Home > Motorcycle Tours > South America Motorcycle Tours > Valleys & Puna Tour
Adventure NW Argentina
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See Argentina's colorful northwest. This thirteen day tour through the gorgeous landscapes of Salta and Jujuy is an unforgettable adventure. We'll ride through the most stunning areas of northwest Argentina, beside deep valleys with bizarre and colorful rock formations, breathtakingly steep and curvaceous mountain passes, and traditional villages. We'll ride through to the high altitude desert plains of the Puna, with its wide-open plains, dazzling white salt lakes, remote lagoons, and towering volcanoes.
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Quick links > Tour Details | Photos | Dates | Pricing | Booking
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There is no place quite like Argentina. Explore this remarkable region from the seat of a BMW motorcycle or a 4x4. This tour is perfect for any rider with a sense of adventure, a love for riding, and some experience riding gravel and dirt roads. We've carefully created the perfect route for discovering all of the treasures in this unique biker's paradise.
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Tour Details
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Location:
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Salta, Argentina (SLAHO1-1210)
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Terrain:
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Paved, gravel, and occasional dirt roads
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Duration:
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13 days
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Riding days:
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10 days
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Route length:
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Approximately 2,500 km (1,553 miles), 50% gravel roads
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Motorcycles:
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BMW F 650 GS, BMW F 800 GS, BMW R 1200 GS, BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
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Group size:
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4 riders minimum, 10 riders maximum (not including passengers)
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Accommodations:
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Twelve nights in high quality hotels (double rooms)
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Highlights:
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Salta, Puna, volcanoes, lagoons, rock formations, curvy roads, remote mountain scenery, traditional villages, open planes, white salt lakes
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Tour Difficulty
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• Ability to ride in all weather conditions - required
• Ability to ride for long distances - required
• Experience riding on gravel and dirt roads - required
• Our route covers high-altitude areas. If you have lung, heart,
or blood circulation problems, please consult your doctor.
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Requirements
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• Motorcycles license for riders
• Helmets are required by law
• Come prepared for all weather!
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Included Services
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• Rental motorcycles and fuel
• Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
• Third party insurance and full comprehensive insurance
(excess of US$3,000)
• Airport transfers in Salta
• Twelve nights of accommodations (double rooms)
• Support vehicle (4x4) and maps
• Lunches, high end dinners, soft drinks, and water
• Additional transport (taxis, etc) and entry fees
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Not Included
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• International and domestic flights
• Health, travel, or accident insurance
• Individual activities
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Tour Photos 
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• Check out some pictures of our recent tours!
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Tour Dates
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• Season: March and August through December
• Scheduled tours:
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- November 21 to December 3, 2011
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- December 3
- 15, 2011
Sold
out!
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- March 17 - 29, 2012
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- August 18 - 30, 2012
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- September 29 - October 11, 2012
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- November 17 - 29, 2012
Sold out!
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- December 1 - 13, 2012
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• Want different tour dates? Contact us with the dates that interest you!
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Tour Pricing
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PER PERSON
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Riding a BMW F 650 GS
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$4,980
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Riding a BMW F 800 GS
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$5,280
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Riding a BMW R 1200 GS
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$5,740
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Riding a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure
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$6,070
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Pillion or passenger
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$2,980
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Single room surcharge*
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$600
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* Regular pricing includes double rooms. Per person surcharge required for single room accommodation.
**30% deposit required for reservation. Balance due 6 weeks prior to tour start.
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> Prices quoted in USD. See current currency conversion rate.
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Itinerary
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Day 1: Arrival in Salta
Day 2: Salta to Tafi - We leave Salta southwards through the fertile Lerma Valley, which narrows into the canyon of the Quebrada de Cafayate. This beautiful canyon is striking for its red sandstone formations, weathered by wind and water to bizarre shapes. Through the sandy planes of the Calchaqui Valley we ride into the town of Cafayate. After lunch, we'll carry on to the ancient ruins of Quilmes, ride up the "Small Hell Pass" and dive down into the lush and green valley of Tafi, a village beautifully built around a small lake. Approximately 300 km (186 miles), all tarmac.
