Horses – Peruvian Paso – known for their unique gait, the paso llano, which is exceptionally comfortable and has earned the breed the nickname 'Cadillac of Horses'. Similar to the Icelandic tölt, the paso llano is a running walk that is incredibly smooth. Most of the trail riding is conducted at a walk or paso llano to fully appreciate these remarkable horses. Your hosts have over 20 years of experience breeding Peruvian Pasos, bringing immense expertise and passion to their care and training.

Tack – Traditional Argentine and Peruvian saddles are used, featuring a basic frame topped with a sheepskin for comfort. The bridles are crafted from simple leather and equipped with short-shanked pelham bits, ensuring the horses respond easily to gentle cues.

The Lerma Valley to Calchaqui Valley

Day 1
You will be met upon arrival at Salta airport and transferred to your 4 star hotel in downtown Salta. This afternoon you are free to rest or explore the town. In the evening you will have dinner at a typical Pena, where guitarists play traditional folklore music whilst you dine on regional food and wine. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2
After breakfast you are taken to the equestrian centre to meet your Peruvian Paso horse and guides. The relationship between rider and horse is important so you’ll have the chance to try a few different horses so that you can choose the one which suits you best. Once everyone is happy you’ll set out to get to know your horse and the style of riding on a two hour ride around the grounds of the equestrian centre.

A typical criollo lunch will be served at the centre and then in the afternoon you are transferred to the town of Chicoana where you overnight in a charming boutique hotel. After checking-in, head out to visit the main square and grab a snack from the local bakery before meeting for dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 3
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to meet your horses, either at the equestrian centre or at San Pedro Chapel. Start your trail and ascend uphill to 2400m from where you will feel you can touch the clouds. Stop for a light ‘campero’ lunch whilst enjoying the view of contrasting landscapes and then continue your ride to Quebrada de Escoipe. Here you will leave the horses and transfer to Chicoana to overnight. Dinner will be taken in a traditional Criollo restaurant.

Day 4
After breakfast, you are transferred back to Quebrada de Escoipe to be reunited with your horses. Set off riding through the heart of the canyon, surrounded by multi-coloured mountains. Follow horse trails to reach Isonza, a little village lost in time. Stop for lunch and then continue riding along sandy rivers and ravines around Isonza. In the late afternoon you reach the house of the Tolaba family where your transfer vehicle is waiting to take you to Cachi. Dinner and overnight at a 3 star hotel.

Day 5
After breakfast you’re transferred to the Tin Tin Line where a dirt road begins. This perfect straight line was made by the Incas and crosses Los Cardones national park. Your horses will be waiting here for you. Follow that road for a few kilometres and then ride along a dried-up riverbed – one of many running through the Calchaqui Valley. At midday, stop for a light picnic lunch under a tree.

In the afternoon you continue riding across the Calchaqui river to reach the town of Cachi where you spend a second night at your hotel. Dinner will be taken at a restaurant that serves typical food.

Day 6
Non-riding day as you explore Cachi. Walk around the cobbled streets and admire the colonial architecture of the main plaza, central church and cabildo, with the mountains as a backdrop. Visit the Pio Pablo Diaz archaeological museum to see important pieces of aboriginal culture, archaeological ruins and handicraft works. You will also visit a local winery at Finca la Paya or Bodega Isasmendi where they make artisanal wines. Have lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon continue to explore Cachi and visit Cachi Adentro – the rural area surrounding the town where you can see local communities of indigenous origin who still farm for a living. Later dinner is served at a typical Cachi restaurant, before returning to your hotel for another night.

Day 7
After a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you continue your riding trail to the town of Seclantas in the heart of the Vallee Calchaquies. Along the route you’ll see Inca ruins which give testimony to the many inhabitants of these lands. Stop for lunch near the mythical national route 40 which journeys the length of Argentina from south to north along the Andean cordillera.

After lunch you follow the Road of the Artisans to reach the town of Seclantas in the late afternoon. Visit this traditional village and head to Finca Montenieva, a lovely farm outside the town where you will stay and have a delicious homemade dinner with the farmers.

Day 8
After breakfast you continue your tour through the Calchaqui valley with its unique landscapes. At midday stop for a light lunch at the Brealito river. Afterwards, ride along canyons until reaching the Brealito lagoon and then continue to Molinos. There is time to visit the church where the remains of Isasmendi (the last Spanish royal governor in Salta) lay before heading out for dinner.

Day 9
After breakfast you head off to explore the Calchaqui valley by vehicle. Head to San Carlos where you visit local farmers who raise animals and grow crops following ancient traditions. It was in San Carlos that the troops gathered to fight for independence. Continue your journey to Cafayate where you arrive around midday and visit some bodegas. The wines produced in Cafayate are internationally renowned for their quality and you can try different wines.

After lunch, explore the fascinating town of Cafayate including places like the canyons Quebrada de las Conchas and Garganta del Diablo, the amphitheatre and rock formations like El Sapo (the frog) that were shaped by the wind.

In the evening you head back to Salta and your hotel for a final dinner and overnight.

Day 10
After breakfast you’ll be transferred to Salta airport for your onward flight.