Deserts and mountains of northwestern Argentina

The gateway here is Salta, a beautiful colonial city with an exceptional architectural heritage.
In the surrounding area, rocky landscapes, cacti, valleys streaked with orange and red, and whitewashed churches built by Franciscan monks who settled here centuries ago follow one another in a region that contrasts sharply with the rest of Argentina. Andean influence is palpable, visible in the colourful dress of local people and audible in the indigenous music. The region can be explored on foot, on horseback, or aboard the “Train to the Clouds”, one of the highest railways in the world, reaching 4,200 metres.
Los Cardones National Park, south of Salta, spans 640 km² of ravines, sierras and valleys at altitudes ranging from 2,500 to 5,300 metres. Named after the candelabra cacti (“cardón”) scattered as far as the eye can see, the park also holds traces of prehistoric activity and dinosaur remains, along with around a hundred animal species, the most famous being the condor.
To the north, the Quebrada de Humahuaca is an arid area with striking landscapes, astonishing colour contrasts, and a rich cultural heritage, home to numerous pre-Columbian and colonial remains.
Red, green, blue, yellow, purple, white… dozens of shades stand out across the magnificent mountains. Landscapes that stay with you.