community-based tourism: CALCHAQUI valley
Background information:
Maximum Altitude: 1660 meters.
Overall length: 4 days & 3 nights.
Operates: Full year
Day 1: Salta – Shells Gorge – Cafayate – El Divisadero / Rural Community-based Tourism Network
We depart early from the Lerma Valley (Where the city of Salta is located) and through towns where agriculture is the main economic activity (tobacco crops). The incredible “Shells Gorge” with its beautiful landscapes and natural formations will take us to the Calchaqui Valley.
This sunny valley located at 1600 meters above sea level produces wines of high concentrated flavors, especially the Torrontes, a really fruity white wine. After lunch in Cafayate we are going to “El Divisadero” to meet one of the family’s members of the network that will take us to an incredible trekking following upstream the Colororado River upstream and discovering each of the five hidden waterfalls up in the hills. Dinner with our host family
Accommodation in family house, private room (or shared in case of groups), shared bathroom. (Full board).
Day 2: El Divisadero – El Barrial – San Carlos – Corralito / Rural Community-based Tourism Network
After breakfast we can walk in the vineyards of a small producer belonging to this family and receive some information on weather and crop production, development and maturation of wine, etc. to finish with a wine tasting of Torrontes, Malbec, Mistela. Helping on the elaboration of our lunch will get us closer to the family and their costumes.
The activities for the afternoon could be: – Ceramic craftsmanship adobe (a mix of wood, dry straws and small stones to make bricks) – Elaboration of felt craft with local artisan Julieta Yañez.
We also have time to visit the office of the Rural Community-based Tourism Co-operative where we can see all the different products of all the members of the network. Once we finish all the activities drive to Corralito where the Ibañez Family will be waiting for us with a delicious homemade dinner.
Accommodation in family house, private room (or shared in case of groups), shared bathroom. (Full board).
Day 3: Corralito – Santa Rosa / Rural Community-based Tourism Network
An early start to enjoy the sunrise while doing a horseback riding to “los colorados” an incredible maze draw by the erosion of the water into the sand stone formations. Return to the house for lunch and after enjoying a well-deserved rest we hit the road again to visit another family to share dinner and spend the night.
Accommodation in family house, private room (or shared in case of groups), shared bathroom. (Full board).
Day 4: Rural Community-based Tourism Network / Santa Rosa – Cachi – Salta
An early start to return to Salta but this time to drive on the famous Road 40 that will take us through the Arrows Gorge and other beautiful landscapes like the Cardones National Park and the Bishop´s Slope without forgetting the village of Cachi.
Other destinations: