Northwest Argentina

Land of Stark Contrasts and Unexpected Marvels
We begin by visiting the humid forests on the eastern slope of the Andes, with a focus on the biodiverse Quebrada Los Sosa (gorge) and the various endemic birds that live here. Crossing to the leeward side of the Sierras de Córdoba mountains brings us into a dry environment of expansive desert en route to the Calchaquí Valley, the wine capital of Northwest Argentina and one of the world’s highest wine regions. A highlight here is the multicoloured Quebrada de Las Conchas, where we have arranged a special meeting with a local geologist. More regionally endemic birds await in Los Cardones National Park, an arid landscape that contrasts sharply with the humid Yungas forest at Calilegua National Park on the rain-facing side of the mountains. Farther north at Purmamarca, we ascend to over 4,000 metres above sea level before visiting the sweeping Salinas Grandes salt flats on our descent.

Amid our explorations of such markedly different natural landscapes, we have planned several visits to Indigenous ruins, mountain villages, and cities with rich colonial architecture, giving us a sense of how people have endured and continue to endure in Argentina’s northwestern reaches.

You can extend your Argentinian adventure with a pre-trip visit to Iguazú Falls and the surrounding Atlantic forest ecosystem.