Salta To Cafayate: Driving Quebrada De Las Conchas (Ruta 68)
Quebrada De Las Conchas, or Shell’s Ravine in English, is a 30-35 mile drop-dead gorgeous scenic drive in Northern Argentina. Part of Ruta 68, Quebrada De Las Conchas, is THE highlight when driving from Salta to Cafayate.
Seemingly off the radar of tourists who visit Argentina, Quebrada De Las Conchas is made for a road trip. Epic views and well-maintained roads, the makings of a quality drive.
So what do we know about Quebrada De Las Conchas? Well, we drove this scenic road four times. Yes, four! It was that good.
The views are spectacular, the points of interest are wonderful, the road (Ruta 68) is beyond drivable, and the views (did we mention that already?!?)….sigh. It is too good for words.
In this travel guide, we’ll cover where to stop along Quebrada De Las Conchas and all the other basic (but important information!) you’ll need to know to drive from Salta to Cafayate.
Your Guide To Driving Quebrada De Las Conchas
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Where Is Quebrada De Las Conchas?
Known as one of the most scenic drives in Salta, Argentina, Quebrada De Las Conchas is a stretch of road that makes up the last 30-35 miles of Ruta 68 before ending in Cafayate.
Oh, and if this scenic drive in Argentina wasn’t great enough, the town it ends in (Cafayate) is in the Calchaquà Valley, the second Argentinan wine region outside of Mendoza.
Give or take, Quebrada De Las Conchas is located 2+ hours south of the city of Salta.
Officially starting at the first point of interest, Garganta Del Diablo (Devil’s Throat), although the views on Ruta 68 before this point are still wonderful, Quebrada De Las Conchas is a windy road that weaves through canyons and valleys as towering peaks poke through the clouds.
Getting To Quebrada De Las Conchas (Salta to Cafayate)
To get to Quebrada De Las Conchas, you’ll need to depart from the city of Salta and head to Cafayate, a 3+ hour drive.
Salta is the closest airport to Quebrada De Las Conchas and Cafayate, where Quebrada De Las Conchas ends.
It’s important to know that Salta is the region Cafayate is located in, but it’s also a city. And it’s in the city of Salta, where you’ll start your trip.
Bus From Salta To Cafayate
While busses are available to tourists looking to get to Cafayate, seeing Quebrada De Las Conchas via bus really won’t do the trip justice. Sure, you’ll see it from the bus window, but you won’t be stopping, and there are SO many wonderful things to stop for and see along the way – we’ll get to those below!
If you’re interested in bus travel, take a look at the latest bus fares and schedules and book your ticket online.
PRO TIP: An alternative option is you can opt to take the bus from Salta to Cafayate, and then, once in Cafayate, rent a bike and bike the Quebrada De Las Conchas. This option is a great budget-friendly way to visit Cafayate and see Quebrada De Las Conchas at your own pace versus the bus window.
Tours From Salta to Cafayate
From Salta, you can look at taking a day trip to Cafayate, where you’ll drive along Quebrada De Las Conchas, as well as visit and enjoy some of the region’s wine.
Group day trips or private, personal trips for you and your group are all options from Salta. Oh, and if you’d like to stay overnight, there is a 2-day trip to Cafayate from Salta, which gives you a little more time to enjoy the sights and Cafayate.
Driving From Salta To Cafayate (Rental Car)
Now, if you’re limited on time or just like the idea of a guided tour, there are a few options for you to choose from!
Our recommended option and what we did – rent a car from the Salta Airport and drive yourself to Cafayate.
We can’t recommend it enough!
Renting a car is the best way to see Quebrada De Las Conchas as it offers you the freedom to drive the scenic route at your own pace and stop at the MANY viewpoints, landmarks, and trailheads scattered along Ruta 68.
PRO TIP: You’ll find most cars in Argentina are Manual, aka stick shift. While there are automatic options, fewer are available, and they tend to be more expensive than a manual rental.
Is It Easy To Drive in Argentina?
Yes. We think so! Especially, the drive from Salta To Cafayate is very straightforward.
Outside of leaving Salta, you won’t have to drive through any large cities. And Salta is NOTHING compared to the size and street traffic of Buenos Aires.
Sure, Salta is a city, but it’s easy to navigate, and once you’re on Ruta 68, it’s a straight shot (mostly) to Quebrada De Las Conchas.
