Things to do in Salta

Salta is one of the most visited destinations in the northwest of Argentina, the principal attraction is generated by local traditions, colonial architecture, its history and the hills that surround it.

“La Linda” as it is often mentioned for its natural beauty the city has a colonial style well preserved that houses, folklore clubs, a High Mountain Museum and  outstanding gastronomic circuits, where you can taste the outstanding regional wines, which are brewed in the vineyards of Cafayate, the highest in the world ( from 1,700 to 3,000 meters above sea level).

In addition, starting from the city you can enjoy tours in the outskirts, among which the Train to the Clouds stands out, a train ride that runs between the clouds over the Andes Mountains at about 4220 meters high and endless walks that I detail below so you know  what to do in Salta:

City tour around Salta

Located at 1,100 meters above sea level, the capital of the province was founded in 1582 by Hernando de Lerma and it is one of those that best preserves its colonial style in Argentina.

In its streets the colonial buildings with white walls, red roofs, cisterns, and a stately appearance are mixed with modern buildings, within an urban fabric that contains several green spaces to rest and observe the surroundings. The attractions that I recommend you see on your way through the city center are:

• The Historic Center: In this area are located the most emblematic and historical buildings of the city you can see  the Plaza de Armas or also known as Plaza 9 de Julio, a green space with trees, palm trees, seats, a water fountain and the Cabildo, a beautiful colonial building   that was the seat of the Government House until 1880. At the beginning of the 20th century  it was declared a National Historic Monument and now it is the North Historical Museum, where you can see collections of colonial objects, means of transport of the time and also some jewels of sacred art. There are guided tours and admission is free.

Another of the  emblematic buildings of the city center is La Catedral, declared a National Historic Monument in 1941. It is one of the most iconic places in Salta due to its neo-baroque architecture and decoration. Inside the Cathedral are the remains of the national hero, General Güemes, who fought against the Spanish during Argentina's war of independence.  If you want to know more about the history of this emblematic place, behind the Cathedral Church there is a small museum   where you can see different paintings and religious artwork (Admission is free and  open every day).  

• Las peñas of folklore: Balcarce street located a few meters from Plaza 9 de Julio is the place where the most important folklore peñas are located, during the day they are usually still lifes, where traditional foods of the region are offered and during the night they have musical and dance shows.   Among the most popular are: La Peña de La Vieja Estación, el  Bowling Balderrama and La Casona del Molino. Folkloric peñas are a classic of Balcarce, guitars, drums, zambas and chacareras are heard from the sidewalks of the restaurants, while groups of friends enjoy a barbecue or empanadas at the tables, accompanied by the flavors of  the exquisite wines of Salta. 

• La Calle Caseros: Here you will see narrow sidewalks with cobblestones ines and lanterns that coexist with old buildings and very picturesque commercial premises with variety of handicrafts, local clothing (fabrics, hats and shoes), designer furniture and home accessories. Caseros Street is a few meters from Plaza 9 de Julio.

If you are interested in knowing more about each point of the city, its monuments and buildings, the City Tour of Salta is a very good option, which has a guide specialized in the culture and history of Salta.

City bike tour

A very entertaining way to walk around the city is with the bicycle tour, where together with a small group of people  you will walk the old streets of great historical value with picturesque colonial buildings, You will be able to stop to photograph the most important points of this tour that begins with the first stop at the  Central Plaza 9 de Julio , where they will pass by the Cathedral Basilica  with bright pastel colors and striking Baroque architecture. Then they will continue to the  Alta Montaña Archaeological Museum which has impressive findings from the Inca culture. 

Then they will go to the  main street of Caseros, where you can see the different colonial buildings such as the Hotel de Salta, the Casa Uriburu, the Majestic Church of San Francisco and the Convent of San Bernardo, as well as the Hospital of Salta. Later, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the incomparable panoramic view of the City, ascending about 4 kilometers to the top of the beautiful  Cerro San Bernardo.

This walk ends descending the mountain, from where you can see the important monument of one of the Heroes of Independence, Martín Miguel de Güemes   and finally, after 1 hour 40 minutes of pedaling, they will return back to the central hotels in the City of Salta.

Museum of High Mountain Archeology (MAAM)

The  Museum High Mountain Archeology is a must for all who visit Salta, since it has surprising content about the discovery of the children of Llullaillaco , an  archaeological discovery of more than 500 years ago . These are three children who were offered by the Inca empire and found at 6730 meters above sea level, on the summit of the Llullaillaco volcano. See their bodies cryo preserved is mobilizing, but it is a fascinating gateway to the archaeological world.

The Capac Cocha (royal obligation in Quechua) was one of the most transcendental rituals of the Inca Empire. It was performed in honor of the god Viracocha and included the sacrifice of boys who were taken to the summits of the highest hills and volcanoes in the Andes  (as close as possible to Inti, the sun god) and were abandoned there. Some were previously killed , others died of hypothermia.

The MAAM located a few meters from Plaza 9 de Julio, shows all the history behind these sacrifices and every detail in its modern and educational facilities. The The bodies of the three children are exposed in a low-temperature capsule that works with the cryopreservation process. 

Cerro San Bernardo

The tour to Cerro San Bernardo is one of the main attractions of the city, where upon reaching its top (elevated to altitude 1471.92  masl ) you can see from its  viewpoint beautiful views of the City of Salta and the Lerma Valley.

In addition to the viewpoint, the walk located at the top of Cerro San Bernardo has several attractions , among which is a walk of  artificial waterfalls arranged on different terraces. On the hill there is also a small restaurant, where those who want to stop for a meal or a drink can do so, there is also a  play area for the little ones  and a  ecological trail of about 5 kilometers, everything is very well signposted.

The most entertaining way to  climb Cerro San Bernardo is through the cable car that is located at the base of the hill 7 kilometers from the city   and reaches its summit. It covers an oblique distance of 1046 meters. The ascent or descent route takes about 8 minutes. It has 20 gondolas capable of transporting about 300 people per hour.

