Adventure in Salta!

San Bernardo Hill (Cerro San Bernardo)

Why Visit?

Adventure Lover"s Itinerary to Cerro San Bernardo

Morning Ascent

Begin your day early by catching the sunrise on Cerro San Bernardo, not just a hill but an emblem of Salta’s majestic landscape. Located just east of Salta City, this natural beacon is easily accessible. For those with a zest for exertion, start at the base where Güemes Monument stands and choose between a hearty climb up the 1,070 steps intertwined with lush landscapes or a serene 20-minute ride via the cable car. Both start points can be accessed from downtown Salita, a mere 10-minute taxi ride. Each step or soaring cable car ride offers panoramic previews of what awaits at the summit.

Summit Splendors

Reaching the top, you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of Salta and the Lerma Valley. Spend a moment at the summit’s Christ statue, mirroring Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Christ the Redeemer, and explore the surrounding gardens peppered with waterfalls and quiet rest areas. Don’t miss the artisan market where local crafts provide a colorful palette of culture and the chance to pick a memorable keepsake.

Afternoon Adventure

After descending (consider hiking down to savor the natural air), head to one of the local agencies in town to book a mountain biking tour that skirts the hill. These typically 2-hour tours offer an adrenaline-pumping experience, navigating between rugged terrains and serene landscapes, providing a different perspective of the hill’s flora and fauna.

Evening Reflection

Finish your day back in Salta with a well-deserved meal at one of the peñas (traditional folk music clubs), where the vibrant rhythms of northern Argentina fill the air, mirroring the pulse of your day’s adventure.

Interesting Fact

Cerro San Bernardo isn’t just a natural wonder; it"s also a cultural beacon with its summit cross illuminated every night, a guide back to the heart of Salta for those night wanderers.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Historical Museum of the North (Museo Historico del Norte)

Why Visit?

A Thrilling Day at the Historical Museum of the North (Museo Historico del Norte)

Embark on a historical adventure in the heart of Salta, Argentina, where the Historical Museum of the North offers an evocative glimpse into the past, housed within the stunning Cabildo on Salta’s main plaza, Plaza 9 de Julio.

Morning: Arrival and Exploration

Start your day early by catching a local bus or a taxi to Plaza 9 de Julio. The majestic colonial architecture of the Cabildo, with its arches and classic white façade, makes it impossible to miss. Open from 10:00 AM, the museum gives you the entire morning to soak in the cultural splendor. Begin with the ground floor exhibitions, which narrate the indigenous history and the Spanish conquest, offering a profound context to the regional artifacts displayed.

Midday: Deep Dive into History

Advance to the upper floors to find a treasure trove of colonial and post-independence exhibits. Don"t miss the Salón de los Gobernadores, a beautifully preserved room where the intricate decor and portraits of past governors tell stories of power and politics. Each artifact, from religious art to weaponry, has a tale that transports you back in centuries.

Afternoon: Interactive Sessions and Surrounding Sights

Post-lunch, participate in the museum"s interactive workshops (if available on the day), where you can learn traditional Salteño crafts or music. Later, step out to explore the surrounding area. The vibrant crafts market nearby is perfect for picking souvenirs, and the numerous cafes around Plaza 9 de Julio offer delightful local bites like empanadas or tamales.

Evening: Sunset and Reflection

As the day wanes, find a spot in the plaza to watch the sunset against the backdrop of the Cabildo. It’s a perfect time to reflect on the rich tapestry of culture and history you’ve experienced. The museum closes at 7:00 PM, leaving you with ample time to enjoy the evening hues and prepare for your next adventure in Salta.

Remember, every corner of Museo Historico del Norte promises a new discovery, making it a must-visit for every adventure lover and history enthusiast.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Great Salt Flats (Salinas Grandes)

Why Visit?

Adventure Itinerary: Salinas Grandes, The Glistening Wonder of Argentina

Embark on a thrilling journey to Salinas Grandes, a vast, otherworldly expanse of salt flats nestled in the heart of Argentina’s high-altitude Puna region. This tour promises adrenaline-pumping activities and awe-inspiring sights, perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.

Day 1: Journey to the Flats

Start your adventure from Salta or Jujuy, vibrant cities rich in culture and history. Rent a 4x4 vehicle for a drive that"s as stunning as it is thrilling, navigating the serpentine Cuesta de Lipán. This road spirals dramatically up through the mountains, offering breathtaking views of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you ascend, watch the vegetation thin and the landscapes unfold into vast, stark plains.

