from Payogasta to Santa Rosa de Tastil - The Inca Trail Trekking - Salta

A novel route joining two famous valleys to the west of Salta city

  • Start Date : 2025-Apr-30
    End Date: 2025-May-04
  • Hora Inicio: 8 am
    Hora Fin: 6 pm
  • Meeting Point:Salta City
    End: Salta City
  • Duration:5 days + trip
    Availability: 15 spots
The Inca Trail Trekking - Salta

Proposal

The Road of the Empire

Many years ago, these regions were traveled by the Incas, in their desire to find a direct path to the southern sector of the empire. The Tahuantinsuyo road network or, in Quechua, Qhapaq Ñan, which means King's Road, was a system of long-distance roads in the aforementioned civilization, which linked the important cities on the coast with those in the mountains. The length of the road is immense, just as in Peru the famous section that connects Cusco with Machu Picchu is known, in the north of Argentina there are sections that are still preserved, almost without any type of extra maintenance or preservation, such as the one that crosses the Nevados de Aconquija (between Catamarca and Tucumán passing through La Ciudacita) and this one from Salta, between the Calchaquíes Valleys, La Quebrada del Toro and the humid valleys of San Lorenzo, on the outskirts of Salta city.

Here we suggest you to do one of the least explored and most attractive sections of the Inca Trail in Argentina, where archaeological remains are still found and where there is an amazing landscape, between rivers and gigantic mountains, such as San Miguel or Acay, of more than 5700 masl.

Itinerary

* It is advisable to arrive a day before to the city of Salta, to check equipment and make last purchases.

Day 1: Transfer from the accommodation in Salta to Valles Calchaquies, through the Cuesta de Obispo and Los Cardones National Park. Before reaching Cachi and Payogasta, we turn off along the mythical Route 40, heading north, and in Palermo, we enter a narrower path until we reach the small place of Punta del Agua. After 3 hours of driving and lunch, our walking tour finally begins. The section is short, to begin to acclimatize to the altitude and gradually force the body. The camp is in Potrero de Payogasta.

  • Starting altitude: 2700 masl
  • Camp height: 2800 masl
  • Highest point reached: camp
  • Distance: 7 Km
  • Net time approx: 2 hours

Day 2: A little longer, but keeping a lot of height. We visit the Inca ruins of Payogasta. We will gradually go up the Payogasta riverbed, with ascents and descents in great landscapes. Finally we´ll access our camp, in a deep valley, next to a post of a villager.

  • Starting altitude: 2800 masl
  • Camp height: 3150 masl
  • Highest point reached: 3300 masl
  • Distance: 18 Km
  • Net time approx: 7 hours

Day 3: Day in which we also maintain altitude, to continue acclimatizing, preparing for the most exhausting day. We cross different openings and obtain a wonderful view of the Nevados San Miguel and Acay, of more than 5700 meters above sea level. Camp next to a post, in the area of ??Capillas.

  • Starting altitude: 3150 masl
  • Camp height: 3350 meters above sea level
  • Highest point reached: camp
  • Distance: 15 Km
  • Net time approx: 6 hours

Day 4: The longest and most exhausting day. The first section is through the same valley but immediately begins an impressive climb, of almost 1000 meters of unevenness, until reaching a wide hill with one of the most moving views of the journey. Then we maintain altitude, we go through several transversal valleys until we reach our last camp, already very close to the Quebrada del Toro.

  • Starting altitude: 3350 masl
  • Camp height: 3700 masl
  • Highest point reached: 4400
  • Distance: 20 Km
  • Net time approx: 10 hours

Day 5: The final day is lighter; We make a small ascent and a last descent to the plain that precedes Route 51, the main one in Quebrada del Toro. Finally a charter vehicle will be waiting for us, after the festivities, we will move to Salta city. End of our services and the journey.

  • Starting altitude: 3700 masl
  • Final altitude: 3450 masl
  • Highest point reached: 3800
  • Distance: 6 Km
  • Net time approx: 3 hours

Included Services
  • Internal transfers from Salta (place of beginning and end of trekking)
  • Full board, non-a la carte menu, from lunch on day 1, until lunch on day 5. (4 daily meals: breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner). - Includes snacks.
  • Carrying equipment with horses and mules. Baqueanos
  • Wild camps and accommodation in towns (schools, churches, etc., depending on the population we visit)
  • Tents
  • General camping logistics (pots, heaters, security elements, orientation).
  • Guides and permanent coordination.
  • Assistance before and during the crossing.