The roads in Argentina (at least the ones we drove on) are well-maintained, and the street signs are fairly intuitive. As long as you have GPS (we used Google Maps), you’ll be just fine!
Where To Stay Near Quebrada De Las Conchas
Cafayate. The town of Cafayate, located 3 hours away from Salta, is the closest town (with accommodation options) to Quebrada De Las Conchas.
And if you don’t know, Cafayate is WONDERFUL. We spent three days in Cafayate and loved every second.
There are loads of things to do, so if you want to make the most of your trip to Quebrada De Las Conchas, plan to stay 2-3 days in Cafayate.
You can stay at wonderful wineries that offer breathtaking views of vast vineyards. Places like Patios De Cafayate, Grace Cafayate, Viñas De Cafayate Wine Resort, and Piattelli Wine Resort are highly-rated, upscale accommodations located in the Calchaquà Valley.
Other places like Villa Vicuña Wine & Boutique Hotel, Hotel Asturias, La Montaña, and El Hospedaje are located in the heart of Cafayate. Perfect for those wanting to stay in town and be walkable to amazing restaurants and cafes.
12 Stops On Quebrada De Las Conchas (+ Map)
The map below provides an overview of where notable landmarks, viewpoints, and hiking trails are along Quebrada De Las Conchas. Of course, there are plenty of other shoulder pull-outs where you can stop as you please to take in more dramatic views and giant rock formations.
As for how long seeing all 12 sights will take you, you can bet no less than a 1/2 day. It honestly depends on how often you stop and if you plan to do any hikes.
To be on the safe side, you can plan to spend most of the day driving Quebrada De Las Conchas, stopping, and hiking. Overall, just take your time and enjoy the day driving on the Quebrada De Las Conchas!
For more information & things to do in Cafayate, read our latest travel guide!
1. Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat)
As you’re coming from Salta, your first stop on Quebrada De Las Conchas is Garganta del Diablo. Depending on where you come from in Salta, getting to Garganta del Diablo will take 2+ hours.
You’ll see a sign and a small parking lot to your left. Pull in, park, and walk the short (few minutes) to the trail’s end, where you’ll be standing in front of Garganta del Diablo.
An optical illusion of sorts, Garganta del Diablo, appears as if you’re dangling off a cliff. In actuality, it is a long, dried-up waterfall that has left a very impressive gap between two rock formations.
Oh, if you’re hungry after your drive, there is a wonderful little stone cocina at the entrance of Garganta del Diablo that sells homemade cheese quesadillas.
Definitely get one…or two 🙂
2. El Anfiteatro (The Amphitheatre)
The next stop is literally next door to Garganta del Diablo – about a 1-minute drive away. Convenient, yes?
El Anfiteatro, the Amphitheatre, is a massive, open-air stone oval that almost surrounds you completely. A small, narrow trail leads to the center of the Amphitheatre.
Once in the center, you’ll be standing in the middle of the oval carved rock with towering walls on all sides. Give a shout and test the acoustics out!
If you’re lucky, a local musician may be playing a tune or two.
3. Mirador Tres Cruces (Three Crosses Viewpoint)
One of our favorite Quebrada De Las Conchas stops is Mirador Tres Cruces!
You’ll see three crosses on a slopped hill alongside the road, and just past them is a pull-off that allows a few cars to park. Definitely, pull over and park because the view is beyond worth the stop!
You’ll have an unbelievable view of the weaving Quebrada De Las Conchas road, the Rios Las Conchas, valleys, and towering peaks. You can see all of this from the viewpoint, but if you want a better vantage point and to stretch your legs, there is a dirt trail to the right.
The path goes up a short incline where you can walk about onto the red-dirt plateaus for a picture-perfect view that is pretty hard to believe is real.
4. El Sapo (The Toad)
The next 3 stops (4, 5, and 6) are all stops you can drive by and view from your car if you so wish. The first of these drive-by stops is El Sapo or the Toad.
And it is just that! A rock-shaped toad. It’s cute and gave us a good giggle when we drove by.
5. El Fraile (The Friar)
The next stop, frankly, was a little lackluster JUST because we didn’t see (and sheesh did we try!) the Friar dressed in his robes in the rock formation.
Maybe you’ll have better luck than we did?!