Another important point to visit at the foot of Cerro San Bernardo is themonument in homage to Miguel de Güemes mounted on horseback. side of the entrance road to make the ascent by car, by bicycle or on foot to the top of the hill (10 kilometers).

The bronze monument is surrounded by steps and a pedestal that were built with stones from neighboring hills. Beyond the monument, the beauty of approaching it is the neighborhood of tree-lined streets and imposing houses that surround it.

Typical foods 

Salta is characterized by its wide tourist offer and also by its  nourished regional gastronomy. Its food is a mixture of traditions that combines different cultures, both Andean and Spanish and indigenous, later emerged in Argentina and more properly in the region, gastronomy that was considerably influenced, giving rise to a great variety of dishes nourished by legumes, vegetables, spices and meats.

Among the foods offered in Salta's kitchen stands out the locro, the tamales, the quesillos, huaschalocro (meat, bacon, corn and legume es), stews, and grilled tortillas.

But without a doubt the great  protagonist of the gastronomy is the famous Salta empanada differentiated from the rest because it is smaller, very juicy and is filled with minced meat with a knife, onion, egg, bell pepper and potato cut into cubes. As they are so rich and become local food, you will notice that there are several places where they offer them and each one with its own touch, so I recommend you read the note on "Where to eat the best empanadas in Salta". 

In addition to these proposals,  other representative dishes are humitas, are prepared in the corn husk, which wraps an exquisite pasta made with fresh corn, cheese and onion. But the local gastronomy does not end here, lovers of sweets and desserts will also find typical cakes such as "Pasta Real", filled with "cayote" sweet or homemade jams with walnuts and delicious “cuaresmillo” (small peach) jams.

To complete the table are added traditional drinks such as Torrontés wine produced in the town of Cafayate and  the “Andean beer”, known as La Chicha, is a fermented drink commonly made from corn and sugar water.

Drink coca tea

Mercado de San Miguel 

The walks through the markets of the city center are another activity that is very enjoyed in Salta and where you can find traditional products of the city. zone and small handicrafts to take as a gift.

The  Mercado de San Miguel   is one of the interesting spots for those who want to see and buy different  varieties of fruits, vegetables and spices. The market is quite large and has posters hanging from the ceiling where each sector is organized. In one corner are the plants, succulents and cacti; right next to the fruits and vegetables part and then the part of  spices,   fishmongers and butchers.

In the  spices sector there are baskets with coca leaves, corn of different shapes and colors (white, peeled, purple and yellow). There are also spices organic such as chili pepper and paprika, all the spices have an intense color and flavor (those from the Calchaquí Valleys are the best). In the vegetable sector are the famous Andean potatoes of different sizes and shapes with which the Salta's most traditional dishes   such as empanadas, locro and different stews. The beauty of this market is that those who serve the stalls are very friendly and you they explain their products to each client and guide you on what you are looking for.

The Mercado de San Miguel is located a few meters from the historic center on Avenida San Martín to 780.

Mercado Artesanal

Museo Güemes

The second most popular museum to visit in Salta is the  Museo Güemes, tells  the  story of General Martín Miguel de Güemes, who played a fundamental role in the  Independence of Argentina.

The museum is located in an old red house where the General and his family lived, which was declared a  National Historic Landmark in 1971.

The tour of the museum is completely educational,  screens and multimedia presentations  are used in a very original way so that the kids can understand it too.  During the tour you will not only get to know the life and history of Güemes but each of his feats to achieve the independence of the Argentine people.

It is open from  Tuesday to Sunday  between 11am and 7pm.

Museum of the Basilica of San Francisco

Is one of its main attractions, the circuit includes different rooms (5) where the history of the basilica and convent, Franciscan spirituality, cultural aspects, sacred art, archive of the history of the province, library and sacristy.  The tour is accompanied by a guide or through an audio system guides.

During the circuit you can also see valuable  works of art and collectibles belonging to the 18th and 19th century. Among them deserve special attention: the set of chalices, reliquaries, the pieces of American Baroque-style silverware, colonial-style furniture, imagery and paintings from different periods.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9.30 am to 6 pm and is located just two blocks from the main square 9 de Julio.

Going out at night on Balcarce street

Balcarce street is the epicenter of Salta's nightlife with more of 30 bars, peñas and restaurants with options to eat, have a beer or a Torrontés wine or go out to dance. Known by the people of Salta as La Balcarce, this street has renowned folk clubs where music is offered every night live as in  La Cautiva,  Nora Julia and  La Peña Los Cardones. In the peñas there are stages where renowned musicians and beginners pass by, filling the atmosphere with sambas and chacareras. Tourists love to listen to Salta artists and to  the rhythms of carnavalitos, sayas, zambas and traditional folklore, people dance and have fun all night. Of course the show is accompanied by the best regional gastronomy: empanadas, humitas, tamales, barbecues and the menu of the famous wines of Salta.

In addition to the peñas  there are restaurants where you can taste delicious roasts, pasta, sushi, fish and the richest dishes of high mountain cuisine.   The most recommended are:  Adelina,  Umai,  La Monumental and  Restobar 2222.

To close a good night, I recommend you stop by one of the pubs or craft breweries, where local young people and tourists meet like  Amnesia,  Zumba bar,  Macondo,  Boomerang. Many then follow the city's hottest nightclubs like Skombros, Kika's, and  Bourbon. Here you will enjoy the pop music of the moment, cumbia, reggaeton, national rock and the songs that make everyone dance. Los boliches in Salta have several bars of drinks, where the bartenders prepare all kinds of drinks from a fernet or campari to signature drinks. 

The movement on Balcarce Street takes place in 3 blocks, which go from Alsina to Ameghino, right in front of the train station. During nights, especially Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, hundreds of people walk along Calle Balcarce.

