Things to do in Salta, Northern Argentina: The Best Tours

December 12, 2021 Phylicia Berquist

Vibrant Salta is a mashup of old world architecture and modern fun—a truly sophisticated bohemia! Marvel at the intricate façade of the old town hall—a Salta focal point—as you stroll from museums to markets. Savor the vintages at local wineries or take a train to a tiny village that's perched "at the top of the clouds." Thrill seekers will love the adventure sports and archaeological explorations that await at nearby Cabra Corral Dam.
Restaurants in Salta

1. Calchaquí Valley Scenic Drive and Day Trip to Cachi from Salta

Salta, Salta Province, Argentina Gray Line Argentina
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

See the incredible natural attractions of the Calchaquí Valley on this ‘wow’-inducing day trip from Salta to Cachi! Enjoy a comfortable and scenic round-trip drive to the charming village, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who describes the terrain along the way. From gorges to bridges to snowcapped Andean mountains, the breathtaking landscape will fill up all the space on your camera. Make several stops — including the town of Payogasta — until you reach Cachi, where you can explore on your own. Visit the Archeological Museum if you wish before returning to Salta via Los Cardones National Park.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned car, van or minibus (depending on the group size), Local guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks (you may bring a packed lunch or purchase lunch during the tour), Entrance fee to the museum in Cachi: approx 1 USD (optional)

Reviewed By 969guruj

we cancel tour 3 weeks before due to pandemic, but not get yet refund, we contact many times but whey to refuse to talk to us

2. 4-Day Trip to Salta by Air from Buenos Aires

Tangol
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Fly from Buenos Aires for a 3-night Northwest adventure! Just 2 hours away by air, arrive to the city of Salta, an unique province capital known for its colonial architecture, that you will enjoy in a free tour at the same day. Visit Cafayate and Humahuaca, both cities in 2 days of tours, marveling at amazing landscapes and small villages, including one of the most famous hill: Seven Colors Hill in Humahuaca.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Round-trip flights from Buenos Aires to Salta, Transport by air-conditioned coach from Salta airport to hotels, 3 nights in a 3-star accommodation at Patios de Lerma, Altos de Balcarce or Hotel Marilian (Double room with breakfast), Professional guide

Exclusions: Food and Drinks, unless specified, Gratuities

Reviewed By alenag745

I Do not recommend this company I did a pre-planned day trip of Argentina. It was arranged they pick me up from nearby hotel. I msg to confirm and they changed the plans and I had to meet there which wasn’t Easy to find. I attempted many times to contact them via the phone numbers they provided and concierge also attempted, but they never responded. Then I only got half the tour. Try other more reliable and reputable companies.

3. Quebrada De Las Conchas Hiking from Cafayate

Tangol Salta
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Visit the Quebrada de las Conchas reservation, an area of great natural beauty with very striking rock formations of reddish colors. Our tour Quebrada de las Conchas Hiking from Cafayate, combines sections traveled by vehicle, with trekking, making it a walk suitable for all kinds of people.

Inclusions: Professional Guide, Hotel Pickup And Drop-Off (Selected Hotels Only)

Exclusions: Lunch, Extras

Reviewed By Rodolfo C

It is all very nice but the best is Pumamarca. Spare a couple of days to stay there and explore and enjoy that amaizing place. El Tren de la Nubes was a deception. Very good organization but they don’t have a policy to return the money to somebody who gave a 3 days in advance cancelation. You will not enter the clouds, it’s just a name and crossing a 150 feet bridge is ........

4. 3-Day Quebrada de Humahuaca from Salta

Poncho Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

A wide ranging private, tailor-made tour of the best landscape and culture the far north of Argentina has to offer. We’ll explore the multi-colored Quebrada de Humahuaca, famous for its Seven Colored Hill and rich in history from Pre-Inca to colonial times. The intrepid among you may also want to brave the high altitude 14 Coloured Hill of Hornocal, at 4,440m above sea level. We will stroll around the historic town of Humahuaca, much more indigenous in feel than cosmopolitan Salta, and also visit Jujuy's capital city, San Salvador. Then we’ll cross the outer mountain range of the Andes into the Altiplano and the wide open plains of the Salinas Grandes salt flats, with their stunning view of the mountains.

