Bike & Hike North Argentina and Patagonia

Day 1: Salta

Our round trip begins in the colonial town of Salta, where we are already expected by our tour guide. We check in at the hotel and allow ourselves a little time out…
In the afternoon we get to know the functionality of our eMountainbikes and start directly with the practical test: On a short tour in the surrounding area of Salta we test the pedelec motor and the bikes. After a short rest in the village of San Lorenzo, we start our return journey and enjoy a first taste of Argentine cuisine at dinner in the evening. Sitting together we get to know our group a little bit and toast to a wonderful travel experience!
eBike stage: approx. 20 km (approx. 2 h)
Overnight stay: Hotel Antiguo Convento

Day 2: Salta - Purmamarca

A private mini-bus will transport us comfortably today to the starting point of our bike tour towards the Humahuaca Gorge. After unloading the bikes, we will ride along the winding and somewhat hilly Cornisa road through subtropical cloud forest to San Salvador de Jujuy in the northernmost province of the country. The last stage to Purmamarca will be by bus again.
Here we have enough time to walk through the dusty streets, past traditional adobe houses and the stalls of the bustling handicraft market. The indigenous character of the place is really noticeable at every corner!
But the real attraction rises behind the town: the “Mountain of Seven Colors” impresses with its spectacular shades of color, created by the high concentration of different minerals in the rock. The Serranías de Hornocal, the mountain range that frames the Humahuaca Gorge, also has nothing to hide in terms of color play and is even protected by UNESCO.
eBike stage: approx. 44 km (approx. 2-3 h)
Overnight stay: Hotel Casa de Piedra

Day 3: Purmamarca - San Antonio de los Cobres

We make ourselves comfortable in the bus and drive to the Salinas Grandes del Noroeste, one of the largest salt deserts in Argentina! Even the journey is a real experience as we climb higher and higher to 3,600 m and finally catch sight of the huge salt lake. We admire numerous sculptures made of the white crystals and look over the shoulders of the “salineros” as they remove the thick layer of salt.
Afterwards, we head for less frequented terrain and experience pure nature when one or the other vicuña or llama crosses our path. The “Salt Road” leads us through several small villages that seem to be from another time … We spend the night today in the former mining settlement of San Antonio de los Cobres, starting point of the Tren de las Nubes – the Train of the Clouds.
eBike stage: approx. 35 km
Overnight stay: Hotel de las Nubes

Day 4: San Antonio de los Cobres - Cachi

A good breakfast today is our basis for the next sensational eBike stage: Via the highest pass road in South America, the Ruta Nacional 40, we wind our way up through the remote and almost deserted area to the impressive mountain pass Abra del Acay at almost 5,000 m above sea level. From time to time we look back, overwhelmed by the spectacular course of the road and quite out of breath in view of the enormous difference in altitude…
We continue on to the Los Cardones National Park, where countless Cardón cacti, which give the park its name, tower into the sky. Some of them are ancient and gigantic, the spiny giants tower over us many times over and make for extraordinary souvenir photos!
After a refreshing picnic, our route takes us through the Valles Calchaquíes, a system of several valleys whose landscape is characterised by wine cultivation. Finally, we reach the small colonial town of Cachi.
eBike stage: Approx. 55 km (approx. 3-4 h)
Overnight stay: Hotel ACA Cachi

Day 5: Cachi - Molinos

Rested from yesterday, we continue our round trip and cycle along the banks of the Calchaquí River. We pass La Paya and El Colte and cycle leisurely along the Camino de los Artesanos, a stretch of road packed with treasures of regional arts and crafts. Passing Seclantas, cradle of the traditional poncho salteño (traditional garment of Salta), we cover the last kilometres to Molinos. The manageable town has beautifully restored buildings, a picturesque little church and a collection of wineries.
eBike stage: approx. 55 km (approx. 3-4 h)
Overnight stay: Hacienda Molinos

