Northwest Argentina
Far from the glaciers and grasslands of Patagonia, Argentina’s northwest is a landscape of high-altitude desert, colonial towns, and Andean tradition. Here, the colours of the land are turned up — deep red canyons, cactus-dotted valleys, salt flats that shimmer against the sky. It feels like a different country altogether.
The region’s two main provinces — Salta and Jujuy — offer striking contrast within short distances. In Salta, Spanish influence lingers in the architecture and quiet plazas, while the Calchaquí Valleys are known for their boutique vineyards and wide mountain roads. Jujuy, to the north, is starker and more remote — where llamas graze beneath striped hills and adobe villages like Purmamarca and Tilcara carry a strong Indigenous identity that still shapes daily life.
Travel here moves at a slower rhythm. It’s a place for long drives, local markets, small hikes, and quiet corners — best explored overland, with time to stop when the light shifts or the scenery demands it.
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.
Our Favourite Camps & Lodges
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Salta’s historic centre, Legado Mítico is a small, characterful boutique hotel that brings a strong sense of place to a stay in northwest Argentina.
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Set among the vineyards at the foot of the San Isidro hills, Viñas de Cafayate is a tranquil wine lodge that brings together the beauty of the Calchaquí Valley with the quiet pleasures of rural life.
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Just outside the city of Salta, Finca Valentina offers a relaxed, rural base that blends the intimacy of a private home with the simplicity of an estancia. Italian owners Fabrizio and Valentina have created a welcoming space that feels both understated and personal, with whitewashed walls, handwoven textiles, and carefully chosen local details throughout.
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Tucked just outside the adobe village of Purmamarca in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, El Manantial del Silencio is a quiet colonial-style retreat framed by cactus-dotted hills and terracotta cliffs.
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Set on the edge of Tilcara in Argentina’s remote northwest, Las Marias Boutique Hotel strikes a gentle balance between comfort and context. Built with adobe, stone and local materials, the hotel sits quietly within the high desert landscape of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
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Set in the vast whiteness of the Salinas Grandes salt flats, Pristine Camps offers an experience that feels almost otherworldly. With only a handful of domed canvas suites, this low-impact camp is designed to immerse you in the surreal beauty of the high-altitude desert while treading lightly on the land.
Learn MoreBest Time To Visit Northwest Argentina
The year in Northwest Argentina is broadly divided into two seasons: a dry season from April to November, and a wet season from December to March.
The dry season is the best time to travel — with clear skies, mild temperatures, and long days ideal for road journeys, walking, and exploring remote areas like the Quebrada de Humahuaca. June to August are cooler, especially at altitude, but often strikingly clear.
The wet season, from December to March, brings afternoon storms, heavy rain in the valleys, and lush green hillsides. Travel is still possible, but conditions can be unpredictable — and many unpaved roads become harder to navigate.
Best Time To Visit Northwest Argentina
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A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.