Days 1-2: Salta
Day 1: Arrive Salta. Afternoon colonial walking tour. Evening peña dinner with folk music. Day 2: Full Salta exploration — MAAM museum (Inca mummies at 6,739m), San Bernardo Hill (cable car views), San Lorenzo village for lunch by the river, the artisan market. Evening free — perhaps a second peña. Overnight Salta (4★).
Day 3: Route 40 to Cachi
Drive through Quebrada de Escoipe cloud forest, Cuesta del Obispo pass (3,348m), Los Cardones National Park, Recta de Tin Tin (Inca road), Las Pailas rock paintings (4,000 years old). Arrive Cachi: whitewashed streets, 18th-century San José Church, Nevado de Cachi backdrop (6,380m). Wine tasting at a boutique Calchaquí bodega. Overnight at El Cortijo, Cachi.
Day 4: Calchaquí Valleys to Cafayate
Morning: Seclantás — the poncho capital of Argentina, visit weavers at looms. Molinos — restored 18th-century hacienda, Iglesia de San Pedro Nolasco. Continue through dramatic valley scenery to Cafayate. Afternoon: first wine tasting — Argentina’s highest vineyards. Evening: dinner at a vineyard restaurant. Overnight Cafayate (4★).
Day 5: Cafayate Wine Country
Morning: second bodega visit — compare Torrontés styles (young vs. barrel-aged). Visit the Wine Museum. Free afternoon: optional bike rental through vineyards, horseback riding in the Calchaquí foothills, or just enjoy Cafayate’s sunny plaza. Evening: asado (Argentine barbecue) at a local parrilla. Overnight Cafayate.
Day 6: Quebrada de las Conchas to Purmamarca
Drive the Quebrada de las Conchas — Devil’s Throat, Amphitheater, Castles. Continue north to Purmamarca: Hill of Seven Colors, Paseo de los Colorados, artisan market. Optional short hike to the Colorados viewpoint for sunset. Overnight Purmamarca/Tilcara.
Day 7: Tilcara, Humahuaca & Return
Morning: Tilcara’s Pucará fortress, Uquía’s Arquebusier Angels paintings, Humahuaca town. Afternoon drive back to Salta through the Quebrada’s best afternoon light. Transfer to airport.
