The best things to see in Salta and Valles Calchaquíes (Argentina)

The city of Salta and Calchaquíes valleys They are one of the main attractions in a tourism trip through the northwest of Argentina.

Salta is called "The cute” for the beauty of its monuments. Its visit is very pleasant because it combines the tranquility of a relatively small city, with a large number of cultural and gastronomic possibilities.

Meanwhile, the Calchaquíes valleys They form a region with a lot of scenic and cultural interest, and there is the population of Cafayate, which is the second Argentine wine producer after Mendoza.

Argentina has included the Valles Calchaquíes in the Tentative List of the World Heritage for the Unesco.

The best of a trip through the northwest of Argentina

We visited these places as part of a broader trip throughout northwest Argentina in which we visited the provinces of Tucuman, Salta y Jujuy.

These three provinces form the border with Chile and Bolivia, and in recent years they have become a top tourist destination due to their numerous attractions, preserving the entire area an atmosphere of great authenticity.

As we have already said, our journey began in San Miguel de Tucuman and from there we go into The Andes by Tafi Valley, and from there we enter the province of Salta by Calchaquíes valleys.

From Salta we continue in search of the impressive landscapes of the Quebrada del Toro and Quebrada de Humahuaca.

What to see and do when visiting Cafayate

If you follow this recommended route, one of the first stages within the province of Salta will be Cafayate.

Cafayate It is a town of about 15.000 inhabitants that is the main economic and tourist center of the area, and that is why it is the best base to explore this part of the city. province of Salta.

Much of his attractions revolve around wine, so don't miss a visit to the Vine and Wine Museum, which is located in a modern building located in the center of the town and offers a tour of the entire wine culture in the Calchaquíes valleys.

A walk in the evening through the Cafayate center, especially in the main square, is a very pleasant experience that should not be missed.

Wineries to visit in Cafayate

Within a radius of a few kilometers there are several wineries that allow you to visit their facilities and taste their wines, some of which have also expanded their offer and function as hotels.

It should be noted that in this area are the vineyards at the highest altitude on the planet, with vines located up to 3.100 meters of altitude.

El vine cultivation was introduced in Salta by the Jesuits in the 18th century, but over time winemakers have introduced new strains.

Although the best known is the torrontés, which creates a very special white wine, there is also malbec, tannat, bonarda, Tempranillo, etc.

Among the several wineries that can be visited, the first one we visited was The Arks of Tolombón, which is located right on Route 40 and you pass through its door on the way from Quilmes to Cafayate.

Best landscapes of the Quebrada de Conchas

For go from Cafayate to Salta You have to choose between two routes, equally magnificent.

One passes by Cardones and Cachi National Park, one of the towns with the best preserved traditional architecture, and the other descends directly through the Las Conchas and Cafayate ravines.

This is more direct and is the one we follow.

Shortly after leaving Cafayate Leave Route 40 and take Route 68, and immediately enter the Quebrada de las Conchas and if until now the landscape had been exciting, now it begins to take on a fantasy character.

Here there are no longer wide valleys with distant snow-capped mountains; Here you advance through dry, dusty terrain, sandwiched between stone walls of all shades of red.

Logically, due to the quality of the light, it is advisable to travel this section early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Some formations have names, such as the Medanos, the castles, the obelisk, the Friar o Toad.

Sometimes you have to use your imagination a little to find the reason for these names, but other times it is very obvious.

If you do not have a vehicle, which is the best way to do this route, you can rent a bicycle or take a bus to a chosen point. But you have to take into account the bus schedule to return to Cafayate.

The fundamental specific points of this route, beyond the grandiose ensemble, are the amphitheater and Devil's throat.

Both are cuts in the cliffs created by water erosion over millennia. One of the interesting things is that they allow you to appreciate the folds of the strata that form the rock walls.

The amphitheater It owes its name to its shape and, above all, to the peculiar acoustic conditions that have allowed important concerts to be organized in this place.

What to see and do when visiting Salta

In the end the route reaches Salta.

Like we have already said, Salta It is a medium-sized city that offers the best of both worlds: an intense cultural life, a variety of accommodation, cafes and restaurants but with a calm pace of life.

Salta It is the main tourist center of the entire region.

La 9th of July Square is Salta center and where you pass continuously during the visit.

There is Cathedral, some examples of good historical architecture and several museums, but also a very modern atmosphere with groups of young people who practice break dance.

Museum of High Mountain Anthropology in Salta

The good of Salta is that in a few minutes you can go from chatting with bboys who perform their impossible dances, to a visit to the Museum of High Mountain Anthropology (MAAM), which is located in the same square.

If only one museum were to be visited in this entire tour of northwest Argentina, this should be the one chosen.

As its name indicates, it focuses on human presence at high altitude, with the peculiar conditions that the environment demands.

It speaks of political, economic and religious organization, of the routes that crossed the most inaccessible hills and, especially, of the rituals that were celebrated in those solitudes.

Here it is discovered that at the top of the Llullaillaco volcano, at 6.700 m, human sacrifices were carried out, of which archaeologists have recovered the bodies of three boys (aged 6, 7 and 15), who were offered to the gods.

The cold and dryness of the place has mummified their bodies and preserved their clothing. For conservation reasons, only A mummy, which rotate periodically.

The museum also exhibits another mummy, the so-called Queen of the Hill.

Anyone who considers that they do not want to face a human body that has died hundreds of years ago can still visit the museum because the mummies They are exposed in a special room that can be avoided.

In any case, the entire exhibition is organized with the greatest possible respect.

Other visits in Salta include the San Francisco church, with its peculiar dark red facade, and a Climbing the San Bernardo Hill cable car, from where there are good views of the city.

Traditional Argentine music in the peñas of Salta

Salta It is a very good place to enjoy the traditional argentine music, which is much more than tango.

The folk rhythmsThey are one of the companions of any trip through the country, and to meet them in Salta you have to go to some pain.

The miseries They are places that function as a bar or restaurant with performances, places that are highly recommended for dining with empanadas from Salta and local wine while listening to music.

En Salta many rocks They concentrate on the Balcarce street and you have to shop around before choosing.

In general, they are noisy and fun places, not conducive to slow conversation, but the quality of the food, drinks and music can surprise you.

On our trip we enjoyed a night in the rock Los Cardones (Balcarce 885) and we can recommend it.