Train to the Clouds

The Train to the Clouds is more than just a train. Perhaps it would be more fair to name it as  an  epic of railway construction , which  reaches up to 4,200 meters in height.  

The circuit of this famous train that turns 50 years old, was designed by the North American engineer Ricardo Fontaine Maury.  During the circuit you can see the best landscapes of the valleys and puna, 29 bridges, 21 tunnels and 13 viaducts are crossed.  In total between   round trip, the trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes, It departs from San Antonio de los Cobres and returns to La Polvorilla Viaduct.

Once the train starts moving for 50 minutes it does not stop and goes with a slow march until it reaches the La Polvorilla Viaduct, during this section there is a guide who goes car by car telling his story and curiosities about the route. The train only stops once, at the height of the abandoned Concordia mine, so that the locomotive gets behind and pushes the train to the end (it cannot be got off). It is a short but impressive stretch by the landscapes and the height, until finally the famous viaduct comes into view and dazzles with its 63-meter beams, spanning 223 meters.  A masterpiece completed in 1932 , where, upon arriving at the station, travelers are greeted by a group of boys who play Andean songs with sikus and quenas. They also sing the Aurora along with the on dular of the flag against a sky.

In La Polvorilla, where passengers are invited to get off before returning to the turn, you can see stalls of local artisans with woolen fabrics, children from the town with its llamas and sheep to be photographed. Once everyone walks through the area, the return to the starting point in San Antonio de los Cobres begins.

To get to San Antonio de los Cobres and get on the Train to the Clouds, you can take the combis from the city of Salta    (Plaza San Martín) to  the starting point of the train. Another option is to go by car, go to RN51 for  160 kilometers.

The Train to the Clouds is a railway model (diesel locomotive with seven wagons) that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.  The train travels 4220 meters above sea level, it is the third highest train in the world.   It is surpassed by the Lima-Huancayo railway, which reaches about 4781 meters above sea level in Peru, and by the Quinghai-Tibet railway in China , which rises to about 5072 meters above sea level.

The train  can carry up to 400 passengers, it has a dining car where non-alcoholic drinks and meals are served as bread, snacks and cookies, it also has medical service, the latter equipped to solve problems of lack of adaptation to altitude that may occur among passengers.

The travel seats are very comfortable, there are large windows, an air-conditioned environment, bathrooms at the ends and a state-of-the-art audio system and screens.

The railway was baptized as Tren a las Nubes by a film documentary made by photographers from Tucumán. The artists asked the driver to release the steam from the locomotive, which generated a unique effect. The finished documentary It was handed over to the railroad and then to the journalist Emilio Petcoff. When he saw the scene, he called it “Tren a las Nubes”, a name that Ferrocarriles Argentinos would later take for the tourist train.

One of the most recommended ways to get to know this exotic transport is to hire the Train to the Clouds tour, where passengers have a transfer from the city center to San Antonio de los Cobres, where the adventure begins on board the railway to the Viaducto La Polvorilla station (It is the highest structure of the branch C-14 railway, at more than 4200 meters above sea level) where the return to Los Cobres is resumed.

Safari to the clouds

The Safari to the Clouds is an interesting ride in an all-terrain truck ideal to complement the circuit through the high peaks, in addition to traveling the path of the Train to the Clouds, you go through streams and valleys. During the tour you will add other sites that are not accessed with the train  such as the  crossing of the Puna  along the  Route 40 until you reach Salinas Grandes, and the  Cuesta de Lipán, where they make a steep descent from 2000 meters in height in 35 kilometers, to reach the  town of  Purmamarca.

The tour is a full day and It starts in the morning from the center of Salta to go along Route 51, which runs parallel to the Train to Las Nubes tracks, here the first photographic stop is made in Chorrillos, where you can appreciate one of the resources used by Engineer Maury to be able to ascend many meters in a short distance.

Then the path continues through Maury where you can see the  colored hills and make another  photo stop.   Then they will separate from the train tracks to head towards  Alfarcito, where they will be able to enjoy a  traditional breakfast  in the  educational community of Father Schiffrin with   mate, tea and different cakes and savory and sweet cakes.

Then the walk will continue ascending to the  Ruins of Tastil, which was the  largest community of aborigines in Salta  before the arrival of the Incas. Once you have crossed the area, you will continue towards San Antonio de Los Cobres and the famous  La Polvorilla Viaduct.

Following the  last leg of the tour you will arrive at Salinas Grandes ,  where you will descend for 30 minutes to enjoy the scenery and take advantage of taking fun photos. the Cuesta del Lipán to Purmamarca, where they will stop for 30 minutes to get to know this picturesque town.

During the last journey there is a lunch with drinks, sandwiches and dessert included, all in front of the beautiful landscape of the hills.

San Antonio de los Cobres

It is a small town from which the train to the clouds departs and is considered the capital of the puna. What you can find is a town with a church , a school, food places and, of course, its copper mines and miners   that represent the main activity in the area.

The arrival of tourists and visitors makes artisans, mostly women and men are engaged in mining, offer newcomers their products at the station and in the streets that surround the town.

Fabrics are an ancestral custom of San Antonio de los Cobres, their production is transmitted from generation to generation. Llama or sheep wool represents the main raw material in each of the looms and fabrics of various colors that are offered in most of the stalls.

San Antonio de los Cobres is famous for its stockings, hats, gloves, ruanas, pullovers, blankets and blankets, made on looms as well as needles made even from large cardones or cactus or with the wood of a small bush in the area that prevents punctures and injuries.

With the tour   San Antonio de los Cobres the town can be reached from the city with a 4x4 truck that looks for you at your hotel and takes you on a tour of the  Quebrada del Toro,  where the landscape is full of thick vegetation and cardones. Along the way you will see the  Viaducto del Toro, the  zig-zag of Alisal and Chorrillo, El Candado, El Gólgota and El Alfarcito.

