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 shines out in the zone with its whiteness and boasts the important 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 Montaña. 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.
