4 days · 3 nights · private
A Taste of the Argentine Northwest
Cloud forest, the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the Salinas Grandes, Route 40 and the Cafayate wine valleys in one private loop from Salta.
USD 2,132 for 1 to 4 travellers
Day-by-day itineraryTravel guide · Distances
Driving distances in Salta & Jujuy
From Salta city it is 197 km to Cafayate (about 3 h 15 min), 163 km to Cachi over the Cuesta del Obispo (about 3 h 20 min), 188 km to Purmamarca (about 2 h 50 min) and 250 km to Humahuaca (about 3 h 50 min). Times are Google Maps estimates without stops; with photo stops, plan on more.
- Salta to Cafayate
- 197 km · about 3 h 15 min
- Salta to Cachi
- 163 km · about 3 h 20 min
- Salta to Purmamarca
- 188 km · about 2 h 50 min
- Salta to Humahuaca
- 250 km · about 3 h 50 min
Distances between the main stops
| Route | Distance | Time | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salta → Cafayate | 197 km | 3 h 15 min | RN 68 |
| Salta → Cachi | 163 km | 3 h 20 min | RP 33 |
| Cachi → Cafayate | 156 km | 4 h | RN 40 |
| Salta → Purmamarca | 188 km | 2 h 50 min | RN 9 |
| Salta → Tilcara | 204 km | 3 h 10 min | RN 9 |
| Purmamarca → Tilcara | 26 km | 30 min | RN 9 |
| Tilcara → Humahuaca | 45 km | 45 min | RN 9 |
| Humahuaca → El Hornocal viewpoint | 23 km | 45 min | RP 73 |
| Purmamarca → Salinas Grandes | 67 km | 1 h 25 min | RN 52 |
| Salinas Grandes → San Antonio de los Cobres | 104 km | 2 h 5 min | RP 79, RN 40 |
| San Antonio de los Cobres → Salta | 170 km | 2 h 50 min | RN 51 |
Why do short distances take so long?
Some of the classic roads are gravel and climb in switchbacks. Cachi to Cafayate on Route 40 is only 156 km but takes about 4 hours, and the 23 km of gravel from Humahuaca to the El Hornocal viewpoint take about 45 minutes.
Is there a shorter road to Jujuy?
Yes. The old RN 9 through La Cornisa cuts Salta to Purmamarca to 157 km, but it is a narrow, winding road through the cloud forest and takes about 3 h 10 min, a little longer than the faster route.
How many days do I need for the full loop?
Salta, the Quebrada de Humahuaca with El Hornocal, the Salinas Grandes, Cachi and Cafayate add up to about 1,000 km. In four days the longest stretch is Tilcara to Cachi over the salt flats and Route 40, about 8 hours at the wheel. With more days you drive less and stop more.
Sources: All distances and times: Google Maps driving directions, checked on 22 October 2026, rounded, without traffic or stops.
Travel with Pablo
See it on a private trip
Pablo's 4-day trip covers the whole loop: Salta to Tilcara and El Hornocal, the salt flats and Route 40 to Cachi, the valleys to Cafayate and back to Salta.
Want a different route? Pablo plans tailor-made trips of 3 to 13+ days. How tailor-made trips work
More travel guides: Best time to visit Salta & Jujuy · Altitude sickness in Salta & Jujuy · Self-drive or private guide in Salta · El Hornocal guide · Salinas Grandes guide · Cafayate wine guide · Cachi guide · Quebrada de Humahuaca guide · 5-day Salta & Jujuy itinerary
Plan your trip
Write to Pablo
Tell him your dates, how many you are and what you'd like to see. Your message opens in WhatsApp, ready to send, and Pablo replies with the itinerary and a quote for your private group.
- WhatsApp+54 9 387 543-6476
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- Based inSalta, Argentina · pickup at your hotel or the airport