ARGENTINA NORTE GRAVEL

6 – 22 December 2024

Trip Overview

Argentina and its Calchaquíes Valleys in the province of Salta.

Argentina and its high altitude wine lands in the lands of Cafayate.

“Northern Argentina” is a trip that will transport us to one of the most autochthonous areas and that best preserves the culture and traditions of all Argentina. We will go from the dry and arid lands of the Salta area to the humid territories of Paso de la cornisa which will make us feel that we are pedaling in a tropical forest on our way to San Salvador de JUJUY. We will also go up the famous “Quebrada de Humahuaca”, a cultural heritage of humanity while we adapt to the altitude for the most demanding and beautiful part of the route.

Known as “La cuesta del Lipan”, and after resting in one of the most authentic towns in the area, Purmamarca, we will face the first big climb of the trip to reach a place with a unique landscape, “Las salinas grandes”.

National Route 40 is an icon in Argentina that runs from North to South the Andes mountain range throughout the country. With its more than 5,200 km and a pass known as “El abra del Acay” at 4895m, it is one of the most famous routes in the world that thousands of people come to travel every year.

The section of National Route 40 that joins Salinas Grandes with Cafayate is one of the most emblematic sections of the entire route and that still preserves all the essence from its Andean culture and its complicated routes. It is a route in which adventure and the most impressive landscapes are guaranteed.
In Cafayate, and after passing through the Quebrada de las flechas, we will have a day Off to visit a wine cellar and delight ourselves with its high-altitude wines and gastronomy of the area.

“Argentina Norte” is one of the trips with the greatest diversity of landscapes in our entire repertoire. We will pass through arid areas, humid forests, salt flats and high altitude areas.

For the last two stages we reserve surprises, because each and every one of the stages of this trip come with unforgettable views and experiences.

Cancellation policy

Refund and cancellation

Where, for whatever reason, one person is obliged to withdraw, the person must give written notice to Project Adventure Cycling.

Refund will be calculated with this penalty:

– Within 45 days from date of departure the penalty fare is 30% of the total cost of the trip.
– Within 30 days from departure the penalty fare is 40% of the total cost of the trip.
– Within 21 days from departure the penalty fare is 50% of the total cost of the trip.
– Within 14 days from departure the penalty fare is 75 % of the total cost of the trip.
– After this date no refund will be given.

There will be no refunds for those who do not show up at the start of the trip or withdraw during the course of the tour.
There will be no refunds for those who are unable to start or complete the tour due to a lack or inaccuracy of personal travel documents (i.e Visa or Passport).

The traveller understands that some destinations pose more of a risk than other destinations due to weather conditions, socio-political situations and the geography of the region. The traveller acknowledges that factors such as, but not limited to, weather conditions, landslides, floods, flight cancellations or delays, strikes, labour issues, power failures, restrictive governmental laws or regulations, riots, insurrection, war or other (hereinafter called “Force Majeure Event”) are not the fault of Project Adventure Cycling and may hinder, delay or even prevent the Traveller’s ability to make or complete the trip. The traveller acknowledges that the Project Adventure Cycling shall not be liable to the traveller for any delay or cancellation of the trip due to a Force Majeure Event. The traveler is neither entitled to a refund nor any other payment for damages from the Project Adventure Cycling in the event that the trip is cancelled or delayed due to a Force Majeure Event. Please note that we are never responsible for any airfare ticket expenses.

Included + Not Included

The price includes

Bike guides from PA Cycling according to the number of participants
Visit to “El tren de las nubes” in San Antonio de los cobres
Visit to wine cellar in Cafayate + Barbecue
Professional photography
Support vehicle
All nights included
Welcome kit
Group travel insurance
Welcome dinner & Bye bye dinner
All dinners
Airport transfer on arrival to Salta (if arrival on the scheduled day)
Airport transfer on departure day in Salta (if departure on the scheduled day)

The price does not include

Airfare and baggage fees, bike equipment
Lunches and dinner where not expressly specified
Food during bike days except where specified
Excursions, extra activities
Additional costs in case of logistic changes (extra transfers etc.)
Anything not listed in “The price includes” section

THE TRACK

THE STAGES

10 February

Arrival in Salta, Argentina Airport the 10th of February. PA Cycling will have organised your airport / hotel transfer. The afternoon will be spent assembling bikes followed by a briefing introducing the guide team and participants, and going over the finer details of the itinerary.

11 February

Day Off Salta

After setting up the bikes the day before, we will go for a ride around the city to check that the bikes are correct and enjoy the view from a little climb in town that takes us to the top of Salta´s cableway. Afterwards, we will enjoy some “empanadas salteñas” and we will get ready for dinner where we have something special reserved for you.

