This past weekend, I traveled to two provinces in the northwest of Argentina that feel totally unlike any other region in the country: Salta and Jujuy.
The province of Jujuy is known for its arid climate and otherworldly landscapes, like Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors) and Salinas Grandes (called Salt Flats in English). I went on a long day trip from the city of Salta through the Jujuy province.
We started in Purmamarca, a small village filled with artisan markets and local foods, from which you can enjoy views of Cerro de los Siete Colores.
From there, the excursion continued a couple of hours north to Salinas Grandes. It was so hot at Salinas Grandes, and it was hard to believe what we were seeing! The landscapes in Jujuy were very memorable and unique.
The day after I explored the northern province of Jujuy, I went on another long (12 hours!) day trip from the city of Salta through the western part of the Salta province. Here, I saw Cuesta del Obispo, a famous winding road that goes through a mountainous region to reach the inhabited valleys on the other side.
While driving along this road, I spotted Andean Condors high above. We stopped in Parque Nacional de Los Cardones to see the famous large cacti native to Salta. I learned from my tour guide that these cacti live for hundreds of years and reach the age of 60 before they grow the “arms” for which they are famous. Finally, we reached the small town of Cachi, which is known for its paprika production!