North Argentina Self Drive
This two-week self-drive trip allows adventurous travellers the freedom to enjoy the rugged crimson scenery of the north.
Argentina’s arid north is a world away from the lush pastures of the central grasslands and the frosted mountains of the far south. Culturally too, this region is unique. Sharing traditions, local delicacies and indigenous languages with the peoples of neighbouring Bolivia and Chile, Salta and its surroundings are distinctly Andean. This exhilarating self-drive road trip will take you via impressive salt flats, ragged red mountains, fields of giant cacti and dusty northern vineyards. We can of course suggest the must-see highlights, but with the freedom of your hire car, each day can be whatever you make it. Sample the Torrontés white wines for which the region is famous, take breath-taking photos on the crystalline surface of the salt plains and relax during a charming luxury farm-stay. For those who would rather not self-drive we can organise a similar itinerary using a private guide and driver upon request.
Trip highlights
2 nights in Buenos Aires at the Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau in Recoleta with a private city tour
4 nights in Salta at the Hotel Legado Mitico with a hire car and free time to explore the region.
2 nights in Purmamarca at Hotel La Comarca in the shadow of the coloured mountains.
1 night in Cachi at Hotel La Merced del Alto with free time to explore the area.
2 nights in the northern wine region at Grace Cafayate with time to explore the vineyards.
3 nights on a secluded estancia in the north with leisure days to relax.
Map of your holiday
Day by Day itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive into Buenos Aires
Arrive in Buenos Aires and transfer to your luxury hotel in the Recoleta district for the next two nights.
Suggested accommodation – Park Hyatt Palacio Duhau
DAY 2
Tour of Buenos Aires
Enjoy a private half day tour of Buenos Aires, including the bohemian La Boca district.
DAY 3
Fly to Salta
Fly to Salta in the north of Argentina and pick up your hire car. Enjoy three nights’ accommodation in the city centre.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel Legado Mitico
DAY 4
Salta
Today, we recommend you explore the colonial city centre of Salta and its stunning baroque churches.
DAY 5
Salinas Grandes
Drive out north of the city and visit the Salinas Grandes salt flats for stunning and surreal photos!
DAY 6
Drive to Purmamarca
Today, you will drive to the town of Purmamarca, located in the vicinity of stunning multicoloured rock formations. You will spend two nights here at La Comarca.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel La Comarca
DAY 7
Purmamarca
This day is free for you to explore the region with your hire car.
DAY 8
Fly back to Salta
Today you will drive back to Salta and spend one further night at the Legado Mitico before continuing on your road trip.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel Legado Mitico
DAY 9
Drive to Cachi
Today you will drive toward Cachi, via the Parque Nacional Los Cardones, with its striking reddish hills and plains of enormous cacti. You will spend the night in Cachi.
Suggested accommodation – Hotel La Merced del Alto
DAY 10
Drive to Cafayate
Today you will continue your journey to Cafayate, Argentina’s northern wine region, famous for the cultivation of the Torrontés variety. You will spend two nights here.
Suggested accommodation – Grace Cafayate
DAY 11
Free time in Cafayate
Today is free for you to explore the town and local vineyards independently.
DAY 12
Drive to Salta
Today, you will drive to a luxury estancia on the outskirts of Salta for three nights of indulgent relaxation in the countryside at House of Jasmines.
Suggested accommodation – House of Jasmines
DAYS 13 – 14
Free time on the estancia
Enjoy the activities available at the estancia, or simply curl up with a good book and glass of the local Torrontés.
DAY 15
Fly home
Drop your hire car off at Salta airport before your onward flight home.
The price for this itinerary is GBP £2,950. (pricing also available in US Dollars)
This is a per person price, based on 2 people travelling and sharing a room.
What’s included
14 nights in luxury accommodation as listed above
Private transfers and tours with an English speaking guide and driver
All internal flights in economy class
What’s not included
International flights (discuss your specific requirements with us)
Travel insurance
Any visas you may require
This is a guide price. Please enquire and we will provide a full personalised quote for you. All our itineraries are tailor-made to your own requirements so can be modified however you wish.
FEATURED HOTELS
Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt
This luxury 5-star hotel is located in the high class Recoleta district of Buenos Aires. The neo-classical building is a majestic highlight surrounded by elegant boutiques and famous landmarks.
Legado Mitico
The Legado Mitico is a charming boutique in the historic district of Salta, close to main sights such as the baroque cathedral. The building is an old mansion house and it is this style which is the essence of the hotel.
La Merced del Alto
At the foot of the Nevado de Cachi, in the stunning Calchaquí Valley, lies La Merced del Alto. An elegant hotel with stunning views, this is a perfect base for relaxing or exploring the local area, just south of Salta.
Grace Cafayate
The Grace Hotel Cafayate is a luxury, boutique hotel in the stunning Calchaquí Valley just south of Salta. With its own wine estate, estancia, golf and polo club and surrounded by the plains and mountains of this spectacular valley, this is a very special hotel.
House of Jasmines
At the foot of the Andes, the Fenestraz family have managed to create a unique and romantic atmosphere that combines tradition and modern comfort in a supremely stylish manner.