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Northern provinces
feature traces of pre-Columbian cultures, mingled with ruins of natives’
villages, as well as forts and constructions dating back to the time of
the Conquest and Colonization.
Time seems to stand still in the high plateau of the Puna, a land full of
mountain ranges, steep mountain paths, and gorges. Villages have been
built in the small valleys. Multi-coloured and monochromatic hills covered
with huge cactuses on the slopes surround the village.
This region offers landscapes full of contrast for tourists to enjoy, from
the high peaks to the plains, the salt pans, and the subtropical rain
forests, where Latin American culture took root.
Salta
Things
to do
Adventure
Tourism. Climbing snow-covered peaks,
canoeing and windsurfing in the reservoirs, and trekking in the national
parks. Adventurous journeys, horseback-riding, mountain-biking, ecotourism,
bird watching and rural tourism.Bungee-jumping, paragliding and hang-gliding.
Archaeological Tourism. Cuevas Pintadas
(cave paintings), Santa Rosa de Tastil (pre-Incas ruins), Mount
Llullaillaco and Quebrada de Colomé.
Health
Tourism. Thermal waters in Rosario de la
Frontera.
Sport
fishing in the region’s streams, rivers,
and reservoirs.
Golf
in Salta and Rosario de la Frontera.
Peñas
folklóricas. There are typical in Salta.
They are places where you can go for dinner or to have a drink while
enjoying guitar music, songs, and traditional dances.
Casino in Salta city.
Places to visit
SALTA "THE BEAUTIFUL". Its
name comes from the Aymará word "sagta", which means "the very beautiful
one". This city has the best preserved colonial architecture in the
country. Its most significant buildings surround the main square: the
Cathedral, the Cabildo or Town Council which houses the Museo Histórico
del Norte (North Historical Museum); the Casa de Uriburu and the Museo de
Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts). The church of San Francisco has one of
the highest church towers in America (53 m) and the Convento de San
Bernardo belongs to the Carmelite Order.
TREN A LAS NUBES - "TRAIN TO THE CLOUDS" This 219 Km long railway
starts at the provincial capital and crosses the giant iron viaduct La
Polvorilla, which is 4,182 m above sea level. It also crosses the Valle de
Lerma and goes through the Quebrada del Toro, getting as high as the Puna.
THE CARDÓN CULTURE. In Los
Cardones National Park you will find the cardón, a species of cactus that
can grow over 6 m in height. Its woody stem was used by the indians of the
region to thatch their houses. Today, it is used for doors, windows, and
furniture.
NATIONAL PARKS: EL REY AND BARITÚ.
Both parks are in mountainous areas and have a wide variety
of subtropical flora and fauna.
VALLES CALCHAQUÍES. Beautiful
landscapes, colourful mountains, and historical villages like Cafayate,
San Carlos, Angastaco, Molinos and Cachi.
Jujuy
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Departing
from San Salvador de Jujuy, we reach this natural road leading
to the altiplano (high plateau). Vividly coloured landscapes
frame a group of villages with adobe houses, historical
chapels and Pre-Hispanic ruins, where time seems to stand
still.
One of the most beautiful villages is Purmamarca, an
indigenous village lying against the Cerro de los Siete
Colores (Seven-colour Mount) which strata illustrates various
geological ages. Further on, there is an area of mountains
with bright-coloured stripes, known as La Paleta del Pintor (The
Artist's Pallet), in Maimará. One of the most outstanding
attractions in this ravine is the Pucará de Tilcara, a
fortified town built by the Omaguaca natives in pre-Columbian
times. A monolith marks the Tropic of Capricorn, where each
June 21st at midday the sun casts an exactly perpendicular
shadow, and the celebration of the aborigines’ new year begins
(Inti Raymi - Sun Festival). Humahuaca was founded by the
Spanish by the end of the XVI century. Its church and Carnival
Museum exhibit some of the region’s customs. Approximately 12
Km away, the mysterious ruins of what used to be terraces for
growing Coctaca can be seen.
Quebrada de Humahuaca was declared World Cultural Landscape by
the UNESCO in July 2nd 2003. |
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Things
to do
TREKKING in Quebrada de
Humahuaca, the Puna, and Calilegua National Park.
THERMAL SPA. Relaxing in the Termas de Reyes.
POPULAR FIESTAS. Colourful
carnivals in La Quiaca and Quebrada de Humahuaca. Holy Week in Yavi and
Tilcara. Festivities in homage to the Patron Virgin in Humahuaca and
Casabindo, where religiousness and pagan rites are intermingled. Fiesta
Nacional de los Estudiantes in San Salvador de Jujuy.
Places to visit
SAN SALVADOR DE JUJUY. Capital
of the Province. In the main square stands the Cabildo (Town Council), the
Cathedral, and the Casa de Gobierno (Government House). The chapel of
Santa Bárbara, with tiled roof, is the oldest church in town. Juan Galo
Lavalle Provincial History Museum and the Provincial Archaeology Museum
are also worth visiting.
YALA LAGOONS AND TERMAS DE REYES. Places of
outstanding natural beauty, close to San Salvador de Jujuy.
QUEBRADA DE HUMAHUACA. Vividly
coloured landscapes frame a group of villages where time seems to stand
still. One of the most beautiful villages is Purmamarca, an indigenous
village lying against the Cerro de los Siete Colores (Seven-colour Mount)
which strata illustrates various geological ages. Further on, there is an
area of mountains with bright-coloured stripes, known as La Paleta del
Pintor (The Artist's Pallet), in Maimará. One of the most outstanding
attractions in this ravine is the Pucará de Tilcara, a fortified town
built by the Omaguaca natives in pre-Columbian times. A monolith marks the
Tropic of Capricorn, where each June 21st at midday the sun casts an
exactly perpendicular shadow, and the celebration of the aborigines’ new
year begins (Inti Raymi - Sun Festival). Humahuaca was founded by the
Spanish by the end of the XVI century. Its church and Carnival Museum
exhibit some of the region’s customs. Approximately 12 Km away, the
mysterious ruins of what used to be terraces for growing Coctaca can be
seen.
THE PUNA. The ancient Inca
road with its impressive salt pans. La Quiaca is one of the most important
towns in this extensive area. Yavi boasts a beautiful church with
glittering gold ornaments, as well as cave paintings and engravings.
50,000 birds inhabit the Laguna de los Pozuelos Natural Monument, the
largest water reserve in the Puna.
Source:
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Argentina
