2024. 12. 6. 06:03ㆍWonderful World
The Northwest of Argentina, or Noroeste Argentino (NOA) in Spanish,
is a region with a diverse climate and topography.
It's made up of the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja, and Santiago del Estero,
and borders Chile and Bolivia.
Geography
Pampa in Argentina Tafi del Valle over the clouds, Tucuman Province, Argentina
Tafí Valley
The Argentine Northwest comprises very distinct biomes, or geographical and climatic regions. From west to east they are:
- The Altiplano or "Puna"
- High Mountains of the Andes
- Fertile valleys
- Red-rock canyons and mountain passes
- Humid Sub-Andean Sierras
- Tropical jungles or Yungas
- And the ecotone—or transitional zone—between the Yungas and the Chaco region.
Besides the Yungas jungle on the eastern fringe of the region, the only fertile lands are those near the river basins, which have been irrigated extensively. Across millennia the erosive forces of these rivers has gradually created a multitude of red-rock canyons, such as the Quebrada de Humahuaca and the Valles Calchaquíes.
West of these valleys the peaks of the Andes reach heights of over 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) and the Altiplano, an extensive 3,500-meter high plateau, dominates the landscape and continues far north into Bolive and Southern Peru.
Location of Northwest Argentina
Northwest regions of Argentina
favourite destinations
https://www.terra-altiplano.com/en/regions
1. Cone of Arita & Arizaro Salt
Cone of Arita & Arizaro Salt
An almost perfect pyramid of 147 metres rises in the middle of the Salar de Arizaro, to impose its mystery in the Puna region.
Perhaps a half-formed volcano made of salt and lava, this strange vestige of the geology of Salta was a sacred place for pre-Inca civilisations. The solitude of the environment has ignited the myths and legends of the original peoples, in which the cone claimed to be a god, perhaps shaped by the whims of the wind.
2. Cardones National Park
Cardones National Park
The third largest Park in the Province of Salta with more than 64,120 hectares! It is one of the main Andean Biomas of the North-West. Its main objective is the preservation of the most important species of the region: the cactus known as cardoon (trichocereus pasacana). The tradition affirms that these cardoons are native people who look after us and keep us out of danger.
The Park is located not far from Payogasta and Cachi and is ideal for a photo safari, both for its landscapes and its fauna: vicuñas, falcons, among other species that can be observed.
The Recta del Tintin is a straight line of 19 km, at an altitude of 3,000 metres.
On either side of this straight line we can see the Los Cardones National Park, with its gigantic cacti in the middle of the hills and the immensity of the landscape.
It is precisely these cactus specimens, the cardones, like guardians of the desert, that give their name to this national park of more than 64,000 hectares.
3. Sea Eye lagoon
Sea Eye lagoon
Three turquoise lagoons in the middle of an immense white salt lake, 5 kilometres from the town of Tolar Grande, form an incomparable natural landscape.
These volcanic saltwater pools change colour according to the sun's rays that pass through them: turquoise, green, light blue, blue, mixed with the pure white of the salt and the reddish earth, with an astonishing transparency.
It is a unique ecosystem: there are living stromatolites, one of the oldest forms of life on the planet, microorganisms of prehistoric origin, the only ones known in the world at such an altitude.
4. Hornocal Mountain
Hornocal Mountain
The Serranía del Hornocal is a geological formation that stands out for its great variety of colours: it is known as the 14-coloured mountain, Cerro de los 14 Colores.
In order to enjoy the landscape, an area has been demarcated as a viewpoint at 4,350 metres above sea level. The viewpoint can be reached by car and it is from there that the best panoramic views can be obtained.
The road leading to this viewpoint is worth the diversion: it passes through the Puna landscape.
5. Train to the clouds
Train to the clouds
Internationally known, the Tren de las Nubes has become one of the main attractions of northwestern Argentina. Its route starts in Salta, crosses the Valle de Lerma to the Quebrada del Toro and arrives in the Puna region.
A dizzying ride at over 4,200 metres above sea level. The average speed is 35 km/h, ideal for taking pictures of the landscape!
The cloud train has a capacity of 640 passengers and passes over bridges, tunnels and viaducts, including the famous Polvorilla viaduct.
The complete journey leaves Salta at 07:00 in the morning and returns to Salta at around 19:00. Another option is to take the train from San Antonio de los Cobres station at 12:00 noon and return only.
6. Pumice stone field
Pumice stone field
This is a protected natural area located in the south of the department of Antofagasta de la Sierra, with an area of 75,489 ha and a minimum altitude of 3,050 metres.
It includes sandy areas at its northern end, up to 4,850 metres above sea level in the areas west of the Blanco Volcano.
This real find is one of the treasures of Puna Catamarca, with strange and complex pink, ochre and yellow rock formations that exceed 4 metres in height. The extension of the field is approximately 23 km from north to south.
It is also accessible by a track from the town of Fiambala (Tinogasta) only by 4x4 vehicle.
7. Salinas Grandes
Salinas Grandes
The Grandes Salinas are a vast white expanse that forms an endless white horizon of 12,000 hectares or 120 km20 at an altitude of 3350 metres.
The salt extraction basins allow the water to appear on the white surface offering us a surprising contrast.
8. Quebrada de Las Conchas
Quebrada de Las Conchas
On the road between Cafayate and Salta is the magical Quebrada de las Conchas. Keep your eyes open to enjoy the spectacle on offer: intense colours, spectacular geological formations formed by different minerals and the erosion of time.
