Day 1

Flight from Buenos Aires to Salta or Jujuy), over the Andes in the NorthWest of the country, at 1000 m (3000 feet) over see level.

Once arriving to Salta, the local guide will be waiting to go to  "Sierras de Santa Bárbara'' (Santa Barbara Hills) at the east of the province. This hills is one of the Hotspots of the region, because the wet winds come from the east, and there are the first mountains, and the valleys are covered by forests pretty well conserved. During the trip could be possible to find Yungas Guan, Black-and-chesnut Warbling-Finch, Red-legged Seriema, Toco Toucan, Olivaceos Woodcreeper or Tucuman Parrot. Will stay (3 nights) in the Area.

Night in a Lodge close to San Rafael

Day 2

During the morning we'll go East.  You will see how dramatically change going to the  flat area of the east, where the weather is deeply dry there, and we'll find the arid Chaco forest. Also, a couple of places with water allow you to see species different to the species of the next part of the trip.Species in this environmet could be Chaco Chacalaca, Stripe-back Antbird, King Vulture, Black-legged Seriema, Crested Hornero, Moss-back Sparrow or Spot-back-PuffbirdAfter a picnic and during the afternoon, we'll come back to the lodge to look for hummingbirds at the feeders, where usuallly are Yungas White-bellied Huminbird and Red-tailed Comet

Night in a Lodge close to San Rafael

Day 3 

The third day will be full to birding in the Cloud rainforest over the first slopes of the Andes, locally called “yungas”. This region is considered an IBA (Importance Bird Area), and birders will besurprised to learn that more than 400 bird species have been registered here due to the fact that this reserve operates as a natural corridor between two National Parks: Calilegua in Jujuy and El Rey in Salta. In different levels around the cabins, the rainforest offer trails to see a large number of species, such as Giant Antshrike, Yellow-striped Brushfinch, Black Phoebe, Mountain-Forest Screech-Owl, Great Rufous Woodcreper, Blue-crown Trogon, Golden-rumped Euphonia or Crested Oropendola.

Night in a Lodge close to San Rafael

Day 4

Beginning the ascent to the Andes.

From Santa Barbara to Purmamarca, at 2300 m oversee level (7500 feet), starting to go up in the Andes. The northwest of Argentina is a region of amazing natural contrast and diversity. This trip to Purmamarca is a gradual forest to the Andean Plateau at more than 3300m over see level (9900 feet) close to the border with Bolivia. It will involve navigating and exploring the numerous ravines and canyons, covered by enormous cacti and dense thickets, in search of various endemic species.This is a good road to make stops, walks a find the tipycal andean birds, such us Black-back Grosbeak, Andean Swift, Brown-capped Tit-Spinetail, Black-hooded Sierra-Finch or Short-tailed Hawk.

When we arrive, we'll go birding around the town. Purmamarca is a very special and small pre-Hispanic village, among the Seven Colors Hill. From there we’ll visit the surrounding desert landscapes and mountains, and we’ll stay in one of the old houses became in a cosy hotel. Opportunities for Sandy Gallitos, Chiguanco Thrush and others. 

Night in Purmamarca.

Day 5

The top of the Andes.

Early in the morning we'll visit to the great Salt Lake in Purmamarca, crossing the big mountains at 4100 meters over sea level (more than 12.000 feet) and arriving to Salinas Grandes, at an average altitude of 3,450 meters (11,320 feet) above sea level, well-known for its vast white salty desert.

Some specialities include the Giant Hummingbird, Golden-sppoted Ground Dove, Andean Condor,,  Mountain Caracara, Puna Tinamou and others.After Salinas, there is an amazing town where turism still hasn't arrived: Rinconadillas. New opportunities in this specials environment include Rock Earthcreeper, Moreno's Ground Dove, Puna Ground-Tyrant, Andean Hillstar or Ornate Tinamou.

Night in Purmamarca.

