Dating from 850 AD, this impressive citadel, built into the mountainside, was once home to up to 5,000 members of the Quilmes people, one of the Diaguita tribes of Tucuman province. They fiercely resisted conquest by the Incas but, despite early successes against the Spaniards, they eventually capitulated in 1667 and the 2000 survivors were … Continued

A narrow mountain valley stretching north from the town of Juyjuy in Argentina’s extreme northwest, the Quebrada de Humahuaca follows a major cultural route for almost 100 miles to the cold desert plateau of the high Andes. The vast gorge shows evidence of use as a major pre-Inca and pre-Hispanic trade route dating back 10,000 … Continued

Set against a backdrop of the Nevado de Cachi mountains in a valley made fertile by pre-Inca irrigation, Cachi is a beautiful town in Salta Province with white adobe houses and paved streets. There is a very good archaeological museum of 5,000 objects showcasing its rich indigenous history spanning 10,000 years. Cachi also has the … Continued

Founded by the Spaniards in 1573 as a strategic staging post between Peru and the Atlantic, Cordoba blends a rich colonial history with impressive modern economic growth. Cordoba was Argentina’s first capital and is now the second most important city in terms of commerce. The Jesuits arrived at the end of the 16th century and … Continued

One of the oldest cities in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman (usually called just Tucuman) is the capital of Tucuman province and the largest city in the north. It was colonised by Spaniards coming south from Peru in 1565 and there is still a great deal of colonial architecture to be seen in the city’s … Continued

Set against the backdrop of the Andes, Cafayate is famous for its Torrontes wine, the product of a perfect combination of temperature and humidity enabling this sweet, deep fruit flavoured vine to flourish. Cafayate also produces excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Chardonnay wines.

Found in the northwest of Argentina, the Calchaqui Valleys are characterised by traditional colonial towns and stunning landscapes with many weird and wonderful rock formations in a variety of surprising colours, including The Friar and Devil’s Throat.

Dating from 1921 and translated as the Train to the Clouds, this impressive railway journey departs from Salta and runs for 136 miles to the Chilean border. The journey lasts approximately 16 hours reaching heights of up to 4,220 metres and includes 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 29 bridges, two loops and two zig-zags,.

Founded in 1582 by the Spaniards, Salta is one of Argentina’s oldest and most attractive cities. Salta has a pleasant subtropical climate and has retained more of its colonial buildings than any other city in Argentina. Its location, surrounded by forested mountains up in the Lerma Valley at 1150 metres, makes for a good base … Continued