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Argentina's Northwest — a 7-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
The 7-day version for April: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 6-day plan · 7-day plan · best time to go.
7
days
1230 km
distance
22.4 h
driving
34
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Dry season: the seven-colour hills stay vivid and Ruta 68's rock formations bake in clear light.
- Heavy transit: day 6 (7h00), day 7 (10h17) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 7 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Salta → Purmamarca
🌡 -6.9–22.2°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
MAAM Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagashiking
Encounter the hauntingly preserved Llullaillaco Children in a gripping exhibit.
50 min · Salta · AR$16,000 (February 2026)
open: Tu-Su 11:00-18:30; guided tours at 12:00 and 18:00
09:50
Pajchamuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Discover a vibrant world of traditional art, textiles, and jewelry from South and Central America.
50 min · Salta
10:40
Explore Salta Museum Complexmuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Engage with interactive displays that bring Salta's cultural history to life.
50 min · Salta
open: 10.00 to 20.00 Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays.
14:02
Cerro de Siete Colores
See the stunning, multicolored hills shifting hues with the light.
90 min · Purmamarca
15:32
BienMeSabe
Taste rich, generous Italian-inspired dishes loved by locals.
60 min · Purmamarca · AR$20,000
Overnight: Purmamarca
e.g. Bebo Vilte
Day 2 Around Purmamarca
🌡 -6.9–22.2°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Museo El Tribuno Guillermo Pajarito Velardemuseums & heritage
Step into a colorful tribute to a patron of tango and the arts in a charming house-museum.
50 min · Salta
open: M-F 10:00-14:00, 15:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-14:00
09:50
Cabildo Histórico de Saltahistory & sagas
Admire elegant colonial columns and historic architecture under a grand plaza sky.
50 min · Salta
10:40
Museum of President Jose Evaristo Uriburumuseums & heritage
Walk through the childhood home of a distinguished president and jurist.
50 min · Salta · Free
11:30
Cerro San Bernardo
Feel the thrill as the cable car ascends, offering panoramic city vistas.
50 min · Salta · AR$25,000 round trip a bit less for one
12:20
5asec laundry
Feel the crisp, clean scent of freshly laundered clothes.
50 min · Salta · AR$175 for a load
open: M–Sa 08:00–22:00, Su 09:00–21:00
13:10
Iglesia San Francisco
Marvel at the vibrant red and ivory basilica and its towering, ornate spire.
50 min · Salta
Overnight: Purmamarca
e.g. Bebo Vilte
Day 3 Tilcara
🌡 -6.9–22.2°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:27
Museo Iruretamuseums & heritagelocal & traditional
Admire vibrant local art capturing the landscape and people.
50 min · Tilcara
10:17
Garganta del Diablohiking
Hear the roar of a hidden waterfall while hiking through lush trails.
90 min · Tilcara · AR$30 for taking the stairs. But if you
11:47
Pucaráhistory & sagas
Explore well-preserved ruins with sweeping views of colorful hills.
50 min · Tilcara · AR$12,000 foreigners, (supposedly free e
open: 09:00-18:00
12:37
Indigenous Cemeterylocal & traditional
Notice tombs adorned with dried or paper flowers in serene silence.
50 min · Tilcara
13:27
La Islamuseums & heritage
Walk through ancient Precolumbian graves scattered along the Quebrada.
50 min · Tilcara
14:17
Museo Atelier Terry
Discover paintings by famed artist Terry set against Tilcara's backdrop.
50 min · Tilcara
Overnight: Tilcara
e.g. Tierra Andina Hostel · Hosteria La Morada
Day 4 Tilcara → Humahuaca
🌡 -6.9–22.2°C · 🌧 ~7 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Churchhistory & sagas
Spot white adobe walls framed by a sturdy cactus skeleton.
50 min · Tilcara
09:50
Food and textile market
50 min · Tilcara
11:22
Monumento de la Independenciamuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Look up at a towering statue with valley views from its steps.
50 min · Humahuaca
12:12
Serranía de Hornocalhiking
Gaze at the 'mountain of 14 colors' glowing vividly in afternoon light.
90 min · Humahuaca · The entrance to the viewpoint is AR$50 p
open: Shared Cars from the bus station 10:00-12:30 (sharp) and 15:00-17:15
13:42
Iglesia de la Candalaria y San Antoniohistory & sagas
Marvel at a tiny cathedral's 17th-century altarpiece and side rooms.
50 min · Humahuaca
14:32
Cabildohistory & sagas
Listen for the daily noon chime as a statue emerges like a cuckoo clock.
50 min · Humahuaca
Overnight: Tilcara
e.g. Tierra Andina Hostel · Hosteria La Morada
Day 5 Humahuaca
🌡 -6.4–23.2°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
09:42
Peña Blancahiking
Climb handholds to panoramic views from a giant white-and-red rock.
50 min · Humahuaca
10:32
Hike to the viewpointhiking
Enjoy sweeping valley views and fresh mountain air on your hike.
90 min · Humahuaca
12:02
Hike the Serranía to/from Caspaláhiking
Traverse rugged trails through diverse landscapes and serene valleys.
90 min · Humahuaca
13:32
Torre de Santa Barbara
Stand before a small, historic military watchtower from 1600.
50 min · Humahuaca
14:22
Ruinas de Coctaca
Walk among vast terraces of the largest pre-Columbian site in northern Argentina.
50 min · Humahuaca
15:12
Cementerio San Antonio
50 min · Humahuaca
open: 07:00–18:00 daily
16:02
Aisito Restaurantelocal & traditionalwine & vineyards
Delight in delicious regional cuisine accompanied by lively live music.
60 min · Humahuaca · AR$30,000 per head including wine
open: daily 11:00-00:00
18:30
Pachamanka Restaurantelocal & traditional
Savor vibrant flavors of local dishes in a colorful, relaxed setting.
75 min · Humahuaca · AR$30-35,000 per head including wine
open: daily 10:00-23:00
Overnight: Humahuaca
e.g. La Puerta Verde · Hostal la Sonada
Day 6 Humahuaca → Salta
🌡 -6.4–23.2°C · 🌧 ~6 rain days · ☀ 11.5h light
12:30
Tren a las Nubes
Experience the breathtaking climb of a train through dramatic mountain landscapes.
90 min · Salta · US$70 (US$90 during high season
open: April–November: W Sa, extra services during the high season (Easter &
14:00
El Portillocoffee & bakes
Relax under the shade of a giant peppercorn tree while enjoying a cool drink.
60 min · Humahuaca
Overnight: Humahuaca
e.g. La Puerta Verde · Hostal la Sonada
Day 7 Around Cafayate
🌡 -10.1–22.0°C · 🌧 ~9 rain days · ☀ 11.4h light
09:00
Quilmeshistory & sagas
Explore ancient ruins of resilient Andean peoples and their historic struggle.
90 min · Cafayate · AR$12,000