Services NOT included
  • Accommodation in Salta city (consult)
  • meals in Salta
  • Trip to Salta

Photo and Video Gallery


Where do you sleep

in igloo tents, in wild camps, next to local stalls, in the mountains, without toilets or bathrooms.

Faq

How many hours do we walk per day?

In general we have a system of walking for 3 or 4 hours in the morning; We make a long lunch stop and walk the same in the afternoon to the place where we set up camp.

What temperatures do we have to endure?

The north of Argentina is characterized by having an important thermal amplitude (heat during the day and cool at night and early morning). There is also the so-called "Bolivian Winter". This means that in our summer (December to March) there is the rainy season. In our winter it does not rain but the thermal amplitude is noticeable a little more and the cold in the nights and early mornings can be felt, especially in the high camps (at more than 2500 meters above sea level) as two of this route.
You have to protect yourself a lot from the sun with a hat-cap, neck scarves, sunscreen and mountain sunglasses. And for the night it is important to have a good sleeping bag and shelter since the temperature can drop to less than 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit)

What sleeping bag should I bring?

Sleeping bags or bags must be able to withstand a temperature of -0°C (32°F) Comfort, to be able to rest peacefully. The divet-goose down material is the best, but the synthetics nowadays also have modern and high-performance materials. They can be rented.

Is there something you can tell me about the group? How many are we, ages, etc.?

In general these are very heterogeneous groups (all kinds of people). Varied ages and genders, people traveling alone, accompanied by a friend, couples, families, etc.

What physical condition must I have to carry out this kind of trekking?

It is not decisive that you are an updated athlete and that you train 4 times a week. But it is important for you to know that the better you are physically, the better experience you´ll have. The idea of ??these adventures is that you can enjoy it and not suffer it. If you do not usually train, go for a run, bike or other aerobic activity, we recommend that you attend a class of our weekly trainings associated with mountain activities. And instead, start by going out for a walk with a backpack loaded of no less than 8 kilograms and do several kilometers per week and also go up and down stairs or slopes in series of 20 uninterrupted minutes. Ask us for a suitable training plan.

I understand that the tents are shared, right? Do I need to bring one?

The tents are included in the program, by our company. But if you want to bring one, you can do it. Just ask us.

Difficulty graduation

Mochila: Peso / Duración de la Jornada.

Exigencia Física

Técnico: Dificultad en el Terreno / Equipo.

Fortaleza Psicológica

Exposición a la Altura

Backpack (M)

This point has to do with the weight that we must carry in our backpacks. Trekkings or crossings where we have pack animals allow us to bear less weight on our backs. And the multi-day journeys in Patagonia (without the option of having pack mules) generally make us carry more weight, especially in the early days.

20% Up to 5 Kilos: Short excursion walks / Trekking Talampaya

40% Up to 8/10 Kilos: Round-trip trekking / Vallecitos 3 and 4-day programs

60% Up to 12/15 kilos: Crossing trekking with porting / Crossing of the Andes Paso Portillo

80% More than 15/18 kilos: Cross-country trekkings with little or no portage / Trekkings in Patagonia (Paso Vuriloche, PN Lanin or Nahuel Huapi, etc)

100% More than 25 Kilos: With a lot of equipment on top and little or no porting / Continental Ice

Fitness (F)

We consider physical demands to the wear that we can suffer both aerobic (climbs = possible shortness of breath) and muscle (resistance = many hours walking) and of legs and joints (descents = knees / ankles).

20% half a day or less with little unevenness.

40% more sustained slopes and longer days in the activity. 2-3 days / more than 6 hours per day.

60% Long ascents and descents with a longer duration. Ascents to more than 4000 meters in the central mountain range / intense 4-day trekking (Uruguayan plane)

80% Important work of legs in resistance. Very long days. Very long day ascents (Lanin - Domuyo) or more than 5000 meters. Ice courses.

100% Maximum demand. Aerobic work and constant effort on legs. Continental Ice, Aconcagua, mountains of more than 6000 meters.

Technical (T)

The technical difficulty is mainly based on the terrain. How much can it cost us to climb a slope, if it is very steep or if we have to use our hands in some section (simple climbing), both in rock and snow-ice, or materials such as crampons and pegs in other ascents.

