Alien landscapes of Cafayate
Salta is an incredibly popular destination among foreign and local tourists. The city is surrounded by many interesting routes, natural and historical attractions. One of these is the Cafayate tour. Going there, you will see gorges, valleys with colored mountains and cacti, and Martian landscapes. You can walk along a walking route where you can find dinosaur tracks, stop for a tasting in wine cellars where unique wines are made from high-mountain grape varieties… Looking ahead, I will say that we saw such landscapes for the first time. although we have a lot of travel experience.
So we went on a tour. We decided that since we didn’t know these places, it would be better to go with a guide. The tour (in Spanish or English) costs $25, lasts almost 12 hours and includes 6 stops.
Before entering the reserve, we stopped at a cafe to have a snack. We drank coca tea (4 cents). The taste is reminiscent of nettle infusion, but it invigorates well — the head becomes clearer, there is no palpitation, like after strong coffee. Coca helps with acclimatization. At an altitude of more than 1500 meters above sea level — this is very important.
Pachamama is the goddess of earth and fertility among the Quechua Indians. Accepts gifts in the form of coca leaves and cigarettes. Apparently, to always be in shape :)
The views outside the window begin to change. There is less and less greenery, the mountains are getting higher. Cacti appear. They look especially impressive on mountain slopes.
Kalchakes Valley.
Once upon a time, wild rivers flowed here. Now the area is pierced by the Las Conchas River, which in some places turns into a semi-dry stream.
At one of the turns you can go out and scream. You can hear a stunning echo in this place. The sound seems to travel throughout the entire canyon. Magic.
Garganta del Diablo and amphitheater. (To be honest, I still don’t understand which of the gorges is called). Once upon a time, powerful streams of water flowed from here. On the surface of the mountains you can see traces of waterfalls.
Our guide (wearing a hat) joined a local payador. They sang a couple of gaucho songs as a duet. The acoustics here are unique.
We approached the second gorge on the way back. They are close to each other
Another stop — at the highest point of the reserve. Tourists climb the hill for epic views. The camera is not able to convey their full coverage.
Bodega is located right in the middle of a valley with cacti — almost in the desert. The owner took us through the cellars and gave us a tasting. We liked the white Torrontes ($5). Fresh, fruity, similar to Greek wines.
Cafayate is the final destination of the tour. It is a quiet town surrounded by vineyards. We were taken to lunch at a cafe on the outskirts. I advise you not to give in to the herd instinct and walk two squares forward to have lunch in the central square.
Restaurants on the main square. Beauty!
The cafe where we had lunch. Atmospheric:)
Leaving Cafayate, we passed many vineyards. One of the best wine cellars in the region is El Esteco. There is also a hotel here.
A piece of a canyon with Martian landscapes. The mountain, which is popularly called the “Titanic”.
I would like to think that these stripes on the mountains are the remains of Inca terraces.:)
If I’m not mistaken, somewhere here lies the 3-kilometer La Esera hiking trail, where you can find fossils of ancient mollusks and dinosaur tracks that are more than 15 million years old. Alas, we didn’t stop here, we filmed on the go.
And finally, the most beautiful stop is Las Conchas Canyon, famous for its colorful mountains.
At different times of the day, these iridescent colors of red, emerald, yellow and brown change their shades. They say the best time to visit the canyon is sunset.
What a fascinating trip to the reserve it was!
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And of course good luck and good mood! :)
