2-Day Salta Tour: Cafayate Wine Valley & Salinas Grandes

Wind-carved canyons, salt flats at 4,170 meters, and two days to cross them

A 2-day tour from Salta that splits between the Calchaquí Valley wine region and the high-altitude salt flats of the puna. Day one follows the Quebrada de las Conchas through multicolored rock formations shaped by wind and water erosion (the Devil's Throat, the Amphitheatre, the Castles) down to Cafayate for a winery visit and wine tasting, with two free hours to explore the colonial town. Day two climbs the Cuesta de Lipán to Salinas Grandes, the third-largest salt flat in Latin America, then returns through Purmamarca and its famous seven-colored hill. Pickup from Salta is included. Lunch is on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tour Cafayate and Quebrada de las Conchas

• Depart Salta via National Road 68
• Cross Lerma Valley with technical stop
• Visit natural wonders in Quebrada de las Conchas
• Arrive in Cafayate wine region
• Visit winery and taste local wines
• Explore Cafayate town and have lunch
• Return to Salta via Quebrada de las Conchas
• Technical stop in La Viña or Talapampa

Day 2: Explore Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca

• Depart Salta via RN 9 and RN 34
• Pass through Yala and Volcán with technical stop
• Stop for panoramic photo at Purmamarca
• Drive Cuesta de Lipán at 4,170 meters
• Visit Salinas Grandes salt flats
• Return to Purmamarca for free time and lunch
• Return to Salta with technical stops

The experience

The route opens with the Lerma Valley and its technical stops, then enters the Quebrada de las Conchas: a canyon carved by erosion into a succession of named formations. The Devil's Throat is a deep, closed canyon; the Amphitheatre has natural acoustics; the Friar, the Obelisk and the Castles rise in multicolored stone. As the landscape shifts from bare rock to vineyards, you reach Cafayate, a town of one-story colonial and baroque houses from the late 19th century. There you visit a winery and taste the region's wines: Torrontés is the signature white, but the area also grows Malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. Two hours free in town gives you time for lunch and to walk the narrow streets.

Day two leaves Salta heading north through General Güemes and into Jujuy province, passing through the Quebrada de Humahuaca and small towns like Yala and Volcán. A short stop in Purmamarca lets you photograph the Cerro de los Siete Colores, the seven-colored hill, from the road, where morning light changes its appearance. Then the route climbs the Cuesta de Lipán, a winding high-altitude road that reaches 4,170 meters above sea level, where the flora and fauna shift to puna landscape. At Salinas Grandes, you have 45 minutes to an hour to walk the salt pools, see the salt sculptures and restaurant, and take photos across the vast white expanse. The return stops in Purmamarca again for two free hours to explore the town and eat before heading back to Salta through the Quebrada.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle for both days.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup from Salta.
• winery entrance and wine tasting in Cafayate.
• visits to the Quebrada de las Conchas, Purmamarca, the Cuesta de Lipán and Salinas Grandes.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (4 and older) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 23

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 28 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by La Quebrada Turismo

Is this one for you?Book this if you have two days and want both Cafayate's vineyards and the high-altitude salt flats in one shared itinerary, with photo stops and short walks but no demanding hikes.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): free.

What exactly is the Quebrada de las Conchas and what do I see there?

The Quebrada de las Conchas is a canyon in the Calchaquí Valley carved by wind and water erosion into a series of named rock formations. You'll see the Devil's Throat, a deep closed canyon; the Amphitheatre, which has natural acoustics; and formations called the Toad, the Friar, the Obelisk and the Castles, all in multicolored stone shaped by erosion. The tour makes more than ten stops along the route to view these formations.

Do I get to taste wine, and what kinds are made in Cafayate?

Yes, the tour includes a visit to a winery in Cafayate with wine tasting. The region is known for Torrontés, a white wine, but also produces red grapes including Malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. You'll have time to sample the local wines during the winery visit.

How high is Salinas Grandes and what's the landscape like on the way up?

The Cuesta de Lipán climbs to 4,170 meters above sea level. The road is winding and high-altitude, with green and brown colors showing puna landscape: the flora and fauna change as you gain elevation. Once you reach Salinas Grandes, it's the third-largest salt flat in Latin America, where you can walk among salt pools and sculptures.

How much free time do I have in Cafayate and Purmamarca to eat and explore?

Cafayate gives you two free hours to have lunch and walk the town's colonial and baroque streets. Purmamarca also offers two free hours on the return, so you can explore the narrow cobbled streets, adobe houses and the base of the seven-colored hill. Lunch and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What's included in the tour price and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes the air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or Spanish, pickup from Salta, entrance to the winery with wine tasting, and all fees and taxes. Lunch and drinks are not included, so you'll buy those during your free time in Cafayate and Purmamarca.