Campo con una curiosa forma: el mapa de Argentina

Nuestro vehículo de apoyo As we anticipated a few weeks ago, we have made again the turn to the Calchaquies Valleys in mountain bikes.
The team was formed with Gary, Sandra, Nacho and myself, Francisco. Gary and Sandra came to visit us from America and were responsible for planning the journey to detail many months in advance.
MTB Salta planned the agenda and the details for this voyage in Mountain biking to became an unforgettable experience in their lives.

The day of departure arrived. We left very early towards Cachi, a small town located at 165 km from the Salta City, which is reached after crossing the Cuesta del Obispo and the Stone Mill. From this point, at 3348 mts, we began our journey cycling.

The fog and the cold made us remember that we were in full pre cordillera. In the first part of the road, we descended very quickly until it was time for our first Picnic, which was in the Recta de Tin-Tin, an old Inca trail.

Cementerio de Cachi

We reached Cachi; we place ourselves in the hotel and went to do a few circuits around the area. First we went to Cachi Adentro, where we had a privileged view of the Nevado de Cachi, a mountain mass of more than 6700 meters. We returned to the archaeological site of The Pailas, and then we went up to the hill to the cemetery of Cachi, one of the most picturesque in the Calchaquí valley.

The next day we started early in the direction to Molinos. We were more acclimated to the altitude, the sun and dryness that reign in the valleys. The road became more difficult than the previous day because the ups and downs and the rubble so characteristic of Route 40. We entered in direction to Seclantas to visit the Road of the Artisans, the cradle of the best and finest “ponchos” in Salta.

Pedaleando en plena Quebrada de las Flechas

Un paisaje de otro planeta... After a good lunch in the plaza of Seclantas, we prepare to climb the hill that separated us from Mills, where we arrived mid-afternoon.
We reached the hotel, a luxurious house that belonged to the last royalist governor of the province. We rested a while to get together soon and eat in the hotel restaurant.

The day would be the toughest of travel, but without doubt the most beautiful scenery in the Gorge of the Arrows, a magical area with breathtaking landscapes. We're not wrong; our American friends would not stop taking pictures and commenting that he looked like a landscape out of planet earth.

We entered a room belonging to a man from Belgium where craft beer is produced and where we tasted some varieties. We bought a few bottles to enjoy them at night in Cafayate.

Degustando una excelente cerveza artesanal

We stayed this time in the hostel Lilian del Valle, a great friend who always welcomes us with open arms and the usual camaraderie.
It was late to visit wineries, so we went to eat at El Rancho and went to rest for an early start the next day visiting winery which produces the best white wine in the region, the famous Torrontes.

After visiting some of the best Cafayate wineries, we began the fourth day in bikes, this time following the Gorge of the Shells or Cafayate.

La Quebrada de Cafayate siempre sorprende In theory this part is relatively simple compared to the previous days where we had to face up and down gravel roads with lots of loose stones. The problem occurs when the wind began to blow as hard, making it almost impossible to pedal. Obviously this would not stop us to complete the last day of the voyage. With much effort we crossed the gorge stopping at the amphitheater and the Garganta del Diablo among others, its main attractions.

La colorida Quebrada de las Conchas o de Cafayate

In conclusion, it was a trip which we are accustomed because we performed for more than 4 years, but never ceases to amaze. The weather, the colors and people are not static components so that each trip becomes in something unique, unrepeatable and difficult to forget…

Until next time !!!