TOUR OF THE CALCHAQUI VALLEYS
4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS
este es uno de los viajes en mountainbike que sin dudas no podes dejar de hacer en salta
Details of the excursion
Puntos turísticos durante el recorrido: Cuesta del Obispo, Parque Nacional los Cardones, recta de Tin tin, Payogasta, ruta 40, cachi, seclantas, molinos, quebrada de las flechas, cafayate y quebrada de las conchas
Itinerary
Day 1: SALTA-CACHI
At 8:00 a.m. we leave the city of Salta heading towards the provincial route N° 68, passing through tobacco producing towns (Cerrillos, La Merced and El Carril), where we take the west direction by the provincial route N° 33 that takes us into a Yungas road, where we start to gain altitude passing through the Quebrada de Escoipe, accompanied by the river of the same name, to then start climbing the 22 km of the Cuesta del Obispo with amazing views.
We arrive at the highest point of the slope (Piedra del Molino, at 3457 m.a.s.l.) which is 100 km from the capital of Salta. Needless to say what an incredible panorama you can see from up there. We prepared the bikes, and after an instructive talk, we started to cross the Los Cardones National Park, passing through the mythical Tin Tin straight with its views of multicoloured hills on the left and cardones on the right. After crossing the Park, we start a descent towards Payogasta, where we meet the Ruta 40. This village separates us for 10 km with ups and downs, on our way to finish the stage in Cachi. We arrive at Cachi at 3 pm, rest and then have dinner in a restaurant in this typical Noa town.
Distance by bike: 55 km
Type of terrain: Asphalt
Day 2: CACHI-MOLINOS
After breakfast, we will resume our journey through an exciting and fun circuit of gravel with a saw along the well known "Camino de los Artesanos" (cradle of the poncho of Salta, made in hand loom), where, at every pedal stroke we will find the local people working and exhibiting their art.
Along this path, we will reach our second stop: Seclantas, which in 1814 was the meeting point of the patriots in the valleys, who formed the "junta vallista" that helped Belgrano in his retreat to Tucumán after the defeats of Vilcapugio and Ayohuma, in the fight for Independence from the Spanish crown.
Our last stop of the day will be Molinos, a town that stands out for its adobe houses with earthen roofs, galleries and porches. In the parish church, built in 1693, lie the mummified remains of the last royalist governor.
Distance by bike: 47 km
Type of terrain : Ripio
Day 3: MOLINOS-CAFAYATE
We start cycling from Molinos, a village founded in the middle of the 17th century, where the Humanao and Luracatao rivers meet, towards Finca El Carmen in Angastaco, cycling along the mythical Ruta 40.
On the way, as we follow the course of the Calchaquí River in the middle of the Calchaquí Valleys, we will get to know the solitude of this road, the colours of the local architecture and the rhythm of life, so different from that of the city.
Lunch
In the afternoon and almost at the end of our adventure, we will arrive at La Quebrada de las Flechas, a landscape that will present us with rocky shapes that you will never see again. The solitude you will feel like you are on another planet.
Distance by bike: 50 km
Type of terrain: gravel
Day 4: CAFAYATE-SALTA (THROUGH THE QUEBRADA DE LAS CONCHAS)
From Cafayate we leave early in the morning by bike towards the Quebrada de las Conchas, to make another trip and why not, discover this place that has its origins in an ancient extinct sea that dates back to the beginning of planet Earth.
Canyons, hidden ravines, capricious cuts left by the erosion of the rain and the wind, all tinged with a red colour that seems to light up and show all its secrets at sunset. After 44 km we arrive at "Tres Cruces", a panoramic point from where we can take excellent photographs of the valley.
This route of ascents, descents and constant curves is done on pavement while we stop to take pictures of the different formations such as El Fraile, El Sapo, El Obelisco, La Garganta del Diablo and El Anfiteatro. We finish the tour at the Morales Bridge, have lunch and return to the city of Salta at approximately 19:00 hours.
Distance by bike: 50 km
Type of terrain : asphalt
SPECIFICATIONS
Duration 4 days/ 3 nights
Próxima salida:
Tarifa por persona :
Includes:
- Photo session of the whole trip.
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Equipment in optimal conditions
- Guides in good conditions
- Liability insurance
- Transfers all along the route
- Support vehicle in pick up with trailer to transport the bicycles.
- Bicycles Venzo Raptor rod. 29 with hydraulic brakes, in 18 and 27 speeds in sizes S, M, L
- Spare bikes and mechanical assistance
- Helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads and reflective waistcoats
- First aid + spinal stretcher
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Radio communication between guide(s) and support vehicles
- Accommodation (optional)
- Lunch en route on day 4
What to bring?
Come prepared with a backpack with a double change of clothes to change into if necessary.
We recommend:
Comfortable cycling tights or shorts for pedaling (optional tights or long pants depending on the weather).
Extra short sleeve t-shirt and waterproof/windbreaker jacket.
Optional - long sleeve t-shirt.
Comfortable cycling shoes.
Warm jacket.
Sunscreen.
Sun hat.
Clear glasses or sunglasses to protect your eyes from dust during pedaling.
Medical assistance insurance.
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