20% flat land

40% trails with moderate ups and downs. General crossing trekkings . Sierra de la Ventana, Córdoba, Patagonia, Cuyo, north, others. Classic ascents

60% Steeper slopes and trails. Possible use of crampons. Domuyo, Cordón del Plata, Cordillera Central.

80% Mixed terrain, with snow or ice. Alvear, Lanin, Tronador. Bolivia, Peru.

100% Highly technical terrain. Glacial transit and climbing in sections. Hill climbing with sections on slopes of more than 60 ° inclination

Psycho (P)

We maintain that this point, the psychological factor, represents a relevant factor. Each one needs a factor of conviction, confidence, self-control and will power to achieve a goal. And depending on the attitude with which we face distances, slopes, terrain and many other objective factors, we can achieve performance with very different results.

20% We will not be much affected.

40% This is a normal level of attention.

60% We require more motivation, enthusiasm and concentration.

80% The activity will require us to be very connected and convinced.

100% Maximum control and emotional-psychological performance.

Adventures (A)

It is the factor that, the height above sea level, influences us depending on the activity we carry out. Managing and overcoming symptoms caused by altitude is the key to this point

0% + sea level.

20% Up to 2000 masl.

40% + 2000 masl.

60% + 4000 masl.

80% + 5000 masl.

100% + 6000 masl.

Gradual Adventure Activity Difficulty System designed by Leandro Scheurle.
Copyright Argentinaxtrema.com © 2009. All rights reserved.

Required equipment

GENERAL EQUIPMENT

  • Special backpack for trekking (65 to 85 liters)
  • Warm sleeping bag (minimum –0°C/32°F degrees of comfort) (eg 700gms or 1 Kg of feather or good synthetic).
  • Insulating mat (10 to 15mm).
  • Trekking poles

FOOTWEAR

  • 1 Trekking boots
  • 1 second lightweight trekking shoe

CLOTHES

  • A couple of changes of underwear
  • Several pairs of trekking socks (some may be first-skin-inner-fine)
  • 1 pair of wool socks (sleeping coat)
  • 2 Polypropylene T-shirts (dry fit type) or similar (not cotton) for walking
  • 1 thermal type long sleeve t-shirt
  • Indoor trousers (leggings or long johns type) warm
  • Trekking pants. Lightweight-fast drying
  • 2 intermediate outerwear (long-sleeved polars)
  • Warm hat (polar or synthetic wool)
  • Sun hat (with flaps)
  • Neckerchief
  • Warm gloves
  • Waterproof-windproof jacket (ultrex or gore tex or similar)

PERSONAL ELEMENTS

  • Passport, ID, DNI.
  • Medical insurance, Travelers Assistance Insurance.
  • Complete medical and personal file.

VARIOUS

  • FRONT flashlight with batteries (spare batteries).
  • Strong plastic bags for storing clothes.
  • Personal dishes (plate, jug and cutlery).

HEALTH & HYGIENE

  • Sunglasses with category 4 uv protection. (IMPORTANT)
  • Personal first-aid kit (medication with the pertinent prescription).
  • Sunscreen, Lip balm
  • Soap, shampoo (small to share) and small towel.

Others

  • Toilet paper. Handkerchiefs Baby wipes.
  • Water containers for at least 2 liters (can be plastic bottle), Camelback, Nalgene or similar

OPTIONAL, not mandatory (check space and weight)

  • SILVER TAPE, for blisters and repairs.
  • Steel thermos.
  • Water purification tablets.
  • Mini - sewing box.
  • Long view, monocle. Photographic or video equipment.
  • Book, notebook, travel diary, pencil, pen.
  • Games; playing cards, dice, etc
  • Penknife
  • Warm jacket

Rental Equipment

Trekking sleeping bag

Booking in Advance

US$ 16 + options

Pair of Trekking Poles

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

Rental mittens

Booking in Advance

US$ 8 + options

Pair of Crampons

Booking in Advance

US$ 15 + options

Rental : helmet, crampons and ice ax

Booking in Advance

US$ 36 + options

Combo Top: helmet, crampons, ice ax and full harness

Booking in Advance

US$ 50 + options

Category 3 sunglasses - Shepra Julbo Spectrom

Booking in Advance

US$ 5 + options

Backpack for trekking and mountaineering - Woman

Booking in Advance

US$ 10 + options

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Contact and Enquiries

RECOMENDACION: Pueden comunicarse de formar directa al 54 9 1173648678
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