2 days / 1 night
Duration
Medium
Physical Requirement
3100 masl
Maximum Altitude
2270 masl
Minimum Altitude
25,5 km. aprox, 25,5 km. aprox
Walking Distance

This exclusive tour is based on the idea of settling a base camp on a mountain shelter in the middle of some most impressive surroundings.
Starting there, different hiking circuits cover areas with a huge geographical and historical value.

A unique opportunity to enjoy some of the most important sights in Northwestern Argentina such as the Cuesta del Obispo from the top of the Torréon Hill.
Enjoy this tour with your five senses as you visit archaeological sites, watch and learn about local wildlife and immerse yourself in the nature.

You can also see the condors fly over your head.

This is not the only multy-day trekking tour. You can also check the Trekking to the clouds option.

Characteristics Trekking in Salta of 2 days and 1 night

DEPARTURE / RETURN Accommodations in downtown area of Salta City.
DEPARTURE SCHEDULES Between 7 and 7:30 in the morning.
RETURN SCHEDULES From 8 pm on the second day
WHAT TO BRING
  • Trekking or sports shoes with socks (with a good sole, it can not be a plain sole);
  • Long pants (preferably removable);
  • 1 warm jacket (even in summer);
  • Backpack of minimum 30lts that must contain: 2 liters of water, 1 breaks wind, insect repellent for summer days, sunscreen;
  • Hat and sunglasses;
  • Sleeping bag (ask for rentals).
INCLUDED
Transfers Mountain Guide
Insurance Pickup by downtown accommodation
2 picnic lunches Snacks both days
BBQ at night Night in refuge

First day of trekking, getting to Cuesta del Obispo

Departing Salta towards the South, we will cross little villages such as Cerrillos and El Carril before turning west towards Chicoana.
This is where the yungas (high altitude rainforests) start to be dominant.
We climb and reach the Escoipe gorge, where giant cacti, carob trees, red and rocky landscapes and multicolor crops are found.
Before finishing climbing the Cuesta del Obispo, we will cross the Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley). We delight ourselves with the best views in the tour.
Once we leave it behind, we will get off the vehicle and prepare the gear before walking to the shelter (la Sala).

First activity: trekking to the Condor viewpoint

Our walk through old Inca roads allows us to get a real feel of the immensity of the area. As we gain altitude and is a perfect place for enjoying the views of the Calchaquí Valley and the pre Andes.
After a couple of hours, a small snack with tea or coffee is served next to some wonderfully preserved Inca ruins. This is a perfect spot to see enormous rock formations from above.

We arrive at the Condor viewpoint, a 3000 meters above sea level plain covered with meadows and seasonal flowers, a beautiful view during summer days.

This is an important place for the condor and, if we are lucky, we may even see some flying above our heads. The group will enjoy a picnic here before starting our descent.
As we walk down in the middle of the mountains, we will visit some cave paintings of huge archaeological value.
After around an hour, the group arrive in the shelter again where a typical Argentinian asado will be waiting for us. The perfect banquet under the stars in an old colonial house in the mountains.

Day two: Climbing the Torreón hill

Our second morning begins with a typical ‘criollo’ breakfast. Before we start climbing the Torreón hill in between clouds and condors.
We can enjoy the view of the Cuesta del Obispo like nowhere else as we move up.
After a small snack to recover strength, we will head for the top at 3600 meters above sea level.
Once we reach this point, we will feel the air in our faces, the peace of standing above the clouds and embracing the immensity with our senses.
After our time at the top, we will descend to the shelter for the final lunch before returning to Salta.

Clarifications about the refuge where you spend the night

The mountain shelter referred as ‘La Sala’ is an old house which was practically abandoned. And now is in the process of being restored.
It does not have running water and the rooms, toilet and living room are precarious.
The idea of using this house is to experience the locals way of living.

We also have a 1 day option in this same area where we make a quick visit to the shelter. For more info about this Day Trekking Trip, visit this page.

Tour Reviews

5.00 based on 2 reviews
08/10/2018

We only had 2 days time, and did the 1-day long hike called ‘Cuesta del Obispo’ which is something VERY unique. Most of it happens in a huge private mountain land, where no other tourists are, only a few gouchos with their horses, and the silence and beauty of nature is most impressive. We even saw a huge Condor bird, sitting on a huge rock and opening its wings. Unbelievable. The next day we did the Bull’s Circuit on their mountain bikes, which was a bit dusty, but also perfect because of the cowboy like scenery, and the challenge of crossing the river on high railroad bridges.

08/10/2018

Made a 2-day-walk with mtb at questa del obispo and el torreon. Nacho and Peto made a real adventure out of it. Long walks through the mountains, partly along the inka path, amazing views, eagles, condors, al pacas and wild horses, it was so peaceful and breath taking. The night we spend in the “base camp”, a very old adobe farm house in the middle of nowhere, with traditional asado, wine, and billion of stars in the sky. Finally left the place on horse backs, first ride in my life. Best tour we made in ARG.

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