- Duration: 1 day. From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. approximately.
- Travel: 395 km.
- Main attractions: Lerma Valley – Cerrillos – La Merced – El Carril – Coronel Moldes – Alemania – Las Conchas Gorge – Calchaquí Valley – R.N. 40 – Cafayate – Salta Wine Route. li>
Tour to the wine-producing center of the province, cradle of the Torrontés varietal, visiting the Quebrada de las Conchas, which originated in the Tertiary Era, 70 million years ago and separates the Lerma Valley from the Calchaquí Valley. Wind erosion has formed a succession of natural caprices such as the Garganta del Diablo, a deep and closed canyon, or, El Anfiteatro (with perfect natural acoustics), El Sapo, El Fraile, El Obelisco, Los Castillos.
Little by little, the aridity of the landscape is replaced by large areas of vineyards to reach one of the most outstanding regions within the Calchaquíes Valleys: Cafayate, a town of one-story houses between colonial and baroque from the late 19th century. Its church presents the particularity of being one of the very few temples with 5 naves in the country.
The R.N. 68 towards the south of Valle de Lerma passing through the towns of Cerrillos, La Merced, El Carril and Coronel Moldes. Before entering the Quebrada de Las Conchas, a stop is made either at La Viña or Talapampa so that passengers who so wish can use the restrooms and purchase food or drinks for the rest of the day.
The next stop is in the area of Germany, currently inhabited by about 10 families; at this point you can see the first formations of the Quebrada de Las Conchas. Stops are made at different points so that passengers can tour the place and take pictures, such as The Amphitheater and The Devil’s Throat.
Then you can identify other formations such as the obelisk, the toad, the friar, the castles, among others. Before finishing the tour of the ravine and entering the Calchaquí Valley, a stop is made for passengers to ascend to the viewpoint of Cerro de Tres Cruces.
After the junction with R. N. 40, continue along it, entering the vineyard area that serves as a prelude to the city of Cafayate.
There is a lunch stop and free time to visit the buildings and museums of this town, setting a meeting point and time for the group to later make a visit to one of the most representative wineries of the Calchaquí Valley, where passengers can learn more about how is the winemaking process and taste some of the varieties produced by the firm. After these activities, you return to the city of Salta, following the same route.
ADMISSION TO THE WINERIES IS FREE.
(Does not include tickets to museums and lunch).
