North Argentina: A Mind-Blowing, 9-Day Argentina Road Trip Itinerary

Planning to visit north Argentina? This 9-day road trip itinerary is the perfect introduction to this stunning region.

One of the amazing things about travelling in Argentina is the varying landscapes. And one of the places that most surprised me was north Argentina.

In fact, after a road trip through the region, it’s now my favourite place to visit in Argentina, and I find myself constantly recommending anyone who’s travelling to Argentina to put the north of the country on their itinerary.

Hiring a car and tracing the windy roads of the provinces of Salta and Jujuy on an Argentina road trip is the best way to experience northwest Argentina. Along the way you’ll see surprising rock formations, taste incredible wines and experience a culture that is distinctly different to other areas of Argentina.

This part of Argentina is a little off the beaten path, so if this sort of trip is up your alley, I’ve put together the perfect 9-day North Argentina itinerary to help you experience the highlights of this region. This follows the route that my husband and our friends took, plus some advice for things I’d do differently next time.

Seriously, if you’re thinking about visiting Argentina, please consider the north of Argentina – it blew my mind and I know it will amaze you, too!

North Argentina road trip logistics

Before we get into the details of the north Argentina road trip itinerary, here are a few logistics to consider.

You should also stop by and read my full guide to planning a trip to Argentina for some handy tips if it’s your first time visiting.

When to visit north Argentina

We travelled to north Argentina in early September and it was perfect. It wasn’t super hot during the day, but also not too cold at night (do I sound like Goldilocks?). We did wake up to frost some mornings. We needed jackets but they were often peeled off during the daytime.

The great thing about the timing of our trip was that it was low season, so it wasn’t very busy and the other tourists we saw were mostly Argentines.

Most people recommend April to November as the ideal time to visit north Argentina. Summer (December to February) can be too hot for most visitors.

No matter the time of year, do keep an eye on the weather, especially if rain is forecast. Heavy rains can cause roads to become impassable and it’s not uncommon for roads to wash away.

How to get to north Argentina

To do this trip, fly into Salta or Jujuy. We flew into Salta and did a sort-of figure eight loop beginning and ending there.

You could also mix up this itinerary to avoid looping back, and fly into Salta and out of Jujuy; simply alter the order of the itinerary.

Aerolíneas Argentinas flies daily to Salta and Jujuy, as does low-cost carrier FlyBondi.

How to get around northern Argentina

The best way to experience north Argentina is to hire a car and drive it yourself.

This gives you time to experience the north, stop in small towns that pique your interest, and relax as you drive around this beautiful area. It means you’ll also have the smaller towns without the crowds in the evenings.

We hired a car through a company that I think has now gone bust, so book online with DiscoverCars instead. They can collate all the car rental companies in Salta so you can choose the right one for you.

We had a teeny-tiny car that was fine for the four of us but was a little hairy in some parts. A four-wheel drive would have nice but not necessary. 

I’ve got a full guide to renting a car in Argentina with my tips and tricks.

The thought of driving around north Argentina may be a little intimidating, so there are plenty of tours that can take you on multi-day trips or day trips to the highlights that I’ll be outlining in this blog post. A few that I’ve found online that come recommended are:

• This day trip from Salta will have you exploring gorgeous Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes.
• This 7-day tour hits the highlights of north Argentina with a side trip into the Atacama Desert in Chile.
• Driving up to Iruya can be a little hairy, so consider this 2-day trip from Salta which visits Iruya and Purmamarca.
• If you’re all about the wine, this day trip from Salta heads straight to Cafayate for all the vino.

But, if you can, I highly, highly recommend DIY-ing this one and renting a car for the ultimate Argentina road trip!

Tips for a north Argentina itinerary

So now, hopefully I’ve convinced you that a self-drive road trip is the best way to get around the north of the country. If you do go down this path, here’s some Argentina travel advice for a safe trip:

I don’t think a four-wheel drive is necessary, but it may give you piece of mind on the road to Iruya.

Check that your car has a spare tyre. We got a flat on our final day (ugh) and were thankful that we knew there was a spare in the boot/trunk. Having said that, make sure you actually know how to change a flat tyre! (The funniest part about our flat tyre is that it happened on the smoothest tarmac of our trip, not on the bumpy, rocky roads we’d traversed the days before!)

Fill up with fuel whenever you can. Distances can be long here and you don’t want to end up in the middle of nowhere with an empty tank.

It’s the law in Argentina to drive with your headlights on when on a highway – even during the daylight hours. If you don’t, expect a hefty fine. 

