I sent an email to the tour operator only a couple weeks before arriving in Salta. Mateo from their company arranged 3 full day tours - even though one fell on a major holiday - the 200th anniversary of Argentina's independence!
He is clearly one of the most knowledgable travel agents we have ever used. The first day our tour took us to almost 14,000 feet - the viaduct where the train to the clouds travels. Being with him was so much better than a long bus ride and 20 km on the train!! He constantly checked on us to make sure we were not getting sick from the altitude. He adjusted our trip to stop and see everything, or just to take pictures. When we arrived back in Salta, he made sure we had great local food for dinner.
The second day, Mateo again arrived bright and early so that we could see all the little villages on our way to Cafayate. As we drove through the amazing views, Mariano knew exactly where to stop to avoid the crowds. He picked an amazing inn outside of the city for lunch, so that we would not fight the crowds. AND he was incredibly patient as we walked the mercado in search of a chess set!!
Our days in Salta and jujuy were wonderful and left us wanting more!!! We all highly recommend their travel agency, ask for Mateo and hold on for the ride!!!
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
This was a fantastic trip that lived up fully to its billing, as we saw many spectacular and varied landscapes and we sampled many gorgeous wines. The guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout. My only observation is that it was a hard trip in terms of several very long days travelling of 8 or more hours - over 12 hours on one day - which meant we rarely had the chance to relax and/or enjoy the hotel facilities (e.g. pools in most hotels).
The Trip Notes highlighted this but even so, after more than a dozen Explore trips previously which we thought prepared us for a lot of time on the road , we were still surprised. Essentially the trip was 12 full days and we thought it could have been stretched to 14 to cover the same itinerary - maybe an extra day in Cafayate and in Cachi?
Why for example, did we travel from Mendoza to Aconcagua (a brilliant trip) but then back to Mendoza (3 hours each way) on one day, only to retrace our steps almost all the way back to Aconcagua on the next day, on the way to the next stop? This retracing of the same route wasted 6 hours, or almost a full day? Why did we not go from Aconcagua directly to the next stop, instead of back to Mendoza?
In summary, this is a great tour, but we recommend you review the itinerary and through better planning and some extra time make it a more relaxing tour spread over over one or two more days.
Active and outdoorFood tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
16-79 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza
Buenos Aires, Cafayate, Mendoza, Salta, Humahuaca, Barreal, Villa Union, Belen, Cachi
The trip is incredible. The scenery varies every day and you'll ride on all possible terrains: sand, rock, gravel, tarmac and every day offers a lot of fun. The landscape of the Moon Valley in Chile is surreal and the Tatio geyser excursion is a stunning experience. Chile and Argentina are lovely countries; the areas visited still haven't been reached by mass tourism and you barely see any other tourists while travelling.
ExplorerBicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Lodge
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ru
San Pedro De Atacama, Quilmes Ruins, Molinos, Salta, Moon Valley, Susques, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Cafayate
Discover Salta and its surroundings from a whole new point of view! Experience the local flavors going on an exclusive wine tour to Cafayate. Then go for a 2 days excursion to Humahuaca and Iruya where you will have the best views of the Seven Colours Hill, while meeting the locals.
The Salta Deluxe package includes 4 night accommodation with breakfast in a 5-star hotel (3 nights in Salta & 1 in Iruya - 3 Star superior), and every transfers in/out and from/to the hotel
Natural landmarks sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
A 10-Day trip in Argentina to discover not only the Capital City of Buenos Aires, but also the Northern cities of Puerto Iguazú and Salta. Start the trip visiting the beautiful city of Buenos Aires with its streets of European arqchitecture, fascinating culture and be captivated by some milonga or tango of the city
Waterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
1-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, Igu
Buenos Aires, Puerto Iguazu, Iguazu Falls, Salta, Cafayate
From Buenos Aires set out on a wilderness adventure through Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, taking in the spectacular landscapes of the Andes mountains, the Atacama Desert and the shimmering Uyuni Salt Flats, culminating at magnificent Machu Picchu.
MountainsCity sightseeing
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Buenos Aires, Lima, La Paz, Copa
Buenos Aires, Lima, La Paz, Copacabana, Puno, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Salta, Cafayate, San Pedro De Atacama, Moon Valley, Uyuni Salt Flat