The Tucuman Calchaqui Valleys Circuit is the grand driving route through Tucuman province, Argentina (lat -26.7, lng -65.6), combining Yungas cloud forest, highland valleys, pre-Hispanic archaeology and connection to the wine country. The route goes: Tucuman city -> Yungas drive -> Tafi del Valle (2,000 m) -> Amaicha del Valle (sun, Pachamama) -> Quilmes Ruins (1,000-year-old city) -> RN 40 south to Cafayate (wine). The circuit takes 3-4 days at a comfortable pace, covering approximately 500 km of diverse landscapes that change from subtropical jungle to arid desert valleys in just a few hours.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Flight | Bus | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 8500 km | 11 h via Buenos Aires | — | — |
| Miami (MIA) | 7100 km | 9 h + 2 h domestic | — | — |
| Madrid (MAD) | 10000 km | 13 h via Madrid + AR domestic | — | — |
| Buenos Aires (EZE) | 1240 km | 1 h 45 | 14–16 h | — |
| Salta | 300 km | — | 4 h | 3 h 30 |
| Córdoba | 570 km | — | 7 h | 6 h |
Month-by-month climate
| Month | Temp. | Rain | Crowds | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19° / 31°C | 210 mm | Rainy summer | |
| Feb | 19° / 30°C | 180 mm | ||
| Mar | 17° / 28°C | 160 mm | ||
| Apr | 14° / 25°C | 50 mm | ||
| May | 11° / 22°C | 15 mm | ||
| Jun | 8° / 19°C | 8 mm | ||
| Jul | 7° / 19°C | 8 mm | ||
| Aug | 9° / 21°C | 8 mm | ||
| Sep | 12° / 24°C | 15 mm | ||
| Oct | 15° / 27°C | 50 mm | ||
| Nov | 17° / 29°C | 120 mm | ||
| Dec | 19° / 31°C | 180 mm |
The Calchaqui Valleys Route Day by Day
Day 1: Tucuman → Tafi del Valle (107 km, 2 h)
Start in San Miguel de Tucuman. Drive west on RN 38 through the Yungas cloud forest, climbing from 450 m to 2,000 m in 2 hours. Stops: viewpoints, El Mollar village (Reserva Arqueologica Los Menhires), Dique La Angostura. Sleep in Tafi del Valle. Activities: cheese tasting, horseback ride, La Angostura sunset.
Day 2: Tafi → Amaicha → Quilmes Ruins → Cafayate (189 km, 3 h driving)
Cross the Abra del Infiernillo pass (3,042 m, panoramic photo stop) descending into the Calchaqui Valley. Lunch in Amaicha del Valle and visit the Pachamama Museum. Continue 15 km to Quilmes Ruins (allow 2–3 hours including the climb). Continue 70 km north on RN 40 to Cafayate (Salta) for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Cafayate (wineries + Quebrada de las Conchas)
Morning: tour 2–3 wineries (Bodega El Esteco, Bodega Domingo Hermanos, Finca Las Nubes). Try Cafayate Torrontes white wine. Afternoon: drive RN 68 into the Quebrada de las Conchas — red rock formations like El Anfiteatro, La Garganta del Diablo, Los Castillos. Return to Cafayate or push on to Salta.
Day 4 (optional): Cafayate → Salta or back to Tucuman
Option A: Continue north on RN 68 through the rest of the Quebrada to Salta capital (189 km, 3 h). Option B: Return to Tucuman via RN 40 + RN 357 + RN 38 (320 km, 5 h, less interesting). Option C: Add Cachi via RP 33 (epic 6 h drive over Cuesta del Obispo and through Los Cardones National Park).
How to Travel the Circuit
Rental Car (recommended)
Maximum flexibility. Pick up at Tucuman airport (TUC), drop off at Salta airport (SLA) for one-way fees of about USD 50–80. Daily rental USD 50–80 for a small economy car. Roads are paved, no 4x4 needed. Total fuel for the loop: USD 60–100.
Organised Tour
3-day all-inclusive tours from Tucuman: USD 180–250 with transport, guide, lodging and entries. Larger 7-day NOA loops including Salta: USD 500–800. Recommended if you don’t want to drive yourself.
Public Bus
Possible but limited. Empresa Aconquija connects Tucuman → Tafi → Amaicha → Cafayate. Less flexible — you cannot stop at viewpoints. Total bus cost: USD 25–40 one way. Best for budget travellers with extra time.
When to Go
- Best: April-November. Dry roads, clear skies, mild temperatures, no fog in the Yungas.
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Wildflowers, mild temperatures, low season prices in Cafayate. Highly recommended.
- Autumn (Mar-May): Wine harvest in Cafayate (March-April). Festivals, fresh wine in tanks. Excellent.
- Avoid: Heavy summer rains (Dec-Feb) can make the Yungas section foggy or close briefly. February is also Pachamama Festival in Amaicha — incredible if you book in advance, otherwise lodging is impossible.
Costs and Budget
Mid-range estimate per person for 3 days, sharing a double room:
- Lodging: 2 nights at USD 60–100 = USD 120–200
- Rental car (split 2 ways): USD 75–120
- Fuel: USD 30–50
- Meals: USD 60–100
- Entries (Quilmes, museums): USD 15–25
- Wine tastings in Cafayate: USD 20–60
- Total: USD 320–555 per person for 3 days
