Salta – Here We Come!
Having said good bye to Ivan at Belén, we journeyed north on the famous Ruta Nacional 40 towards the wine producing area of Cafayate. On the way we spend the night at the Quilmes ruins, an ancient settlement set on a hillside with fortifications higher on the hill.
We stopped next at a roadside distillery (Francine tried one or two offerings of grappa), but Dave was amazed to see an object next to the door originating from Westinghouse in Chippenham – the company he served his apprenticeship with more than forty years ago!
At Cafayate we stay at a campsite for a few days, near to the centre, which was very convenient for visiting the local “bodegas” to taste their wines and sample the numerous restaurants in town. On our way out of town we stop at a cheese farm to taste their wares with a glass of wine. Very civilized.
The RN40 from here to Cachi is all ‘ripio’ (gravel), narrow in places, and very scenic.
Cachi is another tourist town with visitors coming from Salta. We stay a couple of days before heading north to Payogasta and then leaving the RN40 to take RN33 into the Parque Nacional Los Cardones. This park is full of tall cacti against a backdrop of beautifully coloured hills. At the start is the Antigua Recta TinTin – an ancient very straight and long road that disappears into the horizon. We enter the park and steadily climb to its peak at 3457m before plunging down the far side on a spectacular road with continual switchbacks as we descend. The change in the terrain is marked. We go from desert like conditions in Cachi to green fields in the Salta valley.
Salta is like a mini Buenos Aires, with many colonial buildings, but cleaner and more laid-back. The municipal campsite we choose is to the south of town, but it’s easy to catch cheap local taxis for sight-seeing. Our visits centre around its main square – Plaza 9 de Julio, from where you visit most of the city’s highlights. The weather is mild and it is for the first time in a few months, that we are able to enjoy a meal outside in the evening. After a couple of days in the pleasant town, we stock up with fresh fruit and veg at the large local market before continuing north.
WOW!
Through the eyes of Francine and Dave I’ve come to realise how much arid land exists on this planet; yet they manage to wine and dine soo well! Awesome travel Pics!
Keep the post cards coming!
Safe Travels
Thank you Gabrielle
Without the recognised certification:
“Driver in possession of exceptional driving skills for all terrains and weather conditions”
the scariness of navigating ‘gripio’ roads carved on mountainsides with steep drops on one side into deep ravines would be off the charts.
But the driver has been recognisably certified.
And we relax and sit back taking in the scenery until arrival at the next stop where we can enjoy a sumptuous meal with a ‘grappa’ or a glass of wine or a can of beer.
What an enviable adventure.
Thank you Felix!
What a great place, beautiful buildings, food looks good too!
I think the wine looked like it was acceptable too.
Amazing cacti, they seem to dwarf BB, the coloured rocks remind me of Oman.
Looking forward to seeing where you go next.
Yes, we have thought the same re Oman.
Your stories are amazing and I am very envious but I do really enjoy reading all about your adventures! Amazing the things you are finding along the way, The plague from Westinghouse and Chippenham!!! Photographs are all so beautiful, can’t wait to read the next installment. Safe journeys🥰🥰
Thank you JESNP – please subscribe and you’ll get an email when we post. Dave
Hairpin vends and terrifying long drops but Dave navigates them all. Well done. Keep on going.