TUCUMÁN, SALTA & JUJUY – 9 DAYS 8 NIGHTS

Arrival in Tucumán and transfer to the hotel. (Connection flight in Buenos Aires, arrival to Tucuman in the evening) Overnight in Tucuman City, standard room

After breakfast, city tour San Miguel de Tucumán has been declared ‘Historic City’ in 1999 because of its richness in patrimonial heritage. Today, the historic centre forms the heart of the cosmopolitan metropolis and within it the most significant civic and institutional buildings of Tucumán have been constructed. This tour invites you to discover the capital of Tucumán, protagonist of the National History and owner of an important patrimonial legacy. With an intense cultural life and a moving nightlife the city offers varied attractions that allow you to get to know the most authentic aspects of its historic growth and its unique present. The Plaza Independencia, the heart of the city, where the statue of ‘La Libertad’ stands out. The statue was a work of art made by the famous sculptor for Tucumán, Lola Mora. Around the square numerous buildings have been constructed, reflecting distinctive architectonical periods, all worthy of a short stop to appreciate them: Casa de Gobierno (Government building), Museum Casa Padilla, the Temple of San Francisco and The Cathedral. Time to lunch (not included) In the afternoon, leaving the capital of the province towards the south via Route 38, heading in the directions of the Valleys you can visit the Jesuit Ruins of San José de Lules where the chapel and the cloister are being preserved. After 16 kilometres you reach Famailla, known for it typical empanadas from Tucumán. You continue to Acheral where the road toward the Valleys, the provincial route 307, begins. Thousands of fern will capture the curiosity of the traveller, as will the giant trees alongside the road. After a short while the road will enter the ravine of the river Los Sosa which forms part of the Natural Reserve Los Sosa. A short while after entering the reserve the road will start zigzagging its way up with sharp turns. At this point the jungle dazzles most visitors and invites them to stop and take in the scenery, especially in the curve near the monument ‘El Indio’. Further up the road, in a place called the Military halting place, the vegetation start losing a bit of its intensity. Here species like the alder, willow and pinetree take over the protagonist role. The entrance in the Valley of Tafí is simply breathtaking. In its centre rests the dam ‘La Angostura’. On the southern shores of the lake we find the village of El Mollar where we will visit the Archaeological Reserve ‘Los Menhires’, where over a hundred monoliths are gathered from all over the valley telling the story of the Tafí-culture. Tafí del Valle is situated at 2000 metres above sea level. With it 2.600 inhabitants it is a typical tourist village which preserves the Jesuit conjunct ‘La Banda’, who’s oldest part was built by the Jesuits in the first half of the 18th century. Together with other estancias, La Banda forms a particular rural circuit and the productive centre of the famous cheese from Tafí. Overnight in Tafi del Valle, standard room (B)

Day at your leisure in Tafi del Valle. Overnight in Tafi del Valle, standard room (B)

On the way to Cafayate, taking the famous National Route 40, the Ruins of Quilmes appear on our left. This was one of the most important pre-hispanic settlements. On the slopes of the mountain one can observe the reconstructions of the residential area, crowned by a fortress situated at the top and two smaller fortifications on both sides of the residential area. A series of trails allows you a guided tour through the complex which was the ultimate bastion of aborigine resistance against the Spanish invasion. They only surrendered in 1667, after which 1.700 of the survivors were transferred on foot to the proximities of Buenos Aires (the present-day city of Quilmes). Only 400 of them survived the trip. In the museum near the complex, some of the pieces that have been rescued from the excavations can be observed. The legendary Route 40 continues its way through the valley towards Cafayate, but not before passing through Colalao del Valle, close to which we find El Pichao, an archaeological site, similar to that of Quilmes although not that restored. Arrival in Cafayate and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cafayate, standard room (B)

Day at your leisure in Cafayate. We suggest visiting Piatelli Wine State or Bodega de las Nubes. Overnight in Cafayate, standard room (B)

Today in the afternoon, you will take a Van to Salta City. Overnight in Salta, standard room (B)

Salta at your leisure. You can visit Salta City, We suggest tovisit MAAM Museam with Llullaillaco Children. Overnight in Salta, standard room (B)

The journey leaves from Salta, but really begins once arrived to Purmamarca Village where time will be enough to observe the Seven Colored Hill, the Church and the Craft Market on the square, and a small walk along its narrow streets. We continue towards the town of Tilcara where we visit the Pucará (ancient ruins), the Archaeological Museum, and Huacalera, and then we cross the Capricorn Tropic, from where the colors of La Pollera de la Coya Hill can be seen and really good pictures taken because of the daylight. We visit Uquía and its church, where the paintings of the Arcabuceros Angels (important vestige in the zone of the Cuzqueña School) are kept. Arrival to Humahuaca will be at noon; this town has an important Church and the Independence Monument (the Indian) of the sculptor Soto Avendaño. After lunch we´ll observe, from the route, La Paleta del Pintor (Painter’s Palette) framing the town of Maimara. We continue to San Salvador de Jujuy where the Flag Hall and the Cathedral, characterized by its pulpit carved in wood and gold and the statues of Lola Mora are visited. Finally, we return to Salta through National Route N° 9 of abundant subtropical vegetation. The last stretch is: El Abra of Santa Laura, observing La Cienaga (The Swamp) dam, Las Maderas and Campo Alegre and returning to Salta through Vaqueros. You can combine this tour with the previous one- Arround the Hights- spending the night at Purmamarca and continuing to Humahuaca on the following day. Overnight in Salta, standard room (B)

Today you will enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel, at the appropriate time you will be collected by your guide for your transfer to the airport for your flight back home.