Valles Calchaquíes

The Valles Calchaquíes are in the Argentine province of Salta.

Cities and towns

• 1 Cachi
• 2 Molinos
• 3 Angastaco
• 4 Cafayate

Understand

Stunningly beautiful landscapes. Mountains up to 6,000 m (20,000 ft) high, dry valleys, extraordinary rock formations, wine-growing around Cafayate.

Get in and around

Public transport through the valleys is scarce. There are many tour agencies in Salta which offer 4WD trips to the valleys, many involving one night in Cafayate. These are spectacular and very recommended.

See

• The Cuesta del Obispo leads up from Salta, though steep hairpin bends to the mountain pass Piedra del Molino (3,347 m (10,981 ft)). Beautiful views.
• Parque Nacional Los Cardones, a strikingly beautiful highland area, famed for the great candelabra cacti growing here.
• Cachi, lovely town at the foot of Nevado de Cachi (6,380 m (20,930 ft)).
• Quebrada de las Flechas, a surreal landscape of fantastic rock formations.
• Cafayate, a very pleasant town with plenty of tourist facilities. Centre of a wine-making area.

Do

• Take a 4WD tour through the valleys.
• Visit a bodega in Cafayate

Eat and sleep

Cafayate offers many fine places to stay and eat.

• Hostal del Valle, ☏ +54 3868 421039. San Martín 243, Cafayate. 
• El Hospedaje, ☏ +54 3868 421680. Camila Quintana de Niño esq. Salta, Cafayate. 

Drink

Some of Argentina's best wines are produced around Cafayate. Especially good are the white wines of the torrontés grape, which is only grown in Argentina.

Several wineries (bodegas) around Cafayate can be visited, including:

• La Vasija Secreta, info@vasijasecreta.com. The oldest in the valley, on Ruta No. 40 on the outskirts of town. 
• Etchart, ☏ +54 3868 421310. One of the largest, also on Ruta No. 40, 2 km (1.2 mi) south of town.