Description

Operational notes: Day 3: Avoid full moon for night observation. Day 11: Pucara de Tilcara is closed on Monday. Day 12: The Town Hall and the Museum of High Mountain close on Mondays. San Miguel Market closes on Sundays. To keep in mind: From January to March, the itinerary may be modified due to the rainy season. 01/02/2025 257 Day 1 Mendoza. Arrival at the airport. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit to the city. Day 2 Mendoza. B L Day focused on visiting wineries at Luján de Cuyo’s area. Day 3 Mendoza / Barreal. B D Departure towards Barreal through the Route 7 until Uspallata. In the afternoon, we visit the Astronomical Observatory CASLEO located in El Leoncito N. P. After the tour through its facilities, we have dinner and, if sky conditions allow us, we enjoy a night observation of planets, double stars, galaxies, stars clusters, among other objects. Travelled distance: 235 km (146 miles) Travel time: 5-6 hours Day 4 Barreal / Villa Unión. B D We depart towards Villa Unión passing by Iglesianos Valleys. Arrival in Villa Unión. Travelled distance: 433 km (269 miles) Travel time: 7 hours Day 5 Villa Unión. B D Today we visit Ischigualasto Provincial Park (De La Luna Valley) and Talampaya N. P., both of them declared Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Day 6 Villa Unión / Belén. B D In the morning, we depart towards Famatina through De Miranda Slope where we visit the station of the Cableway of La Mejicana Mine along with its museum. We continue to Belén. Travelled distance: 327 km (126 miles) Travel time: 7/8 hours Day 7 Belén / Cafayate. B Early departure towards Londres to visit the ruins of El Shincal de Quimivil , which was an administrative city of the Inca state, declared a National Historical Monument. Later, we take the Route 40 towards Cafayate, passing by De Los Quilmes Ruins. Travelled distance: 249 km (154 miles) Travel time: 7/8 hours 01/02/2025 258 Day 8 Cafayate / Cachi. B We visit Cafayate Gorge and in the afternoon, we depart towards Cachi. On the way, we visit De Las Flechas Gorge. Travelled distance: 207 km (128 miles) Travel time: 4 hours Day 9 Cachi / Salta. B In the morning, departure to Salta through Del Obispo Slope and Del Escoipe Gorge. Arrival at Salta. Travelled distance: 168 km (104 miles) Travel time: 4 hours Day 10 Salta / Purmamarca. B Early departure towards San Antonio de los Cobres to continue across the Jujuy’s Puna up to Salinas Grandes Salt Flat. Then, we start to descend through Lipan Slope to the little town of Purmamarca. Travelled distance: 320 km (199 miles) Travel time: 10 hours Day 11 Purmamarca / Salta. B Today, we enjoy the Humahuaca Gorge, which has been declared a Natural and Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO, while we visit typical and colorful villages. Arrival at Salta. Travelled distance: 308 km (191 miles) Travel time: 10 hours Day 12 Salta. B In the morning, we explore the city and visit the MAAM. Transfer to the airport. Notes Day 3: Due to the operating days of CASLEO (El Leoncito Astronomical Complex), the tour may be replaced by observation at CESCO. To improve the observation, it is suggested to avoid full moon days. The activity takes place in the outdoor area of the observatory. Suitable clothing is required. If the nighttime observation near the observatory is not possible, the activity will be held at another location in the town with equipment. A dinner box is included. Day 5: The internal tour of Talampaya is through the Classic Experience, which includes stops at the following stations: Petroglifs, Botanical Garden, Gothic Cathedral, and The Monk. Regular service in Spanish. Day 8: The Museum of Wine and Vine remains closed on Mondays. Day 12: The Cabildo and High Mountain Museum are closed on Mondays. The San Miguel Market is closed on Sundays. Private Services Transfers for arrival and departure with a guide. Regular Services Arrival transfer with a guide and departure without a guide. Day 3 to 9 inclusive: Private services with a guide. Day 1: The visit to the city will be provided privately. Day 2: The winery excursion in Lujan de Cuyo may be replaced by an alternative in the Maipu area. We suggest not starting the tour on Saturday, as on Sundays, the wineries in Lujan de Cuyo or Maipu are not operational. If no alternatives are available, the wineries of Valle de Uco may be offered with a supplement.