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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
12 DAYS
COMFORT
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • We stay in colorful and delightful Tilcara, one of the most famous towns in the Jujuy province which merges indigenous cultures with modern times.
  • The Pucará de Tilcara is a restored Incan fortress that overlooks the modern town of Tilcara; you can see the strategic position the Incas chose to build their fortress!
  • Delight in the vibrant walls of the Quebrada, made up of a variety of mineral deposits that merge to create a rainbow of rocks.
  • Stop along the way at the villages of Tumbaya and Volcan or bike an extra ride up to thermal pools.
  • We'll climb just under 1000 meters (3200 feet) through a desert environment with cactus covered mountains to the summit.
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Bicycle Tours in Argentina: Discover Northern Argentina Plus! the Ruins of Quilmes

Here's an exciting bicycle touring opportunity to get a little further off the beaten path in Latin America. This tour presents irrefutable proof that there is a lot more to see and do in Argentina than visit Patagonia!
Here's an exciting bicycle touring opportunity to get a little further off the beaten path in Latin America. This tour presents irrefutable proof that there is a lot more to see and do in Argentina than visit Patagonia! We'll bicycle through areas that were once home to a thriving pre-Incan population and the archeological heritage demonstrates the prosperity that came with being located in the spectacular Rio Grande Valley. A large part of the area includes the famous Camino Inca or Inca Trail and a major trade and cultural route between Buenos Aires, Bolivia and Peru. We start with three days of glorious downhill bicycling as we come down from our 10,000 foot perch in Salta. We'll pedal on paved roads through lush valleys, stopping to explore pre-Incan ruins, deserts, cloudforest, and wine country. We ride through the twisted and dazzling geological formations of Quebrada de las Conchas, see the famous ruins at Quilmes, and stop in San Miguel de Tucuman, the city where a delegation first declared Argentina's independence in 1816.
Day 1: Shuttle to Quebrada de Humahuaca
We'll offer a shuttle from the Salta International Airport at 2:30 pm or from the center of Salta at 2 pm and drive north to the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage site and our home for the next few nights. We stay in colorful and delightful Tilcara, one of the most famous towns in the Jujuy province which merges indigenous cultures with modern times. We'll plan to fit bikes and suggest a ride north up the canyon, toward Humahuaca and Bolivia (about 240 km away). We'll enjoy a welcome dinner together tonight. Mileage: Your choice for a short ride.
Lodging Hotel Viento Norte
Description Viento Norte are a high quality boutique hotel located in the heart of Tilcara, the most tourist and cultural town of the "Quebrada de Humahuaca" declared region Humanity Heritage by UNESCO on 2003.
Day 2: Ride to Purmamarca
After a safety talk this morning, we encourage you to either visit the Pucará de Tilcara if you have not already done so, or ride north in the canyon to see its colorful walls. The Pucará de Tilcara is a restored Incan fortress that overlooks the modern town of Tilcara; you can see the strategic position the Incas chose to build their fortress! When ready, glide down the canyon; none of the tourists traveling by bus have the opportunity to stop at the small villages along the way, so be sure to take time to explore places like Posta de los Hornillos and Maimará on your way. Delight in the vibrant walls of the Quebrada, made up of a variety of mineral deposits that merge to create a rainbow of rocks. We'll see this very well in Purmamarca, which is famous for the Cerro de Siete Colores, the mountain of seven colors. Mileage: 28 km (18 miles) to Purmamarca; as much additional mileage as you want north.
Lodging Hosteria Posta de Purmamarca
Description Comfortable facilities set against the magnificent backdrop of the Seven Color Mountain, and just four blocks from the main square. Warm and cozy environments decorated in rustic and classic style.
Day 3: Purmamarca
We have a rest day today in the town famous for its "Cerro de Siete Colores." Walk or bike the 4 km gravel path around the colorful mountain, or head off for some other hiking in these sedimentary rock hills. Anybody wanting a challenge can bike up the 25+ hairpin turns to reach 4170 meters (13,681 feet). Or, we'll help arrange a visit to the salt flats high above to see the incredible expanse of white, bordered by dominating mountains. Or, relax and wander the village, visiting the church and shopping in the main square where street vendors sell traditional crafts as well as woolen goods from nearby Bolivia. Dinner is on your own. Mileage: Optional; approximately 40 km (25 miles) up to Abra de Porterillos at 4170 meters.