12 February – STAGE 01

Salta – San Salvador de Jujuy — 92,7 km | 1080 m

From Salta we will head towards San Salvador de Jujuy in a stage that will probably take us to one of the most exotic passes that we will be able to cover throughout the route. “El camino de la cornisa” or route Nº9 that connects the city of Salta with the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, is a narrow route with an asphalt in perfect condition that will make us feel that we are submerged in a tropical forest.

13 February – STAGE 02

San Salvador de Jujuy – Purmamarca — 65,8 km | 1260 m

In its short 65km but +1400m of elevation in this stage that joins San Salvador de Jujuy with Purmamarca, we will begin the ascent through the famous “Quebrada de Humahuaca” and we will go from 1200m to 2400m in a progressive ascent while we get used to the height.

Purmamarca, which preserves its architecture and traditions, will offer us a place to rest in a very peculiar ravine surrounded by coloured mountains and where we will be able to appreciate the contrast between “La cornisa” and this northern area.

Famous for its humitas, tamales and locros, we will enjoy a traditional dinner before going to rest.

14 February – STAGE 03

Purmamarca – Salinas grandes — 64,1 km | 2010 m

Today is an epic day, from its hard climb with stunning views to the amazing landscape of the salt sea at 3400m of elevation.
We will climb from Purmamarca to the top of “Cuesta del lipan (4170m)” and afterwards we’ll go to visit “Salinas grandes” where we’ll take a transfer that will take us directly to San Antonio de los cobres.

15 February

Day off at San Antonio de los Cobres

In San Antonio de los Cobres we will have a rest day where we will acclimatise for next days climb and visit “The train to the clouds”, the fifth highest railway I the world.

16 February – STAGE 04

San Antonio de los cobres – La poma — 90,2 km | 1370 m

Today is “the big day”. Today we are going to live a unique experience that is not possible to live in many places of the world.

“Abra del acay”, with its 4895 m, is the highest point of all the Route national 40 and one of the highest mountain passes in the world.
Once again we will experience a change in the landscape, going from the arid high lands to a valley that goes along the Calchaqui river flooded with waters from the snow break of the highest peaks that go up to 6000m in the case of “Nevado del acay”

17 February – STAGE 05

La poma – Cachi — 56,8 km | 200 m

After the big climb and huge descent from the heights of Abra del acay, we will keep on going down towards Cachi.

Cachi is a small town surrounded of mountains of 5000m height, besides its authentic conservation of the culture, it’s known to be one the best places for high performance training for athletes due its high altitude and great climate all the year.

18 February – STAGE 06

Cachi – Angastaco — 88,9 km | 390 m

From Cachi, and along the valley that goes from the top of Abra del acay to our waited arrival to Cafayate, we still have one stop to make in the smallest village we will rest in the hole trip. Angastaco, with around 1000 habitants it’s known by its contrasts between the green farming fields and the sandy soils.

19 February – STAGE 07

Angastaco – Cafayate — 74 km | 400 m

A remarkable route today, from Angastaco we get straight away into “La quebrada de las flechas” which formed about 15 to 20 million years ago is a unique part of the hole route national 40 with its high rocky peaks along the path. This is the last stretch to the beloved lands of high altitude wines of Cafayate and where we will enjoy a rest day eating asado and drinking wine in a wine cellar.

20 February

Day off at Cafayate

We will enjoy a rest day eating asado and drinking wine in a wine cellar.

21 February – STAGE 08

Cafayate – Cabra Corral — 131 km | 830 m

From Cafayate we get into the asphalt again. We will go along the valley that goes by the river of “las conchas” and the famous “Quebrada de las conchas”. Here we will make two quick stops to visit “El anfiteatro” and “La garganta del diablo” before arriving to Cabra Corral.

22 February – STAGE 09

Cabra Corral – Salta — 74,3 km | 400 m

After sleeping by the lake of Cabra Corral, and after the most adventurers have gone for a bath, we will go for the last stage to Salta on a road that goes through farm fields all along the way to the city.

23 February

Day off at Salta

Free day to go shopping, eat, hang around the city and get the bikes ready for the departure next day.

24 February

Transfer to airport

YOUR GUIDE

Ignacio Pellejero

Travel Logistic Coordinator & Guide

With a divided heart, of Argentine parents, born in Venezuela and raised in Spain, since childhood Nacho has had a nomadic and adventurous soul. In 2017, together with his best friend, they decided to cycle the Americas with their @260litros project until the pandemic put the dream of getting from Patagonia to Alaska on standby. Nowadays, after living five years in South America, he returns home (Spain) to join the PA-Cyling family and thus continue his dream of pedaling around the world, but this time, offering the possibility to others to accompany him to live even if it is for a few days how wonderful it is to travel and get to know different places and cultures on board of a bicycle.

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ARGENTINA NORTE