October 10th
Departure day
Salta
Destination
Intermediate
Difficulty level
The Calchaquies Valleys bike tour in Northwest Argentina is packed with highlights. This region can truly be called magical.
You will climb above high mountain passes, reaching the very edge of the great Altiplano. This is the highest inhabited mountain plateau in the world, after the Tibetan highlands. The Calchaquies Valleys don’t cease to surprise with its amazing desert landscapes and wonderful colonial towns. Local people come from ancient indigenous cultures mixed with colonial Spanish heritage. They always transmit peace and calm. A fantastic way to delve deeply into Salta, a region that is fast becoming a world-class destination. The tour will take us to Cachi, Molinos, Finca del Carmen and beautifil Cafayate. Riding to Colome is something special to mention! Winetasting and enjoying lunch surrounded by beautiful vineyards is a special time in this tour. Come experience the magical Northwest with us!
| DEPARTURE/ARRIVAL | Salta/ San Miguel de Tucumán | ||||||||||
| DEPARTING TIME | 8 p.m. in Buenos Aires | ||||||||||
| SERVICES INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Additional information
| Location | Cachi, Cafayate, Molinos, Salta |
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| Duration | 9 days |
| Dates | April, May, September, October, November |
Fantastic mountain bike tour in Salta in north Argentina, from colonial Cachi to the vineyards of Cafayate, through Molinos and San Carlos.
1
Day 1:
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 relax before receiving the briefing of the bike tour program.
2
Day 2: Cuesta del Obispo - Cachi
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 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
3
Day 3: Seclantas to Molinos in the backyards of the Calchaqui Valley
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
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
4
Day 4: The path of the artisans
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
5
Day 5: Molinos to Finca del Carmen
The small town of Molinos dates from the 17th 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
21 miles and 1080 ft elevation gain
6
Day 6: La Quebrada de las flechas
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
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
7
Day 7: La Quebrada de las conchas
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
40,5 miles and 1000ft elevation gain
8
Día 8: Adios Cafayate!
Adios Salta!
After a scenic drive we’ll arrive 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. Then 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 will continue in an overnight drive to arrive in the next morning.
After a scenic drive we’ll arrive 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. Then 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 will continue in an overnight drive to arrive in the next morning.
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Tour Reviews
My mate Stephen and I returned to mbt Tours a long decade after our first trip. That one (Andes Cross) remained the best trip of my life for 10 years. Now, I have another by which to judge “the best”. When I do the next, it will be a trio of wonderful indelible experiences, equal firsts.
First, there is no-one like Mariano. Sure, it’s a tour, but he makes you feel like all his effort is entirely devoted to you and having the best possible time (which is guaranteed as you soon as you book). Mariano masters the collegiate approach, bringing all (despite language differences) into one family. You feel honoured be be a participant, a privileged tourist and brother to all, continuously. This is the uniqueness of this team, and we have great experience to know there is nothing like it, anywhere.
Then, there is the hospitaliity – dedication to a flawless experience, first class organisation, beautiful people to assist and never without an enouraging smile. Nothing is too much trouble,
Argentina delivers a spectacular backdrop, so the cycle is an incredible and breathtaking journey through varied landscapes and mind-blowing untouched nature. How can every centimetre of this ride be so good? The pace is your own and married to a very considerate group, with strategic rests, thoughtful breaks and home-made food, and care and attention to the processes. Safety sits alongside every stroke of the pedal and the voice of ageless experience tells its tale, every moment you are there.
Mariano, you are an ambassador for good times, amazing memories, your wonderful country and the exemplary standard of guided cycle trips. Thank you, thank you and I hope that our health and circumstances unite us again soon. Stephen and Phillip – Australia.
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