Things to do in Argentina
Things to do in Argentina Argentina is a land of exquisite natural beauty, from the wild windswept fjords of Tierra del Fuego
Read moreOnce part of the Inca empire, Argentina’s north-west is a region of picturesque colonial towns, striking natural scenery and deep-rooted traditions. Stretching east from the Chilean and Bolivian borders, the high altiplano, or puna, gives way to arid foothills dotted with giant cacti, adobe villages with cobbled streets, and rugged canyons. The region can be explored by guided tour or self-drive.
The city of Salta with its beautifully preserved colonial architecture and splendid museums is the starting point for the Train to the Clouds, a spectacular journey through a narrow gorge that takes you, via tunnels, bridges and viaducts, onto the high, barren plateau. North of Salta the desolate hillsides of the Humahuaca gorge reveal a stunning kaleidoscope of red, orange, green and brown-coloured rocks, rivalled only by the multi-layered cliffs of the Hill of Seven Colours at Purmamarca. Trips along this ancient trade route can be combined with visits to pre-Columbian ruins, the salt flats at Salinas Grandes or any of the fascinating little churches in the region.
South of Salta lie scenic canyons and attractive colonial towns such as Cachi, Molinos and Cafayate that, blessed with year-round sunshine, is home to high altitude vineyards and excellent wine estates. Visit the area on a circular route that passes through the spectacular granite spires of Arrows Canyon and past the impressive cliffs and rock formations of Las Conchas gorge. For the more adventurous, a journey into the high-altitude puna will reveal an isolated and stunningly surreal lunar landscape dotted with strange weathered geological formations and turquoise lagoons.
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Cachi, meaning "salt" in the Quechua language, is a picturesque town 157 km south of Salta. Once a main village in the area, it bears traces of the pre-Columbian cultures that inhabited this region and is also an important testament to Spanish colonization
Cafayate is a peaceful, picturesque town surrounded by vineyards which produce internationally awarded wines of which the fruity Torrontes is the best known. The city's attractions including the archaeological museum, and many nearby geological features are easily accessible by car or on foot
Founded in the early 18th century, Molinos is a small colonial town in the Calchaquíes Valleys. Many of the houses are built of sun-dried bricks and the magnificent parish church, where the mummified remains of the last royal governor, D. Nicolas Severo de Isasmendi are found, dates back to 1639. Quality hand-woven rugs and ponchos are sold in the town, supplied by the country's first vicuna farm nearby
The town of Purmamarca lies in an area of dusty canyons and oases at an elevation of over 7,000 feet. It is famous for the spectacular colour of the surrounding hills, formed when these mountains were under the oceans millions of years ago. The most famous of these is the Cerro de Siete Colores (the Hill of Seven Colours)
Salta takes its name from the Aymara word "sagta", meaning very beautiful, and is known today as "la linda" (the beautiful one). Located in a very fertile valley "Lerma", the city has carefully preserved its heritage of colonial Hispanic architecture, including the San Bernardo Convent, San Francisco Church, and the Cabildo (city hall) with its graceful row of arches. Once you have explored the narrow streets and immersed yourself in the city's colonial spirit one dramatic excursion option is the "El Tren a las Nubes" (The Train in the Clouds), a train journey that crosses the Andes mountains at 4,220 metres above the sea level
Things to do in Argentina Argentina is a land of exquisite natural beauty, from the wild windswept fjords of Tierra del Fuego
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