Northern Argentina Biking
Vineyards & Andean Culture Off the Beaten Path
Most destinations claim to be like nowhere else. Argentina is different. It's a true blend of everywhere else. The landscape - as dramatic as the great national parks of the Americah Southwest and as breathtaking as the Alps. Its wines like the intense malbec and fruity torrontés; its high altitude vineyards of Estancia Colomé; and traditional dances like the chacarera or malambo - feel like they've been handpicked from the finest in Europe. But Argentina is no copycat. It proudly displays its South American roots. And it enjoys the finer things. And so will you.
- Ride through amazing high-altitude valleys, canyons, subtropical forests and a cactus national park
- Experience gaucho culture, based on horse riding, farming, maté drinking, wine and folklore
- Savor world-renowned wines from the Cafayate region
- Connect to Andean indigenous culture and sample asado, a local specialty
- Remote haciendas that appear like a mirage amid the rugged landscape
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 From Salta, bike through amazing high-altitude valleys, canyons and subtropical forests on dirt and paved roads 
Varied vegetation - from algarrobo (carob) trees to lush bromeliads and ferns - lines our route Got on your dancing shoes? Let's chacarera!
Day 3 Experience gaucho culture and its horse riding, farming, maté drinking, wine and folklore From an 11,000-foot summit, descend past giant cardón cacti through Los Cardones National Park Watch for llamas and guanacos The hilly ride to the quaint town of Payogasta offers views of the snowcapped Nevado de Cachí.
Day 4 Connect to Andean indigenous culture In the beautiful Cachí Valley, learn to make empanadas with a local family Visit an artisan's home for a treadle loom demonstration.
Days 5-6 Remote haciendas appear like a mirage amid the rugged landscape A challenging ride ends at Estancia Colomé, set amid some of the world's highest-altitude vineyards Explore the 96,000-acre property on two wheels, then tour its impressive bodega and renowned James Turrell Museum.
Days 7-8 Savor acclaimed wines from the Cafayate region Ride along the famed Ruta 40, which stretches the length of Argentina Pedal amid multicolored canyons with otherworldly landforms like Devil's Throat and the Toad.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Patagonia Biking New Zealand Biking New Mexico BikingOther South America Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I loved this trip. What a wonderful, relatively undiscovered part of the world. The exploration, those massive mountains, the big sky and amazing stars, beautiful and friendly people, the cycling, our highly compatible group of eight, our awesome trip leaders, accommodations, delicious food and spectacular wine... it was all great! I simply couldn't have navigated this area on my own. Thanks Backroads.- Littleton, CO More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Northern Argentina Biking
Premiere Inns
House of Jasmines
Outskirts of Salta (2 nights) This romantic "120-year-old house exudes understated charm," according to the Hideaway Report. A Relais & Châteaux member. (spa)
Sala de Payogasta
Payogasta (1 night) Set on a 19,500-acre ranch and vineyard, a traditional hacienda-style hotel with views of snowcapped peaks. (spa)
Hacienda de Molinos
Molinos (1 night) This 18th-century hacienda was once home to the last governor of Salta appointed by the King of Spain.
Estancia Colomé
Colomé (2 nights) An exclusive boutique hotel and wine estate with a contemporary art museum showcasing works by James Turrell. (pool)
Patios de Cafayate
Cafayate (1 night) A former Colonial mansion surrounded by vineyards and extensive gardens. (pool, spa)
Northern Argentina Biking
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Levels 2 to 4
3 Route Options Available
- 14, 23, 32 miles
- 200 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 26, 53, 69 miles
- 1,100 - 2,640 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 3 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 23, 32, 51 miles
- 160 - 1,560 elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 27, 42 miles
- 500 - 1,000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
- 17, 22 miles
- 900 - 1,300 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Optional activities (e.g., hiking, horseback riding)
Day 7
- Levels 2 to 5 3 Route Options Available
- 3, 32, 45 miles
- 350 - 1,000 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 17, 43 miles
- 600 - 900 feet elevation gain
Please note: Our mountain biking routes follow dirt and unpaved gravel roads. Much of the time we'll be riding on paved roads over very hilly terrain. The high altitude can make the routes feel more challenging.