Day 3: Tafi to Andalgala - We leave Tafí to El Mollar, where we'll visit the Mehir Park before riding down through tropical cloud forests to the sugar cane fields of the lowlands of Tucuman. After lunch, we'll climb up the stunning gravel pass of Los Alisos to get to the sleepy town of Andalgala. Approximately 250 km (155 miles), 40% on gravel.
Day 4: Andalgala to Cafayate - Directly behind the town of Andalgala there’s a steep and windy pass up into the mountains. Way into these mountains there is a Rodochrosite Mine – typical Mineral for Argentine Jewelleries – where we'll have lunch. In the afternoon we’ll get to the famous Ruta 40 again and ride into Cafayate, the wine capital of Salta, where we'll spend the night in a lovely hotel. Approximately 230 km (143 miles), 44% on gravel.
Day 5: Cafayate to Cachi - Today's ride takes us along the Calchaquí River, through narrow gorges and broad valleys. We'll snake through the rough landscapes of the "Valley of Arrows"; the beauty of this remote valley almost tops the famous Quebrada de Cafayate. Lunch at a pleasant wine estancia and overnight stay in the picturesque mountain town of Cachi, overshadowed by mountains over 6000 meters high. Approximately 190 km (118 miles), 90% on gravel.
Day 6: Cachi to Salta - We'll be crossing the National Park Los Cardones with its forest of thousands of cacti. Crossing the Cuesta del Obispo, we'll snake down from the Calchaquí Valley desert into the lush green Lerma Valley to reach Salta. Approximately 160 km (100 miles), 25% on gravel.
Day 7: Salta to Iruya - This very intense day takes us on a twisting tarmac road through dense woods into the picturesque Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The road then winds over the 4000 meter high pass of Abra del Condor to the remote mountain town of Iruya, lying in a narrow part of a deep valley, surrounded by colourful mountains and bizarrely eroded rock walls. Approximately 300 km (186 miles), 17% on gravel.
Day 8: Iruya - Day off to hike into the mountains to a wonderful look-out point with stunning views over the valley of Iruya. In the afternoon, you are free to explore the traditional village of Iruya with its unique charm. About five hours of hiking with 600 meters of altitude change.
Day 9: Iruya to La Quiaca - Crossing the Abra del Condor, we'll reach the main road and keep heading north into the desert plains of the Puna and the Bolivian border. Overnight stay in the remote village of Yavi, where we'll visit the historic church, the cave paintings of Las Cuevas, and nearby rock carvings. Approximately 210 km (130 miles), 48% on gravel.
Day 10: La Quiaca to Tilcara - We'll set out to the most extreme northwestern corner of Argentina to admire the overwhelming view of the Angosto Canyon and to explore the beautiful landscapes of the national monument, Laguna Los Pozuelos, a lagoon at 4000 meters altitude, home to unique flora and fauna. Then we'll carry on to the Quebrada de Humahuaca to spend the night in the lively village of Tilcara. Approximately 370 km (230 miles), 68% on gravel.
Day 11: Tilcara to San Antonio de los Cobres - We'll visit the Ruins of Tilcara before climbing the twisty tarmac road crossing the Cuesta de Lipan (4170 meters). We'll reach the dazzling white salt lake Salinas Grandes, and after a short stretch of tarmac road we'll hit a gravel track which takes us through a beautiful hidden valley to the viaduct La Polvorilla of the "Train to the Clouds". A short ride later, we'll reach the mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres. Approximately 280 km (174 miles), 46% on gravel.
Day 12: San Antonio de los Cobres to Salta - Today we have a challenging trip: we'll cross the highest pass in Argentina, the 4895 meter (16,060 feet) high Abra El Acay! We'll be snaking up the mountainside to the pass to enjoy the stunning views from 5 km above sea level before diving into the Calchaquí Valley, challenging ourselves with some river crossings and hairpin bends. Going down the Cuesta del Obispo, we'll arrive in Salta late afternoon. (Alternative ride if the pass is closed will lead us along the tracks of the legendary "Train to the Clouds" through the colourful valley Quebrada del Toro.) Approximately 300 km (186 miles), 83% on gravel.
Day 13: Departure from Salta
Note: We reserve the right to make changes.
 Ready to ride? Book here
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