in Salta Province, Argentina
Salta & Cafayate Wine Route
Northwest Argentina's colonial jewel offers Spanish architecture, Andean culture, and the spectacular Quebrada de las Conchas canyon leading to Cafayate's high-altitude Torrontés wineries.
The route between Salta city and Cafayate covers some of northwest Argentina's most dramatically varied scenery, passing from colonial baroque architecture through one of the world's highest wine regions along a road that traverses the Quebrada de las Conchas canyon.
Salta itself — known as La Linda (The Beautiful) — centers on the Plaza 9 de Julio, one of Argentina's finest colonial squares. The pink-façade Cathedral and the Iglesia San Francisco, with its 53-meter tower, face the plaza alongside the Cabildo colonial government building now housing an archaeology museum. The MAAM (Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña) on the plaza holds the Niños del Llullaillaco — three Inca children preserved by altitude and cold for 500 years at 6,739 meters — displayed in a rotating climate-controlled exhibit and among the most significant pre-Columbian discoveries in South America.
From Salta, Ruta 68 south toward Cafayate passes through the Quebrada de las Conchas in Salta Province. The 50-kilometer canyon section of the road passes formations named by local tradition: El Anfiteatro (a natural acoustic amphitheater where sound carries across a circular red-rock bowl), Los Castillos (eroded sandstone towers), La Garganta del Diablo (a slot canyon), and El Sapo (a frog-shaped boulder). These formations are best seen in the morning when eastward-facing walls catch direct light.
Cafayate sits at 1,683 meters in a sheltered valley, producing Argentina's most distinctive white wine: Torrontés, a variety unique to the country that generates floral, citrus-heavy aromas in the high-altitude dry climate. A dozen bodegas within cycling or walking distance of the town's central plaza offer tastings; El Esteco and Vasija Secreta are among the larger operations offering organized cellar tours. The town's central plaza holds a wine museum (Museo de la Vid y el Vino) inside an 18th-century colonial building.
The 186-kilometer drive from Salta to Cafayate takes approximately 3 hours without stops, but most travelers allow 5 to 6 hours to photograph the canyon formations, making an overnight stay in Cafayate the practical choice.
Hours: Accessible 24/7
Best for: wine lovers, photographers, culture enthusiasts, road trippers
Location
Salta City & Ruta 68 to Cafayate, Salta Province
-24.7821, -65.4232 — View on map
Highlights
- MAAM Museum in Salta displaying the Niños del Llullaillaco — three Inca children preserved for 500 years at 6,739 meters
- Quebrada de las Conchas canyon along Ruta 68 with red-sandstone formations including El Anfiteatro natural amphitheater
- Cafayate high-altitude Torrontés wineries — Argentina's signature white grape variety grown almost exclusively in this region
- Colonial Plaza 9 de Julio in Salta city with Cathedral, Cabildo, and Iglesia San Francisco surrounding one of Argentina's finest squares
Tips
- Drive Ruta 68 for incredible rock formations
- Stay overnight in Cafayate for wine tasting
- Visit colonial churches in Salta city
- April-October best weather
FAQ
How long does the drive from Salta to Cafayate take?
The 186-kilometer drive takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours without stops. With stops at the main rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas, most travelers take 5 to 6 hours, making it sensible to spend at least one night in Cafayate.
What is Torrontés wine?
Torrontés is an Argentine white wine grape grown almost exclusively in Salta and Jujuy provinces. It produces highly aromatic, floral wines with low tannins and refreshing acidity. Cafayate's high-altitude conditions (1,600–1,800 meters) are considered ideal for the variety.
Is the route driveable without a 4WD vehicle?
Yes. Ruta 68 between Salta and Cafayate is fully paved and accessible to all vehicles in dry conditions. A standard car is adequate for the full route.
Accessibility
The colonial plazas in Salta and Cafayate are flat and accessible. The MAAM museum has elevator access to exhibit floors. Rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas are viewable from roadside pull-offs, though walking on the canyon floor involves uneven terrain without formal paths.
When to visit
April through October provides dry conditions and mild temperatures on the full route. The canyon formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas are best photographed in morning light. November through March can bring occasional flash flooding on the canyon road.