Salta offers the visitor countless typical landscapes incomparable in
the world, while its capital city is working on the im****tant
restoration, painting and lighting of its historic buildings with a
marked colonial influence.
Starting at the Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace and the 17th.
century Church of San Francisco with its 19th. century tower, forming
a group of outstanding beauty, from there the range of tourist sights
spreads out in all directions. To the South, the Valle de Lerma leads
to the Cabra Corral dam and reservoir, set among the mountains, a
somewhat rare scene in the generally arid northern landscape. From
there the river Las Conchas leads through a ravine, offering
impressive spots to stop off, like the Amphitheater, the Devil's
Throat and the Obelisk, all names of curious natural rock formations
along the way to Cafayate. This is one of the typical Salta sceneries
worth visiting, with the attraction of its vineyards on the
mountainsides, making it the chief winemaking area of the North. Its
history is displayed in the original Wine Museum, which organises
guided visits from the Crafts Market to the nearby wineries that
produce Salta's star, the Torrontes wine.
The next stage northwards, through the Quebrada (gorge) de la Flecha,
with its stunning geological formations of reddish brown shades which
are particularly outstanding at sunset, takes us to Cachi at 2280
meters altitude. The typical whitewashed adobe and narrow streets are
like a dream for tourists from big cities, as is the 18th. century
church of San Jose. The single nave has a vaulted roof of adobe and
cardon, the plant providing the material for all the Jesuit buildings
here, while the special historical value of the altar images contrasts
poignantly with the simple setting.
With a privileged mountain climate, Cachi ****nes out in the zone with
its whiteness and boasts the im****tant archeological site La Paya
nearby, surrounded by natural beauty not to be missed.
Heading back toward the city of Salta, the first landmark is Los
Cardones National Park, at more than 2000 meters altitude, looking
like a strange world to find oneself in, surrounded by those
distinctive huge cactus plants with edible fruits. Then one enters
another awesomely unreal scene in the Quebrada de escoipe and the
stunning sight of the Cuesta del Obispo connecting the Valle de Lerma
with the Alto Valle Calchaqui, a difference in altitude of 1200 meters
up to the highest point at 3260 meters. To one side is the Valle
Encantado, which is truly enchanting, as the clouds drift between
captivating rocky sculptures and hidden caves conceal surprising rock-
paintings.
The following day gives a more impressive view of the city, with its
churches and museums and the great attraction of the Museo de Alta
Monta=F1a. The best view of the city is from the funicular station on
cerro San Bernardo, dominating the scene of Salta's life. The city
lies at 1200 meters altitude, from where the famous Tren a las Nubes
departs, a whole day's round trip to San Antonio de los Cobres, along
the winding and over breath-taking bridges. In Salta you will learn to
eat the country's most famous empanadas and get caught up in the
crafts market, but the really captivating spot to relax nearby is the
Quebrada de San Lorenzo. Amidst the trees, birds, waterfalls, it is
impossible not to feel you are in paradise only a few minutes from the
city center.
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