They will also  visit the pre-Inca city of  Santa Rosa de Tastil, one of the most important cities in whose ruins houses, tombs and streets can be perfectly distinguished . We continue through the  Finca La Encrucijada, to start the ascent to the Cuesta del Muñano and ascend in Abra Blanca until reaching 4080 masl. 

Trekking the Cuesta del Obispo

The Cuesta del Obispo corresponds to a section of Provincial Route 33, which zigzags through Los Cardones National Park. This slope has a extension of about 20 kilometers and it is located between Escoipe (2,090 meters) and Piedra del Molino (3,348 masl),  about 57 kilometers from the city of Salta.

The maximum height that the slope reaches is 3348 meters above sea level,   which makes it ideal for observing both the ascent route and the formation of clouds and the flight of condors. At the top of the slope is the Piedra del Molino, which marks the highest point of the road between Salta and Cachi. The Piedra del Molino is an authentic grinding rock carved in granite that was left in the place after not being able to be transferred to the mill, where the artisan market currently operates.

An option to tour the Cuesta del Obispo is the trekking tour, where you will be able discover the nature that covers the area,  make photo stops and visit Archaeological sites  that surround the Cuesta and Los Cardones National Park for 8 hours.  During the tour you will be able to appreciate the different jungle environments of the yungas, cacti, cardones, carob trees and a landscape of red rocks and multicolored crops.  The trekking begins in el  Paraje La Sala  along ancient paths, which allow us to appreciate the dimensions of this beautiful place, which borders the  Valles Calchaquíes  and shows the immensity of the  Cordillera Andina.

After a couple of hours of walking, a stop is made to savor a delicious snack (tea-coffee) in one of the ruins left by the Inca trail. It is located in excellent state of conservation. From this place you can see  rock formations.

Continuing the  trekking you will reach the Mirador del Cóndor: A plain that forms a high meadow (3000 meters above sea level). Here pastures are formed and in summer the variety of colors that form the seasonal flowers. This place is important for the habitat of the Andean condor, it is possible to see its imposing flights through these meadows. Upon reaching this point the descent begins, where a visit to the caves is made painted, containing within them  Inca cave paintings of great historical value.

Bicycle circuit along the Cuesta del Obispo

Another option more chosen to tour the Cuesta del Obispo is through the bicycle circuit, where accompanied by an expert local guide and all the necessary   equipment you can do a very exciting tour on a mountain bike, full of  adrenaline and freedom.

The activity  begins with a descent from the highest point of the  Cuesta del Obispo in Piedra del Molino (3348 masl). It is an experience to know an  impressive  for its zigzagging routes. Stops are made at the main viewpoints to take in the best landscapes.

The descent is about 50 kilometers , all on gravel and asphalt trails, the difficulty is low and has a total duration of 4 hours, which includes at the end a break to eat in one of the local restaurants the best empanadas and a traditional Salteña  black beer. 

During the cycling adventure you will be able to appreciate the flora with its various changes between arid puna and jungle greens, where ferns, walnut trees, laurels and red and yellow cherry trees predominate.

Peñas folklóricas

In the city of Salta, the  folkloric scene at night goes from  classic peñas   such as  La Casona del Molino (where the public attend with your own ins trumentos) to the alternatives of  Balcarce street, with new groups that are presented in  La Vieja Estación and La Panadería del Chuña.

The most emblematic street of Salta folklore is Balcarce where you will be able to find the most prominent sites such as The Old Station   which began to gestate in 1997, when two brothers name, Túpac and Fidel Puggioni bought a house located at 800 and opened the Jorge Cafrune Cultural Center. There, music classes were taught that generated youthful enthusiasm and a very simple bar was opened that became increasingly fashionable, and became a peña called La Vieja Estación.  Today the peña is a place to go listen to music, eat (high mountain food with Andean ingredients) and dance.

The aesthetic proposal Of the six or seven groups that take the stage each night is the one called "modern folklore" or "projection", basically made by young people who seek to distance themselves a bit, both from the classicism of Los Chalchaleros like the melodic songs of Los Nocheros. 

Another option on Balcarce street es La Casona del Molino, set with its original 18th century adobe walls. The place was refurbished several years ago by a group of young enthusiasts who respected the architecture and in a short time turned the place into one of the axes of the “movida salteña”.  La Casona del Molino has a large central patio with outdoor tables, where barbecue and traditional meals are served.  But the peculiarity of this peña is that in general there are no programmed artistic numbers, but rather that the music spontaneously springs up among the crowd. nbsp ; The peña has its own instruments, including a piano, but it is normal for people to bring their own.   People enter the door with their chamamecero accordion, bass drums, quenas, violins for the chacarera and guitars. The most professional ones arrive in uniforms like a gaucho duo, but here the fundamental thing is that they play for pleasure. 

If you are interested in seeing a  more varied show I recommend you  La Panadería del Chuña, one of the peñas with the longest tradition in Balcarce Street,  has existed for 12 years, is oriented a bit towards “carpero” folklore, in reference to the festivals that take place in the interior of the province with groups playing very danceable music. Throughout the night eight or nine groups pass through the stage, beginning at 9.30 pm, to set the evening's atmosphere.

Another way to get to know these clubs is with the walk with folkloric show, where you will not only see the highlights of northern music and culture but together with a guide you will  learn about great poets and renowned artists. You will visit the Balderrama, the Paseo de los Poetas, the house of Cuchi Leguizamon   and of course the entire street area  Balcarce, where you are going to enter one of these classic clubs to taste a  typical menu.

Quebrada de San Lorenzo

10 minutes from the city center (10 kilometers) is the Quebrada de San Lorenzo, an ideal park to get to know the yungas and enjoy the natural environment. To reach the ravine there is a sign in the center of Villa San Lorenzo that indicates the route and it is fully signposted.  On your walk you will find exuberant vegetation characterized by the abundance of ferns, lichens, orchids and other epiphytes, as well as tarco, tala, tipa blanca and yuchán trees.

