DAY 1 | Salta - Cachi
After departing from Salta the road climbs through hills and along the scenic turns of Cuesta del Obispo (Obispo's Slope), emerging onto a barren plain to traverse the Los Cardones National Park, a desert of centenary giant cactus'. After arrival in Cachi (2,280 masl), a laid-back, quiet town at the foot of the imposing Nevado de Cachi (6,380 masl), we can walk around on its cobbled streets and between adobe homes painted white. Worth a visit are the plaza, the church, the Archaeological Archaeological Museum, and local shops to discover indigenous arts and crafts. We spend the night in a homely guesthouse.

DAY 2 | Cachi - Calchaquí Valleys - Cafayate
Today we travel along Route 40 through the fertile valleys of the Calchaqui River, which are at its most attractive in autumn, when chillis are left to dry in the fields. Driving along marvelous landscapes such as the green lagoon Brealito or the stunning Arrow's Gorge, we also will visit picturesque villages, like Seclantás and Molinos, featuring adobe-houses and delightful churches. The colonial city of Cafayate (1,660 masl), the "jewel of the Valleys", comes into view flanked by vineyards. It is well known for its excellent Torrontes white wine production. Overnight accommodation in a cosy posada.

DAY 3 | Cafayate - Quilmes Ruins - Hualfin - Antofagasta de la Sierra
50 km further ahead of Cafayate we visit at the pre-Columbian Ruins of Quilmes, considered the most extensive site in Argentina. We continue traveling on Route 40 through a setting of hills and cactus and through the valleys of Santa Maria and Hualfín. From here the road twists and climbs up towards the Andean precordillera in Catamarca, reaching altitudes of over 4,000 m. The landscape starts to change and becomes fantastic as we feast our eyes on the first flocks of vicuñas, on huge sand dunes, gleaming salt fields and snowcapped summits. After arrival at Antofagasta de la Sierra (3,440 masl), a green oasis lying in a vast and arid plain dotted with volcanoes and black lava-flows, we spend the night in a roomy guesthouse.

DAY 4 | Antofagasta de la Sierra
Today we explore the unspoilt, hidden marvels of the Puna. In the morning, we drive amidst a spectacular mountain scenery to the remote Laguna Grande (Big Lagoon), populated by thousands of pink flamingoes. In the afternoon, we walk onto another planet -- the 30 km2 Pumice Stone Field, embedded in an endless volcanic landscape. Attractive options nearby are an excursion to the Antofagasta and La Alumbrera volcanoes (easy to hike!), their lava streams flowing into a quiet lagoon, and/or the visit to interesting sites of petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks. We again overnight at Antofagasta de la Sierra.

DAY 5 | AdlSierra - Antofalla and Arizaro salt deserts - Tolar Grande
This captivating journey offers a large diversity of vistas and unforgettable contrasts. We drive along a desolate winding track through colorful elevations and a breathtaking viewpoint of the Salar Antofalla, the longest salt flat of the world (140 km), reaching the settlement of Antofalla. Hemmed in by red, blue and grey mountains, this tiny villa lies at the foot of the huge namesake volcano (6.409 masl). We continue on and enter Salta Province, reaching and crossing for about 80 km the largest salt field in Argentina, Salar de Arizaro, framing a looming sharp cone named Cono de Arita. We arrive in Tolar Grande, a small village at 3.500 m height, and spend the night in a basic and cosy lodging.

DAY 6 | Tolar Grande - SACobres -Salinas Grandes - Purmamarca
After an exciting stretch through the red colored, bizarre rock formations of the Valley of the Dreams, the road takes us through the empty vastness of the Puna's high plateau until reaching San Antonio de los Cobres, and, further on, Salinas Grandes. This immense depression of over 12.000 ha salt is a magnificent gleaming sight in Northern-Argentina. The road (Cuesta de Lipán) then climbs up to an altitude of 4,175 m, where it begins a vertiginous descent curving around mountains and steep slopes until arrival in Purmamarca (2,192 masl). This tiny scenic village sits framed by a mountain of vibrant colors, the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). Overnight in a lovely posada (guesthouse).

DAY 7 | Purmamarca - Qda. de Humahuaca - Iruya
Early in the morning we enjoy the circuit of the Hill of Seven Colors and head north traveling up the Humahuaca Ravine. The "Quebrada" is a long and narrow path of valleys and hillsides miraculously colored, dotted with towering cacti and a few picturesque villages. We visit Tilcara and its nearby 'Pucará', an invaluable pre-Inca fortification. Maimará's hillside cemetery and the polychrome Paleta del Pintor (Painter's Palette). The amazing church in Uquía, known for its unique paintings featuring angels armed with Spanish weapons. And we stroll along the narrow streets of bewitching Humahuaca. We continue on a curvy gravel road climbing enroute until crossing a pass at altitude 4, 000 m, before descending again to reach Iruya. This charming town of steep cobbled streets is perched in a beautiful mountain setting at an altitude of 2,730 m. Here we spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

DAY 8 | Iruya - Salta
We drive back south along the Quebrada and pass by the city of Jujuy. To reach Salta we either can follow the old connection road meandering through a lush jungle, or we can drive on a highway, a longer, but faster stretch. End of trip.