CALCHAQUIES VALLEYS - SALTA - ARGENTINA

With a total distance of 530 kilometers, the Calchaquies Valleys circuit constitutes one of the great experiences of tourism in Salta. Our starting point will be Salta, known by the nickname of "la linda" and considered one of the most beautiful Argentine capitals. Walking through its streets we will discover the still present colonial charm where important buildings from the colonial era are preserved. Among all of them, the Cathedral of Salta, the Cabildo, the Church and Convent of San Francisco, as well as the Church and Convent of San Bernardo stand out.

Already en route through the 68 we will enter the “Broken Shells”, dotted with the variety of colors of its hills due to the change of mineral and composition of the same. We arrive at Cafayate, which is the most important town on the route. With a dry, sunny climate and at an altitude of 1600 meters, its lands are optimal for vineyards. Tourism and especially its wines are the engine of the local economy. Continuing south we reach the Ruins of Quilmes, where the indians of the same name lived until they were dispersed, subdued and conquered by the spanish. If we head north, we will reach Cafayate again to enter the “Broken Arrows”, passing through small towns full of indigenous flavor such as Angastaco, Molinos or Cachi. It is well worth visiting it with time, visiting its schools, churches or seeing how they still make bread in clay ovens. We are returning to Salta, but the journey seduces us with the so-called Cardones National Park, full of cactuss that reach up to 5 meters in height. As a culminating part, we can enjoy the vertiginous descent of the “Bishop´s Slope”, a winding road that returns us from the puna to the valley and finally to the starting point, Salta.