Getting there and when to go: Several major airlines fly daily to Buenos Aires. Check if there is a supplement for bike carriage when booking. From Buenos Aires to Salta you can take one of several comfortable, long-distance buses (18 hours, £40 o/w) or fly with Aerolineas Argentinas (3 hours, $180 rtn). Taxis that will carry you and your bikes when you arrive in Argentinean cities are easy to flag down. The Argentinean winter (June-Sept) is the coolest and driest period in this part of the country. Spring (Nov-Dec) is possible, but heavy rains in Summer (Jan-Feb) can mean many roads are washed out. Car rental costs from $30 per day depending on model and length of rental. Try All-Car Rent in Salta (tel. 0387 156 858692) and ask Hugo for one of his special pirate maps!
The riding: Realistically the riding in this region is limited unless you want to spend hours spinning along the 4x4 roads that are part of the national road system. Reliable sources have noted that there are good MTB trails around Tucuman (to the South of Salta province) but you need a sense of adventure to find rewards anywhere in Argentina, especially the desert north. That said, most dirt roads lead to amazing scenery and are often rough enough that you’ll be glad you’re on a full suss rig. Be prepared to dive down dry riverbeds to enhance the fun potential of riding anything resembling mountain biking as we know it. Maps are non-existent; it really is a WYSIWYG experience. Should you want to try an organized ride, then check out guided MTB set ups like
www.bicinorte.com.ar in Salta or Mulanegra in Cafayate (tel 03 868 421739). Typically MTB excursion companies like this shuttle you up to the mountains to ride 4x4 tracks.
What to take: Take sun cream and a decent hydration pack (tap water is safe to drink in most towns, though bottled water is available everywhere). Take essential spares (spokes, brake fluid, spare rear mech) as shops are non-existent outside the main cities. Take sun cream as it is hot and you will be riding at altitude here. Carry a good stock of puncture patches too. We rode Schwalbe racing Ralph 2.2 tyres that were fast rolling and grippy on everything we rode.
All photography by Dan Milner. You can see more of Dan's incredible work on his website.Did you enjoy reading about Dan's travels in Argentina? Want to try a similar trip yourself? Let's hear what you have to say in the comments section below.
Editor's note: We'll be bringing you adventures from Dan Milner each month, so stay tuned!
Leaving aside the understandable mistake, both the words and the pics have successfully captured the spirit and essence of Salta... Peaceful people, vast, eye-catching landscapes, and too many places to ride!!!
On a side note: why didn't you fly from Buenos Aires to Salta?
An epic trail in Jujuy: es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=746014