Tucked beside Chile’s Atacama Desert, Salta is one of Argentina’s most overlooked regions, with quiet mountain roads winding through canyons and vineyards climbing to 3,100 metres altitude.
This Salta itinerary is one of the best road trips we’ve ever done, with some of the most extraordinary scenery we’ve seen anywhere.
Along the way, you’ll stay in centuries-old haciendas, taste world-class wines at the highest vineyards in the world, and visit a remarkable James Turrell art museum set in the middle of the desert.
Salta might just be one of the best under-the-radar destinations in the world, and we can’t recommend it enough.
5 Day Salta Road Trip
Day 1: Fly to Salta and stay at a countryside hacienda Day 2: Drive deep into the mountains to Cachi and Molinos Day 3: Drive through surreal desert landscapes to Cafayate, Salta's wine capital Day 4: Spend the day wine tasting around Cafayate Day 5: Enjoy a canyon horse ride and scenic drive back to Salta Airport |
5 Day Salta, Argentina Itinerary
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Fly to Salta, pick up your rental car and stay in a countryside hacienda nearby
From Buenos Aires, it’s just a two-hour flight to Salta, the gateway to Argentina’s dramatic northwest.
If you’re combining the two destinations, check out our list of unique things to do in Buenos Aires before heading north.
Pick up your rental car at the airport
Pick up your rental car from the airport and head to your countryside stay nearby.
You don’t need a 4x4 for this itinerary, though an all-wheel drive makes the gravel roads and bumpy stretches more comfortable.
We rented a Volkswagen Taos (compact crossover SUV), and it was perfect for the trip ahead.
🚙 Compare car rental rates in Salta.Stay at a countryside hacienda just outside the city
Tomorrow’s drive to Cachi and Molinos is a big one, so take today to relax and settle in.
We stayed at House of Jasmines, a beautifully restored 19th-century estancia and Relais & Châteaux property once owned by actor Robert Duvall.Aim for an early flight so you can make the most of the day. Spend the afternoon lounging by the pool with the Andes in the background, or hop on one of the hotel bikes for a short ride down to the river.
The staff can also set up a private picnic. It was one of the most gourmet spreads we’ve ever seen.
There are plenty of cozy nooks inside and outside to curl up with a book, play a board game, or sip wine by the fire. If you have the time, staying here for an additional night is a great way to unwind.
If House of Jasmines is outside your budget, Finca Valentina nearby is an excellent alternative. This whitewashed country house has a rustic chic decor, mountain views and a peaceful pool terrace.Day 2
Drive deep through the mountains to Cachi and Molinos.
Today is your biggest drive, just under 5 hours, but the views are so captivating that it goes by quickly. Give yourself an extra 2 hours to make stops.
Aim to leave by 8:30 AM for your drive today deep into the mountains, with a stop for lunch in Cachi and an overnight near Molinos.
The only stretch that has gravel roads is from Cachi to Molinos.
🚗 Viewpoint #1: Mirador S F Escoipe
Mirador S F Escoipe lookout
Once you leave Salta’s capital and turn west onto Highway 33, the scenery transforms almost immediately.
The traffic disappears and the quiet road twists through fertile valleys, cactus-dotted hills, and dramatic switchbacks.
We had no idea the views we were in store for!
The first lookout we recommend stopping at is Mirador S F Escoipe. From this lookout, you’ll see a green valley surrounded by striking red cliffs.
There’s usually a small roadside stand here - pick up whatever they’re cooking that day!
✔️ Top Tip: Bring cash for the roadside stands selling food and local crafts.
🚗 Viewpoint #2: Mirador de la Cuesta del Obispo
From the last viewpoint, the road climbs steadily for 45 minutes toward Cuesta del Obispo, one of Argentina’s most scenic mountain passes, sitting over 3,300 meters.
The curves become sharper, the air thinner, and the views more jaw-dropping with every turn.
Stop at the Cuesta del Obispo lookout to take in the sweeping views over the Valle de Escoipe.
You’ll see layers of green and ochre hills stretching endlessly into the horizon. We could see above the clouds!
