Wine and Culture Argentina

You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Mendoza.

Upon arrival, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 3 nights.

The area of Mendoza used to be a desert, but the hands of hard-working immigrants and the blessing of water and climate have turned it into a green fertile land. The city of Mendoza is both the capital of – and gateway to – this region, which offers optimum conditions for grape cultivation and wine production. In this area, the finest Argentine wines are produced, and many vineyards can be visited to enjoy a wine tasting! The Andes mountain range and the highest peak in the Americas (Mount Aconcagua 6,954m) can be seen from the entire region and can be visited on a full-day excursion.

Wineries tour to Uco Valley

On Day 5 you will have a full day tour to visit wineries in Uco Valley.

The mountains and the beautiful views in Uco Valley prepare our senses to experience the aromas and flavours of these high-altitude wines. Not to mention, the wineries we’ll visit which make world-renowned wines from this precious land, complete the tour. This high-end tour is designed for you to share and enjoy an excellent day of wine. We will visit some of the most important and highlighted wineries in the region. The tour includes premium tastings at 3 wineries and lunch – to be confirmed.

You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Mendoza.

Upon arrival, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 3 nights.

The area of Mendoza used to be a desert, but the hands of hard-working immigrants and the blessing of water and climate have turned it into a green fertile land. The city of Mendoza is both the capital of – and gateway to – this region, which offers optimum conditions for grape cultivation and wine production. In this area, the finest Argentine wines are produced, and many vineyards can be visited to enjoy a wine tasting! The Andes mountain range and the highest peak in the Americas (Mount Aconcagua 6,954m) can be seen from the entire region and can be visited on a full day excursion.

These are days at leisure to enjoy the experiences provided by the Lodge you are staying.

The package at Cavas Wine Lodge includes 3 room nights, transfers from/to the airport in Mendoza, 2 visits to wineries in Lujan de Cuyo (Catena Zapata, Achaval Ferrer Altavista, Dominio del Plata -Susana Balbo-, Ruca Malen, Chakana, Norton, Terrazas, Séptima, Pulenta Estate, Lagarde, Vistalba, Cruzat, Belasco de Baquedano, Melipal, Walter Bressia, etc), 1 activity (rafting, biking, horse ride, visit the Museo Fader y Chacras), 3 lunches, 3 dinners (with non-alcoholic drinks included), 1 massage of 1 hour per person per stay, free access to the gym, pool, sauna and Jacuzzi (with previous reservation)

You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and taken to the airport for your internal flight to Salta.

Upon arrival, you will be met and taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next 1 night.

The Argentine Northwest is a land of contrasts, with colonial plazas, red mountains and green oasis. Indigenous culture is still alive in the traditions and folklore of this area, formerly part if the Inca Kingdom. Travel from Tafí del Valle to Quilmes along Pre-lncas ruins. From Cafayate to Salta visiting breathtaking vineyards and towns such as Molinos and Cachi in the Valles Calchaquies. Follow through Salta «La Linda» (the pretty) and later from Purmamarca to Humahuaca along tiny churches and colourful hills.

You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and start the tour of 2 nights to Tolar Grande.

Tolar Grande adventure

These 3 days you will be accompanied by your guide that will also drive a 4×4 vehicle

Day 8: After Breakfast we will depart from Salta city to Tolar Grande. In the first part of this trip, we will be going uphill to the northwest, we will go through Quebrada del Toro along road 51. We will observe the railways of the train to the clouds that followings the road. After this, we will cross the mountain range Abra Blanca at 4000 (m.a.s.l) and then we will be in the heart of the Puna area and after a few kilometres, we get to the town of San Antonio de Los Cobres. This is a typical Puna town at 3500 (m.a.s.l), very tiny with some adobe construction. After a time to explore San Antonio, we will continue to cross the Abra del Chorillo at 4800 (m.a.s.l.). From this moment we will begin the descent, crossing the Pocitos salt flat, Devil´s desert, 7 curves, abandoned stations of the c-14 branch, for finally arrive at the town of Tolar Grande (3,520 m.a.s.l.).

Day 9: Departure from Tolar Grande to the Arizaro Salt Flat (one of the largest on the planet), there we will observe the interesting formation that could be found in the middle of this immense salt flat “the cone of Arita”. Return to town to have our lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Ojos de Mar (springs of freshwater) and walk on Tolar Grande Salt Flats.

On Day 10 after our breakfast, we return to Salta by the same Route. In San Antonio de los Cobres we make a stop to have lunch. Next, we continue south to the city of Salta.

You will be met at your hotel by your private driver and start the tour to stay in Purmamarca.

This town sits under-celebrated Cerro de Los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours), an otherworldly, jagged formation resembling the marzipan fantasy of a megalomaniac pastry chef. The village is postcard-pretty, with adobe houses and ancient carob trees by the bijou 17th-century church. This authentic Andean village is a glorious spot and an excellent place to shop for woven goods; a flourishing market sets up on the village plaza every day.

