Salta is the capital of the Salta province in Argentina.

Get in

• Plane: the airport is 5 km south of the city centre. Bus "8A" runs between the airport and the bus terminal. The Aerolíneas Argentinas office is located at Caseros 475, tel. (0387) 431 0258.

• Bus: there are connections to all mayor cities in Argentina. The bus station is just one block from Parque San Martín, or 8 blocks from the main plaza.

Buenos Aires 19 hours - 135 pesos.

La Quiaca 7 hours - 25 pesos

Tucuman 4 hours - 30 pesos

Cafayate 4 hours - 18 pesos (company: el indio)

• From Jujuy it's possible to take a combi (shared taxi) for Ar$10. - Take Care "Combis" are not legal transportation -

Get around

See

• Cabildo, the old town hall, of 1783, on the Plaza 9 de Julio. Now houses the Museo Histórico del Norte
• Iglesia San Francisco, on the corner of Caseros and Córdoba, of 1796, beautiful church with remarkable tower.
• Cerro San Bernardo, 1458 m hill just east of the city centre. From Parque San Martin, a cable car goes to the summit, offering spectacular views of the city and its surroundings.
• Museo Antropológico [1], Avenida Ejército del Norte. Offers a very interesting insight into various indigenous cultures, which have flourished throughout the centuries in this part of Argentina

Do

• Travel Agency: Balance Travel Adventure EVT [2](info@balance-evt.com.ar)

Tailor-made Tours, Regular Destinations, Adventure Travel, Business Travel, Theme Tours, From Salta, Jujuy & Tucuman - Argentina Northwest... Espana 385 - Salta - Capital - Argentina - A4400ANG - Telephone +54 387 4215625 ...

• Day Tours

• Mystical Cachi:

This tour begins in the Lerma Valley, then going through the dense mountain jungle in Los Laureles and reaching the Escoipe Gorge and La Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Slope), which is a mountain path that leads to Piedra del Molino, at 3348 m.a.s.l. After this, we reach Los Cardones National Park for several photo stops. Then, we go to the picturesque town of Cachi where we visit the Archaeological Museum (it houses vestiges of several native cultures of the region, since its first inhabitants) and the Church Then, we have lunch and in the afternoon we come back to Salta. Departure: 7.30 a.m. Return: 7.30 p.m.

• Cafayate Colors:

First, we go to the Lerma Valley (where Saltenian Tobacco is grown) until we reach the rail station of “Alemanía”; then, we go to the unique Las Conchas Gorge which has several geological formations created by wind and rain erosion and which received different names such as La Garganta del Diablo (The Devil’s Throat), El Anfiteatro (The Amphitheatre), El Sapo (The Frog), El Fraile (The Friar), Los Castillos (The Castles), Las Ventanas (The Windows) and other. When we reach Cafayate, we visit some wine cellars, where you will learn about how grapevines are grown, the making of wines and you will be able to taste excellent wines. Then we have lunch, take a stroll around the town and, in the afternoon, we come back to Salta, doing several photo stops. Departure: 7.30 a.m. Return: 7.30 p.m.

• Puna and Salt Flats:

In our way, we pass the traditional town of Quijano and then, we reach to the impressive Toro Gorge. We stop and take a stroll in the pre-Incan city of Tastil. Then, we continue our trip to San Antonio de los Cobres, which is a small mining town, to have lunch. In the afternoon, we take the famous 40 national route, which takes us to the Salt Flats, Where you will see the magnificence of the Puna. Then, we go down the impressive Lipan Slope till we reach the picturesque Purmamarca town (Province of Jujuy), with its famous Seven Colour Hill. Then, we come back to Salta. Departure: 7.00 a.m. Return: 21.30 p.m.

• Andean Humahuaca:

This tour offers the possibility of knowing the wonders of the Humahuaca Gorge, in the Province of Jujuy, which was declared Humanity’s Patrimony. You will also visit small towns such as Purmamarca, with its distinctive architecture and its Seven Colour Hill, Tilcara, where we visit El Pucará (Pre-Incan city) and the Archaeological Museum, Uquía, well-known for its Church which houses paintings from the Cuzco School. We have lunch in Humahuaca, famous for its Gorge, and in the afternoon we come back to Salta. Departure: 7.00 a.m. Return: 20.30 p.m.

• Active or Adventure Activities

• Horse Riding: It can last from a couple of hours to several days. There are several options which include snacks, accommodation in country houses or camps, and typical foods. This service was created to show you the real “Gaucho” life.

• Paragliding: This is an activity with great popularity among tourists, specially in mountainous regions all over the world.

• Tandem jumps (double harness) with experts who guarantee safety and excitement. You will be able to fly up in the northern sky and feel the “Spirit of the Condor”; something you will never forget.

• Cycling: Bicycle rides around the city or through a mountain track, perfectly designed for adventurers.

This activity includes several options with three degrees of difficulty (low, moderate, high) specially programmed to meet your expectations.

• Motorcycling: Motorcycle rides with several option according to each particular need, always in the company of a qualified guide for each ride. It is a international high-quality product that brings together two passions: motorcycling and sightseeing.

• Trekking: There are several options: short strolls around our bordering mountains or several days in the region, with different degrees of difficulty.

It is a perfect way of being in touch with nature and living each moment as an unique experience.

• Mountain climbing: The region offers a great variety of mountains and volcanoes of between 3500 and 6740 m.a.s.l (meters above sea level). This expeditions require previous experience, equipment and special logistics.

Thus, previous planning and preparation are needed, according to each mountain. Some options are:

• Medium Mountain: Gólgota Hill of 3500 m.a.s.l, Pacuy Hill of 4200 m.a.s.l., San Gerónimo Crater of 4950 m.a.s.l.

• High Mountain: Nevado de Cachi of 6380 m.a.s.l., Llullaillaco Volcano of 6740 m.a.s.l., Quewar Volcano of 6180 m.a.s.l., Socompa Volcano of 6031 m.a.s.l., Tuzale Volcano of 5560 m.a.s.l, Nevado del Acay of 5950 m.a.s.l.

• Rafting: Any person can take part in this two-hour activity along the impressive Juramento River. Uncontrollable emotions, an excellent barbecue and a personal attention will make this trip something to remember.

• Canopy: New in Salta! “The Flight of the Condor” is a name suitable for the incredible experience of flying over the Juramento River.

• Rappel: Falls from up to 60 meters with equipment and guides included. This experience will make you feel alive and exceeding your own limits.

• Fishing: There are several options: fishing trout in a quiet mountain stream, “Pejerreyes” in the huge Cabra Corral Dam, Dorado or Surubí in the fast-flowing Bemejo or Pilcomayo Rivers.

And more options… for more information contact [3](info@balance-evt.com.ar)

Buy

• Balcarce Arts and Crafts Fair, [4], Each Sunday the main nightclubbing street, Balcarce, is closed to traffic all day long for a very good arts and crafts fair featuring the work of local artists and craftsmen of all types.

Eat

• Doña Lola, [5], Traditional Salteñan food in a very nicely restored old house which also contains a small museum of local artifacts.

• El Solar del Convento, Half a block east of the main square, Caseros 444. Serve free champange while you choose from the menu. Inexpensive yet elegant dining with excellent steaks and wines.

Drink

Nightlife is centered on the north end of Balcarce.

Sleep

• Terra Oculta [6], Córdoba 361, (0387)421 8769 (terraoculta@ciudad.com.ar). Popular backpackers spot and a good place to meet fellow travellers. It has all the usually services and there is a weekly barbeque and a bar. Dorm Ar$20 / Double Ar$40.
• corre caminos dorm 18 pesos. kitchen, free pooltable, nice people around.
• The Marilian Hostal [7]. Buenos Aires 160 (A4400FDD). Tel. 54-387-4370531. Email: Reservas@hotelmarilian.com. As of July, 2004, prices were: Single $55 pesos, Double $65 pesos, Triple $85, Quad $105 pesos. Clean hostal, on the main drag (Buenos Aires street), 24hr hot water, heating, 18 cabanas, English spoken, and continental breakfast is included in the price.
• Las Rejas [8]. Gral. Güemes 569. (info@lasrejashostel.com.ar) Very central, 2 blocks from the main plaza and the cathedral. Offers hostel accomodation as well as B&B. Very friendly, many amenities including travel desk.
• Saltainfo.com [9] has info on a lot of the hostels and hotels as well as some pictures and other tourist info.

Get out

Salta is the base for many great trips throughout the province. There are plenty tour agencies offering excursions in the region. (REMEMBER: Taxi drivers or nice people from your hotel ARE NOT legally authorized and qualified for the performing of such activities). Especially good are the 4WD trips to the beautiful Valles Calchaquíes, as well as rafting trips to the Río Juramento.