Salta is
the most important city of the region. It is located between the Calchaqui
and Humahuaca Valleys, on the northern extreme of the Lerma Valley,
at the foot of San Bernardo Hill. It is a true colonial city, where
the Spanish influence is best preserved. Accommodation is possible
in 4* hotels to tourist class or in estancias or inns in the surrounding
area. more...
City
Tour (half day)
Visit interesting buildings: the Iglesia Matriz, church built between
1855 and 1878; the Cabildo, the San Francisco Temple with the adjoining
convent built in 1796 and its tower of three different styles; the
artisans' market; the San Bernardo Hill, that can be reached by a
modern lift chair and that offers a panoramic view of the city; and
the San Bernardo Convent and its chapel.
Cafayate (full day)
Towards the south of Salta and passing through Cerrillos, Alemania
and Rio Las Conchas Gorge declared National Monument because of the spectacular and colorful rock formations eroded by the
wind and time: Tres Cruces, El Anfiteatro, Los Castillos, etc. In
Cafayate visit a winery and an Indian Art Museum. more...
Humahuaca
Gorge
Drive along route 9 passing through Tumbaya with its old colonial
church and Purmamarca, a colonial village surrounded by the picturesque
Seven Colours Hill. Continue to Tilcara to admire its Pucara (a fortified
pre-Columbian settlement) and the Archaeological Museum. more...
Then
on to Huacalera and Uquia to see one of the oldest colonial churches
in the Northwest.Arrive at Humahuaca, founded in the 16th Century at the Grande River bank, it has been strongly influenced
by the Inca culture. See its Cathedral, Town Hall, the Northern Carnival
Museum and the craft fair.
It
is also possible to add one or 2 nights to enjoy both or one of these
other tours: Train to the Clouds and Cachi (Calchaquies Valleys).
Train
to the clouds
A monumental work of engineering finished in 1948. From Salta to La
Polvorilla viaduct, there are 214 km; the train rides along this distance
crossing numerous bridges, tunnels and viaducts. At times, the train
goes up and down at an important altitude; other times it has to move
alternatively forward and backwards to be able to ascend and go forward.
The
traveler is presented with a landscape of indescribable beauty. At
times, he feels virtually suspended in the air in the middle of the
overpowering silence of the Puna.
The
train departs from Salta and goes through a number of villages such
as San Antonio, Cerrillos and Rosario de Lerma, with great extensions
devoted to the tobacco plantations. Then, the train arrives in Campo
Quijano (1,520m above sea level), called “el Portal de los Andes”
(the Gateway to the Andes).
The
train continues through the following stations: Meseta, Tacuara, Diego
de Almagro (3503 m), Incahuasi (3553 m), Cachinal, Munano and Los
Patos, and it finally arrives in San Antonio de los Cobres. Full day
tour.
(Take into account departures are on Saturdays,
from April to October and that you should add one day to the Classic
tour to take the train.) more...
The
Calchaqui Valley (full day)
A
fault that extends for over 400 km from Mount Aconquija in the South
to Mount Acay on the north, there are two impressive mountains known
as Nevados. The valley is around 20 km wide, though at some points
it is less than 100 metres wide.
Mountain
passes known as portezuelos link the main valley with the oriental
slopes of the Eastern Range via roads as in Cuesta del Obispo and
Quebrada del Toro. Passing
through small villages and driving along Cuesta del Obispo, Enchanted
Valley, Cardones National Park till reach Cachi. more... |
