Promotion of 2 Day Excursions: Cafayate + Salinas Grandes by Purmamarca

This trip is interesting because it strings together two of northern Argentina’s most striking regions in one smooth loop, Cafayate and the Salinas Grandes. You get a full day of canyon viewpoints, a winery stop with tasting included, and then a second day built around salt flats and high passes.

I particularly like how the itinerary breaks the scenery into short, photo-friendly stops in the Quebrada de las Conchas, instead of rushing through everything at once. I also like the way Cafayate gives you some breathing room to explore Plaza Central and the cathedral area on your own, not just stand around with the group.

One drawback to think about: the ride can feel long, and at least one past rider noted the vehicle was tight with limited leg room. If you’re tall or easily uncomfortable on longer drives, plan accordingly.

Key things that make this 2-day loop work

• Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas stops are timed for photos, with La Garganta del Diablo and El Anfiteatro built in.
• Cafayate winery visit with free tasting is included, so you do not have to hunt for an extra activity.
• Real free time in town after lunch lets you walk Plaza Central and nearby streets at your own pace.
• Salinas Grandes is the main “wow” moment on Day 2, with a dedicated 45-minute stop.
• Cuesta de Lipan at 4,070 meters plus a steep descent gives you dramatic viewpoints without needing technical hiking.
• Small group size (up to 23) keeps the day from feeling like a cattle run.

Day One: Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas to Cafayate, with short stops that actually help

This is a classic “scenery in chapters” day. You start early from Salta, then head straight to the Quebrada de las Conchas, one of the best places in the area to see layered rock formations and sculpted cliffs. The win here is pacing, the stops are short enough that you stay fresh, but long enough to get good angles and time to look closely.

The first stretch is Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas for about two hours. This is where you’ll spot the canyon’s most photogenic features, and it’s also the part where your guide can point out what you’re looking at, like how the forms were shaped and what tends to be visible from certain viewpoints.

If you hate feeling rushed, you’ll still want to move fast. The trick is to use the breaks to do what you actually came for: step out, take photos, look around for one or two minutes, then get back on the vehicle. If you try to “research” every rock layer, you’ll lose time, and you’ll miss the next viewpoints.

La Garganta del Diablo and El Anfiteatro: two stops, one canyon, lots of photos

After the main Quebrada stretch, you get two smaller hits that are very worth it for the time they take.

La Garganta del Diablo is a quick 20-minute stop to enter the natural formation and take photos. Even with the short timing, you get the value of being physically inside the feature, which changes the perspective compared to looking from a distance. This is the kind of place where the best shots usually come from stepping around a bit and letting the light hit the stone.

Next comes El Anfiteatro, also about 20 minutes. This stop is more than just scenery. You can discover the natural acoustics, which makes it feel like a place, not just a photo stop. It’s one of those moments that turns a quick stop into a memory, because you’ll be doing something small and different while you’re there.

Both of these stops are set for photos, so keep your timing realistic. Wear shoes you can move in easily, and keep your phone or camera ready before you step in, because there’s not a lot of slack time.

Cafayate winery visit: free tasting plus a real reason to slow down

Cafayate is the day’s change of tempo, from canyon rock to wine country. You’ll spend around 40 minutes at a winery where you learn about local production, and the tasting of wines is included at no extra cost.

This is one of the best “value per minute” parts of the tour. Instead of paying separately for a tasting later, you’re getting the experience folded into the route. Also, Cafayate wineries tend to be easy to understand even if you’re not a wine expert, the guide typically helps you connect what you taste with what you see around you.

Don’t plan on becoming a connoisseur in one short tasting, but do pay attention to what you like. If you enjoy one particular style, you can use that as your shopping guide later in town, because you’ll have time to walk around after.

Plaza Central and the Catedral Nuestra Senora del Rosario: your hour to wander

After lunch, you get about one free hour in Cafayate to tour Plaza Central and the surrounding area. This is the part I like most, because it gives you control. You can stroll, pop into small shops, or simply sit and watch people move through one of the town’s central areas.

You’ll also have time to visit the Catedral Nuestra Senora del Rosario, located in front of the main square. The cathedral stop is listed at around 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick visit rather than a long church tour. Still, it’s a nice way to balance the tour’s heavy “outdoors wow” with something calmer and local.

Practical tip: Cafayate mornings can be cool and afternoons can feel warmer, depending on the season. Bring a light layer so you’re comfortable moving around your hour of free time.