There were some food vendors up there and an artisan selling the cutest cactuses carved out of stone. It was the perfect souvenir for our home.
🚗 Viewpoint #3: Cartel Recta del Tin Tin
After crossing the mountain pass, you’ll drive into the high-altitude plains of Los Cardones National Park, home to thousands of towering cardones cacti. Many are hundreds of years old!
Drive across the Recta del Tin Tin, a famous 18-kilometre arrow-straight road cutting through the desert.
Stop for lunch in Cachi
From Recta del Tin Tin, it's just a 30 minute drive to Cachi.
Nestled at the foot of the Nevado de Cachi mountains, this small town is one of the prettiest in Argentina, with its cobblestone streets and adobe houses.
Give yourself time to explore its main square and boutique shops.
🧵 Don't miss Almacén El Cortijo, which sells beautifully made local textiles and high-quality artisan products.
🥟 Stop for lunch at Mi Favorita Cachi, a cute spot off-the-beaten-path known for its delicious empanadas. The quinoa one was our favourite.
Stay the night near Molinos
Our stay at Bodega Colome
From Cachi, it’s about a 1 hour 20 minute drive south to Molinos, a quiet village surrounded by vineyards and desert hills.
Tonight, you have two options depending on your budget and how you’d like to experience the area.
Option 1: Stay at Bodega Colomé (worth the splurge)
If there’s one place to splurge on this trip, it’s Bodega Colomé, one of the oldest wineries in Argentina. Founded in 1831, it has some of the highest rated wines in Salta.A stay here includes a tour, tasting, and sunset access to the James Turrell Museum, which features eight light installations by the renowned American artist.
The experience is extraordinary, especially the Skyspace installation, where you lie on your back for 30 minutes and watch the colours of the sky shift with the sunset.
Staying overnight also means you can enjoy the property after hours, when the desert sky fills with stars.
We saw one of the brightest shooting stars of our lives here. This region sits just next to the Atacama Desert, one of the best stargazing areas in the world.
Option 2: Stay in Molinos village
If Bodega Colomé is outside your budget, stay at Hacienda de Molinos, located in the village. Set in a restored 18th-century colonial estate, it features an outdoor pool and garden spaces.If you’re not staying at Bodega Colomé, plan to do your wine and art tour the next day, since the last tour for non-guests is at 3:00pm.
In the morning, drive 30 minutes to the winery for the Visita a Bodega, Degustación y James Turrell experience (2 hours, starting at 11:30 am).
The tour includes a walk through the vineyards, a tasting of their high-altitude wines and a guided visit through James Turrell's light installations.
It's a must-do experience in Salta. Book in advance since the group size is small, at 15 people per tour.
Day 3
Drive from Molinos to Cafayate - Salta's wine capital.
After the incredible mountain scenery on Day 2, you might think nothing can top it, but the stretch from Molinos to Cafayate turned out to be our favourite drive of all.
The landscapes are otherworldly, with sculpted rock formations and wide desert valleys that look like something out of Chad’s Ennedi UNESCO Desert.
Most of the route is on a gravel road, but it’s well maintained. From Molinos, the drive takes about 2.75 hours without stops, though you’ll want to give yourself extra time to pull over for photos.
If you're doing your tour at Bodega Colome today, give yourself an extra hour for driving.
Stopping for a bite to eat in San Carlos
For a bite to eat along the way, stop in the village of San Carlos, where a small square is lined with local restaurants. We ate at Vitilla Resto Bar.
Settle in and explore Cafayate
Patios de Cafayate hotel at El Esteco Winery
After a couple days of desert roads and mountain passes, arriving in Cafayate feels like reaching an oasis.
This small town is the wine capital of Salta Province, home to some of the highest-altitude vineyards in the world.
The traditional country house is part of Bodega El Esteco, one of the region’s oldest wineries, dating back to 1892.
The property is stunning, with its Spanish colonial architecture, whitewashed walls, terracotta roofs, and archways that open to mountain views.
