The end of this journey takes you to the Humahuaca Valley, a gorge that runs southwards from the border with Bolivia. Tens of thousands of years ago, the Rio Grande carved out this impressive landscape. The traditional village of Purmamarca is also situated in this valley.
Overnight stay: Hotel Manantial del Silencio | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | Purmamarca

Today you’ll have the chance to explore Purmamarca and its surroundings further. Purmamarca lies at an altitude of 2,200 metres at the foot of the ‘Cerro de Siete Colores’, the impressive mountain that truly does have seven colours. The colours in the rocks are caused by the oxidation of various minerals in the soil: manganese produces a purple colour, copper produces green, clay produces a yellow colour, and depending on the iron content, there are various shades of red. It is the perfect place to acclimatise and get used to the peace and space that the far north of Argentina has to offer. You can also visit the main square, where a wide range of goods are on sale – including ponchos, rugs and souvenirs – or the little church, Iglesia Santa Rosa de Lima.
Accommodation: Hotel Manantial del Silencio | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Cachi

Today you’ll have the chance to explore the town of Cachi and its surroundings. Its beautiful colonial charm, well-maintained roads and stately buildings tell the story of a relatively prosperous past in trade and administration. You can also discover this history at the Arquelógico Pío Pablo Díaz museum. In addition to this museum, the town boasts several other interesting sights.
Accommodation: La Merced del Alto | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Cachi – Cafayate

(approx. 165 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive through the mountains to Cafayate. The arid landscape and the abundance of sunshine here make this area ideal for wine-growing. Cafayate is a small, charming town surrounded by beautiful mountains, vineyards and bodegas. It has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Accommodation: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Cafayate

This day is free to spend as you wish, and you can visit some of the wineries in the Cafayate area. This will give you an insight into the production process of the export product that has made Cafayate so famous. You can also visit the central square, Plaza San Martin. Here you’ll find charming shops, outdoor cafés and restaurants. Everything is within walking distance, including a number of bodegas where you can enjoy a free guided trip and wine tasting.
Accommodation: Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Cafayate – Tafí del Valle

(approx. 140 km | 2.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive from Cafayate to Tafí de Valle, a short journey. Before the arrival of the Europeans, life for the indigenous people revolved around Pachamama, or Mother Earth. She was central to their lives and was honoured, just like the sun and the moon. The menhirs you can see in the valley are remnants of this period. These enormous pillars are carved with depictions of gods and symbols representing bountiful harvests and fertility. The 114 enormous granite pillars no longer stand in their original locations but have been re-erected by the residents of the village of El Mollar.
Accommodation: Hotel Tafi | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Tafí del Valle – Talampaya National Park

(approx. 600 km | 8.5-hour drive)
Today is set to be a long day’s journey. You’ll drive from Tafí del Valle to your accommodation near Talampaya National Park – a long but pleasant route. You’ll drive from your hotel back to Ruta 40, and from there you’ll have a journey of around 600 km ahead of you. Ruta 40 will eventually take you to Villa Unión. This small village is nestled between the mountains and the canyons, a wonderful base from which to enjoy the impressive landscapes.
Overnight stay: El Chiflón | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Talampaya National Park

Today you can visit Talampaya National Park. This region is famous for Talampaya National Park and Valle de la Luna. Talampaya National Park is a stunning range of red-coloured canyons. You can also visit Valle de la Luna, also known as the Valley of the Moon, a 60.3-hectare nature reserve listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area owes its name to the desert-like landscape that resembles the surface of the moon.
Overnight stay: El Chiflón | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Talampaya National Park – San Juan

(approx. 305 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive through the Talampaya and Ischigualasto National Parks. This area is known for its Grand Canyon-like landscapes with bizarre rock formations. San Juan is a charming city with a lovely climate, surrounded by green hills. The city has a predominantly modern feel and features wide boulevards and squares.
Accommodation: Del Bono Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | San Juan – Mendoza

(approx. 195 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll continue your journey to Mendoza. Mendoza lies at the foot of the Andes; it’s a pleasant city with many beautiful old buildings and is famous for its wine production. It is the centre of the Argentine wine industry, with around 80 per cent of Argentine wines produced here.
Accommodation: Villa Mansa | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Mendoza – Buenos Aires

Today you’ll drive to Mendoza Airport to return your rental car (approx. 35 km | 1-hour drive). You’ll then board your domestic flight to Buenos Aires. Once you arrive, you’ll be taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Palo Santo Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Buenos Aires – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your special journey through Argentina is coming to an end. You will be collected from your hotel and taken to Buenos Aires airport. Here, you will board your intercontinental overnight flight to Amsterdam. You will arrive in Amsterdam the following day.

Day 21 | Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.