Argentina’s Off The Beaten Path Wine Country - CACHI
This small town tucked in the high-altitude mountains was my favorite part of my month-long trip to Argentina. The landscapes on our road trip there were so unique, like nothing I had ever seen. And when we arrived, we were greeted with a warm welcome from locals, delicious regional wine, and a relaxing getaway from all the hustle and bustle of Salta. Below is a complete guide on everything you need to know about Cachi, Argentina.
HOW TO GET THERE
The closest airport to Cachi is in Salta, roughly 3 hours away (although they do have a landing strip right near the town if you have connections with pilots!). From there you can take a bus for a day trip or rent a car to enjoy the scenic highway. I highly recommend renting a car so you can pull over and enjoy the many views you will see along the way. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend renting from Hertz or a reputable company in the area because a lot of the road is dirt and there are few to no stops along the way to help with car troubles! The roads are infrequently traveled so we felt like we were driving on safe country roads.
(We rented from a local company and our tire blew within one hour. We had to drive miles on a donut up a mountain pass and on the rough road! There was one small tire shop in Cachi that could give us a new tire but that one had a slow leak in it and we had to refill the air frequently so it wouldn’t go flat. Needless to say, check your tires before your trip and rent from a company that will help you out if you have issues!)
Roadtrip From Salta to Cachi on Ruta 33
When leaving Cachi, you can either take the route back to Salta the same way you came or take the route south to stop in Cafayate and then return to Salta (4 hours to Cafayate, then 3 to Salta). There is a LOT to see if you choose the route to Cafayte (Quebrada de las Flechas, Quebrada de las Conchas, and many other wineries). My suggestion is that if you’re short on time, visit Cafayate for a day trip (because of the scenery honestly!) but I am really glad we spent the majority of our time in Cachi.
Cachi wineries don’t require reservations far in advance, but if you are planning to go to Cafayate, make sure you book reservations well ahead of time especially if you plan to dine (at least 2-3 weeks).
Roadtrip From Cachi to Cafayate & Back to Salta via Ruta 40 + 68
WHERE TO STAY
If you are interested in wine tasting, I highly recommend making Miraluna Bodega your home base. Not only will you be able to stay right amidst the vines but you’re also within walking distance of the beautiful Puna Bodega as well. The view from Miraluna is so stunning and we enjoyed relaxing by the pool overlooking the valley and the stargazing was top-notch. Staying here will give you a more relaxed and recharged feel, as it’s 20 minutes outside of the small town and the views are unreal. I loved that they had a full kitchen and provided basic dry ingredients for breakfast so we could cook.
Located right in the heart of Cachi, this boutique hotel is conveniently located for exploring the town all while giving you a luxurious and relaxing ambiance. If you want to see wineries and do day trips outside of Cachi, staying in the town square area is a better option for you because of the access to the highway.
WHERE TO EAT
Look no further, here is a separate blog post I have created discussing where to eat in Cachi, Argentina.
WHAT TO DO
Wine Tasting
Mendoza is clearly the most well-known wine region of Argentina, but Cachi should not be overlooked when it comes to good quality wines. The extreme altitude of 8,300 ft creates a unique flavor profile of wild herbs and floral notes and their wineries have won global praise. Not only is the wine incredible, but most are made in small batches and visiting is a very intimate experience. Below are the wineries worth visiting for a free tour followed by a wine tasting.
Walkable just right outside of town, this bodega looks simple on the outside. When you walk in, you are greeted with a stunning view of rolling hills and the valley floor. They have scheduled free tours so if you’re interested, I would pop in to see the times so you can plan accordingly as they can change. Tours are provided in English or Spanish and even give you a peek into their underground cellar. Without a tour, you can still enjoy wine tastings with a charcuterie overlooking the terrace and hills.
(They strive to make their wines organic and use as little machinery as possible. We were able to witness the sheep grazing the fields to help turn over the soil to make for nutrient-dense soil! They are a small-batch family winery with a great story so be sure to check it out.
I could not believe the vastness of the landscape I witnessed when I walked into Bodega Puna. Located further outside of town and deeper into the valley, Bodega Puna boasts stunning views of high-altitude snow-covered peaks in the valley. The outdoor restaurant seating is stunning and I was so happy we had so much time to admire the natural beauty. Some of my favorite malbecs of the Salta region were at Bodega Puna. I highly recommend making a lunch reservation here to go with your wine tasting as they provide delicious regional dishes.
Just a short 5-minute walk from Bodega Puna, Miraluna provides a different perspective of this gorgeous valley. They have scheduled small tours 3 times a day so I would check their website for updated times in case they change but you can always enjoy a tasting on their front porch. The highlight is not only this view but a stay in their rustic cabanas. There is a quaint pool overlooking the valley making it for the most relaxing part of my trip to Cachi. I spent hours by the pool sunbathing, reading, and taking a dip to cool off.
Walk Around The Town Square
The town square is very lively and safe so I loved roaming the streets and stumbling upon little shops and cafes. At night you can catch the local kids playing futbol. I loved all the colonial style buildings and wood cactus finishes.
Buy paprika and local spices
The province of Salta is known for its paprika and you can get some of the best in Cachi. Great for gift-giving and taking a little piece of Argentina back with you, there a various spice shops that sell high-quality local spices.
Drive the perimeter of the valley
Just driving around the perimeter of the valley towards Bodega Puna and Miraluna was an adventure in itself. You can catch glimpses of the snowy mountains tucked behind ridges that line the front of the valley. There’s also a beautiful river that flows through the center which irrigates the vineyards.
we saw SO many parakeets when driving through the valley
Hiking
Using AllTrails you can find a few miradors (lookouts) around the valley that are worth hiking if you want to be active. We did not have time to do any hiking but I suggest driving around the valley and keeping your eyes peeled for trails!
Day Trip To Cuevas de Acsibi
If you are planning to stay a few days in Cachi and less time in Cafayate, this 1 hour day trip to the small town of Seclantas is the perfect adventure for getting out in nature. It is a great alternative for exploring Quebrada de Las Conchas because it’s just as beautiful but there are hardly any crowds, especially if you book a private tour! There are group tours that will take you into the rock formations but here is a tour guide that will take you on a private tour. The land is private property but the owners have organized a way to experience the land in the most authentic way. The hike itself is fairly easy (about 4 hours round trip) but it will take roughly an hour in a 4x4 vehicle so take into account this is an all-day adventure.
Overall, I’m so glad I decided to spend more time in Cachi than in Cafayate or other parts of Salta because it was so charming and relaxing. I highly recommend anyone visiting Salta to spend the extra time in Cachi!
roadtrip to Cachi
