Salta & Jujuy Tours
Explore Northern Argentina and connect with the spirit of the Earth and the soul of its people through our Jujuy tours and Salta tours. Wander the Humahuaca Gorge, ride to the vast salt flats, and discover archaeological treasures. This region of Argentina is renowned for its breathtaking locations, such as Salta and Cafayate, as well as many other natural wonders.
Northern Argentina has significant thermal amplitude, meaning days can be hot while nights can be cold. We recommend bringing clothes suitable for all climates and dressing in layers. As you’ll be at a high altitude, both the cold and heat will be more intense. The climate is generally dry, with rains typically occurring in summer. Whether you’re on Salta tours or exploring other areas, packing appropriately for varying temperatures is essential.
You can take a long-distance bus or a plane to the cities of Salta or Jujuy. Once there, you can join various Salta Argentina tours to explore the region’s highlights and hidden gems.
Salta, Purmamarca, Tilcara, Cafayate, and Cachi are top cities to visit in Northern Argentina. Apart from the beautiful landscapes, these cities offer a wide variety of hotels and restaurants. Exploring these cities through Jujuy tours or other guided trips will give you a full experience of the region’s cultural and natural beauty.
It’s best to stay at least 3 nights to fully experience the region. Of course, the longer you stay, the more you’ll be able to see. However, we don’t recommend staying less than 3 nights, especially if you want to enjoy all that Northern Argentina has to offer. This is particularly true for Jujuy tours and other excursions in the region.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, with its beautiful towns rich in culture and stunning landscapes, including the salt flats, is a must-see when visiting Northern Argentina. For wine lovers, a visit to the Calchaquí Valleys to explore the areas of Cafayate and Cachi is highly recommended. These destinations are often included in comprehensive Salta tours.
Yes, Northern Argentina is an excellent destination for a self-drive trip. You can pick up your car at the airport and from there, drive north or south, or both! Many Salta tours and other regional excursions offer the flexibility to explore by road, making it a great option for those who enjoy driving.
What to Do in Northern Argentina?
The northwest part of Argentina, known as “The North,” includes the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, and Tucumán. Among these, Salta and Jujuy are the two most popular tourist destinations, often seen as complementary due to their contrasting yet harmonious nature. These regions are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes, such as multicolored mountains and sparkling salt flats, as well as their deep-rooted customs and mystical culture.
Salta, founded in 1582, is the perfect starting point for exploring Northern Argentina. Salta tours typically include visits to the stunning Calchaquies Valley and the city of Cafayate, known as the cradle of Torrontés wine. The province’s rich history, vibrant colonial architecture, and cultural festivals make it a must-visit destination. On the other hand, Jujuy, home to the UNESCO-listed Humahuaca Gorge and the dazzling Great Salt Flats, offers travelers a chance to explore some of the most unique and culturally significant landscapes in Argentina. Jujuy tours provide an immersive experience into the indigenous heritage and natural beauty of the region.
Historically, both Salta and Jujuy served as crucial routes between the viceroyalty of Peru and Buenos Aires, playing a vital role in Argentina’s struggle for independence. Today, they stand as vibrant reminders of the country’s past and present, offering rich experiences for any traveler. For those looking to expand their journey, consider adding Buenos Aires tours or Mendoza wine tours to your itinerary, allowing you to explore the diverse landscapes and cultural richness that Argentina has to offer.
Destinations to Combine with Northern Argentina
Buenos Aires
On the western shore of Río de la Plata, you’ll find Buenos Aires. From the capital city of Argentina it only takes an hour to cross to Uruguay, on the opposite coast!
The majority of flights and airports in Argentina depart from this city: there is an international airport (known as “Ezeiza”) and a domestic airport (known as “Aeroparque”) from which you can travel to nearly every region of the country.
Outdoor cafés, shopping, restaurants, wine, steak, and so on; you should stay at least five days to explore these places, and the combination of Latin American and European architecture.
Mendoza
Another marvelous destination that you can combine with a tour to the North of Argentina is Mendoza. Mendoza was once a desert, but the hands of hardworking immigrants, as well as the blessings of water and climate, have transformed it into a green fruitful region.
The best Argentine wines are made in this region, and numerous vineyards may be visited for a wine tasting! Mendoza’s greatest wine-growing region is located 4,000 feet above sea level in the Andes, making it one of the world’s highest-altitude wine districts.
Insects are hardly an issue in Argentine vineyards due to the high altitude and little humidity. In contrast to other parts of the world, wines in Mendoza are grown with little or no pesticides, allowing organic wines to be easily produced.
Iguazú Falls
“Iguazú” means big water in Guaraní language. These breathtaking falls have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984 and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World since 2011. Argentina’s most known attraction is split between Brazil and Argentina.
Both countries offer national parks that can be visited in a single day. However, the Argentinian park is larger and has more trails to explore. Take advantage of the tropical rainforest atmosphere and encounters native species.
Iberá Wetlands
The Esteros de Iberá (Iberá Wetlands) is the world’s second-largest wetlands and one of the continent’s major freshwater reservoirs. This natural reserve, located south of Iguazú Falls, encompasses about 5000 acres of marsh with over 60 lakes.