Once you finish the walk through the ravine and return back, you can visit the Villa San Lorenzo, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods on the outskirts of Salta It is located on the green ravine, with a jungle vegetation, crossed by a river.In the central area of the town you can see luxury hotels and huge country houses, many belonging to some of the most traditional families of Salta.

Another recommended site to visit is the Castillo de San Lorenzo, a large house with a 25-meter tower, which was built at the end of the 19th century by Luigi Bartoletti, an Italian gunsmith who married a Salta lady heir to these lands. The castle was built entirely with stones brought from the San Lorenzo and Castellanos rivers, on the back of a mule and is a replica of a Florentine castle in northern Italy. It has three floors, and is currently the First floor is a restaurant and on the second floor a hotel.

To get to Villa San Lorenzo from downtown Salta you can  rent a car and drive along the RN28 (dual lane highway) for 10 kilometers. The other option is to go with public transport, the Corredor 7 bus that leaves from Plaza 9 de Julio and arrives at Villa San Lorenzo (stop Av. Juan Carlos Dávalos ).

Museo del Automóvil in San Lorenzo

During your visit to San Lorenzo I recommend you visit the  Automobile Museum, is the first collection open to the public in the Province of Salta. heart of the town on the main avenue San Martín 2591.

It is a collection of  old and classic cars from different eras, all in perfect working order. The museum is set with ancient objects related to the motorsports.

The collection includes emblematic models such as  Ford 1925, Rambler Clássic 1971, Studebaker Presidente 1924, Dodge 1931, Buick Roadmaster 1946, Chevrolet 1938, among others. All the cars were restored by the museum owner, Daniel Chilibertto and his team in the museum workshop.

Admission is free and you can also enter a picturesque warehouse from the last century that is located next to the museum and has a large number of merchandise and brands of the time, which they will make you remember those beautiful moments of your childhood.

Half day ride through Salta

Horseriding for a traditional farm in Salta is an exciting experience that will allow you to discover the culture of the gaucho, its traditions and customs.

This tour is a genuine horseback riding on a farm a few kilometers from the city, where you will spend a day enjoying the landscapes, aromas, folk music, good regional wine and an excellent variety of regional foods. 

You will be able to get in touch with your horse and with nature, being able to experience the characteristics of the Calchaquí Valleys.

The tour begins with the transfer from the hotels in the center of Salta to continue along mountain routes until reaching the farm, where you will be welcomed with a delicious traditional breakfast, which includes tea, coffee or mate, with toast, butter and homemade jam (strawberry, peach, orange). They will have some free time to relax and explore the surroundings before starting the horseback riding.

There will be professional guides to help you prepare, and give a brief safety talk before starting the tour. The tour offers the best option for beginners, as the trip is by safe routes. You visit the traditional town of Chicoana, you cross rivers and tobacco plantations where you can see the cultivation process.

The total duration of the ride is 2 to 3 hours. Once back at the farm, lunch is served consisting of barbecue, with different types meat (beef, pork and chicken) and a wide variety of salads and regional red wine. At the end, we return to the city, in total the tour lasts 5 hours.

Baritú National Park

Located 75 kilometers from the city, the  Baritú National Park  has 72,439 hectares that preserve the northernmost sector of Argentina, representing the biome of the yungas (mountain forests) very well preserved.

In the heart of the Tucuman-Oranian jungle, its almost virgin environment makes this Park the most rugged. The relief is extremely rugged, bristling with blades, faults and folds.

The Park is surrounded by mountain ranges over 2000 meters high and you can see torrential rivers and streams such as Lipeo, Porongal, Baritú and El Pescado , that after meandering through the jungle topography flow into the Bermejo River.

During the route of the only path in the park (the whole route is 15 kilometers long) that begins at the entrance, you will notice a jungle landscape that forms an impenetrable wooded mass, covered in summer by clouds that make the environment humid and gloomy.

Also in Baritú there are innumerable lianas and vines that link to evergreen trees that reach up to 30 meters in height. There are gigantic laurels of the skirt, whose trunk reaches 2.50 meters in diameter, imposing cedars of invaluable wood, white tipas, maromas or figs, oak, cloverwood and Creole walnut of edible nuts, are characteristic examples of the yunga.

In the humid and elevated places we find the myrtaceous forest, made up of the mato, horco molle or palo barroso, myrtle and guava tree. There are also abundant tree ferns, true living fossils that in their groves may have up to 4 meters high.

The recommended time to visit the Park is in winter or spring, because summer is very rainy and the increased flow of rivers and streams makes access difficult.

If you are thinking of coming to Baritú National Park, keep in mind that you can get renting a car and going along the RN34 for 3 hours, after passing Los Toldos the entrance to the Park is signposted.

Quebrada de Escoipe

The Quebrada de Escoipe is an area of almost jungle vegetation, covered with ferns, it is an agricultural valley with multicolored hills, exuberant vegetation between the Walnut trees, laurels and reddish earth stand out. La Quebrada takes its name from a hamlet located in the heart of this gorge.

It is located 57 kilometers from the city of Salta on the road that joins the valleys of Lerma and Calchaquí, along the Escoipe River. It runs from  Chicoana  up to the foot of the  Cuesta del Obispo. In the Quebrada you can see outcrops of crystalline rocks and overlaps of Precambrian blocks, you can also see Paleozoic marine sediments.

The Quebrada de Escoipe has very narrow sections and is boxed in between high stone walls, it is a winding path that crosses the  Escoipe  river several times. It is a special place where you can practice walks and trekking tourist circuits, there are several trails to do and these are signposted throughout the section with their respective kilometers.