While most of the towns along the way do have ATMs, bring cash. Cards aren’t accepted in all restaurants and you will need cash to purchase souvenirs sold in the marketplaces. Anyway, cash is always king in Argentina.

Always get travel insurance when you travel, especially to more remote areas.

North Argentina road trip itinerary

Let’s get into it! First up, here’s a map of the northern Argentina itinerary so you can visualise the suggested route that follows.

Map of northwest Argentina

Day 1: Salta

Off we go! We’re starting the Argentina road trip in Salta. They call this city Salta la Linda, and it’s easy to see why, with its beautiful buildings and peaceful plazas.

Make sure to visit the Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña. One of the top things to do in northern Argentina, here you’ll see the mummified bodies of the sacrificed Incan children discovered in 1999 on the top of Llullaillaco mountain.

Only one of the three children is displayed at a time, mesmerisingly frozen in time. It’s incredible to see the details in their faces still so well preserved after hundreds of years.

You can easily pass a day wandering the streets, people-watching in Plaza 9 de Julio and admiring the city’s colourful churches. Join a walking tour to see the best of the city.

Where to stay in Salta

On our first night in Salta, we stayed in Design Suites Salta, a modern hotel with spacious bedrooms. It’s located within walking distance of the main area of the city. | Book your stay at Design Suites Salta today on Booking.com or Expedia

Another hotel that gets great reviews is Legado Mitico, a boutique hotel in the heart of the city. It’s a contemporary hotel with a old-world style and charm. | Check rates online

Where to eat in Salta

We ate steaks the size of our heads at El Charrúa (Caseros 221) – photo evidence below.

Also try Doña Salta (Córdoba 46) for empanadas and José Balcarce (Necochea 594) for traditional regional dishes.

Day 2: Iruya

Pick up your hire car in the morning and begin the 320-kilometre journey to Iruya, a tiny, cloud-shrouded town perched on the side of a mountain.

This town is waaaayyyyy north Argentina. It’s one of the more remote places to visit in Argentina, but worth it! The last 50 kilometres of the trip is on a bone-jarring dirt road that winds through, over and around mountains (so this is where a four-wheel drive might come in handy).

The journey will take you to 4,000 metres above sea level at the crossing between the Salta and Jujuy provinces, and comprises an array of stunning landscapes, from dusty flat towns to mountains rippled with layers of brown, red, green, purple and slate-grey earth.

In town, you can wander the cobblestoned streets or spend a few extra days hiking in the area. We stayed here only one night, but if you have the time, I’d recommend staying here for at least two nights, as the drive here is difficult.

If you haven’t already chowed down on them in Salta, you can try your first empanadas salteñas, crispy pastries filled with meat and vegetables. The empanadas in this region are different to those you’ll find elsewhere in Argentina.

My top tip: always ask for them fried (rather than baked). Not as healthy, of course, but so tasty.

There’s a small shop in the square opposite the church that sells stellar empanadas (unfortunately, I never wrote down the name of the shop!).

Note that this part of the trip is completely optional, because it is a tough drive. You could skip Iruya and spend an extra day in Humahuaca, Tilcara or Purmamarca instead.

Where to stay and eat in Iruya

Hotel Iruya is perched at the top of the hill (San Martín 641). The restaurant serves surprisingly good food. | Check the latest prices and book your stay at Hotel Iruya online with Booking.com

Days 3 and 4: Humahuaca, Tilcara and Purmamarca

Get back in your car and return the same way you came, stopping along the way to have lunch in the photogenic town of Humahuaca. The restaurant Pachamanka (Buenos Aires 457) serves great tamales and traditional dishes.

You can pick up handcrafted goods here including blankets and rugs, pottery, clothing and ornaments. There’s certainly no lack of options for authentic souvenirs in north Argentina.

Continue south to Tilcara where you can visit the Pucará ruins, a pre-Inca fortification.

This site was strategically chosen, as it offered views across the valley and plenty of chances to see any enemies approaching. Wander through the cactus-filled ruins, but be aware that it can be windy at times.

You can stay the night in Humahuaca or Tilcara, but we chose to base ourselves in Purmamarca.

Looming over this tiny town is the stunning Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colours), one of the best places to see in Argentina.

Staying here overnight will allow you to visit the various viewpoints before and after the busloads of tourists that pour in for their photo opps of this Argentina tourist attraction have left.

On day four, take a day trip along the winding road to the Salinas Grandes. This is the second largest salt pan in the world. This is one of those Argentina destinations that few people know exist.

Guides will take you out to the flats (for a reasonable price, negotiate first). One of the most fun things to do in Argentina is practice your forced perspective photos in the Salinas Grandes (or fail to do so, as we did!).

