Introduction
Shells’ Ravine by bike (Quebrada de las Conchas)
Are you looking for a breathtaking, unique activity near Salta, Argentina?
Look no further.
This was definitely one of the most memorable experiences during my six-month backpacking trip across South America. I highly recommend this activity!
Also, I found out that this activity has not yet been fully discovered by tourists. While there were quite some vans that took tourists from sight to sight, there hardly were any other cyclists. To me, this makes this activity extra unique and enjoyable.
- 50km (30 miles), although shorter certainly is also possible.
- 450 meters elevation gain.
- Optional to do some hiking as well, but if you want to do it, make sure to bring a lock.
- Difficulty 1/5. The route never gets really challenging, yet make sure you leave before noon so you can take it easy and enjoy the ride.
- Sights 4/5. Simply stunning landscapes and a great diversity of scenery.
If you’re interested in outdoor activities, or simply want to enjoy breathtaking landscapes and views, then doing the Shells’ Ravine by bike is a must-do!
This was definitely one of the most memorable things I did during my backpacking trip across South-America.
About Shells’ Ravine by bike
Shells’ Ravine (also known as Quebrada de las Conchas) is known for its geological formations. These formations are the result of thousands of years of wind and water erosion. The colorful landscape of red, orange and brown makes it a absolutely amazing scenery to cycle through.
You can find many beautiful sights along this route. I’ve listed them all in the highlights chapter. All sites are free to the public without any fees, but at some locations you have the option to make a voluntary donation.
The 3 sights below were my personal favorites:
This activity is a paradise for photographers. The rock formations you’ll find here are breathtaking, also there’s a lot of diversity in the views and landscapes. The striking colors and surreal landscapes will offer you lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures.
Getting to Cafayate
Many people who travel to Salta also visit nearby villages such as Cafayate and Cachi.
If you’re in Salta simply take the bus to Cafayate. The trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs about 15-20 euros. There are regular bus trips to Cafayate from Salta, but during busy tourist periods it is wise to book your ticket a few days in advance.
There is much more to do in Cafayate than what I will cover in this post. Spending 2-4 days in Cafayate is definitely worth it. However, visiting the Shells’ Ravine by bike absolutely cannot to be missed!
Where to stay?
When I visited Cafayate I spend 3 nights in this hostel named Cielito Lindo (Booking.com rating 8,9 out of 545 reviews). I 100% recommend this place. The staff is super friendly, some speak excellent English, and the location is close to the center. Additionally, if you want more privacy, they offer double and quadruple rooms.
Another option I heard good things about from the people I met when I was in Cafayate is Hostel Killari. Despite the name, this isn’t a traditional hostel with shared dorms; instead, it offers affordable private rooms. Its price is comparable to Hostel Cielito Lindo, and its location is great.
Bike Rental in Cafayate
I rented the bike at this shop in Cafayate named Rural Bike Cafayate. The owner was super friendly and offered great help. The bikes were in decent condition, don’t expect the best of the best. Nevertheless, they are absolutely fine for this route.
Bicycle rental is priced per hour. The more hours you rent, the bigger your price advantage. To save stress, I recommend renting the bike for a full day. That way you can enjoy the whole day without getting worried about the time. For a full day, you will pay about 10-14 € (11-15 USD) per person.
How to get to the starting point?
Getting there is simple and cheap.
You can buy a Flecha Bus ticket at the Terminal de Omnibus de Cafayate. Their buses go all the way to Salta, but you should let them know that you want to take your bike on the bus and ask the driver to drop you off at Garganta del Diablo. Be sure to keep an eye on when it’s time to signal the driver to stop.
For the bus ride to the starting point, you’ll pay about 2 to 3 euros (3 USD). The bus ride takes about 45 minutes.
As you can see, it’s a highly budget-friendly activity.
What to bring with you?
There are a few essential items you should bring:
Bring enough water with you. You will hardly find places where you can refill your water bottle during the bike ride. The dry air in this place coupled with the heat, will make you feel thirsty way faster.
Also, bring a cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Depending on the time you leave Cafayate, you may need to bring lunch with you. I highly recommend leaving before noon so you can take your time along the way. Nevertheless, there are a few places along the route where you can buy food as well.
I left Cafayate after lunch at 14:30. When it began to get dark, a park ranger came up to me and told me to hurry. He said that cycling along the road to Cafayate in the dark can be quite dangerous.
Also, bring some anti-insect spray. Especially when it’s more late in the day, there can be quite some mosquitoes in this region.
Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a sweater or jacket. The temperature can drop significantly in this region later in the day.
Route info: Shells’ Ravine by Bike
The route is about 48 km (= 30 miles). It may seem like a lot, but know that it never really gets very steep. I do suggest to start cycling before lunch. That way, you can fully enjoy the day without having to stress about the time.
Cycling to Cafayate takes about three hours at an average speed of 15 km/hour. Plan for an extra two to three hours to explore the beautiful sights, which makes a total duration of 5-7 hours.
The route is very simple, you just have to follow the RN68 road back to Cafayate.
Shells’ Ravine by bike highlights
Shells’ Ravine by bike offers many beautiful highlights:
After Los Colorados, you’ll leave the nature reserve and make your way back to Cafayate. If you have time left, you can choose to visit the beautiful sand dunes of Los Médanos. I cycled the final stretch to Cafayate because the sun was setting, and wow, that was a truly unforgettable memory, the scenery was breathtaking.
And that concludes my Shells’ Ravine by bike guide! I hope you found it helpful and are as excited as I was to discover Shells’ Ravine by bike!
If you have any questions, feel free reaching out to me on Instagram
Prachtig verslag Bart KVtje! Schitterende foto’s.