Inclusions: Local taxes, Bottled water, Snacks, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Lunch x 3 days, Two nights' accommodation in hotel, Tilcara

Exclusions: Gratuities, Dinner x 2

Reviewed By Gary S

Nick is a great guide and really has lots of local knowledge, highly recommended. This is a tough hike but well worth the effort with some great views.

5. Day long Hike to Inca ruins

Poncho Tours
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

From Salta city, we travel to Campo Quijano, a town famous as the base for workers constructing the Train to the Clouds railway line to the Chilean coast. We can stop to see an antique engine and the mausoleum of the train line's chief engineer, Richard Maury, from Philadephia, USA. From here we will climb into the stunning multi-coloured Quebrada de Toro to Ingeniero Maury, where our hike begins. It's 90 minutes drive each way: the walk takes between 7 and 8 hours. We start by scaling a steep gradient: a climb of nearly 1km in altitude over the first 3.75km, On this challenging hike, we reach a peak of 3,265m above sea level before a gentle descent to Inca ruins dating from the 15th century. Your efforts are rewarded by stunning views all along the way. Our guide is experienced in hiking all terrain, and speaks English and Spanish. Picnic lunch provided.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Picnic Lunch, Snacks, Professional bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By 701trevort

We took this tour with Rodrigo guiding us in late February just before the coronavirus shut down travel. Having the personal attention of a private tour was great and Rodrigo quickly gauged our interests and modified the tour to meet our interests as we went. We were fortunate being in the region during Carnivale celebrations and to be able to experience the thrill and chaos of the occasion. There were many highlights of an action packed few days but the Hornocal, Salinas Grandes and San Salvador de Jujuy stand out. Rodrigo’s knowledge of the history and culture and personal contacts were excellent and really added to our enjoyment. We can highly recommend this trip and Poncho Tours service from the booking process, airport pickup and arrangements generally were exemplary.

6. Best of Argentina 2 weeks

Ezeiza International Airport, AU Tte. Gral. Pablo Riccheri Km 33,5, B1802 Ezeiza, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina MATER Turismo Sustentable
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

The best of Argentina in 2 weeks proposes a tour from North to South Argentina. On this trip you will visit Buenos Aires, Salta, Jujuy, Iguazú Falls to end the trip in El Calafate, in southern Patagonia. After visiting the capital, you will depart to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world: the Iguazú Falls! On both sides (Argentine and Brazilian), you will be surprised with its exuberant flora and its varied fauna. Then, you will discover the andean North by private car. On a road trip, you will be able to explore its magnificent routes, its hidden treasures, its towns, its inhabitants and its culture. Besides, you will have a cultural exchange experience with a rural community living in Salta, at la Quebrada del Toro. Lastly, the glacier region awaits you, you will enjoy hiking through the national park, appreciating the legendary trees and snow-capped peaks, navigating through the Argentino lake and the incredible experience of visiting the famous Perito Moreno Glacier.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, 14 nights accommodation in a double room., Meals when mentioned "included" , Entrances to the National Parks., Transfers to the airport (in private service when mentioned)., Private transportation from day 6 to day 10 (4×4 vehicle with English speaking driver-guide) , Guided tours and excursions mentioned in the itinerary, with an English / Spanish speaking guide

Exclusions: Meals (except when mentioned) and additional personal expenses, Air transport (national and international), optional., Excursions indicated as optional.

Reviewed By mfsungoddess

My group of 14 people visited with the local family for a great dinner and empanada cooking session. everyone enjoyed the opportunity to try many of the local dishes and to even make one. the hosts were fantastic. as this was our first day in Argentina and it set the tone for the reminder of the trip.