Back in Purmamarca, do the easy hike around the base of Cerro de los Siete Colores to see its layered colours from all angles.

Where to stay and eat in Purmamarca

El Manantial del Silencio (Ruta Nacional 52, Km 3.5) is built to look like an old estancia. We stayed here and thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a good restaurant serving local fish and meat. | Book online with Booking.com or Expedia

If you prefer to stay in Humahuaca or Tilcara, there are plenty of accommodation options. I recommend comparing prices on Booking.com and Expedia.

Days 5 and 6: Cachi

Get back on the road for more stunning north Argentina scenery, passing back through Salta.

Cachi is a charming village where you can take a few days to relax and wander the streets. It’s one of the best places to visit in Argentina to chill out. But if you’re after something more adventurous, local companies offer hiking and biking trips; ask around.

Head out to Miraluna (7 kilometres from Cachi in the small village of La Aguada) for a tour of the bodega. It’s one of the highest wineries in the world. Take a bottle (or two) of their great Malbec back to your hotel to enjoy with a picada plate (Argentina’s version of charcuterie).

Where to stay in Cachi

La Merced del Alto (Fuerte Alto 4417) is a white-washed adobe building with ceramic-tiled floors. The service is detailed and attentive. | Book your stay at La Merced del Alto online

Where to eat in Cachi

El Antigal for cheap and delicious food. There’s no written menu, so the staff will simply verbally reel off a list of what they have available that day.

Days 7 and 8: Cafayate

More driving ahead of you. Stop by Colomé (18 kilometres west of the town of Molinos) for lunch and a tour of the mind-blowing James Turrell Museum. The museum displays Turrell’s works of light and perception. I’m completely unable to describe it in words so you need to see it for yourself!

Follow up lunch with a tasting of their famous wines. Advance bookings are essential. The road to Colomé is rutted and bumpy so carefully pack any bottles of wine you’ve bought as you leave!

After lunch, continue on to Cafayate. The journey will take you through the Quebrada de las Flechas, a lunar-like place with leaning limestone structures that resemble quivers of arrows.

In Cafayate, hit as many wineries as you can possibly handle in two days. Start with San Pedro de Yacochuya (Ruta Provincial No 2, Km 6), Piattelli (Ruta Provincial No 2, Km 3) and El Porvenir (Córdoba 32).

I’ve written a guide to the best wineries in Cafayate, so check it out and plan your visit to Cafayate accordingly.

Try the Malbec and Torrontes-flavoured ice creams at one of the many stores around Plaza San Martín and pick up a box of alfajores at one of the stores nearby. Finish the day off at Chato’s Wine Bar (Nuestra Señora del Rosario 132) with a degustation of (more) wines and a picada plate.

Where to stay in Cafayate

Splash out for a room at Grace Cafayate (Ruta Nacional 40, Km 4340). It’s located in a winery and has comfortable rooms. Ours had a huge bathtub. | Book your stay at Grace Cafayate online with Booking.com

Where to eat in Cafayate

Grab a table at Pacha Cocina de Autor (Avenida General Güemes Sur 143). Casa de las Empanadas (Mitre 24) serves cheap and delicious empanadas.

Day 9: Back to Salta

Heading back to Salta, you’ll pass through the astonishing Quebrada de Cafayate. It’s one of Argentina’s most amazing drives. You’ll see colours of all tones in the rock formations that have been carved out by the Río de las Conchas.

Along the way, stop at El Anfitreatro. Here, you’ll most likely come across a musician using the natural amphitheatre to entertain visitors. Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat) is a huge cavern a little further along.

End your north Argentina road trip back in Salta. You can either fly out that same day or stay another night to prolong your time in Argentina.

Wrap up: North Argentina road trip

You’ve probably picked up by now that North Argentina is my absolute favourite part of the country. I loved how different it was to other regions, particularly the south, and the ever-changing landscapes.

This is, in my opinion, one of the best road trips in Argentina.

While it’s not as visited as other regions, I can guarantee this region will capture your heart and you’ll leave Argentina wanting to come back!

Have you been on a road trip through north Argentina? What was your favourite part? Leave your tips, advice and thoughts in the comments below.

---

Related posts

Before you go… you might also like these Argentina travel articles:

• Argentina itinerary ideas for 1-4 weeks
• 2 weeks in Argentina itinerary
• The best places to visit in Argentina
• Incredible things to do in Argentina
• The complete guide to visiting Iguazu Falls
• Biking the Ruta de los Siete Lagos
• Where to honeymoon in Argentina
• The best things to do in Ushuaia

PIN IT FOR LATER:

Liked this North Argentina road trip itinerary? Save it to Pinterest for later!