To get on car hay You have to go from the  city of Salta to the town of  Cerrillos, following national route 68 you will cross other towns such as  La Merced  and  El Carril. Take the road to  Chicoana  and a few kilometers away is the entrance to the ravine by the  place Los Laureles.

Rafting on the Juramento River

There are many tourists who visit Salta with their eyes on rafting mainly. The descent down the Juramento river is the emblem of discipline in the region. This river is the longest that it runs entirely the Argentine territory and one of the great collectors of the Plata Basin.The Juramento River is born on the peaks and slopes of the Nevado de Acay at some 5,000 meters above sea level, where it is partially fed by thaw to form the Calchaquí River.

The Juramento River Canyon  offers more than 10 rapids  in the middle of a place full of peculiar geological formations  where all kinds of prehistoric animals lived.  The best way to know the river and its speeds is to through a  full-day rafting tour.

To get to the Juramento river, you have to drive for 2 hours from Salta capital to the town of Coronel Moldes, bordering the Cabra dam Corral to finally reach the Juramento river canyon.  The category that this river presents is level 2 and 3.  During the rafting tour you will be able to see the walls of the Juramento river canyon on the sides. A unique spectacle !

This activity  can be done throughout the year , you will see a rugged landscape, surrounded by geological formations, fossil algae finds, dinosaur footprints and condor nests that hide in the walls. The rafting route is around 12 kilometers. 

Another very fun option is  Do canopy the same day you do the rafting, in addition to being able to navigate the 12 rapids, you will be able to have another view of the river and panoramic views of everything the environment through the  canopy, an activity that  consists of suspending and sliding through the air using cables  that are intertwined from corner to corner between the branches of the trees  (there are 4 cables of up to 200 meters high). 

At the end of all these adventures that last approximately 8 hours, you will be able to enjoy Los Lapachos (at the base of the Juramento river ) of a delicious lunch consisting of a typical barbecue with various cuts of meat, sausages and salads, as well as water and juices. 

Canopy in the Juramento River Canyon

Another activity to practice in the natural environment of Salta is the  canopy. V As you travel through the air behind a steel cable, sliding  with a harness and pulley , it is an experience of pure adrenaline. 

El Cañon del Río Juramento has the largest canopy circuit in South America with a descent of 4 cables (the highest being 200 meters) reaching a speed of up to 35 km/h, combined with spectacular views.

The activity takes place in the town of Coronel Moldes, bordering the Cabra Corral dam, it takes about two hours to travel from the city center.

Before launching your Canopy you can explore the base of the Juramento River Canyon, there are beautiful views, a bar (there is a parador where draft beer, wines, sodas and accompaniments such as sandwiches, cakes and sweets are offered) and the river.

The canopy tour is carried out with a guide that before starting the jumps gives a brief safety talk about the equipment. Then, a short 20-minute walk is made to climb the mountain where the 4-wire canopy circuit begins. These cables are 200 meters high, and the longest is 600 meters. 

Pack Adrenalina in Salta

If you are looking for more adventure in your way through Salta, there is a very fun option that is hire the Pack Adrenalina, where in addition to knowing the surroundings of the city  you can enjoy activities that take place in the Cabra Corral Dam area  65 kilometers from the capital The package includes the  possibility of bungee jumping , the jump is executed from a metal ramp mounted on a bridge, jumping from a height of approximately 40 meters, attached to the ankles to an elastic rope. You can choose to touch the water or not.

Another activity included in the pack is  bungee jumping . It is very similar to bungee jumping, with the difference that you are held by the waist with two dynamic ropes, which produces a pendulum movement during the fall, and it is possible to touch the water, without touching it.

Then we continue with the  zip line   which consists of moving through a sheave with a static rope that is suspended 40 meters above the water, fastened with a harness from the waist, the total travel is almost 200 meters.

And finally, the  rappel  that is performed by descending a rope attached from the metal ramp to the water, with an approximate height of 40 meters. The person choose the descent speed. 

Visit Cafayate

Crossed by Route 40 and  in the middle of the Calchaquíes Valleys, Cafayate (196 kilometers from the city) is an unavoidable destination for those who come to Salta.   It stands out for being the  main wine producer of the province   because the characteristics of this region are very conducive to the production of high quality wine. In Cafayate there are 1,200 hectares of vineyards, benefited by the purest and driest air, light and heat from the sun for almost 300 days a year and the great thermal amplitude. 

The winemakers and engineers who work there popularized  Torrontés in Argentina  and made it their flagship strain. Visiting the wineries and vineyards is something worthwhile, as well as a step through the  Museo de la Vid y el Vino  to learn more about the history of the area and the first producers. Another site worth visiting in the main square of Cafayate is the Catedral Nuestra Señora del Rosario, a c construction dating from year  1885 which   consists of five ships (there are only three structures of this type that survive in  South America) . 

Other very representative sites of Cafayate are La Quebrada del Río de las Conchas and La Garganta del Diablo they are one of the most popular tours among visitors and can be reached  by car   on the RN68 for 20 kilometers or with a  tour a day outing through Cafayate and the Calchaquies Valleys, where you will be able to know The canyon of the  Quebrada de las Conchas with its unique landscapes with geological formations of great natural attraction, you will go hiking through the famous Yesera,  being able to also appreciate the  gorges and rock formations  dating back millions of years, and of course, you will stop in Cafayate, the second most important destination for culture wine-growing in Argentina, where  good wine and its wineries will captivate you. 

Wine Route

Salta, in addition to being known for its extraordinary landscapes, is also famous for its exclusive Torrontés wine (variety brought from Spain) that leads several visitors to visit the most outstanding wineries in the area that invite you to enjoy the recognized Wine Route. 

The wine tourism circuit begins in the capital of the province and it crosses very striking landscapes such as those of the Flechas and Las Conchas ravines and centuries-old towns such as Molinos, San Carlos, Seclantás (the most outstanding for the production of artisanal wine) and Cachi, with an enormous cultural wealth that be exp resa in music and crafts. The variety of colors in its mountains, the typical villages and the warmth of its people transform it into something magical.

