From Green jungles and waterfalls, to coloured mountains, and wineries, this country has it all! With quite a long (but 1st-class comfortable) bus ride to Salta I started my first day with a walk around town. Founded in 16th century, this big town has a lot of the Spanish colonial architecture, but with an Andean heritage. Started with Saint Francis cathedral, then the Salta cathedral, rebuilt after an earthquake in 1859, Then to the Museum of High Mountain Archaeology that holds Inca artefacts, and 3 mummified Inca children! Over 500 years old and so incredibly preserved I thought the boy was going to open his eyes any moment! Very interesting into the history of the Incas...And also very creepy. And lastly on that day, up the telefico (cable cart) for a stunning sunset over the city, before stopping to view Saint Francis cathedral again, this time all lit up.
Next for a day trip to Jujuy (pronounced hoyhoy), where multi-coloured mountains, huge cactus, and old Inca ruins sit. The scenery was stunning! Especially the famous hill of 7 colours, where you’ll find green, blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, and orange! The colours in the mountains are due to the different kinds of rocks and minerals, and each different layer aging over millions of years.
And the last day for a tour of Cafayate region. A highlight of the trip that includes enormous tortured rock formations, caves, wineries, and long and open roads. This mountainous area has several small towns made up of clay and stone walled houses, colourful markets filled with artisan goods, llama everything, and delicious wine! Red mountains, green vineyards, and blue skies, it was picturesque.
A beautiful side to Argentina, 3 days, 48,000 steps, next stop...Chile!

Mountains cut way and coloured over time

Huge rock face inside the "amphitheater" carved into a bowl shape by water many thousands of years ago.