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A tour to colonial architecture. Salta, the city
with the richest colonial traces in the country offers an interesting
tour. Passing by its houses and churches it is possible to discover
the beauty of their architecture, distinctive and sober. San Francisco
Church, first built in 1626 and rebuilt in 1870, has the highest
church tower in South America (53 mts.). The tour continues to San
Bernardo Hill where the panoramic view of the city and Lerma and
Lagunilla Valleys is great and then on to the Catholic University
and Castellanos Gorge to get to the residential summer resort located
on the river shore and called San Lorenzo.
On the way back the tour will stop at the handicrafts fair.
Excellent
wines and the unbelievable 'Puna' landscape. Renowned for the tasty
white wines and the magnificent silverware, Cafayate is a picturesque
city located in the Valley of Las Conchas River. The tour passes along
Cerrillos, El Carril and Coronel Moldes to get to Las Conchas River
Gorge, a natural monument of spectacular beauty, and to Cafayate.
The houses in the city show a mixture of the colonial and baroque
architecture from the late 19th
Century. The tour includes a visit
and wine tasting at one of
the
famous wineries in the area
The beauty of the region is mainly due to the mountains, the deep
blue sky, the amazing colours that minerals give to the rocks and
the historical and cultural richness of the villages and cites.
Jujuy is the most modern and prosperous city in a province that
still keeps traditions and legends and the very well kept secrets
of its handicrafts that are passed from one generation to the next.
The Cathedral holds a priceless gold altar. Salta, located in Lerma
Valley, is the city with the richest colonial history in the country
and a true architectonic jewel of the 17th Century. The typical
houses have white walls, red roofs, carved wooden doors and windows
with wrought iron bars. Most of the houses have big and fresh patios
where there is always a well and lots of plants and flowers. The
famous 'Train to the Clouds' that reaches 4.200 metres into the
sky to get to San Antonio de los Cobres leaves from this city. Most
of the tours in the area also start and finish in Salta. Tucumán,
the 'garden city', is the place where Argentine Independence was
declarared. The regional cuisine deserves a special mention. The
typical northern meat pies are delicious as are the 'tamales': spicy
corn and meat pies. Desserts are worth trying too.
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An unmatched experience
This is one of the three highest railroads in the world. It
seems to be hanging from the giddy mountains and the traveller
feels as if he were hanging from the clouds while the train
runs across some of the most spectacular scenery in the region.
During the season that goes from April to November the train
leaves the city of Salta every Saturday on a 14-hour journey
along its zigzagged 217 km. The train passes by San Antonio
de los Cobres and climbs almost 4.200 metres above sea level
to get to La Polvorilla Viaduct.
Due to the magnificent landscapes, the deep blue sky above
and the overwhelming feelings the ride leads to, the Train
to the Clouds has become one of the most important tourist
attractions in Argentina.
The Train to the Clouds is a unique and
incredible masterpiece designed by American engineer Ricardo
Fontaine Maury and built between 1921 and 1949.
Salta
Museo Atropológico:
Ejército del Norte s/n - Ph: 431-1229
Museo Histórico del Norte: Caseros 549 -
Ph: 421-5340
Patio de la Empanada: San Martín 1100 (y
el canal)
Mercado Artesanal: San Martín esq. Usandivaras
Casino de las Nubes: Caseros 786
Tucumán
Museo Casa Histórica de la Independencia:
Congreso 141 - Ph: 431-0826
Museo Folklórico Provincial: 24 de Septiembre
565 - Ph: 421-8250
Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes: 9 de Julio 44 -
Ph: 422-7300
Jujuy
Casino de Jujuy: Alvear 1100
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The main features are:
- 1.279 curves - 29 bridges -21 tunnels -2 rollers (that help
the train climb) -2 zigzags (the train has to ride frontwards
and backwards in order to climb and gain ground) -3 viaducts:
the most important one is "La Polvorilla".
"La Polvorilla" which is 3.774 mts. above sea level and has
the following characteristics: Length: 224 mts. Height: 63
mts. above the river bed Weight of the whole metallic structure:
1.600 tons .
Services offered during the Trip:
The train is formed by comfortable cars for passengers and
one restaurant car.
Doctors and nurses fully equipped to assist
in any situation (mainly problems due to the altitude). Hostesses
to assist passengers and guides to provide information. Background
music, folklore shows, TV and video. Telephone and postal
service. Restaurant/Bar
Other useful information
Departures: from April to November ever y Saturday at 7.00
a.m. There are additional departures during July.
The train does not operate from December to March due to the
rainy season. Duration of the trip: 14 hours o Distance: 214
km.
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SLA-CLA: CALCHAQUI VALLEYS
Operates year round.
Day 1 Arrival at Salta Airport. Reception and
transfer to the selected Hotel. Accommodation for two
nights with daily breakfast. Afternoon city and surroundings
tour.
Day 2 Full day tour to Humahuaca Gorge and Jujuy.
Day 3 Tour along the Calchaqui Valleys: El Carril,
Los Laureles and Escoipe Gorges, Cuesta del Obispo,
Piedra del Molino, Recta del Tin Tin to get to Cachi
and then to Molinos. Accommodation for one night at
Hostal Molinos with breakfast.
Day 4 Departure to Angastaco, San Carlos and
Cafayate along the Gorge of Las Conchas river. Return
to Salta. Accommodation for one night at the selected
hotel with breakfast.
Day 5Transfer to Salta Airport.
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