City of Salta, Argentina

Salta is the capital of the province.

Distances: 1.600 kilometers from Buenos Aires
900 kilometers from Córdoba
103 kilometers from San Salvador de Jujuy

Salta, placed in the valley of Lerma, is the capital of the Salta province; it is situated 1187 meters above the sea level at the feet of the hills 20 de Febrero and San Bernardo. It is considered one of the most fertile valleys in the region.

It is called “Salta La Linda”, its name comes from the Aymara word sagta which means beautiful. The city preserves its typically colonial aspect with old buildings from the XVIII and XIX centuries.

The heterogeneity of the landscape and climate make the different regions permanent tourist circuits that go from the cold Andean Puna to the humid subtropical forests.

In this region, diverse outdoor activities can be carried out, such as: mountain climbing, canoeing and windsurfing, trekking and fishing; besides the mountain climbing on the snowy pick of Chañi and Cachi.

Places of interest

· San Bernardo Hill
· Council Town
· San Francisco Church
· Basilica Cathedral
· San Bernardo Convent
· Museum of Anthropology and Natural Sciences
· Natural Reservations: Los Palmares, Los Andes and Acambuco

Tourist Circuit

· Andean West: San Antonio de los Cobres. Gulch of the Bull. Train of the Clouds
Calchaquíes Valleys: Gulch of Cafayate. Cabra Corral
Southeast: El Rey National Park. Thermal Baths of Rosario de la Frontera

Attractive Tourist Places

The Cardones National Park. This is a solitary moor that is located only 3 hours away from Salta. It is situated 2700 meters above the sea level.

Baritu National Park. It has an extension of 72.439 hectares. It is formed by an Andean forest of incomparable fauna and flora.

El Rey National Park. It is located 190 kilometers from Salta. It was created in 1948. This valley presents small and low hills completely covered by vegetation. It has hostels and camping areas.

Guachipas. It is located 97 kilometers from Salta. In this place, you can observe pictographs, before Columbus arrival, which reflect the complex rituals of the late Santamariana culture.

San Antonio de los Cobres. It is a mining town located 165 kilometers from Salta. It is called that way because the Sierra del Cobre, rich in copper, is in its jurisdiction. In the surroundings, the Nevado de Acay is situated.

Rosario de la Frontera. It is located 174 kilometers from Salta. There are thermal baths with medicinal waters. This center has a hotel which helps you take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of the water.

Cachi. Cachi is a town located 157 kilometers from Salta. This picturesque town preserves old large houses aligned on narrow streets. It is surrounded by plantations of red peppers. In front of the colonial square, a beautiful temple of the XVIII century and the Anthropological Museum complete the tourist attractions.

Molinos. It is a town located 206 kilometers from Salta. It was founded in the middle of the XVII century. The parochial church is a historical monument that was built in 1639.

Cabra Corral. It is located 90 kilometers from Salta. This is an artificial dam where you can fish and practice water sports. On its banks, there are numerous clubs, restaurants, places to rest and there are also round trips on Catamarán and other crafts.

Cafayate. This town is located 183 kilometers from Salta. It possesses vineyards and houses with colonial and Baroque styles from the end of the XIX century.

Iruya. This is a town located 307 kilometers from Salta. It is situated 2780 meters above the sea level. Its streets with narrow and sheer stones are very typical. It keeps its most ancestral customs.

Puna. This region is situated more than 3000 meters above the sea level. It is framed by the Mountain range of los Andes. Its stony floor and the scarce vegetation make it a very difficult area for human life.

Santa Rosa de Tastil. This place contains archaeological ruins. It is considered one of the main pre Hispanic urban centers of the region where there are impressive archaeological ruins. Continuing on this road, you will arrive to San Antonio de los Cobres.

20 kilometers away, the Viaduct La Polvorilla is placed. The famous “Train to the Clouds” passes through here on its 217 kilometers journey that counts with stops at Viaducto La Polvorilla and San Antonio de los Cobres.

Calchaquíes Valleys. There are, in the region of the Calchaquies Valley and the Lerma Valley, elegant ranches and properties where the tourist can be in contact with nature, by enjoying a calm rest and taking part on some activities like: the production of sweets, cheese, wine and other different products.

The Train to the Clouds You can not miss the Train of the Clouds, a magnificent engineering work. It is one of the highest railroads in the world (4220 meters above the sea level). It goes over high mountains, literally among the clouds, and crosses the Andes. It is a magnificent engineering work formed by bridges, tunnels, zigzags, locks and viaducts.

It is a metal circuit that allows the tourist to enjoy many diverse attractions: small Andean towns, ancient ruins of lost civilizations and the imposing multicolored hills, plateaus and snowy mountains. This journey covers 219 Kilometers. It departs from the city of Salta, then, it crosses the Valley of Lerma to be introduced in the Gulch of the Bull and, finally, it climbs up to the Puna, which is situated 4182 meters above the sea level, where the gigantic viaduct La Polvorilla is placed.

The Train to the clouds is considered one of the biggest tourist attractions of Salta.