Day 6

During the next 2 days we’ll go to the border with Bolivia, in another beautiful village: Yavi. To arrive there we’ll cross the “Quebrada de Humahuaca”, where will opportunities for several species, and even a lake in Abra Pampa with the 3 species of Flamingos (James, Andean, and Chilean).

The road will go up to La Quiaca, in the edge of “Puna” (High Andean Plateau), and with some stops we’ll try to find species as Giant Hummingbird, Puna Teal, Andean Flicker, Brown-backed Mockingbird or Mountain Parakeet.

Night in Yavi

Day 7

The aim of this day will be birding in all the valleys between Yavi and the big Lake of the Pozuelos National Park. This valleys offer opportunities for puna species such as Puna Miner, Bright-rumped Yellow-Finch, Andean tinamou, Band-tailed Sierra-Finch and Lesser Rhea (Puna subspecies),.

However, looking at the past 3 years of draught, we’ll adjust the program at the best chances of different places. The aim will visit some of the lakes inhabit for specialities such Andean Avocet, Giant Coot, Andean Goose and Puna Ibis. In Abra de Lizoite (high Andes wetlands) could be possible spot the rare Diademed Sandpiper-Plover.

Night in Yavi

Day 8

Coming back to Jujuy from Yavi, Early in the morning and coming back down to Jujuy, we make a stop in Yala. 

Potrero de Yala is a protected nature reserve in the province, with winding trails in the woods, the mountain and lagoons. The route crosses the park and connects it to Termas de Reyes (Kings’ Hot Springs). This scenic route spans across an area of lush vegetation. It takes you to 2 lagoons (Rodeo and Comedero), giving way to short trails with Andean Lapwing, White-collared Swift or Cinnamon Flycatcher.

Here we’ll have one of the best opportunities for Torrent Duck and Rufous-throated Dipper.. and how knows.. perhaps a Black-and-chestnut Eagle during the day or Lyre-tailed Nightjar during the night!

Night in Yala

Day 9

Early morning we are going to Salta, crossing the Cloud Rainforest (Camino de Cornisa), inhabits for Black-back Grosbeak, Yungas Sparrow and tanagers, parrots, euphonias and others; and 2 dam lakes: La Ciénaga y Campo Alegre, where we’ll found Comb Ducks, Least Grebe, Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Ultramarine Grosebeak and others.

Night in Salta.

Day 10

From Salta through “Cuesta del Obispo" to Cachi, a historical town in the Monte

Region (Shrubs). Drive across the Calchaquí Valley, with stops at several locations along a diverse and beautiful mountain territory that was once part of the Inca Empire. The

target bird will be the White-fronted Woodpecker specialized in big cactus and big birds of prey like Black chested Eagle. During this days we’ll look Burrowing Parrot, Steinbeck’s Canastero, Ringed Warbling-Finch, White-throated Cacholote and others.

Night in Cachi.

Day 11

From Cachi to Cafayate

Early morning departure across Los Cardones National Park, with stops at the

vast cacti groves and mountain grasslands. Los cardones is a kind of huge

cactus. We’ll look for the Andean Tinamou, Vermilion Flycatcher, and furnarids

of the Andes.

Night in Cafayate.

Day 12

Full day birding around Cafayate, a dry area called Quebrada de las Concha. This is in  Salta Provinces one of the most famous natural wonders. Red canyons and geological formations rival what you’ll see in America’s Southwest and with a fraction of the crowds if you time it right. And amazing birds live there such as Elegant-crested Tinamou, Tucuman Mountain-Finch and Shrike-Tyrants, Sandy Gallitos, Chiguanco Thrush,Andean Swifts and Rheas. 

Optional in the afternoon will be a visit of La Rosa Vineyards and wineries. Special Wine testing of mountain wines

Day 13

Coming back to Salta

Birding road from Cafayate to Salta completing possible species missed and flight to Buenos Aires

Night in Buenos Aires.

Day 14

Internacional Flights