NORTHWEST

SOUTH AMERICA TOUCHES THE SKY The Northwestern provinces of Catamarca, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán, Salta and Jujuy provide some of the biggest contrasts in Argentina. The west of the region (Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy) offers Andean landscapes which include some of the highest peaks in the Americas (like the Nevado de Cachi, 6, 388) as well as the Puna, a windswept, stony and tree-less plain where the salt flats are very common. By contrast, eastern Jujuy and eastern Salta offer Argentina's three cloud forest parks whilst Tucumán hosts subtropical lowlands and Santiago del Estero is chiefly covered by the arid Chaco desert.This area holds the largest indigenous population of the country, trait that is reflected in the language-half of the population also speaks Qichua-, the music and many of the traditions that are celebrated there..CHOOSING THE BEST ROUTE At San Miguel de Tucumán the traveler has two choices; either goes north to Salta and Jujuy, or the south. CHOOSING THE NORTHERN ROUTE- San Miguel de Tucumán:. This city, capital of the smallest province in Argentina, Tucumán, is well known not only for being site of an important battle during the Wars of Independence from Spain but, more importantly for being the place where the Tucumán Congress took place: it was a meeting held the 9th of July of 1816 where the most prominent leaders of anti - Spanish resistance proclaimed the country's Declaration of Independence. The original room were the statement was drafted can still be visited at the `` Casa Histórica ««. Having received very few immigrants during the 19th century this city has retained its original colonial flavor making it one of the nicest cities in Argentina. Close to the city is El Cadillal dam, in the gorge of Río Sali good for camping and sailing.Tucumán province is known as the Garden of the Republic because of its fertile soil that makes it the country's top sugar producer. The beauty of its valleys can be discovered driving north from San Miguel, where the road meanders into the Quebrada de los Sosas and thus reaching Tafí Del Valle, at the foot of the impressive Sierra del Aconquija. - Tafi Del Valle and the Parque de los Menhires.Tafi Del Valle (km107) lies in the valley of the Tafi River, a sacred valley of precolumbian Indian. This explains the abundance of 'menhires', stone sculptured dolmens that represent the gods which watched over the Indians and their crops. - The Quilmes ruins:This is definitely one of the top archaeological sites in Argentina. It is situated on the slopes of the Sierra de Quilmes at an altitude of 1850m. It consists of a central fortification flanked to north and south by two other fortresses, thus having full control of the valley. The view from here is splendid..- The Calchaquíes Valleys:This immense extension of land that comprises the provinces of Catamarca, Tucumán and Salta offers a panorama of marvelous landscapes, winding roads, and multi-colored hillsides.. The Calchaquí valley, named after the courageous tribe that once dwelled it- is dotted with lovely villages such as San Carlos, Angastaco- where the Fiesta Patronal Virgen del Valle is held-, Molinos-site of the Fiesta del Poncho in February- Seclantas and the beautiful Cachi.This colonial town stands at the foot of the colossal Nevado de Cachi (6,338m) and is amongst the oldest villages of the area, dating from 1694 and renowned for its weaving and invigorating climate. Cafayate:Beyond the sleepy Calchaquí valleys is Cafayate. This beautiful colonial village, surrounded by vineyards, is the home of several renowned bodegas, some of them reputed to produce the best white wine in the country. Besides listening to good local folklore music and tasting the fine Cafayate wine the visitor can also take guided tours to all of the 5 bodegas, visit the Museo de la Vid y el Vino and go to Cerro San Isidro to enjoy the cave paintings and the great view across the Aconquija chain and the majestic Nevado de Cachi.North from Cafayate the road runs along the west side of the Embalse Cabra Corral, 81 kilometers from Salta, one of the largest artificial lakes in Argentina where many salteños flock to fish, water ski, sail and camp.- The "Tren a las Nubes" (Railway to the Clouds) The line from Salta to the Chilean frontier at Socompa, which covers a distance of 570 km, is one of the great feats of South American railway construction and one of the most famous landmarks of Argentina. Salta La Linda (the pretty one) Driving down the breath taking slope of Cuesta del Obispo, which falls more than 2000m in just 30 kilometers, we get to the city of Salta, best known as "La Linda" due to the fine collection of colonial buildings it has managed to preserve almost intact. Located in the wide Lerma valley of the Arias River. San Salvador the Jujuy This city, which lies in the southern end of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, is a pleasant stop in route to or from Bolivia and a convenient stepping off point for excursions into the puna and to the national parks further northeast..- Quebrada de Humahuaca From San Salvador de Jujuy, we reach the natural road leading to the high plateau. Colorful hills frame villages of whitewashed adobe houses and historical chapels, such as Purmamarca, Maimará, Tilcara and Humahuaca (126 Km). Humahuaca is the largest and most important town between Jujuy and the Bolivian frontier. Founded in 1591 on the site of a major pre Hispanic settlement, it has the air of archetypal Andean colonial town with narrow streets and one storey adobe buildings..THE SOUTHERN ROUTE- San Fernando Del Valle de Catamarca, capital of Catamarca.- Talampaya National Park On the Cuesta de Miranda, 161 Km separate Chilecito from the Cañón de Talampaya, a compulsory stop in your journey. Here, there are 600 year old petroglyphs with pictures depicting animals, in a canyon with spectacular 'balconies', sheer overhanging walls 150m high at the top of which condors nest. Coming out of the canyon the rock is shaped in the oddest shapes, such as a bird, a castle, a chessboard and a monk. The Moon Valley If you spend the night in San Agustín del Valle Fértil, in the province of San Juan, you can see the Ischigualasto Provincial Park, known as Valle de la Luna, where millions of years ago there was a lake, and today, it is one of the most important fossil reserves in the world.- The wines of Mendoza and San Juan The glaciers of the Andes Mountains supply the water which irrigates the fruit orchards and vineyards where the famous Argentinean wines come from. These bodegas can be visited and this renowned wine tasted.- The Aconcagua Ninety-five kilometers separate Mendoza from Uspallata, which in turn is 80 Km from the winter resort of Los Penitentes. Leaving Puente Del Inca you can reach Paso de la Cumbre and the Cristo Redentor tunnel that leads to Chile. From here one can see the Southeast wall of the Aconcagua (6,959 m), the highest and most challenging peak in America. . Mendoza has important winter resorts (Penitentes, Vallecitos and especially, Las Leñas). ROUND THE NORTH (BY PLANE) Bue/Tuc//Sla/Bue 7 nights Tucuman, Salta, Jujuy Excursion: City Tours, Tafi del Valle, Quilmes Ruins, Cafayate, Quebrada de Humahuaca.