Lodging Hosteria Posta de Purmamarca
Description Comfortable facilities set against the magnificent backdrop of the Seven Color Mountain, and just four blocks from the main square. Warm and cozy environments decorated in rustic and classic style.
Day 4: San Salvador de Jujuy
We fly downhill today to the capital of Jujuy province, San Salvador de Jujuy. Stop along the way at the villages of Tumbaya and Volcan or bike an extra ride up to thermal pools. Our landscape changes as we lose the sandy, rocky colors of the desert and enter a more urban area. San Salvador de Jujuy is a well-preserved colonial town and is home to a lovely cathedral, built in 1750, surrounding Plaz a Belgrano. If the Indian market is open be sure to visit; most vendors dress in traditional costumes selling food, indigenous crafts and textiles. Mileage: About 60 km (37 miles).
Lodging Jujuy Palace Hotel
Description It is seated between the Rio Grande and Xibi-Xibi, to 1259 meters above sea level, its peculiar topography and appearance earned him the metaphorical term "Tacita de Plata".
Day 5: Salta
Today is our first day with some physical effort as we climb out of the Jujuy valley to enter the Salta basin through a cloudforest. We spend tonight in the city of Salta, the capital of the Salta province, known to Argentineans as "Salta la linda," or "Salta the beautiful." Take time to visit the famous archaeological museums and the important sites of the city. Dinner is on your own. Mileage: 91 km (56 miles).
Lodging Altos de Balcarce
Description Hotel Altos de Balcarce has 48 Rooms, Suites and a wide variety of first class services. It is a distinguished and comfortable 3-star-hotel on Balcarce Street, one of Salta’s most important tourist areas in Salta.
Day 6: Coronel Moldes
We leave the city for the quiet countryside and green valleys south of Salta: as we ride we'll see many whitewashed colonial farm houses amid fields of one of the finest types of tobacco in Argentina. Our destination is the small village of Coronel Moldes; you can relax or take an extra ride into the verdant hills around the lake resort area of Dique Cabra Corral. In the late afternoon we'll visit a finca, a typical tobacco farm and we'll learn about the gauchos and their work in the field. We'll enjoy dinner together at the finca, where the owner will cook us a delicious asado. Mileage: 61 km with optional 8-20 km available (37-49 miles).
Lodging Hotel del Dique
Description It is framed by Cabra Corral Lake, a privileged area in the Province of Salta where a perfect combination of water, hills and excellent service can be found.
Day 7: Cafayate
We'll start our day with a shuttle to a goat farm, where you can buy some cheese, or maybe some "dulce de leche" made with goat milk! Today's ride could easily be labeled "the most beautiful ride ever." We'll pedal through the Quebrada de las Conchas, riding by geological formations eroded into forms such as the "Devil's Throat," the "Frog," the "Amphitheater," the "Monk," and more. Take your time through the canyon as the late afternoon light creates an explosion of colors over the last 30 km. We arrive in the colonial town of Cafayate tonight, famous for its wines and a base for adventure travel in the area. Take a stroll through town before enjoying dinner together. Mileage: 88-130 km (54-81 miles).
Lodging Hotel Killa
Description Killa Cafayate is a hotel de charme located in the heart of town. Developed after an old colonial house it is today a hotel with own character and very particular style. It is a place to rest and encounter with ample guestrooms, fresh galleries and colorful gardens.
Day 8: Day off in Cafayate
Enjoy a rest day in Cafayate today - we'll recommend a ride to the nearby town of San Carlos, or, for those interested, we'll help arrange a visit to the Quebrada de Las Flechas, a stunning expanse of rock formations jutting up perpendicularly from the ground, or back to the Quebrada de Las Conchas for a sunset walk. Dinner is on your own tonight; opportunities abound to sample local wines and specialties. Mileage: your choice, 28 km possible on paved roads (0-17 miles).
Lodging Hotel Killa
Description Killa Cafayate is a hotel de charme located in the heart of town. Developed after an old colonial house it is today a hotel with own character and very particular style. It is a place to rest and encounter with ample guestrooms, fresh galleries and colorful gardens.
