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If you have been following along with my blog the last couple weeks, I have hopefully convinced you to visit the Salta and Jujuy regions of Northwest Argentina. For those of you that are new here let me get you up to date. If you are wondering where to go in Argentina, the provinces of Salta and Jujuy should be on your radar. The area known as the Puna region has some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes of the country. Stay in the city of Salta and take day trips from Salta to see the scenery, visit the indigenous villages and go on adrenaline adventures. See below for other Salta day tours and continue reading to find out why you should take a Salta day trip to Cachi, Argentina.

Cachi Day Tour

Like all the other day trips from Salta, my day tour to Cachi started bright and early. After introductions the first question my guide asked me was, “Do you speak Spanish?” This question altered the entire day. I’m always trying to practice my Spanish skills and want people to talk to me in Spanish so I eagerly answered in Spanish. Ten hours later after a full day of only hearing Spanish I regretted my enthusiastic answer from the morning! Luckily the Cachi tour is a relatively relaxing one that mostly involves sitting back and enjoying the views.

Scenery & Photo Stops on the Way to Cachi

Quebrada de las Conchas

While the destination of the tour is the town of Cachi, the scenery and photo stops along the way are just as important. Driving through the Quebrada de las Conchas (Shell’s Gorge) is one of the highlights. The Quebrada is part of the Calchaquí Valley. The colorful and impressive rock formations go on for more than 37 miles. Centuries of rough weather have caused the rocks to form unusual shapes.

On the Cachi day tour you only have time to take a few photos. There is a different Quebrada de las Conchas tour that is focused more on hiking through the gorge and getting closer to uniquely formed landmarks. If you prefer to be a bit more active while sightseeing you may want to go with this option.

Cuesta del Obispo

La Cuesta del Obispo, or the Bishop’s slope is a curvy road that gains about 1200 meters in 30 – 40 minutes. As gorgeous as the surroundings are don’t think this part of the drive will be relaxing! The hairpin turns and steep drop offs will give you a thrill.

If that doesn’t sound adventurous enough for you, you can bike down the road! What? My stomach felt rumbly just from the drive, but if you have a need for speed give it a try and let me know how it goes!

Piedra del Molino

La Cuesta del Obispo brings you to la Piedra del Molino (the Mill’s Stone). At 3.348 meters this is the highest altitude you will be at during the tour. If you were too scared to look on the drive up, this look-out point will give you a great view of the crazy road you just took. If it makes you feel a little uneasy, don’t even think about how you have to take the same road back after visiting Cachi! There is also a little chapel you can go inside of.

Parque Nacional los Cardones

At the Piedra del Molino is the start of Los Cardones National Park. The park gets its name from the cardón (candelabra cactus). You will stop to take a short path to get a closer look at the cacti and feel as if you are in the desert.

Within the park you might be able to spot some animals like guanacos (similar to a llama), cóndores (condors), vicuñas (related to alpacas & llamas), guemels (south Andean deer), zorros colorados (red foxes), zorros grises (gray foxes), pumas (cougars) and burros (donkeys).

Cachi

Following a full morning of sightseeing we arrived in the town of Cachi. We were able to choose where we ate lunch, but I went with the place recommended by our guide along with several other people in our tour. If it wasn’t hard on my brain already listening to the information all morning in Spanish, I now I had to make conversation during lunch. Really I was just grateful whenever someone talked to the sole gringa on the tour all day!

There was several typical Argentinean dishes to choose from. If you don’t speak Spanish, you will find it helpful to see all the food options at the outdoor grill.

After lunch there are several things to do in Cachi. You don’t need much time to visit the local church, Iglesia de San Jose, that is from the 1700s. It was made with cactus wood! If you want to learn a bit more about the history of the region visit the Cachi Archaeological Museum.

My favorite things to do in a new Latin city are stroll through the streets and sit in the plaza. The colonial streets of Cachi have a really interesting feel and the central plaza didn’t disappoint in showing off the character of the town. You can also shop for traditional goods at the artisan market around the plaza.

The Salta province has some of the most beautiful landscapes in Argentina, especially around Cachi. It is one of the best tours from Salta if you love impressive scenery and can handle an adventurous drive! What do you think, would you take a Salta day trip to Cachi, Argentina? 

Cachi Day Trip Information

Booking

Cachi Day Trip

Toilets

On the drive to and from Cachi a couple of stops are made at tourist places. Some you may need to pay to use the toilets. There are no toilets at any of the look-out points or photo stops. In Cachi you can use the toilet at the restaurant you choose and then again at the same restaurant before leaving.

Altitude

The altitude isn’t as a high on this Salta day trip as the one to the Salinas Grandes and the Quebrada de Humahuaca. My guide said we didn’t need coca like I used on the other day trip. I did feel a little queasy, tired and head achey. As you see in the picture above the roads are very steep and curvy. We took the roads at a pretty good clip and this may have affected me. If I did it again I would have used the coca leaves or candies. Read more about them and how to prevent altitude sickness in my Salinas Grandes post.

Where to Stay in Salta

You could travel around the Jujuy and Salta provinces if you are renting a car, but with the crazy roads I recommend taking tours from Salta that start and end in the city every-day. Stay somewhere close to the main plaza and you can easily get around the city and be picked up for day trips.

Booking.com

Salta Day Tours

Spend at least five days in Salta so you have enough time to see both the city and all the surrounding places on day trips from Salta.

• Train to the Clouds: This tourist train takes you through the most spectacular scenery in Salta. Yes, you are riding a train at high altitudes in the sky!
• Salinas Grandes: On this trip visit Argentina’s salt flats and have fun taking perspective photos. You will also see the scenary of the Quebrada de Humahuaca and visit the indigenous village of Purmamarca. Read my full post for more information about this day tour.
• Humahuaca: This tour is similar to the Salinas Grandes tour. The main difference is that it does not go to the salt flats and instead visits additional towns in the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
• Cafayate: The town of Cafayate and the surrounding area is one of Argentina’s main regions for wine production.
• Salta Rafting & Canopy: For something more adventurous that still allows you to see more of the Salta province, go rafting and zip-lining! Read more about what you can expect here.
• Rainforest Hiking: Hike through the rainforest near Salta. Enjoy the landscapes around Salta while staying active.

More About Argentina

• Argentina: What to Know Before Visiting
• Salta: What to Do in Salta
• Salta Day Trips: Salinas Grandes and la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Rafting & Zip-lining
• Buenos Aires: Where to Stay
• Buenos Aires: Tango – where to dance Tango and where to watch Tango
• Buenos Aires: Fútbol – how to get tickets to a Boca Juniors game
• Buenos Aires: Steak – the best places to eat steak in the Palermo neighborhood
• Buenos Aires: Restaurants – where to eat in Palermo
• Buenos Aires: MALBA – The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires
• Buenos Aires: Evita Museum – museum dedicate to the life of Eva Perón
• Buenos Aires: Medical Care – where to go in Buenos Aires for medical care (plus pharmacies!)
• Buenos Aires Day Trip: Tigre

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