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Abra del Acay
Four days to cross the Puna and reach the highest point on Ruta 40. From the Quebrada de Humahuaca to the Salinas Grandes, from Susques to the Tuzgle and La Polvorilla, the Abra crossing at 4,895 m and the way back through Cachi and the Cuesta del Obispo.
Salta/Purmamarca/Salinas Grandes/Susques/Tuzgle Volcano/La Polvorilla Viaduct/San Antonio de los Cobres/Abra del Acay/Cachi/Cuesta del Obispo
Day by day
4 days, leaving from and returning to Salta city. Below, where you sleep each night. For riders with previous experience, able to ride on gravel and mountain roads.
All 4 days795 km, round trip from Salta
4 days · Premium guided expeditionAbra del Acay
Out along the Camino de Cornisa, La Ciénaga reservoir and San Salvador de Jujuy. Then the Quebrada de Humahuaca up to Purmamarca, the Cuesta de Lipán and the Salinas Grandes.
Night in Susques- Camino de Cornisa: a tunnel of vegetation, humidity and tight curves on pavement
- Cuesta de Lipán: a climb of wide curves up to around 4,170 m
- Salinas Grandes: 212 km² of salt flat at 3,450 m
- Susques: 3,896 m, rest and altitude acclimatization
The Puna stretch of RN 40, a gravel road at an average altitude close to 4,000 m, between open plains, wetlands and Puna villages.
Night in San Antonio de los Cobres- Huáncar, Pastos Chicos and Puesto Sey: the human scale of the place
- La Juguetería: volcanic blocks between reddish walls
- Tuzgle Volcano: 5,560 m over the landscape, with hot springs at its foot
- La Polvorilla Viaduct: 224 m long and 63 m high, at 4,220 m
The day of the Abra. A narrow, high-mountain gravel road up to 4,895 m, the highest point on Ruta Nacional 40, and then the descent along the Calchaquí river corridor to Cachi.
Night in Cachi- Abra del Acay: 4,895 m, the highest point on Ruta Nacional 40
- La Poma: the mountain village where the Puna starts to fall behind
- Payogasta and the Valles Calchaquíes: crops, adobe and a different colour
- Cachi: quiet streets, white facades and the Nevado behind them
Crossing the Abra depends on the weather and the state of the road. If conditions call for it, we take an alternative.
Back through the Recta del Tin Tin and the Parque Nacional Los Cardones, the Piedra del Molino and the descent of the Cuesta del Obispo to the Quebrada de Escoipe and the Valle de Lerma.
Back to Salta city- Recta del Tin Tin: 18 km dead straight through the cactus
- Parque Nacional Los Cardones: 65,000 hectares of cactus forest
- Piedra del Molino: a lookout at 3,348 m, where the descent begins
- Cuesta del Obispo: bend after bend above the gorge
What it includes
What the price covers and what's on you, so nothing turns up halfway through.
We provide it
- A professional guide with experience in the North
- Support truck with a driver and mechanical support
- Tools and recovery equipment
- Radio contact and a satellite antenna
- Luggage carried in the support truck
- Water, hydration and snacks throughout each day
- Back-up oxygen for the altitude
- Booking and coordination of lodging and meal stops
- The motorcycle for all four days, on the rental option
You bring it
- A license valid for that class of motorcycle, plus national ID or passport
- Travel insurance or medical coverage if you're visiting from abroad
- Your own riding gear, if you bring your own motorcycle
- Accommodation for the three nights
- Main meals
- Fuel
Which motorcycle
You come on your own motorcycle or ride one of ours. The rest of the expedition is the same either way.
On your own motorcycle
You bring your own and hire the service: guide, support truck and assistance throughout the expedition.
On one of ours
A CFMoto 450MT or 650MT, checked in the workshop before the start. CFMoto 450MT · CFMoto 650MT
From past departures
We took them ourselves, on the road. Tap any one to see it full size.
6 photos from past departures. we still need photos from this particular trip