Day 9: Quilmes and Amaichá del Valle
Our ride from Cafayate takes us by several of the vineyards that make this area's wine famous. We are riding along the valley toward the most famous ruins in Argentina-Quilmes. The indigenous community here resisted the Spanish occupation until 1667 when they were finally conquered; the Spaniards forced the population to evacuate the village and march toward Buenos Aires. Nobody survived the trek, and the town of Quilmes fell into ruin. Wander through the partially restored ruins for a stunning view of the entire valley and visit the museum. Continue for another 14 km to arrive to the small town of Amaichá, famous for its museum complex dedicated to Mother Earth. We'll eat together in the hotel tonight. Mileage: 68 km (43 miles).
Lodging Hotel Altos de Amaicha
Description Boutique Amaicha high Posada was built on top of a hill at the entrance of the town of Amaicha Valley, blends with the landscape of sun. The hotel has 8 rooms which have sommiers, plasma TV with satellite service, splits / heating and bathroom with tub.
Day 10: Tafí del Valle
We leave the Quilmes valley to ride or shuttle up and over 1000 meters (3300 feet) to enter the valley of Tafí del Valle. Set in a fertile valley this famous town acts as the local resort for the people of the nearby city of San Miguel de Tucuman. We'll climb just under 1000 meters (3200 feet) through a desert environment with cactus covered mountains to the summit - the Spanish conquistadores used this pass to enter Argentina as they traveled East from Peru. You'll notice a dramatic difference in the landscape as soon as we begin our descent to the valley; the vegetation suddenly becomes lush and green. Mileage: 35-61 km (22-39 miles).
Lodging ACA Hosteria-Sol del Valle
Description Located in a privileged natural balcony, the Hosteria Sol del Valle, with its neo-colonial structures, offer all the amenities and services to national and international tourism demand.
Day 11: Downhill rides to San Miguel de Tucuman
We have a screaming downhill through a luscious tropical forest, the yungas, a stark contrast from the Alpine meadow valley area of Tafi and the desert like environment of the previous days. We finish our tour in the city of San Miguel de Tucuman, the largest city in northwestern Argentina. This provincial capital is where delegates declared the country's independence from Spain on July 9, 1816. Mileage: 100 km, of which 60 are downhill.
Lodging Hotel Presidente
Description The Hotel is strategically located in the business area, just a few minutes’ walk from the banking district and the main tourist circuit: Plaza Independencia and Casa Histórica (House of Independence).
Day 12: Journey's End
Our tour ends today. Whether you're off to Buenos Aires or heading back home, buen viaje!
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Marion M.
We went to a small winery on our day off in Cafayate. The guides drove us out in the van and after the tour we had lunch on the porch. It was a sunny day and the view was of the vineyards with the mountains behind us and in the distance. Was perfect Argentinean moment.
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Carolyn D.
Loved the trip up to the salt flat. Best bike days were the ride up through the cloud forest en route to Salta and the gorgeous canyon ride to Cafayate.
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Carol S.
The scenery, the roads, the weather, the food and of course the guides. Michele aka Butter Ball - was a delight and Javier aka Lover Boy was the most pleasant and knowledgeable guide I've experienced. The whole trip was great biking and most relaxing. What else can I say. Perfection!!
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Carol H.
Just a note to say THANK YOU. We had the absolute best time -- what a wonderful trip itinerary, and our guides, Michele and Javier, were FANTASTIC. They were not only loads of fun, they were always there for us, always wanting to do more, always explaining everything about the trip, the country, the history, the food...Carol and I are brewing up another trip with you -- hopefully next year in Italy.
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Carolyn M.
I loved the whole trip. The rides through the colorful canyons was almost like being home, just not so many people. The change of scenery from reds and oranges and desert like to green lush tropic like vegetation was great.
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Harold M.
Another great ExperiencePlus tour!
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Rich H.
The tour leaders were amazing. Each offered different skills and personality. Javier is a real asset with his language and history skills.
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Jean A.
Everything was perfect. The guides, scenery, hotels, other cyclists and our friend, Doug, became a bike vacation convert!
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Doug W.
I'm back home and not quite over my trip after almost a week. Loved Argentina and wanted to let you know how impressed I was with ExperiencePlus!. We had excellent guides who were efficient, fun and interesting. The country was vast and gorgeous, often feeling bigger than anything that we have in our West. Our week came off without a glitch and I would do it all again. Thank you for your help and support. I was the only one in the group who had not ridden many times with your organization and that says it all.
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TRIP INCLUDES
  • Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle
  • Shuttle from the Salta airport, 11 nights accommodation
  • 11 breakfasts, 3 packed lunches, 7 dinners with wine, including a special "finca" visit
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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