We recommend booking a wine tasting at Bodega El Esteco and dinner at Patios de Cafayate's restaurant.
The hotel restaurant has a warm, romantic atmosphere and serves fresh, locally inspired dishes that pair beautifully with El Esteco’s award-winning wines. It’s one of Cafayate's best restaurants.
If you know a bit of Spanish, don’t miss El Esteco's “Night Under the Stars” experience - a guided wine tasting that ends around a bonfire with small bites under the desert sky.
Day 4
Spend the day wine tasting around Cafayate
The vineyards in Salta province grow at 1,700-3,100 meters altitude, in a wild, remote landscape that feels worlds away from Mendoza’s polished wine trail.
The climate is so extreme that vines can freeze and thaw without harm, a rarity that shapes the unique character of Salta’s wines.
Unlike Mendoza’s thousand-plus wineries, Salta has around 50 bodegas, from small family-run vineyards to refined estates producing crisp Torrontés to bold Malbecs.
Cafayate is the best base for discovering Salta's wines, with many wineries just a short drive from town.
Enjoy lunch with mountain views at Piattelli Vineyards
Piattelli feels more like a grand wine estate than the smaller, family-run bodegas nearby. It’s one of the best spots in the area for outdoor dining.
The barbecue-roasted pork ribs, slow-cooked in a traditional clay oven, were mouthwatering - especially with a glass of their Malbec.
The pours are generous and the setting is peaceful for a relaxed lunch.
✔️ Top Tip: Book an early lunch on the outside patio so you can grab one of the best tables with vineyard views.
They take lunch reservations by email: reservas@piattelli.com.ar
Taste award-winning Malbecs at Yacochuya winery
Our favourite wine tasting experience in Cafayate was at Bodega Yacochuya, a boutique winery perched in the hills just outside town.
The visit begins with a short tour followed by a tasting using their Coravin wine dispenser, so you can sample as many or as few wines as you’d like (each for a small fee).
Their award-winning Malbecs were easily some of the best we tried in the region.
They take reservations by email: turismo@yacochuya.com.ar
If you have time for another stop, Domingo Molina nearby also offers tastings from a Coravin dispenser. You don’t need to book in advance, and the wines are a good value.
Finish your day exploring Cafayate's quirky town centre
Spend the rest of your day exploring Cafayate's small markets, shops, restaurants and leafy main square.
Our favourite boutique was Puyo Cafayate, known for its unique handwoven textiles and high-quality artisan pieces.
Day 5
Enjoy a canyon horse ride and scenic drive back to Salta Airport
After breakfast, check out and begin the drive back to Salta Airport.
The road is fully paved and smooth, winding through the red canyons of the Quebrada de las Conchas - one of the most beautiful stretches in northern Argentina.
Plan for an evening flight from Salta Airport so you can fit in these unique activities and enjoy a leisurely drive.
Saddle up for a canyon ride at Santa Elena Ranch
Book a morning horseback tour at Santa Elena, a family-run ranch just 30 minutes from Cafayate. The farm was so idyllic - we just loved hanging out there.
You’ll meet the family’s goats and alpacas and enjoy either a farm breakfast or a goat cheese and wine tasting afterward.
The horse ride is perfect for beginners, winding through canyons and open countryside with mountain views in every direction.
You can book directly with Alejandro via WhatsApp at +54 9 3876 83 7056.
The 1.5–2 horse riding circuit costs $54 USD per person and includes your choice of breakfast or the cheese & wine tasting experience afterwards.
Stop at the impressive Amphitheatre
As you head further north towards Salta Airport, stop at The Amphitheatre, one of the most famous rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas.
The towering red walls form a natural acoustic chamber where local musicians often play. It's just a couple minutes' walk from the parking lot.
From here, it’s about a 2.5 hour drive to Salta Airport.
Enjoy your Salta road trip!
Combine Salta with our 1 Week Argentina itinerary to Buenos Aires and Mendoza.
Get started on planning your trip to Argentina
- 🛏️ Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚗 Car rental: see Rentalcars.com to compare car rental prices across different companies.
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin this Salta Itinerary for later:
