North West

Set at the foothills of the Andes mountain range, Salta is at an elevation of 1,152m. The city’s architecture is spectacular and you can see the influences from bordering Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. While it’s worth spending at least one or two nights in Salta, build in time for the surrounding area. Take a day tour to El Cafayate and marvel at the unique mountain formations and desert colours on the way, or an overnight tour to Cachi in the Calchaquí Valley, known for its adobe houses and white colonial buildings, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

And if you have time, the north west is perfect for a self-drive loop that will take you on a very deep exploration of the region, through wineries, salt flats and stunning multi-coloured mountains. If self-driving is not your thing, it can also be done with an English speaking private driver. We recommend a week for the whole loop or you can choose to do either the south or north and in this case you will need less time. We think it is worth the time as this is one of the most dramatic areas of the country and lesser known, so you can beat the tourist crowds!