Argentina’s northern Andes and Salta
A different side of Argentina
Northern Argentina offers a quieter, more mountain‑backed version of the country, away from the wine‑country bustle of Mendoza and the lakes of Patagonia. Around the city of Salta and the nearby towns of Cafayate and Purmamarca, you meet a landscape of red‑rock canyons, wide valleys and adobe‑coloured buildings that feel closer in spirit to the central Andes than the southern plains.
Latin Routes, the Latin America Travel Specialist, creates tailor‑made holidays that let British travellers spend a few unhurried days here, exploring on private transfers and with local guides, so the journey feels personal rather than rushed.
Salta: city life in the Andes
Salta sits in a broad valley, framed by gently tiered hills and the faint outline of the Andes. Its historic centre is built around a central plaza, where the cathedral, the colonial‑style cabildo and the surrounding cafés give the city a relaxed, lived‑in feel.
A guided walk through the streets, arranged by Latin Routes, lets you see ornate churches, small museums and quiet side plazas where locals gather in the afternoons. Short private trips into the surrounding hills can include visits to old churches, viewpoints over the valley and the chance to watch the light change as the day moves from bright sunshine to softer evening tones.
Cafayate and the Calchaquí Valleys
About two hours’ drive south from Salta, Cafayate lies in the heart of the Calchaquí Valleys, known for red‑rock canyons, terraced vineyards and clear skies. The town itself is small and compact, with a main street lined by wine‑tasting rooms and restaurants that specialise in local dishes such as goat‑meat stews and empanadas.
On a tailor‑made holiday with Latin Routes, a private drive through the Quebrada de las Conchas lets you see dramatic rock formations such as El Anfiteatro and Los Médanos, with short stops at viewpoints where guides can explain the layers of sediment without turning the trip into a lecture. Vineyard visits in the area are usually small‑scale, with tastings that feel like a conversation rather than a scripted tasting flight, and enough time to enjoy a relaxed lunch with a view over the valley.
Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colours
Northeast of Salta, the small town of Purmamarca sits at the foot of the Hill of Seven Colours, a broad slope whose layers of mineral‑rich rock create a strip of pale yellows, reds and purples. The town’s main square is framed by a simple church, a couple of cafés and a handful of shops selling textiles and ceramics, giving it a quiet, unhurried atmosphere.
From here, guided half‑day trips arranged by Latin Routes can take you into the nearby Quebrada de Humahuaca, following the valley north towards more remote villages such as Tilcara and Maimará. The route passes through stretches of desert‑like plains, rocky gorges and quiet roadside markets, with time built in to pause at viewpoints, chat with local vendors and enjoy an unhurried picnic by the roadside.
Practical travel advice for British travellers
Northern Argentina is usually reached via a short domestic flight from Buenos Aires to Salta, followed by private transfers between towns and into the surrounding valleys. The high‑altitude air is generally mild during the day but can feel cooler in the evenings, so layered clothing and a light jacket are useful.
Holidays to northern Argentina with Latin Routes are designed as truly individual journeys, where you can choose to spend more time in Cafayate for wine‑focused days, or longer in Purmamarca and the Quebrada de Humahuaca for a slower, more cultural experience. The My Routes App then supports you on the ground, with your itinerary, local contacts and simple maps available throughout the trip.
How Latin Routes can shape your northern Argentina journey
Argentina’s northern Andes suit travellers who enjoy landscape, local culture and quiet towns more than fast‑paced city breaks. As The Latin America Travel Specialist, Latin Routes enjoys pairing a few nights here with either Buenos Aires or the Lake District, shaping tailor‑made holidays to Argentina that feel personal, unhurried and grounded in the rhythm of the place.
