- Duration: 1 day. From 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. approximately.
- Travel: 345 km.
- Main attractions: Valle de Lerma – Cerrillos – La Merced – El Carril – Quebrada de Escoipe – Cuesta del Obispo – Piedra del Molino – P.N. Los Cardones – Payogasta – R.N. 40 – Cachi.
You ascend the Escoipe Gorge and then continue along the imposing Cuesta del Obispo and Valle Encantado, surrounded by mountains. After Piedra del Molino, you cross Los Cardones National Park, which covers an interesting sample of 65,000 ha of the nature of mountains and dry ravines between 2,700 and 5,000 meters above sea level. The shrubby formation dominated by teasels is notable, which once adults (250 or 300 years old) can measure up to 3 meters.
The magical little town of Cachi, located at the foot of the snow-capped mountain of the same name, is characterized by its colonial-style facades, with mansions set on the edge of narrow, cobbled streets. The 18th century church stands out, whose floors, ceiling and furniture are made of cardón wood; and its walls are made of adobe. It has a very important Anthropological Museum where the history of indigenous civilizations is appreciated in its approximately 5,000 pieces.
The R.N. 68 towards the south of Valle de Lerma passing through the towns of Cerrillos, La Merced and El Carril, where the route deviates to the west through R.P. 33 thus beginning the tour of the Quebrada de Escoipe.
A stop is made with passengers dropped off at the “El Maray” establishment located at the foot of Cuesta del Obispo, so that passengers can enter the restrooms and purchase food or drinks if they wish. Then the ascent of the sierra begins, reaching a height of 3348 masl in the place called “Piedra del Molino”. At this point, a stop is made with passengers dropped off at the viewpoint that is located next to the San Rafael Chapel, a favorable place also for the sighting of condors and some of the highest peaks in the province of Salta.
Continuing with the tour, we travel along the “straight line of Tin Tin” making a stop with passengers dropping off in the highest sector of the Los Cardones National Park, in this case the passengers will be able to take a short walk through the cardonales and also take pictures of the Tin hill. Tin (3763 masl) and the line of the same name.
Subsequently, the town of Payogasta is crossed making a stop at the Valle Calchaquí Viewpoint. Then the tour continues arriving at Cachi with a stop for lunch and free time until the group’s meeting time to return to the city of Salta along the same route.
(Does not include tickets to museums and lunch).
