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Where
America Reaches the Sky |
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High peaks, extinct snow covered volcanoes and verdant forests
contrast with the desert country in a long trip full of traces
of colonial times. The small villages and their pre-Hispanic
ruins let the seasons pass by only interrupted by the carnivals,
the Indian markets and the worship of the Pachamama or Mother
Earth.
This is a zone in which the mountains offer such contrasts as
the possibility of crossing the sky, not in an airplane but
on the rails of the "Tren a las Nubes" (Train to the Clouds),
in the province of Salta; and finding yourself dazzled by the
amazing "Cerro de los Siete Colores" in Purmamarca. In this
same mountain complex small villages are virtually isolated
from the world.
From Salta, the city with the most colonial architecture in
Argentina, you can embark on a stirring 500 kilometre circuit
and tour the Calchaquies Valleys, passing through colonial villages
and discovering archaeological clues, beneath the clear sky
that is a hallmark of the region. Famous is the "Torrontes"
white wine from Cafayate. Unforgettable, the "Tren a las Nubes"
journey.
Jujuy province treasures one of the most peculiar natural formations
in the north west: The "Cerro de los Siete Colores" (seven coloured
mountain), so named because of its rich mineral deposits, displaying
a multicoloured rainbow constituted by grains of earth. Sheltered
at its feet Purmamarca is one of the main attractions. It has
scarcely 500 inhabitants, a telephone and a square from where
you can see, amid the mountains, goatherds and groups of llamas
and vicuņas who- without asking permission- invade the dead
calm of the spot. |
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On
the horizon the Puna unfolds, mysterious and attractive. The
best way to get into its grandiose scenarios is to take the
train that leaves the city of Salta and climbs to great altitudes.
During the trip the train crosses 29 bridges, 21 tunnels and
13 viaducts. It reaches its highest point at over 4000 metres
(12,200 ft.) above sea level. Finally you get to the La Polvorilla
viaduct, a bridge 70 metres (214 ft.) above the Arenales River,
barely as wide as the train tracks.
This train runs only from April to October and it is a full
day excursion |
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recommend you to spend 5 days in the area. There are many things
to do and places to visit if you are willing to explore in depth
this amazing lands. Enjoy the local cuisine and keep in mind
spending a night in Purmamarca at the "Manantial del Silencio"
hotel is a must. |
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| Patagonia
- Northwest - Northeast
- Cuyo - Buenos
Aires |
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We Are - Maps of the Area - Explore
Our Regions - Argentina Specials
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Itinerary - Contact Us - Links
- Español |
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937
Cordoba Ave. - 7th Floor - Suite 4 - C1057AAI - Buenos Aires - Argentina
E-mail: info@argentinaescapes.com - Leg. Nº 12224 - Res. 1207/04
Toll Free in the USA, Canada & UK: Available Soon!
Ph / Fax: (54 11) 5032-2938 / 2939 - Ph / Fax: (54 11) 4322-4141 |
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