In Salta, the cultivation of the vine was introduced by the Jesuits in the 18th century , mainly in Cafayate. Here the Torrontés strain matures, a white wine that is distinguished by its intense aroma and fruity flavor. This variety managed to achieve a unique expression in Salta soil, becoming the flagship white grape of our country.

Today in day  the vineyards extend for more than 3300 hectares between the departments of Cafayate, San Carlos, Cachi, Molinos and La Viña, optimal areas for the cultivation and production of Torrontés and other strains such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat , Bonarda, Syrah, Barbera and Tempranillo.

In recent years the industry experienced great growth and development favoring the production of extraordinary quality wines, recognized in international markets and competitions. The quality and particularity of the high altitude wines from Salta are the result of the combination of the privileged conditions of the terroir and technological innovation, added to the dedication and knowledge of the producers.

One of the most influential factors is the height of the valleys in which the vineyards are located. This not only favors the great thermal amplitude, but the sun's rays are more intense and the air, purer and drier. The conjunction of these factors added to the peculiar characteristics of the soil and its components, allow to achieve wines of great character, strong personality and excellent quality, with distinctive aromas, colors and flavors.

One of the ways to discover this variety of wine, its history and production sites is with the tour Ruta del Vino that through a tour of each winery, its facilities and vineyards will give you the possibility of knowing the entire winemaking process. In addition, you will be able to visit the Museum of Vine and Wine.

Quebrada de las Conchas

The  Quebrada de las Conchas, also known as  Quebrada de Cafayate is a natural reserve that is located within the  Valleys Calchaquíes, very close to the town of Cafayate (20 kilometers).

This creek  is an area of great beauty with rock formations that are very striking for their reddish colors. In 1995 it was declared a natural reserve to protect the curious geological formations , the high walls of singular landscape value and the paleontological sites  belonging to the  Cretaceous period.

The rock formations that you are going to see from the creek are a geologically modern accident, produced by movements  tectonic  that took place in the last two million years. Inside the reserve you will also to be able to observe the  Las Conchas River  where the trace of the  National Route 68 is located, which connects the town of  Cafayate  with the city of  Salta.

Along the way you can see landscapes of varied colors and  geoforms  of great variety, among which the  Devil's Throat  and  the Amphitheater  of reddish sedimentary rocks stand out. In the past (when this entire area was humid) these formations were freshwater waterfalls, which due to the flow of concentrated water eroded the stone, which today astonishes visitors due to their striking shapes.

Other geoforms that can be observed in this reserve (each important site is signposted at the entrance of the reserve on the RN68 with its respective trails ) are: El Amphitheater,  El Fraile,  El Sapo, La Yesera,  Las Ventanas, La Casa de los Loros and  The Castles.  One way to know all these geoforms is with the  one-day tour of La Yesera  with which you will see the most important points of the Quebrada and enjoy beautiful views and landscapes.

Due to its rich archaeological and historical past, the Quebrada de las Conchas reserve presents numerous fossil remains. In the area near the Morales bridge (3 kilometers from the entrance to the park) there are fossil frogs of the group of the pipids. There are layers of marine and continental limestone and even dinosaur footprints. Also, the so-called stromatolites are present. In La Yesera, there is an important deposit of fossil fish, evidence of a process that would have occurred about 15 million years ago : the last entry from the sea to the continent.

The stream and its surroundings is also one of the most important areas for the conservation of birds in Argentina. In this area you can  see: condors, barranquero parrots, Poma eagles, Solitaria, Widow and green macaws. Other animal species that you can cross are the guanaco, the bush cat, the collared peccary and the corzuela.

On the side of the  fauna, it is possible to observe horco quebracho, guayacán, white quebracho, molle, cacti and cardones.

If you are interested in arriving from the center of the city to La Quebrada de Cafayate, it is recommended rent a car and drive 169 kilometers (3 hours) to the signposted entrance to the reserve.

Bicycle circuit through Cafayate

 

Another proposal to learn more about this beautiful destination in Salta is to do the  bike ride through Cafayate is a  journey with all the necessary equipment to know the  Quebrada de las Conchas, one of the most important Natural Reserves from Salta and explore its surroundings (El  Sapo, el Fraile, the amazing Las Conchas Amphitheater, and the famous Devil's Throat ). In addition, you will enjoy a delicious picnic in the middle from nature.

The adventure begins with a 4x4 vehicle that picks up each of the passengers from their hotel and carries the bicycles they are going to use on the journey that begins in the heart of the  Devil's Throat, which has impressive acoustics that will amaze you!

Later, you will be able to take  photos of the incredible views  that this site offers you. Then they will continue pedaling until they reach the rock formations,  Los Castillos, where they will make another pause to recharge with food and drinks provided by the guides. Finally, the tour culminates in the  center of Cafayate, where the vehicle awaits to transfer them to the city of Salta.

Cabra Corral Dam

The Cabra Corral Dam is located on National Route 68, 65 kilometers from the Capital of Salteña and on the way to the town of Cafayate.

It is a mirror of approximately 130 km² that was built on the basis of a natural gorge formed by the confluence of different rivers.  It is the second most important reservoir in our country and constitutes the largest water reserve in northwestern Argentina, which is a great source of water for irrigation of Salta and Santiago fields.

If you are interested in knowing it, the most recommended is to go with the tour   Cabra Corral Dam which takes you from the center of Salta to visit this marvel of the modern engineering, which is also surrounded by an impressive natural setting.  In addition to the lake, you will also be able to visit the Peñas Blancas dam   in the impressive natural landscape  Juramento River Canyon nbsp ; with its crystal clear waters.

In the Cabra Corral dam  various water sports are practiced such as rowing, kayaking, windsurfing, wakeboarding and water skiing. It is a place quite frequented by the people of Salta and also by visitors who rent the items at the stalls near the Cabra Corral dam.