Day 2: Explore Salinas Grandes

Arrive at Salinas Grandes early to catch the sunrise—a surreal experience as the early light dances across the salt crust. Covering about 8,290 square kilometers, the flats are a remnant of ancient lakes and awe with their stark white beauty. Enjoy a guided fat bike tour across the salt pans, an exhilarating way to explore the flats" seemingly endless horizon. Learn about the traditional salt extraction process, a method used by local communities for generations.

Interesting Facts

- Salinas Grandes sits at about 3,450 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest salt flats in the world.

- The salt crust is several meters thick and beneath it lies a brine rich in lithium, a vital component in batteries.

Day 3: Photography and Return

Utilize the unique landscape of Salinas Grandes for a photography session. The reflective properties of the salt create perfect conditions for stunning, surreal photography. Experiment with perspectives and take home memories of the mirror-like reflections. After a day of capturing the ethereal beauty, drive back to your base city, carrying the spirit of Salinas Grandes with you.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes)

Why Visit?

Embark on an exhilarating adventure to Argentina’s northwest, where the legendary Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) promises breathtaking vistas and a thrilling railway journey. Here’s your guide to making the most of this spectacular trip.

Pre-Trip Preparations

Book your journey in advance as this popular train ride, departing from Salta city, often sells out. Salta is easily accessible by air from Buenos Aires or by long-distance bus services from major Argentine cities. Prior to your train adventure, acclimate to the altitude in Salta, which rests at 1,152 meters above sea level, by exploring its charming colonial architecture and vibrant local markets.

Day of Adventure

The Train to the Clouds operates a full-day tour starting early in the morning. It combines bus and train travel to enhance the experience and the scenery. The journey begins with a bus ride from Salta to the small town of San Antonio de los Cobres, passing through the stunning Quebrada del Toro, a deep valley with dramatic landscapes that are a photographer’s delight.

Upon arriving in San Antonio de los Cobres, you board the train that ascends to the awe-inspiring altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. The highlight of the trip is crossing the Polvorilla Viaduct, an engineering marvel stretching 224 meters long and towering 63 meters above the desert floor. The panoramic views from the train are unparalleled, offering a spectacle of the vast, arid plateau interspersed with colorful mineral deposits, rugged mountains, and vast sky.

Interesting Facts

- The train route was originally constructed for economic and connectivity purposes, now serving mainly tourism.

- It climbs to one of the highest points reachable by train in the world, making it a bucket-list journey for train enthusiasts and adventure lovers alike.

Post-Trip Tips

After returning to Salta, consider unwinding with some local cuisine, like empanadas salteñas, or explore nearby attractions such as the MAAM museum to learn about Inca history in the region.

This adventure is not just a train ride; it’s a journey into the clouds and back, steeped in cultural heritage and natural beauty.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.

Shells" Ravine (Quebrada de las Conchas)

Why Visit?

Embark on a spellbinding journey to Quebrada de las Conchas (Shells" Ravine), a marvel of nature"s craftsmanship nestled in Argentina"s Salta Province. This thrilling itinerary promises an unforgettable adventure through a land carved by water, wind, and time.

### Day 1: Arrival in Salta

Fly into Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport and rent a 4x4, your trusty steed for navigating the rugged terrains of northern Argentina. Drive 183 kilometers south along the scenic Route 68, with its dramatic views and twisting turns, to reach the heart of Quebrada de las Conchas. The journey should take about 2.5 hours, setting the stage for your exhilarating escapade.

### Day 2: Exploring the Geological Wonders

Start early and head to "La Garganta del Diablo," a magnificent canyon where echoes bounce off towering walls—a hiker"s paradise. A short trek from here leads to "El Anfiteatro," an amphitheater-like formation renowned for its outstanding natural acoustics. Enjoy a local musician playing traditional Andean flute music, an experience that resonates as much with the soul as it does through the air.

Post lunch, continue to "Los Castillos" (The Castles), apt for their regal, rugged appearances that dominate the landscape. The colors shift magically from dawn to dusk, painting the sky with shades of orange, red, and purple.

### Day 3: More Natural Splendors

Dedicate this day to visiting "Las Ventanas" (The Windows), famous for their window-like openings that provide picturesque views of the valley below. Hike up to these natural arches early in the morning to catch the soft, golden light of dawn—a photographer’s dream.

### Departure

After a fulfilling breakfast, make your way back to Salta City. The drive back is an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable natural beauty and geological diversity you"ve witnessed, carrying memories and moments that promise to last a lifetime.

Adventure Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to adventure travelers.