For nature enthusiasts, this is the best place to visit in Argentina. Caimans, capybaras, swamp deer, pampas deer, gigantic otters, anacondas, larger rheas, and over 350 bird species may all be seen.
San Pedro de Atacama
For action seekers, a visit to this relaxed town nestled around an oasis in the world’s driest desert provides the ideal adventures amongst volcanoes, sand dunes, and lagoons.
At night, enjoy the beautiful stars; the Atacama Desert is one of the greatest places on Earth for stargazing and learning about astronomy. In this age-old village with dirt roads and adobe buildings, ancient civilizations and tourists from all over the world coexist.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, UNESCO World Heritage
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a living testament to the rich history of North Argentina’s native civilizations, such as the Omaguacas or Humahuacas. This region also traces the path of significant cultural routes like the Inca Trail, making it a highlight of many Jujuy tours.
Over the past 10,000 years, the valley has served as a major trade route, showcasing substantial evidence of its use by prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, the Inca Empire (15th to 16th centuries), and the struggle for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it stands as a cultural and historical treasure, offering insights into the region’s diverse past, which is often explored through Salta Argentina tours.
Why is it considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO?
Why is it considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO?
The Quebrada is a unique cultural landscape where the indigenous peoples of the area preserve religious beliefs, rituals, festivals, art, music, and agricultural techniques that are a living heritage. For this reason, it was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 2003. Its current inhabitants are predominantly of the Quechua ethnicity, and the gorge was the scene of various ancestral cultures dating back 10,000 years, including the Omaguacas. Sites like the “Inca Cueva” locality reveal signs of ancient civilizations, with petroglyphs and carved stones that are estimated to be ten millennia old.
This region was a mandatory passage for explorers and colonizers and served as an important commercial route during the colonial period. The site has always been a means of interaction, acting as a communication route between different territories and cultures, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Andes to the southern plains. It was also the scene of many battles during the War of Independence and the conflict with the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation. Today, it remains a key highlight in Patagonia tours and Iguazu Falls tours for those looking to explore Argentina’s diverse landscapes and history.
What places can you visit in La Quebrada de Humahuaca?
What places can you visit in La Quebrada de Humahuaca?
A must-stop on any Salta tours is Purmamarca, recognized as one of the most beautiful towns in Argentina. Here, you can visit the mythical Hill of Seven Colors, the Colorados’ Walk, and admire the adobe houses and craft fair in the central square. Continuing along the road, you’ll reach Maimará, which attracts travelers with the astonishing hues of the Painter’s Palette Hill—a sight that is sure to impress.
Another must-see is Tilcara, one of the most visited sites in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. In this destination, you should include a visit to the pre-Hispanic settlement of Pucará de Tilcara, the Devil’s Throat, and the Amphitheater natural monuments, along with a stroll through the beautiful streets of Tilcara. These destinations are often included in broader Argentina tours, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca is a living testament to the rich history of North Argentina’s native civilizations, such as the Omaguacas or Humahuacas. This region also traces the path of significant cultural routes like the Inca Trail, making it a highlight of many Jujuy tours.
Over the past 10,000 years, the valley has served as a major trade route, showcasing substantial evidence of its use by prehistoric hunter-gatherer communities, the Inca Empire (15th to 16th centuries), and the struggle for independence in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it stands as a cultural and historical treasure, offering insights into the region’s diverse past, which is often explored through Salta Argentina tours.
What places can you visit in La Quebrada de Humahuaca?
A must-stop on any Salta tours is Purmamarca, recognized as one of the most beautiful towns in Argentina. Here, you can visit the mythical Hill of Seven Colors, the Colorados’ Walk, and admire the adobe houses and craft fair in the central square. Continuing along the road, you’ll reach Maimará, which attracts travelers with the astonishing hues of the Painter’s Palette Hill—a sight that is sure to impress.
Another must-see is Tilcara, one of the most visited sites in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. In this destination, you should include a visit to the pre-Hispanic settlement of Pucará de Tilcara, the Devil’s Throat, and the Amphitheater natural monuments, along with a stroll through the beautiful streets of Tilcara. These destinations are often included in broader Argentina tours, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Why is it considered a World Heritage site by UNESCO?
The Quebrada is a unique cultural landscape where the indigenous peoples of the area preserve religious beliefs, rituals, festivals, art, music, and agricultural techniques that are a living heritage. For this reason, it was declared a “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 2003. Its current inhabitants are predominantly of the Quechua ethnicity, and the gorge was the scene of various ancestral cultures dating back 10,000 years, including the Omaguacas. Sites like the “Inca Cueva” locality reveal signs of ancient civilizations, with petroglyphs and carved stones that are estimated to be ten millennia old.
This region was a mandatory passage for explorers and colonizers and served as an important commercial route during the colonial period. The site has always been a means of interaction, acting as a communication route between different territories and cultures, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Andes to the southern plains. It was also the scene of many battles during the War of Independence and the conflict with the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation. Today, it remains a key highlight in Patagonia tours and Iguazu Falls tours for those looking to explore Argentina’s diverse landscapes and history.
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