6. La Casa De Los Loros (The Parrot House)
A short drive from El Fraile is La Casa De Los Loros, or in English called The Parrot House, and quite literally, that’s what it is.
As you drive by, you’ll see long, tall, pilar-like rocks with holes that look like they’ve been drilled into the rock formations. These are the bird’s homes and their escape from the desert heat and wind.
7. La Yesera
The most popular hike on Quebrada De Las Conchas is La Yasera. The trailhead can be found on the above map as “Senda Los Estratos.”
It’s a short, flat, 1.2-mile out-and-back trail. The best part of an out-and-back trail is you can go as far as you like. And for this trail inparticular, the views are spectacular from the get-go.
8. Lunch At Tienda De La Yesera
The next stop is perfect for lunch!
One minute down the road, you’ll find a white home that sells deep-fried empanadas, cold drinks, and the best part? They have llamas casually chilling in their front yard.
Order some empanadas, grab a spot at one of their tables outside, and enjoy lunch with fantastic mountain views and three llamas.
9. El Obelisco (The Obelisk)
El Obelisco is another stop you can choose to drive by vs. pulling over and stopping.
It’s honestly a “hm, that’s nice” kind of landmark, and nothing truly remarkable, but if you like rock formations, we guess it is unique!
10. Las Ventanas (The Windows)
The third to last stop before you roll into Cafayate is Las Ventanas, a naturally eroded window in one of the red-rock formations.
While you can get out and walk the short distance to “the window,” the trail up to the window itself is “closed.” So even though we could not get the perfectly framed “window” shot, it was still worth stopping and walking around.
11. Mirador Los Castillos (The Castles Viewpoint)
One of our other favorite views as we drove along Quebrada De Las Conchas was the Mirador Los Castillos. The view, like Mirador Tres Cruces, is vast!
You’ll get BIG views of the river and the green valley below. Not to mention the giant rock formation in the distance, which is deemed The Castles.
12. Los Médanos (Sand Dunes)
The last stop on Quebrada De Las Conchas is just before you reach the town of Cafayate. Los Medanos is a giant sand dune that offers exceptional views of mountains, Calchaquà Valley, and the town of Cafayate in the distance.
It’s a little hard to find and not visible from the road, so be sure to have this plugged into your GPS. You’ll travel down a narrow sandy road until it dead ends.
Park and walk for about 10-ish minutes down a sandy, flat trail. Eventually, you’ll reach the base of the sand dunes.
Make the short climb up, where you’ll be greeted with flat white sand and mountain views.
PRO TIP: While we watched the sunrise from the Sand Dunes, making this your last stop of the day is perfect as this is a primo spot to watch the sunset as well! Plus, it’s close to Cafayate, so after sunset, head into town for dinner.
Tips For Visiting Quebrada De Las Conchas
- Hiking: If you do a hike, do your best to start early. The sun can be very strong, and the trails have little to no share. Oh, and pack plenty of water!
- Fill Up: Before you head out on Quebrada De Las Conchas, make sure you have a full tank. There are no gas stations along the 30-35 mile scenic stretch.
- Restaurants: The closest “restaurant” type offerings will be in Cafayate. However, there are a few roadside stalls that sell empanadas.
- Cell Service: It’s non-existent, so be sure to have an offline map downloaded for GPS and any music for your epic drive!
- Sunscreen: You’re visiting a very sunny place that is higher in elevation, meaning the sun is bright and strong. Protect that skin of yours, and wear sunscreen!
- Wind: It may just have been the time of year we visited (mid-January), but in the afternoons, the wind really picked up. Just a FYI 🙂
- Road: Quebrada De Las Conchas is a very curvy road, so when pulling over to take in the above sights, be sure to signal to other drivers. Also, NEVER pass a slow driver unless the road before you is completely visible. You’re on a two-lane road the entire time, so please drive smart and safe.
Want More Information on Argentina!?
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Iguazu Falls
How To Visit Argentina’s Rainbow Mountain
16 Things To Do In Humahuaca (Jujuy), Argentina
How to Spend 2 Weeks in Argentina
The Best Things To Do At Iguazu Falls
15 Things To Know Before Visiting Argentina
How To Spend 3 Days In Mendoza
An Itinerary For Three Days in Buenos Aires
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Happy Travels,
– Lauren & Jesse Stuart (The Stu’s)