Day Two: Salinas Grandes and Cuesta de Lipan, where the views feel high and far

Day Two starts with the big centerpiece, Salinas Grandes. You’ll spend about 45 minutes here, and it’s described as a majestic salt flats area recently chosen as one of the 7 Wonders of Argentina. Even if you’ve seen salt flats before, this stop tends to hit hard because the scale is hard to capture in a photo.

You’ll want to approach this with the right expectation. The salt flats are more about distance, texture, and light than about walking a long trail. Use your time to look for the patterns and the way the horizon line looks under different light angles. If you’re there near the middle of the day, shadows can be sharper, so don’t be surprised if photos look a bit different than what you see online.

After Salinas Grandes, you’re back on the road with a key viewpoint stop: Cuesta de Lipan. You’ll pause around 15 minutes at the highest point, reaching about 4,070 meters above sea level. The route includes Route 52, and it notes you descend about 2,000 meters over roughly 60 km, which explains why the views can feel dramatic fast.

A short note on altitude and comfort. The itinerary lists a very high point, so pace yourself when you get out of the vehicle. Slow movements, steady breathing, and drinking water can make a difference in how you feel, especially if you’re sensitive to altitude.

Purmamarca: a brief reset that sets you up for the ride back

On the route between the Salinas Grandes and Pueblo de Purmamarca, there’s that high viewpoint moment, then you continue toward the town.

Purmamarca is a short stop of about 30 minutes. The plan here is practical: rest a bit, use the bathroom, stretch your legs. This is not an “explore the whole town” block, so if you want shopping or major wandering, you’ll need a separate plan. But as a reset, it works well, especially after a long drive day.

From Purmamarca, the tour returns to Salta capital and ends back at the meeting point.

Price and comfort: what $65.60 really buys you, and where comfort can vary

At $65.60 per person for two days, this is positioned as strong value for the amount of territory covered. You’re paying for guided touring, an air-conditioned vehicle, and all fees and taxes, and the stops themselves list admission tickets as free.

The included wine tasting at the winery is a bonus that helps justify the price, because you’re getting a structured activity without paying extra on-site. You’re also getting a balance of longer scenery chunks and shorter “point-and-shoot” stops, which keeps the day moving but avoids constant walking.

The main comfort question is the vehicle. An earlier rider specifically called out an uncomfortable, tight van and limited leg room. That does not mean your experience will be the same, but it is a fair consideration. If you care about comfort on long drives, choose a seat where you have the most leg room, and plan to keep your posture flexible.

Also remember what is not included: accommodation and food and drink. You’ll need to arrange where you sleep, and you’ll want spending money for meals.

Who this tour is best for, and who should look elsewhere

This works best if you want a structured, guided introduction to two big highlights of the region without planning day-by-day on your own. I’d point it toward you if you like road trips, scenic stops, and you’re happy with short time in each place rather than a slow, deep exploration.

It’s also a good fit for first-timers in Salta who want a high-impact itinerary: canyon formations on Day One, salt flats and a high pass viewpoint on Day Two.

If you prefer long stays in towns, you might feel slightly limited by the free time windows, like the one hour in Cafayate and the quick 30 minutes in Purmamarca. And if you’re very uncomfortable in tight vehicles, you should treat the comfort note seriously.

Should you book this Cafayate plus Salinas Grandes excursion?

I’d book it if you want to see Quebrada de las Conchas, drink in Cafayate’s wine-country vibe with a tasting, and then hit the salt flats and high-altitude viewpoints in one efficient loop. For the price, the mix of guided stops plus included tasting is hard to beat.

I would hesitate if you know you struggle on long drives or you’re tall and very sensitive to leg room. In that case, you might feel the tradeoff between cost and comfort more strongly than other people.

If the weather is good, and you’re comfortable with a schedule that moves from stop to stop, this is a very practical way to experience northern Argentina’s highlights in just two days.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Caseros 420, A4400 Salta, Argentina, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 7:00 am.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered within a 2 km radius of Plaza 9 de Julio. If your lodging is outside that radius, you should approach the Tiamar Travel EVT Agency office at Calle Buenos Aires 186, with pickup scheduled between 7:00 and 7:20 am.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is guided and offered in English.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 23 travelers.

What’s included in the price of $65.60?

Included features are an air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes, and a guided experience. The itinerary also lists admission tickets as free at the listed stops.

What’s not included?

Accommodation and food and drink are not included.

What are the main stops on Day 1?

Day 1 includes Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas, La Garganta del Diablo, El Anfiteatro, a winery visit in Cafayate with free wine tasting, then time around Plaza Central and the Catedral Nuestra Senora del Rosario.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.