Calchaquí Valleys · Route 33 and Ruta 40
Salta to Cachi, and back along Ruta 40
From Salta to Cachi over the Cuesta del Obispo and the Recta del Tin Tin, inside Los Cardones National Park. From Cachi the loop continues south on Ruta 40 to Cafayate and returns to Salta through the Quebrada de las Conchas. A minibus or a 4x4 pickup with a professional driver, in one day or over several.
Salta to Cachi
Over the Cuesta del Obispo and the Recta del Tin Tin
It is about 157 km (98 miles). The road leaves Salta on Ruta 68 as far as El Carril, takes Provincial Route 33 through Chicoana and the Escoipe gorge, and climbs the Cuesta del Obispo, a long series of switchbacks, to the Piedra del Molino pass at about 3,348 m (11,000 ft). On the far side, the Recta del Tin Tin runs dead straight for 18 km at about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) between giant cardón cacti. At Payogasta it joins Ruta 40, and Cachi is 10 km on.
About 15 km of the Cuesta is still gravel. The provincial road agency announced the paving works in August 2026; until they are done, that section is driven slowly and with care, and in winter there can be snow. That is why we choose the vehicle by season and by the state of the road.
The Recta del Tin Tin is inside Los Cardones National Park, which protects more than 64,000 hectares and has free entry. The side road to the Valle Encantado (4 km, steep) is not recommended by vehicle when it is wet.
| Section | Distance and road |
|---|---|
| Salta to El Carril | About 36 km on Ruta 68. Paved. |
| El Carril to Piedra del Molino | About 67 km on Route 33, including the Cuesta del Obispo. Paved, with about 15 km of gravel on the climb. |
| Piedra del Molino to Payogasta | About 44 km along the Recta del Tin Tin. Paved. |
| Payogasta to Cachi | About 10 km on Ruta 40. Paved. |
| Total | About 157 km, roughly 2 h 30 of driving without stops. The climb and the stops add to that. |
Approximate distances and times from Ruta0; gravel length from the Salta road agency, quoted by El Tribuno on August 20, 2026 (checked October 10, 2026).
Cachi to Cafayate
Back along Ruta 40: Seclantás, Molinos, Angastaco and San Carlos
Between Cachi and Cafayate, Ruta 40 covers about 160 km through the villages of the Calchaquí Valleys and the Quebrada de las Flechas. Almost all of it is gravel, with sandy and washboard stretches; the pavement only starts near Cafayate. Without long stops it takes three and a half to four hours.
On October 9, 2026, the national road agency listed the road as open, with machines working between Seclantás and the Vallecito river and between Molinos and Angastaco, and asked drivers to take care. After summer rain some sections are detoured onto side tracks. We check the road conditions (in Spanish) before every departure.
The full loop, Salta to Cachi to Cafayate and back to Salta, is about 500 km with a lot of gravel in the middle. It can be done in one long day, but we recommend two or more, with a night in Cachi or Cafayate. From Cafayate, the way back to Salta is the paved Ruta 68 (see Salta to Cafayate).
| Leg of the loop | Distance and road |
|---|---|
| Salta to Cachi | About 157 km on Route 33 over the Cuesta del Obispo. |
| Cachi to Cafayate | About 160 km on Ruta 40, almost all gravel. |
| Cafayate to Salta | About 190 km on Ruta 68, paved. |
Ruta 40: section distances from Perfil (2020) and travelers who drove it in 2026; road status from Vialidad Nacional, October 9, 2026, 8:30 (checked October 10, 2026). Times are estimates.
Ways to book
One way, a day trip, or the loop
From your hotel in Salta or the airport to your lodging in Cachi, with stops on the Cuesta and in the national park.
Salta to Cachi and back by the same road, with time to walk the village. It is a long mountain day.
Two days or more: Cachi, Seclantás, Molinos, Angastaco, San Carlos and Cafayate, then back to Salta. The vehicle stays with you.
Vehicles with a driver for multi-day programs in the Valleys, invoiced with Factura A.
The vehicle
The right vehicle for the gravel
- 19-seat minibuses with a professional driver, prepared for gravel roads
- 4x4 pickups for small groups or when the road calls for it
- We tell you which vehicle when we quote, based on the season and the road
- Larger groups: we add minibuses so everyone travels together
- The driver knows the road but is not a licensed guide
- CNRT license No. 60284 and a licensed travel agency
Frequently asked questions
What travelers ask before booking
Is the road to Cachi gravel?
Partly. Between Salta and Cachi about 15 km of gravel remain on the Cuesta del Obispo; the rest is paved, and the paving of that section was announced in August 2026. Between Cachi and Cafayate, Ruta 40 is almost all gravel.
Will we feel the altitude?
The Piedra del Molino pass is at about 3,348 m (11,000 ft) and the Recta del Tin Tin at about 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Some people notice it. We climb with stops, and if someone is not feeling well we take care of that before going on.
What if it snows or rains hard?
In winter the Cuesta can wake up under snow, and in summer the rain cuts or detours sections of Ruta 40. We check the roads before leaving; if a road is not in shape, we change the plan with you or move the date.
Can we do Salta, Cachi, Cafayate and back in one day?
It is about 500 km with a lot of gravel. It can be done, but it is a very long day with little time to see anything. We recommend two days or more.
Do the drivers speak English?
Our drivers work in Spanish. An English-speaking driver can be arranged on request, subject to availability. Messages in English are answered in English by email or WhatsApp.
Do you publish prices?
No. Each trip is priced on the date, the number of passengers, the vehicle and the number of days. You get a price the same business day, Argentina time.
Planning the trip to Cachi?
Tell us the date, how many are traveling, and whether it is one way to Cachi, there and back in a day, or the full loop on Ruta 40. You get a price the same business day.
English inquiries: write to contacto@lausof.com or send a WhatsApp message to +54 9 387 526-9009. We reply in English, normally the same business day (Argentina time, UTC−3). Phone calls are answered in Spanish.
Message us on WhatsApp