To get to the Dam you need to do it in car from the capital of Salta, you have to drive for 89 kilometers along National Route 68 to the intersection with RP 47, where you will see the water reservoir.

Quebrada del Toro

 

From Campo  Quijano (30 kilometers from the capital) to Puerta Tastil  Quebrada del Toro extends, where various towns, places and very particular archaeological sites appear.

The  Quebrada del Toro,  is a geographical feature that is part of the canyon system of the  Andes  of the  northwestern Argentina, it is a tear of the stone, a fault in the earth's crust known to geologists as the Calama Olacapato Toro lineament.

The most amazing thing is that those mountains that seem so dry met permanent waters, between Campo Quijano and the Ingeniero Maury Station the hills are made of marine rocks 550 million years old, slate stones greens and grays deposited in the immemorial bottom of the oceanic abyss.

During the tour of the Quebrada del Toro you will see a large number of cacti, prickly pears, pasacanas, cardones that give different colors to the landscape, it is worth stopping and capturing images all that natural beauty.  There is also the famous Rebutia flower, which blooms on earth in pink and yellow colors.

Another striking plant is the cactus with white flowers, it is called Echinopsis ancistrophora and is hidden between the rocks, generally vertical. They are flowers of about 10 centimeters in length. In this area there is also a thorny called Opuntia, which is small with bright orange flowers.

One of the ways to get to this landform is with the tour Quebrada del Toro, where  during a 4x4 trip you will be able to see all its splendor and know the archaeological site of Santa Rosa de Tastil, the pre-Inca site most important in Argentina, where there were more than 2000 natives.  They will also tour the citadel,  its terraces and the museum.  

Another wonderful point of this tour is the Laguna del Toro(located at 3000 above sea level), where a large number of Andean flamingos they come close to feed in the torrential, muddy waters.

If what you are looking for is more adventure, the  circuit mountainbike in Quebrada del Toro is an excellent option to travel and discover the hills, the Portal de los Andes, part of the route of the famous  Train to the Clouds and Chorro Azul . The total duration of the pedaling is 3 hours and the difficulty is low, ideal to enjoy with the family. 

To get to Quebrada del Toro by car from the city, you have to go 56 kilometers along National Route 51 to Campo Quijano, where there are signs to go to the creek.

Salinas Grandes

 

The Salinas Grandes are the third largest in the world and are located between the limits from the northern provinces of Jujuy and Salta. C have a significant surface area of 525 square kilometers of the Departments of Tumbaya and Cochinoca They are located 3,350 meters above sea level and the salt is 10 to 50 centimeters thick, originally they were a lagoon with a swampy and flat bottom populated by microorganisms and aquatic vegetation.

In pre-Hispanic times the exploitation of the Salinas Large ones established themselves firmly, either for self-consumption or for commercial barter. The loaded salt was carried first in flames and then on donkeys, to exchange or sell in places where this mineral was of great value. They generally exchanged it for corn, potatoes or fruits. A donkey load of salt, had approximately 50 Kilograms divided into four blocks. 

For many years, indigenous people from the departments of Rinconada, Santa Catalina and Yavi, Acoyte and Iruya (Salta), Mojo, Sococha and Altos de Tarija (Bolivia) flocked to the Salinas Grandes. Even a local Cochinoca chief named José Gregorio Chichui allegedly charged outsiders undue taxes for the extraction of salt.

The origin of the Salinas dates back to an extensive period located between 5 and 10  million years. In that period the basin of this salt flat was covered with water with a large amount of salts from volcanic activity. The gradual evaporation of continental salty waters gave rise to this salt flat that has a crust whose average thickness is 30  centimeters. 

If you are interested in knowing the Salinas Grandes in depth, I recommend the Tour Vuelta por las Alturas, where you will have transfers and a guide to visit this exotic site and also, you will be able to know the most important sites that surround it such as the  Quebrada del Toro, the town and the ruins of Tastil, San Antonio de los Cobres , the Slopes of Li pán and the most wonderful places in Jujuy such as Pumamarca and the Cerro de los Siete Colores. 

Another highly recommended tour is the  bicycle circuit through the Salinas Grandes that will allow you to explore them in their entirety and enjoy the landscapes that contrast with the blue of the sky. It is a different way to experience this wonderful place and get to Pumamarca, another place that will take several breaths away with its natural beauty!

If you want to get to Salinas Grandes on your own  by renting a car you have to drive 224 kilometers along the RN9 until the intersection with the RN52, where after about 72 kilometers you will see the sign indicating the arrival.

Cachi 

The beautiful town of Cachi is located in the middle of the Calchaquíes Valleys, at about 2,280 meters above sea level, and is one of the most popular places to visit around Salta. The magic of the place lies in the fact that every corner seems stopped in time with the  narrow cobbled streets, the low colonial-style houses painted in white, the colorful main square, the Pío Pablo Díaz Archaeological Museum and the neo-Gothic church from the 19th century, which is a National Historic Landmark.

Another of the emblematic sites of this destination is El Nevado de Cachi, the Highest mountain in the region at 6,380 meters above sea level that attracts hundreds of fans of mountaineering year after year and has access from the same town through a gravel path that is signposted from the main square.

One of the ways to know this in depth town is with the tour  a Cachi, which allows you together with a specialized guide learn about the history and places that surround this destination such as the  Valle de Lerma, the town of El Carril, the Quebrada de Los Laureles and that of the Escoipe, Maray (a small village of mountain) and the emblematic city of Cachi with its beautiful view of Nevado de Cachi and Payogasta.

If you want to get to Cachi on your own, too You can do it renting a car and heading for 162 kilometers along Provincial Route 33 to the entrance to the small city.

Mountainbike through Cachi and the Inca Trail

 

If you want to know more about tours, accommodations and all the information about Salta, contact us.