The most fascinating points are without a doubt the Amphitheatre and La Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Gorge.
9. Desierto del Diablo & Laberinto
Desierto del Diablo & Laberinto
These deserts are located on the road towards Tolar Grande from the city of Salta. The track includes descents of mountains and hills and strange deserts such as the Desierto del Diablo and its red ochre earth that photographers especially enjoy when crossing it.
10. Quilmes ruins
Quilmes ruins
The ruins of Quilmes belonged to the Calchaquí Indians, who settled on the slopes and on the Calchaquí mountain range. Hence the name of these tribes: Quilmes and Calchaquí.
The mountainside was thus transformed into a stone fortress. Enclosures and cactus were used for the development of these communities, which raised animals and planted quinoa, maize and other plantations that served to feed the population.
11. The Hill of the Seven Colors
The Hill of the Seven Colors
The Cerro de los Siete Colores is one of the hills that border the Quebrada de Purmamarca, a village located 64 km from San Salvador de Jujuy.
This hill gets its name because of the particular range of colours that are reflected very early, with the first rays of the sun, and which are appreciated in the large rocky mass and which vary from orange to violet tones.
This natural rainbow is the product of a complex geological history that includes marine, lake and river sediments raised by tectonic movements.
12. Quebrada de Las Flechas
Quebrada de Las Flechas
On Route 40 at km 4.380, between Cachi and Cafayate, the traveller passes through the impressive Quebrada de las Flechas, enclosed in a mysterious lunar landscape.
While crossing it, the "paso de la Flecha", "the passage of the arrow" resembling a petrified glacier with sharp points, declared a natural monument of Angastaco, stands out.
13. Cuesta del Obispo & Quebrada del Escoipe
Cuesta del Obispo & Quebrada del Escoipe
Provincial road 33 descends the Cuesta del Obispo and Quebrada de Escoipe to Salta, linking the Calchaquís valleys and Los Cardones National Park with the Lerma valley and the city of Salta.
It is a spectacular route with panoramic views that cannot be missed!
14. Acsibi caves
Acsibi caves
Located in the Calchaquíes valleys, these little-known caves are the work of nature and the erosion of time. They can only be reached on foot.
They are famous for their strange formations, melted into a red ochre earth decoration typical of the region, and the light that filters through the openings in their ceilings can be appreciated.
15. Carachi Pampa Lagoon
Carachi Pampa Lagoon
The lagoons of Carachi Pampa are an eloquent example of natural beauty accessible from the village of El Peñón.
The excursion to the volcano and the lagoon is done by 4x4. The immense plain of alluvial materials where the lagoon is located is at an altitude of 3002 metres, while the summit of the Carachi Pampa volcano is at an altitude of 3447 metres.
These are the typical and ideal altitudes for the Puna ecoregion to manifest itself. The only plant formations that we find come from the availability of water from the nearby lagoon: a great contrast with the surface of disintegrated black lava (volcanic slag from the lava flow of the volcano), which is totally devoid of vegetation.
The climate in this area is hyper-arid (called arid puneño).
16. Galan Volcano & Diamond Lagoon
Galan Volcano & Diamond Lagoon
The crater of the Galan volcano is the second largest in the solar system.
In the middle of the crater is the hill itself, towards which mountaineers from all over the world set out to conquer.
Pre-Inca silver statuettes were found on the top of the hill and are on display at the Museum of Anthropology in Buenos Aires.
Inside the crater is also the spectacular Diamante Lagoon, populated by pink flamingos. Further north, there is a hot spring.
Access is only possible in 4 x 4 vehicles, or on horseback, always under the guidance of baqueanos, the guides of the region.
17. Talampaya & Ischigualasto Parks
Talampaya & Ischigualasto Parks
Visit the Talampaya and Ischigualasto Parks! These parks located in the provinces of San Juan and La Rioja are a surprising world of rock formations, sculpted by erosion.
Created in 1975 as a provincial park with the aim of protecting archaeological and palaeontological sites, the Talampaya Park covers 215,000 hectares.
18. Leoncito Parc
Leoncito Parc
El Leoncito National Park is located in the southwest of the province of San Juan, in the department of Calingasta.
It was created in 2001 and covers an area of 89,900 hectares, in which the eco-regions of Monte de Sierras y Bolsones, La Puna and the Altos Andes merge.
El Leoncito National Park is a true oasis in the San Juan desert and a natural site with a rich flora and fauna.
Two important astronomical observatories, known internationally, make it possible to appreciate the clear skies of San Juan. Astronomical evenings are offered: when the sky is clear you can observe Jupiter, its moons, the moon's craters and nebulae.
Cerro de los Siete Colores - Wikipedia
Mountain in Argentina Cerro de los Siete Colores (The Hill of Seven Colors) is one of the hills bordering the Quebrada de Purmamarca which is in turn is a western branch of the Quebrada de Humahuaca up to Cuesta del Lipán, in Jujuy Province, Argentina.[1]
en.wikipedia.org
History
Archaeological finds
In February 2021, archaeologists from the University of Buenos Aires–National Scientific and Technical Research Council announced the discovery of 12 graves dated to 6,000-1,300 years ago.
Researchers also revealed necklaces and pendants next to some of the bodies. According to archaeologist Leticia Cortés, there were many kinds of burial methods, in individual or collective graves, and also in the posture of the bodies. Some were hyperflexed, like squatting, with the shoulders touching the knees.
Cerro de los Siete Colores, Jujuy Province.
Trekking in Quebrada de las Conchas.
Conchas Valley, Salta (Argentina).
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