Itinerary

Day 1:           Arrive in Salta.

Upon arrival in Salta you will be met by an English speaking guide and escorted by private transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon a guided walking tour highlights the most traditional corners of this city nicknamed "the Beautiful". Stroll through the fruit and vegetable market view the wide variety of legumes, spices and meats used in the local kitchens of this region.

 

Tasty avocados, grains, various peppers, spices, gourds and potatoes, among other ingredients that give flavor and color to the regions traditional recipes.  Late afternoon enjoy a visit to traditional colonial house to taste true empanadas from Salta, accompanied by a rich local wine from Cafayate, a nearby city known for its unique grape varieties.
Accommodation at Del Virrey Hotel, Salta. (B, Snack).

 

Day 2:            Calchaqui Valleys & Colomé Experience


Today we begin our three-day private tour to Calchaqui Valleys, visiting Obispo's Slope, Los Cardones National Park and the towns of Cachi and Molinos.

 

Upon arrival at Molinos and transfer to Estancia Colomé. The natural beauty of this area has been carefully preserved within the Estancia property. This rural luxury boutique-hotel provides the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy the "Colomé Experience". The winery, "Bodega Colomé" was founded in 1831 and now is one of the oldest working winery in Argentina. You may choose to sample the wines from the oldest Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon vines, imported in 1854 from Bordeaux, France, which were planted on their original roots.  The bio – dynamically farmed vineyards range from 2200 m to 3015 m altitude.    

 

On arrival, you will be received with a glass of Amalaya or Sauvignon Blanc wine and “empanaditas” of goat cheese. Before dinner we are treated to a wine tasting with selection of cheeses in the restaurant with the Colomé’s enologist. Dinner at Estancia restaurant.

 

Accommodation at Estancia & Bodega Colomé in Junior Suites, buffet breakfast and dinner included, for two nights. (B; D)

 

 

 Day 3:           Estancia Colomé Full Day: Vineyards, Cooking, Wine, Activities
Full Day Activities at Estancia Colomé. (B; L; D)

Tentative schedule:

 

07:30 hrs: Buffet breakfast

10:30 hrs: Visit to the Winery; biodynamic farm, old and new vineyards, church and the water source. Followed by
Film of Colomé at winery’s micro cinema

13.00 hrs: Lunch a la carte at the restaurant.

Afternoon at leisure to enjoy facility

19.30 hrs.: Private Group Cooking Class with Local Chef

21.00 hrs.: Dinner

 

Day 4:           Cafayate & Las Conchas Gorge

 We depart early from Estancia Colomé.  A scenic drive takes us through small colonial villages enroute Cafayate.  Upon arrival at the gorge, the "Quebrada de las Flechas", we enjoy a walk through the incredible multi-colored rock formations.  Our destination, Cafayate, is well known for its excellent Torrontes white wine production.

 There is time for wine tasting and lunch or a light bite before continuing on our return to Salta, via Las Conchas Gorge, allowing us to take in the impressive lunar landscape.

 Overnight at Del Virrey Hotel for two nights in Salta, room with breakfast. (B)

 

Day 5:           Humahuaca Gorge & Traditional Andean Food Experience

A hearty breakfast prepares us for a full day private tour to the Humahuaca Gorge, a Patrimony of Humanity Site.  Traditional Andean villages dot the landscape of our route prior to arriving at the small town of Purmamarca. We stop to visit the traditional artisan market with locals selling their art and various regional products.  We continue to Maimará for a special treat; we will be welcomed at the Kusika Restaurant by Chef Gloria Diez Peña who introduces us to the secrets of the typical Andean foods and their relation to Andean culture.

We enjoy a class educating us on the typical products of the region, their uses and the persistence of the ancestral customs in the nourishing culture of the area. We will learn to cook Tamales de Charqui with dry Andean maize made by the traditional methods. Later we will taste the tamales that we have prepared and will enjoy a lunch of small plates from the traditional Andean kitchen such as: Mankakanca, Huaschalocro, Chairo de Tunta.
Late afternoon we visit Tilcara & it's Indian Pucará.

Drive back to Salta. Overnight at Hotel del Virrey room with breakfast. (B, L).

 

Day 6:            Transfer to Salta airport

Morning private transfer with English speaking guide to Salta's airport.  Flight to BA and continue to Iguazu.

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