We get up early, have breakfast and are picked up in a van to start the excursion.
In the northwest of the Andes, nature shapes the rocks in a magical way. Craggy peaks, winding ravines, rocky landscapes. You breathe an Andean air with traditional craftsmanship totally different from the rest of the country.
Flooded road
The area of Salta is completely different, the indigenous features are more similar to those of its Bolivian neighbours. The cities have a Spanish colonial air that we have not seen before and they say that you can enjoy some of the best wines in Argentina, so let's check it out.
Salta area
In the van we meet some very nice ladies from Buenos Aires who give us tips on where and how to buy souvenirs and give us a taste of coca leaves. You chew a big handful and wrap it up with the saliva, it's supposed to take away your hunger and altitude sickness, but we were hungrier than anything else.
Quebrada de las Conchas
Devils Throat
We stop in the middle of the road, the river has overflowed and it crosses the road with a lot of force. Our driver thinks about it and finally decides to pass. There is a big queue of cars that don't dare and they have stopped in the ditches.
Quebrada de las Conchas
First stop Quebrada de las Conchas de Cafayate, is a beautiful red sandstone canyon, the air and water mold their shapes. It ends in a room with a perfect sound.
Amphitheatre
Amphitheatre
Second stop at Garganta del Diablo (a flame plays host) and the Amphitheater, we love it. Also the hill of the nine colors, with up to nine different shades between the different layers of the hill.
Nine colors hill
We cross the Calchaquí valleys where we can admire the cardones, a kind of cactus that is not hollow and therefore not a source of water, used as wood for the construction of traditional houses due to the scarcity of other types of wood. It is a very sensitive wood so do not take souvenirs made of cardon because it responds to specific climatic conditions and outside them is not maintained in good condition. Apart from the fact that it is forbidden to sell it.
Quebrada de Cafayate
Our next stop is in the city of Cafayate where we visit a vineyard and of course the winery. A very rich wine indeed. Cafayate is the second center of wine production in Argentina and the end of the Calchaquies Valley route.
Winery
Winery
We eat delicious and very cheap goat stew.
Back in Salta, we swim in the pool and go out to see the city and have dinner. The center of the city is full of life. The Cathedral and the San Francisco Church stand out. There are lots of cafes and folk music in its famous peñas.
Cafayate
The Castles
La Yesera
La Yesera
La Yesera
We have dinner in a peña with live music, it is worth enjoying the atmosphere, although you have to try to find those with more local people to avoid the tourist ones. We had dinner at the Old Station.
La Vieja Estación Peña
Accommodation: 135 ARS Hotel Antigüo Convento, double room with bathroom and breakfast included. (It has a swimming pool).
Excursion Quebrada de Cafayate: 20 ? per pax.
Dinner. 35 ARS two pax.
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