7. San Antonio de los Cobres Day Trip from Salta

Gral. Martin Güemes 34, A4400 Salta, Argentina Tangol Salta
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Follow part of the route of Argentina’s famous Train to the Clouds on a scenic round-trip drive from Salta to the mountain town of San Antonio de los Cobres. As you climb in elevation during the drive, travel through Quebrada del Toro’s dense greenery and breathtaking gorge dotted with cacti. Cross viaducts and bridges, including Alisal and Chorrillo, and visit the pre-Incan archaeological gem of Santa Rosa de Tastil. Explore the quiet mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres, from where you’ll capture views of Polvorilla Viaduct.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food & Drinks, Entrance fee to Archaeological Museum in Santa Rosa de Tastil

Reviewed By Rodolfo C

It is all very nice but the best is Pumamarca. Spare a couple of days to stay there and explore and enjoy that amaizing place. El Tren de la Nubes was a deception. Very good organization but they don’t have a policy to return the money to somebody who gave a 3 days in advance cancelation. You will not enter the clouds, it’s just a name and crossing a 150 feet bridge is ........

8. Full-Day Tour Salinas Grandes, Purmamarca whith trekking and More from Salta

Sergio A Bravo, Buenos Aires 45, A4400 Salta, Argentina Nordic Travel
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4.5 based on 113 reviews

This amazing excursion is by far one of the most impressive tours you´ll ever do. This tour is also the very complete because you will see part of Humahuaca´s gorge, the amazing "Cuesta del Lipan", the 7 colours hill and of course the great salt flats. In Purmamarca we will take a beautifull trekking throuhg the Colorados of Purmamarca.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By 421sebab

Great attention, we had to re schedule twice our transfer to and from the airport due to airline's issues and they were quick to give a solution. Martin and Omar are great guides, very knowledgaeble and funny. From now onwards Nordic is my way to discover the north.

9. Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine

Sergio A Bravo, Buenos Aires 45, A4400 Salta, Argentina Nordic Travel
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4.4 based on 108 reviews

This day-trip to Cafayate offers you one of the most beautiful landscapes in South America. You will be able to see formations in the mountains like The Castles, The Amphitheater, The Devil's Throat and more. In the town of Cafayate you will have a wine tasting and time to walk around the beautiful town.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Local taxes, National Park fees, Snacks, Wine tasting

Exclusions: Excess luggage charges (where applicable), Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By BobandMaggie60

I booked this tour in January for a morning tour with English guide, for our visit to Salta in March. The company quickly contacted me to arrange an alternative pick up point as our hotel was not on their designated pick up list. They suggested outside the station would be nearer for us but never confirmed they would pick us up there. ( I later found out this was actually further away from our hotel than their office which would have been their default option) The day before the trip they asked us to contact the office to confirm our pick up and places on the trip. When we phoned they said there was not a trip in the morning with an English speaking guide ( only in the afternoon..)but they would try to get one. They then let us know by what’s app the only one available was in the afternoon ( but we were flying onwards then so no good for us) and they didn’t know it was mandatory for us to have a trip in the morning!!!! Yet it was advertised as that on trip advisor!!! So I rang them again and asked for a refund but the agent said I would have to claim that through TA and on this occasion he thought it was acceptable. I waited to contact Viator by phone when I was back in the Uk because the automated form online does not give you the opportunity to explain the circumstances for your request for a refund. Viator were very helpful but even then they had to contact Nordic Travel for acknowledgement of the incorrect advertising of a trip that was not actually available as booked. 24 hours later I received an email to confirm my full refund. I will avoid using Nordic Travel in the future.

10. Full-Day Tour to Humahuaca, Purmamarca and Tilcara

Nordic Travel
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4.3 based on 90 reviews

On this full-day tour you will get to see Purmamarca, with its 7 Colors Hill, and Tilcara and its ruins and the unique church of Uquía. Humahuaca was declared a World Heritage Site, given its unique, sharp and colorful mountains cape.

Inclusions: Local guide, Professional guide, Hotel drop-off (selected hotels only), Hotel pickup (selected hotels only)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By 421sebab

Great attention, we had to re schedule twice our transfer to and from the airport due to airline's issues and they were quick to give a solution. Martin and Omar are great guides, very knowledgaeble and funny. From now onwards Nordic is my way to discover the north.

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