Cafayate and Cachi Valleys 1-day winery tour from Salta

Two valleys, one long day: Cachi's colonial streets and Cafayate's wine country in a single loop

A 14-hour loop tour from Salta through the Calchaquí Valleys, visiting Cachi and Cafayate with a private air-conditioned vehicle and live guide in English or Spanish. The route covers Los Cardones National Park, the Quebrada de las Conchas, a winery with tasting, and multiple viewpoints including Devil's Throat and the Three Crosses. Hotel pickup and drop-off included. Lunch is your choice in either Cachi or Cafayate, and you decide which winery to visit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Los Cardones National Park30m
2. Devil’s Throat20m

Tour Cafayate and Cachi Valleys

• Depart from accommodation in Salta
• Travel to Cachi via Route 68 and Route 33
• Breakfast and visit bridge bad step
• Photographic stop at Bishop's slope viewpoint
• Visit chapel San Rafael
• Visit Los Cardones National Park
• Stop in Payogasta to see local species and cheeses
• Tour the village of Cachi
• Travel from Cachi to Cafayate on Route 40
• Photographic stops in the gulch of the arrows
• Arrive in Cafayate for tour and lunch
• Visit winery for tour and wine tasting
• Photo stop at viewpoint three crosses
• Stop at the amphitheater
• Visit Devil’s Throat
• Technical stop for toilets
• Return to Salta and drop off at accommodation

The experience

Fourteen hours is a long day, but it covers almost the entire Calchaquí Valleys circuit in one push. You start with hotel pickup and head south on Route 68 toward Cachi, climbing through Los Cardones National Park: the second largest cardon forest in the world, spanning 64,117 hectares. Along the way you stop at the Bishop's Slope viewpoint, the San Rafael chapel, and Payogasta's spice market, where the stalls stock local cheeses and regional seasonings. By lunch you're in Cachi, a colonial town where you walk the village before eating.

After Cachi, the route follows Route 40 south through the Quebrada de las Conchas, the Arrow Gorge, with two photo stops at the most dramatic points. You arrive in Cafayate by mid-afternoon and visit a winery of your choice for a tasting and vineyard tour. The operator can arrange a specific one if you request it ahead of time. On the return to Salta, you stop at the Three Crosses viewpoint, the Amphitheater, and Devil's Throat before heading back through the Lerma Valley. The vehicle is air-conditioned throughout, and your guide speaks English or Spanish.

Lunch happens in whichever town you prefer (Cachi or Cafayate), so you'll have more time in the one you choose. The winery visit is included, but the tasting itself and any wine purchase are separate. Breakfast is a technical stop early on. You'll need to budget for both meals and any extras at the winery.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle for the entire 14 hours.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Salta.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• winery visit with vineyard tour in Cafayate.
• entry to Los Cardones National Park.
• photo stops at Bishop's Slope, San Rafael chapel, Three Crosses viewpoint, Amphitheater, and Devil's Throat.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 06:30

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Parada Norte Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're driving your own pace through both valleys in one loop. You'll split time between the road and exploring villages, with the long drive as the trade-off for seeing everything without backtracking.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

How much time do I actually spend in Cachi and Cafayate if I'm on the road for 14 hours?

Cachi gets a morning walk through the village before lunch, and Cafayate gets an afternoon visit plus the winery tour: roughly two to three hours in each town depending on where you eat. The rest of the day is driving and photo stops along the route.

Can I choose which winery to visit in Cafayate, or is it already decided?

You can request a specific winery when you book, and the operator will arrange it. If you don't specify one, they'll select a winery for you on the day.

What is Los Cardones National Park like, and how long do we spend there?

Los Cardones is a vast desert landscape of tall cardon cacti (the second largest cardon forest in the world) covering 64,117 hectares. It's a photo stop on the route to Cachi rather than a long exploration, so you'll see it from the vehicle and have time to step out for pictures.

Do I need to decide where to eat lunch before the tour starts?

You can choose between Cachi and Cafayate when you book or even on the morning of the tour. Whichever you pick, you'll have more time there to eat and explore before moving on.

What are Devil's Throat and the Three Crosses viewpoint?

Devil's Throat is a dramatic rock formation on the return route to Salta. The Three Crosses is a hilltop viewpoint near Cafayate. Both are photo stops on the drive back, not long hikes or explorations.

Is the winery tasting included in the price, or do I pay extra?

The winery visit and tour of the vineyards are included. Wine tastings and any bottles you buy are separate costs you arrange directly at the winery.