Full-day tour from Salta to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park

High-altitude passes, a national park, and a colonial town frozen in time

A full-day tour from Salta ascends the Quebrada de Escoipe and Cuesta del Obispo, crosses Los Cardones National Park (Argentina's only high-altitude national park), and reaches the colonial town of Cachi at 2,280 meters. The tour includes park entry, an air-conditioned vehicle, a live guide in English or Spanish, and two free hours to explore Cachi's cobblestone streets and regional food. The drive takes 10 to 11 hours total with technical stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Bishop’s Slope20m · entry included
2. Los Cardones National Park20m · entry included

Full-day tour to Cachi and National Park

• Depart Salta through Lerma Valley
• Stop at El Carril for turn west
• Ascend Quebrada de Escoipe
• Pass Cuesta del Obispo and Valle Encantado
• Visit Piedra del Molino
• Cross Los Cardones National Park
• Visit grocers and pepper drying site
• Arrive in Cachi for 2-hour free time
• Return towards Salta with stop in Chicoana or El Carril

The experience

The route leaves Salta through the Lerma Valley and climbs steadily into mountain terrain. You pass through the Quebrada de Escoipe, then follow the Cuesta del Obispo (a dramatic high-altitude pass surrounded by peaks), and continue through Valle Encantado. After crossing La Piedra del Molino at 3,400 meters, you enter Los Cardones National Park, where the landscape shifts to high-altitude desert. The guide points out the Nevados de Cachi (6,380 meters) as you drive, and you'll see the Recta del Tin Tin, an 11-kilometer road built by the Incas that cuts through the terrain.

You arrive in Cachi at noon. The town sits at the foot of the snow-capped Cachi mountain and has remained largely unchanged: colonial-style adobe houses line narrow cobblestone streets in a grid of ten blocks by ten blocks. You have two free hours to walk the town, eat lunch at a local restaurant (not included), and see how peppers are dried on roadsides in the surrounding area. This is time to move at your own pace and taste regional food without a schedule.

The return to Salta includes a technical stop in Chicoana or El Carril for a bathroom break or snack. The full journey is 10 to 11 hours, with the guide providing commentary throughout the drive. Park entry and the air-conditioned vehicle are included. Bring cash for lunch, drinks and any tips you'd like to leave.

What’s included

• Park entry to Los Cardones National Park.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the full 10 to 11 hours.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• pickup from your Salta hotel or accommodation.
• technical stops for restrooms and snacks on the drive.

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 6 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 full-day drive if you want to see high-altitude passes and a colonial mountain town with a driver handling the route. The long hours in a vehicle and steep climbs mean it suits travelers comfortable with extended driving and elevation gain.

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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 is Los Cardones National Park like?

Los Cardones is Argentina's only high-altitude national park, located above 3,000 meters. The landscape is high-altitude desert with sparse vegetation adapted to thin air and intense sun. You pass through it by vehicle on the way to Cachi, seeing the terrain change as you climb.

How much time do I have to explore Cachi?

You have two free hours in Cachi once the group arrives at noon. That is enough time to walk the ten-block grid of the town, visit shops and restaurants, and see the colonial architecture and dried peppers on display.

What is the Cuesta del Obispo?

The Cuesta del Obispo is an imposing high-altitude pass in the mountains between Salta and Cachi. It is part of the route the tour follows, surrounded by steep mountain terrain and dramatic views.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included. You have two free hours in Cachi to eat at a local restaurant of your choice. The tour also includes technical stops on the drive where you can buy snacks or use facilities.

How high do we go on this tour?

The tour reaches La Piedra del Molino at 3,400 meters above sea level, and you pass through Los Cardones National Park at high altitude. Cachi sits at 2,280 meters. The Nevados de Cachi mountain visible from the route reaches 6,380 meters.