Day 6: Molinos

We use today for a breather for body and soul!
Our rustic hacienda, an old colonial-style estate, offers the perfect conditions for this: We relax by the beautiful pool, let our eyes wander over the enchanting surroundings or make ourselves comfortable in our cosy, lovingly furnished room…
Overnight stay: Hacienda Molinos

Day 7: Molinos - Cafayate

A day of superlatives awaits us, and it begins at a very special winery: Bodega Colomé is considered Argentina’s oldest winery, has the highest vines in the world and its Swiss owner produces internationally renowned, exclusive wines. We also convince ourselves of the exquisite drink at a wine tasting. Only a stone’s throw away, we enter the extraordinary James Turrell Museum. In the building, which seems completely out of place in the Andean surroundings, we stroll through a unique – almost magical – exhibition full of light installations. After a short rest in Molinos, we ride (by eBike & bus) through the Quebrada de las Flechas: Suddenly we find ourselves in the middle of a gorge of amazing rock formations, their peaks reaching imposingly towards the sky. In the evening we turn again to wine, as the charming little town of Cafayate is surrounded by numerous vineyards.
eBike stage: approx. 60 km
Overnight stay: Portal del Santo / Hotel Los Sauces

Day 8: Cafayate - Salta

Day 9: Salta - El Calafate

We take a giant leap south and fly via Buenos Aires to El Calafate in the Argentinean part of Patagonia. In the coming days of our round trip, a dense offer of absolute nature highlights awaits us…
Overnight stay: Hotel El Calafate

Day 10: Perito Moreno

Not too much was promised: We make ourselves wind- and weatherproof and start an unforgettable mini-trekking to the breathtaking Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. We hike through a true winter wonderland, past crevasses and ice caves, until we finally come into sight of the gigantic break-off edge of the Perito Moreno. From a safe distance we watch how blocks of ice break out of the cliff with a deafening noise…

Overnight stay: Hotel El Calafate

Day 11: El Calafate - El CHaltén

Our next destination is the small, rather remote town of El Chaltén, starting point for special trekking tours. We are driven there, but not without stopping on the way at the historic Hotel La Leona to take a hike to the “petrified forest”. Fossil tree trunks and dinosaur bones can be admired there.
Overnight stay: Hotel El Chaltén

Day 12: Mt. Fitz Roy

Today we are on our feet all day to hike to Laguna de los Tres with the magnificent mountain massif Fitz Roy in the background. We get up early for this, because the pink glowing peak is especially beautiful in the rising sun! We follow the Fitz Roy trail up to Rio Blanco, a base camp for climbers. From here, a 1-hour hike takes us steeply up to a breathtaking viewpoint. In front of us is the blue shining Laguna de los Tres in front of the mighty Fitz Roy massif and its glacier. The Fitz Roy with its approx. 3,400 m height is considered the “King of Patagonia” and one of the three most beautiful mountains in the world. In the evening we are back in El Chaltén.

Overnight stay: Hotel El Chaltén

Day 13: Huemul Glacier & Lago del Desierto

We say goodbye to Argentina with another particularly beautiful day hike: South of El Chaltén we hike on the mountain Loma del Pliegue Tumbado, which borders Cerro Torre. It offers some of the most beautiful views of the mountain groups in the area. At the same time, the climb is exposed to wind and weather, so the difficulty of this trek depends greatly on the weather conditions and the skill of the group. The trail is easy to find: South of the village, it goes to the Los Glaciers National Park Visitor Centre. At a T-junction shortly after, the trail begins, which from there on leads up to the fantastic view summit without any branches. We will choose the viewpoints of the lower terraces of the mountain (at 900/1,000 m altitude) or try to reach the summit, which is at 1,500 m altitude. The trek will take us through steppe, scrub and forest, to the stony paths in the mountains.
Our trekking route also includes the Huemul glacier and a visit to the lake Lago del Desierto.
Overnight stay: Hotel El Chaltén
Hike: approx. 4 hrs.

Day 14: Departure

Our round trip ends with the transfer to Calafate airport.