Big Salts through San Antonio de Los Cobres

After passing the town of Campo Quijano, accompanying part of the route of the C-14 Branch, you ascend through the Quebrada del Toro, to Santa Rosa de Tastil, a small town with only one street. Continuing north on National Route No. 51 is the town of San Antonio de Los Cobres, named for being within its jurisdiction the famous Copper Mountain rich in this mineral. Continuing along the former National Route No. 40 and after an hour and a half following the old road of the troperos we will find the majestic Salinas Grandes, whose origin dates from an extensive period temporarily located between 5 and 10 million years before the present. Ascending through an amazing mountain road, and in a few kilometres, we will reach the highest point of the route and the beginning of our descent to the town of Purmamarca, the Abra de Potrerillos (4170 masl). Now we will take the famous Lipan slope that in just 20 km in length will lead us to descend about 2000 m until we reach Purmamarca (2300 masl) at the foot of the hill of the 7 Colores, on a curved road and against curves with amazing landscapes.

Humahuaca Gorge

On this day we will visit the Humahuaca Gorge, declared as Natural and Cultural Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO) in 2003. Main attractions: The Independence Monument, Cathedral Church and Municipal Building.

Visit to Hornocal; is a mountain range located 25 kilometres from the city of Humahuaca, it is a gravel road that leaves tourists on a balcony in front of the majestic hill whose symmetry and colour trap the opportune visitor. It is a stratified sedimentary formation formed by the Yacoraite formation (a limestone of ochre, yellow, green, whitish colours where the iron did not oxidize), from the end of Cretaceous time, 75 million years ago. This limestone is delimited by other well-oxidized sedimentary formations, of deep red colour, that cause the impressive contrast. It has a height of 4761 meters above sea level.

You will be met at your hotel by your private chauffeur/guide and start the tour of 3 days to Calchaquí Valleys.

The town of Cafayate is a town of colonial and baroque-style houses dating back to the late 19th Century is one of the most popular regions within the Calchaqui Valleys.  It is an important tourist centre for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and because of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area. Its church is one of the few churches of 5 naves in the country and has a sculpture of Virgen del Carmen (Virgin of Carmen) from Cuzco.

Calchaquí Valleys – Day 1 – Cachi with visit to Colomé

The tour begins in Salta, leaving behind the fertile Lerma Valley, passengers ascend along the Quebrada de Escoipe and then continue along the impressive Cuesta del Obispo and the Encantado Valley, surrounded by mountains. Then, the tour goes to Piedra del Molino (3,400 meters above sea level), through Los Cardones National Park, which occupies 65,000 hectares in the middle of hills and dry ravines of around 2,700 and 5,000 m.a.s.l. The area is covered by thick vegetation, mainly cacti that measure almost 3 meters high once they turn 250 or 300 years old. The magical Cachi, the highest area of the valleys, is a village at the foot of the snowy mountain (6,320 m.a.s.l.) that bears the same name. The town stands out for its old colonial-style houses that are located on the edge of narrow cobbled streets, its church dating from the 18th century and is known for its floor, ceiling and cactus wood furniture and its adobe walls. In addition, the town has an important Anthropological Museum, where the history of indigenous civilizations is exhibited in almost 5,000 pieces. Overnight in Cachi.

Calchaquí Valleys – Day 2 – Colomé to Cafayate

After our breakfast the tour continues along the national route No. 40, there are other attractions on the way: the town of Seclantás, also known as the “cradle of the Salteño poncho” is the home of tissue experts. Molinos, irregularly, stands out for its Church (declared a National Monument) built in 1639, where the mummified remains of the last realistic governor Nicolas Isasmendi are preserved. Angastaco: from where the Quebrada de las Flechas begins, named for its capricious forms carved by rain and wind erosion. San Carlos, an old town that originated when the Jesuits established the so-called “Mission of San Carlos”. Nearby, visitors will find the only stone mill to operate using the millenary system. Finally, Animaná, a town famous for its production of artisanal wine. We will arrive at Cafayate, a town known for its colonial-style, baroque, single-story houses from the late 19th century. Its church is one of the few temples in the country that has 5 ships. Overnight in Cafayate.

The tour includes: 2 standard wine tastings.

Calchaquí Valleys – Day 3 – Cafayate to Salta

You will visit the wine centre of the province, particularly famous for the “Torrontés” wine variety. In the town we will visit a winery where the whole wine production process will be explained to the passenger, as well as some wineries offer a small tasting as a courtesy. After lunch, we return to the city of Salta, driving along the Quebrada de las Conchas that originated in the Tertiary Age, 70 million years ago and divides the Lerma Valley and the Calchaqui Valley. Wind erosion has formed a succession of capricious natural phenomena such as Los Castillos, El Obelisco, El Fraile, El Sapo, El Amphitheater (with excellent acoustics) and Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat), a deep and narrow canyon. Return to Salta airport for your internal flight to Buenos Aires.

Upon Arrival you will be met and taken by private transfer to your Estancia for the next 2 nights.

In the outskirts of Gran Buenos Aires, there are many Estancias, extensive ranches with farmed and cattle land with traditional houses. Most of these Estancias are attended by their owners, who show guests a taste of real traditional Argentine life.
Many Estancias offer horse riding, some polo, while others allow participation in activities related to cattle and farming. All of them will surprise you with a delicious and authentic “asado” (barbecue). Estancias can be visited on a day trip or for a couple of nights stay from the entire region and can be visited on a full day excursion.

These are days at leisure to enjoy the experiences provided by the Estancia you are staying.

On Day 16, your final day, you will be transfered to Ezeiza Airport by a private service.