Argentina mountain bike tour: discover the Calchaquies Valleys

Guests starting with us in Buenos Aires will depart in our van on Friday afternoon in route to Salta (flight to, and accommodations in Buenos Aires are not included in tour price). The shuttle from Buenos Aires to Salta takes 20 hours, arriving on Saturday.If you choose to fly to Salta, we will meet you there on Saturday. The group will rendezvous in Salta this afternoon. Transfer to Chicoana and time for an Argentinean asado(Barbacue), while we receive a briefing for the next days program.

Down the Bishop´s Slope and into the Andean Plateau
After our detailed welcome and safety speach, we’ll start our tour with one of the trip’s highlights! Leaving on our comfortable van, we’ll cross the town of El Carril, and begin climbing the “Quebrada de Escoipe”, following a canyon sculpted by a river flowing down from the mountains. This beautiful place is surrounded by verdant vegetation and huge mountain chains. We keep climbing the famous “Cuesta del Obispo” (the Bishop´s Slope), an amazing climb that seems to never end. We’ll reach “Piedra del Molino” (the Millstone), which lies at 3,348 ms above seal level (10,980 ft). After being amazed by the views atop, we’ll get on our bikes and descend over the wonderful “Camino de los Colorados” (the Red Road), the name coming from the eroded slopes surrounding us, exposing all shades of red – a fantastic sight. We´ll also cycle through the Cardones National Park named after the huge cactus that grows everywhere and that is protected here. We’ll arrive in Cachi tonight, sleeping in a cozy hosteria.
31 miles + 13 optional miles and 750ft elevation gain

After a hearty breakfast, we’ll head to one of the most surprising places of the journey, landing in the middle of red, dry mountains, surrounded by the incredible cardón cactus (a relative of the saguaro). At Laguna Brealito we’ll have our lunch. This scenic and rocky path will offer a challenging ride, with plenty of climbing and descending. In the afternoon, we’ll ride over another isolated backroad, used only by the few locals existing in the region.
The enchanting landscapes we’ll cross are well worth the challenging ride. Tonight we’ll be lodged at the Hacienda de Molinos, a restored country manor set in a fantastic location.
30,5 miles and 3400ft elevation gain

Today’s program begins and ends in Molinos. We leave by bicycle along the mythical route 40 in a northerly direction and in an upward trend accompanying the west bank of the Calchaquí River. At nineteen kilometers we pass through Seclantas, and continue until we reach “El Colte”. There we change direction, stop pedaling uphill and enter the “Camino de los Artesanos”, a route where artisan stalls from the region is concentrated, and who make everything from woolen fabrics and traditional ponchos to ceramics, basketry and leather objects. Each stop offers a taste of local talent and creativity. The tour allows you to enter the towns and communities where artisans develop their skills transmitted from generation to generation, providing the opportunity to appreciate the creative process and acquire authentic pieces. In Seclantas we will have our lunch. In the afternoon we pedal towards Molinos along a very entertaining path, with a slight downward trend.  37 miles and 1761 ft elevation gain

The small town of Molinos dates from the 17^th century, and after a bit of exploring, we’ll begin pedaling on the famous Route 40, which stretches the length of Argentina along the spine of the Andes, from the border with Bolivia down to Ushuaia, on the southern edge of the continent. We’ll follow the Calchaquí River Valley, a fertile region settled since pre-historic times. We’ll pass few small towns, and arrive in Finca del Carmen, near Angastaco, with lively regional arquitecture and plenty of traditional culture. The silence of the Valley and the scenery surrounding us will keep us awed throughout the journey. Tonight we’ll rest at Finca del Carmen
21 miles and 1080 ft elevation gain

 Through the Quebrada de las Flechas into colonial Cafayate
Today, we’ll enter the amazing Quebrada de las Flechas (The Canyon of Arrows), one of the most amazing sites in the Argentine Northwest. The eroded cliffs and slopes, with the high Andes off in the distance; create an almost surreal landscape, dazzling all that come through here. After 31 km of riding, we’ll stop for lunch, and load our bikes to drive into the town of San Carlos. From this town, we’ll again ride but over a paved road, eventually nearing the desert oasis of Cafayate, famous for its high altitude vineyards. The town of Cafayate is another trip highlight – you’ll be made to feel at home by its friendly inhabitants, who still live and breathe Northwest tradition and culture
36 miles and 1800ft elevation gain

We’ll depart in our van from Cafayate and cycle through the Quebrada de las Conchas, another magical canyon offering enchanting landscapes of strange rock formations and eroded slopes exposing innumerable bands of colors. Similar to the US Western deserts, there are many rock formations to discover, and the colors will change as the sun arches over and behind the canyon. To add to this wonder, the last ride of the tour is entirely paved, allowing for a day of tranquil riding. We’ll return to Cafayate in the afternoon, a wonderful town for strolling and enjoying the evening
40,5 miles and 1000ft elevation gain

The Ruins of Quilmes
After a scenic, short drive we’ll arrive in the amazing Quilmes Ruins, set on the slopes of the namesake Sierras. This indigenous fortress is truly surprising – the Quilmes Indians resisted the Inca and Spanish invaders here for many years. Only when their sources of food and water were cut off did they end their resistance. After exploring this amazing site, we’ll shuttle a bit further, to the top of the Cuesta del Infiernillo (the Hell’s Pass), at 3,200 ms, from where we’ll drive down to Tafi del Valle. This is the mountain pass where the first Spanish conquistadores to arrive in Argentina came through. The views on the way down towards Tafi Valley are wonderful. After lunch in Tafi we’ll drive through the amazing sub-tropical rainforest set below the Altiplano – another highlight of our trip! Our tour ends in the city of Tucuman, the oldest city in Argentina, where independence was first declared. Those travelling back to Buenos Aires with us will rest up before beginning an overnight drive to arrive in the next morning.