How long is the drive each way, and when do we return?

The full tour is 390 km round trip over 12 hours. Departure is 7:00 AM (within 15 blocks of the agency) and return is between 19:00–19:30.

How many stops do we make in Quebrada de las Conchas?

Over 10 named stops at geological formations including Garganta del Diablo (a deep, narrow canyon), El Anfiteatro (with natural acoustics), El Sapo, El Fraile, El Obelisco, and Los Castillos.

What's included in the Cafayate portion?

A visit to a local bodega (winery) with tasting, plus 2 hours of free time to explore the town's colonial architecture, restaurants, and shops independently. Meals and wine purchases are additional.

Will I have time to eat in Cafayate?

Yes—your 2 free hours allow time for lunch at local restaurants, though meals are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring for this tour?

Comfortable walking shoes, layers (temperatures drop at 1,660 m elevation), sun protection (hat and sunscreen), a camera, and water. The long drive and multiple outdoor stops require practical clothing.

Is this tour suitable for high altitudes?

The maximum elevation is 1,660 meters (5,413 feet)—moderately high but not extreme. Most travellers acclimatise easily; however, bring layers as temperatures drop with altitude, and stay hydrated.

Excursión a Cafayate y Quebrada de las Conchas 2

Salta, Argentina

Bus & Minivan Tours

Instant confirmationSecure checkoutNo hidden fees

About this activity

A full-day immersion through Argentina's dramatic northwestern landscape, combining the otherworldly rock formations of Quebrada de las Conchas with a visit to Cafayate, one of South America's premier wine regions. You'll witness wind-carved geological wonders and finish with wine tasting and free time to explore this charming 19th-century colonial town.

Paseo al centro vitivinícola de la provincia, recorriendo la Quebrada de las Conchas, y separa el Valle de Lerma del Valle Calchaquí. La erosión eólica, ha formado una sucesión de caprichos naturales como la Garganta del Diablo, un cañón profundo y cerrado, o, El Anfiteatro (de una acústica natural perfecta), El Sapo, El Fraile, El Obelisco, Los Castillos.

Poco a poco la aridez del paisaje es reemplazada por grandes aéreas de viñedos para llegar a una de las regiones más destacadas dentro de los Valles Calchaquíes: Cafayate, pueblo de casas de una planta entre colonial y barroco de fines del siglo XIX.

Comienzo de búsqueda 07:00hs (rango de 15 cuadras de la agencia). Recorrido: Ruta 68 (Ruta del Vino); Valle de Lerma (Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril, Coronel Moldes, La Viña (parada técnica), Quebrada de las Conchas: Más de 10 paradas en formaciones multicolores originados por la erosión del viento y el agua como ser, La Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, La Yesera, Las Ventanas, Los Castillos, etc. Cafayate y visita a una bodega. 2 horas libres en Cafayate. Regreso a Salta entre las 19:00 y 19:30hs. Recorrido total: 390 km. Altura máxima: 1660 mts. Duración 12 Hs.

Highlights

✓10+ stops at named rock formations (Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, Los Castillos) shaped by millennia of wind and water erosion
✓Scenic drive along Ruta 68 (Wine Route) through the Calchaquí Valleys
✓Bodega visit with wine tasting in Cafayate's prestigious vineyard region
✓2 hours free time to explore Cafayate's colonial and Baroque architecture
✓390 km round trip covering diverse landscapes from subtropical valley to high-altitude wine country (max 1,660 m elevation)

Insider tips

★Bring layers: temperature drops significantly at higher elevations, and afternoon winds can be strong near the rock formations
★The Anfiteatro actually has natural acoustic properties—try clapping or speaking to hear the echo
★Arrive early at your hotel for pick-up; the 15-block search radius from the agency means precise timing matters for a 7:00 AM start

Good to know

•12-hour full day with 390 km of travel; comfortable footwear essential for stops and Cafayate exploration
•2-hour free time in Cafayate allows lunch and independent browsing, though meals/wine purchases not included
•Return between 19:00–19:30; plan evening accordingly
•Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen) and a camera for dramatic canyon photography

Who it's for

Wine enthusiasts wanting to taste high-altitude Torrontés and Malbec in an iconic regionNature photographers and geology fans drawn to dramatic erosion-formed rock sculpturesTravellers seeking an efficient full-day loop from Salta without independent navigation

Best time to visit

May to September (autumn/winter) offers cooler temperatures for the long bus ride and clearer skies for photography. Early morning departure catches soft light in the canyon formations; avoid the hottest months (December–February).