Northwest Argentina attractions

The San Francisco Church and Monastery in Salta, Argentina was originally built in the early 1600s, but it has been reconstructed and remodeled several times. In 1870, architect Luis Giorgi constructed a tall tower on the front of the church, and at 174 feet (53 meters) tall, it is the highest tower of its kind in South America. In 1909, a clock was added to the tower. In 1915 marble floors were installed and the church was set up to start receiving electricity. It has a long, narrow nave that is ornately decorated. The church's facade designed in a Baroque style and is distinct in its red and yellow color scheme.The church has an important library where old books are kept, including rare and priceless antique editions. Several pieces of valuable art can also be found in the church and in its small museum. The San Francisco Church was declared a National Historical Monument on July 14, 1941.

The star attraction of Argentina’s famous Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) is the mighty Polvorilla Viaduct (Viaducto de la polvorilla). At an altitude of 13,842 feet (4,220 meters), the 20th-century viaduct is the highest point of the railway route and affords spectacular views over the surrounding Andes.

San Bernardo Convent, built in the 16th century, is one of the oldest buildings in Salta, Argentina and was declared a National Historical Monument in 1941. It was originally built when San Bernardo was chosen as the patron saint of the city, and it was used as the city's main church while the Salta Cathedral was being built. Aside from the church, it also operated a hospital on and off for about 200 years, but by the mid-1800s, hospital operations ceased and it became a convent.Over the centuries, San Bernardo Convent has been reconstructed and renovated several times, both for aesthetic reasons and as a result of an earthquake. The door dates from 1762 and was carved from carob tree wood by aboriginals. It once belonged to the Bernardo de la Cámara family and is considered a treasured piece of colonial art in Salta.

Some 150 years ago, European immigrants discovered the excellent high altitude wine growing conditions of Salta. In 1857 a pair of Spanish families joined forces to found La Banda Winery, the oldest winery in the Calchaquí Valley.The name has since changed to Vasija Secreta Winery(Bodega Vasija Secreta), and today visitors can learn about wine production — both traditional and modern — in the winery’s small museum. Vasija Secreta also organizes wine tastings; as with many wineries in this part of Argentina, Vasija Secreta Winery is known for its Torrontés, but also produces notable Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.

Bodega Domingo Hermanos began producing wines in the 1960s, taking advantage of the high-altitude conditions of Salta. Today, the winery has a tank capacity of 1.6 million gallons (6 millionliters). The altitude — about 5,500 feet (1,700 meters) — creates excellent conditions for growing Torrontés grapes, a varietal for which Bodega Domingo Hermanos is famous.Tours of the production facilities give visitors an insight into a more traditional method of wine making, and the table wines available for purchase at the bodega are among the best in theregion.

Located amid the vineyards and cacti-dotted ravines of the Calchaquí Valley, the Quilmes Ruins are a collection of ancient walls and fortifications perched on a hillside. The ruins are the remains of Argentina’s largest pre-Columbian settlement, which dates back to AD 75 and once housed 5,000 people.

The Cultural Center of the Americas is a building and organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting cultural events in Salta, Argentina. Events held here include concerts, art exhibits, educational workshops, and cultural, social and business groups. The building was designed by renowned architect and engineer Arturo Prins, and it was built in a French Neo-Baroque style in the early 1900s. Its original intent was to house the 20th of February Club, but the building was expropriated by Ricardo Durán, the governor of Salta at the time. It was a government building for about 40 years after that.In 1987 the building underwent renovations and became the cultural center it is today. Artists from around the world come here to present their work in art shows, musicians perform here, political and economic conventions are held here, and many other organizations use the cultural center as an entertainment venue.

The capital city of Jujuy province in Argentina is surrounded by mountains and located near the southern end of Quebrada de Humahuaca gorge. Visit San Salvador de Jujuy, founded by Spaniards in 1593, to experience the heritage of its culturally indigenous population, see eye-catching architecture, and soak up Argentine history.

In the late nineteenth century, an Italian immigrant left his home in Rosciolo and began making wine in Cafayate. Bodega El Tránsito moved to a new location in 1952 but remained in the family. Today the fourth generation of the Nanni family carries on the family’s winemaking heritage.The boutique winery in the center of town produces Torrontés, Cabernet sauvignon and Malbec, along with several blends. Unlike many wineries in Cafayate, Bodega El Tránsito offers both free tours and tastings. The tour is short — typically around 15 minutes — followed by a chance to sample four different wines.

To the native Mapuche of Argentina’s Andes, the name Huechulafquen means “long lake.” It’s an apt title for this azure spectacle that stretches for 18 miles, and is officially the largest of the 24 lakes in Lanin National Park. Next to the lake, on the northern shore, the conical, snowcapped Lanin volcano rises 12,293 feet into the blue Andean sky. In spring, summer, and early fall, thousands of visitors flock to the lake for camping, hiking, and staging attempts on the dormant volcano’s summit. There are boats for hire at Puerto Canoa and scenic lakeshore cruises, and the fly-fishing in the neighboring Chimehuin River is among the best in the world. A mile and half past Puerto Canoa, visitors will find scenic Piedra Mala and a protected corner of the lake. Walking trails lead towards Lake Paimun and El Salitillo waterfall, and the epic, Andean, mountains vistas are a highlight of both Lanin National Park and San Martin de los Andes.

The Acsibi Caves (Cuevas de Acsibi were formed thousands of years ago and are notable for the vivid red hue of their sandstone rock formations. Located in Calchaquíes Valley, the caves are famous for the light that filters through the gaps in their ceiling, which creates an abstract vision of shape and shadow.

Sweeping red-rock ravines, winding mountain roads, and cacti-dotted plains make up the landscapes of the Calchaqui Valley. Stretching between the Salta, Tucumán, and Catamarca provinces, in the foothills of the Andes; the scenic region is dotted with photo-worthy natural wonders, high-altitude vineyards, and ancient ruins.

Just outside of Salta, San Lorenzo is a mountain suburb that’s home to some of the region’s best hiking spots. In addition to serving as the gateway to the flora-rich Quebrada de San Lorenzo cloud forest, the town is home to an abundance of opulent villas and a couple of attractive colonial churches.

Running for some 715 miles (1,150 kilometers) from its source in Salta, the Salado River (Rio Juramento) is famous for its Class III rapids, which offer a medium level of intensity that’s ideal for white-water rafting and kayaking.