Driving from Cachi to Los Cardones National Park via Route 33 will take you along the Tin Tin Straight Line (Recta de Tin Tin). There is little to do on the road itself, although many travelers pull over to take photos and it’s remarkable to see just how straight the road actually is.
Most day tours set out from Salta and combine a drive along the road with other highlights of the Calchaquí Valleys. A popular route includes Los Cardones National Park, the winding mountain roads of the Cuesta del Obispo, and the view over the Enchanted Valley from Bishop’s Cliff.
The Tin Tin Straight Line is part of Route 33 that runs north from the Los Cardones National Park. From Cachi, head north along Route 40 to reach Route 33—it’s about 16 miles (27 kilometers) from town to the start of the Tin Tin Straight Line. There is no public transport, so you will need your own transport or to join a tour.
For the best photo opportunities, make an early start and enjoy the traffic-free highway. Alternatively, arrive at sunrise or sunset for an even more memorable view.
At the south end of the Tin Tin Straight Line, the Los Cardones National Park is a vast desert landscape, with valleys, ravines, and sierras sweeping the foothills of the Cerro Negro mountain. The park is most famous for its cardón, giant cacti that can grow up to 16-feet (5-meters) tall, and posing for photos by the spikey plants is a popular pastime. A number of significant fossils and dinosaur tracks have also been found in the protected area.
