Argentina Guide
The Northwest
Salta
SALTA, historic capital of one of Argentina's biggest and most beautiful provinces, easily lives up to its well-publicized nickname of Salta la Linda (Salta the Fair), thanks to its festive atmosphere, handsome buildings and dramatic setting. In a region where the landscape and nature, rather than the towns and cities, are the main attractions, Salta is the exception. Fifteen hundred kilometres northwest of Buenos Aires, at the eastern end of the fertile Valle de Lerma, nationally famous for its tobacco plantations, and bounded by the Río Vaqueros to the north and Río Arenales to the south, the city is squeezed between steep, rippling mountains; 1190m above sea level, it enjoys a relatively balmy climate. In recent years, Salta has become the Northwest's undisputed tourist capital, and its top-quality services include a slew of highly professional tour operators, some of the region's best-appointed hotels and liveliest youth hostels and a handful of very good restaurants. In addition to a cable car and a tourist railway, its sights include the marvellous Neoclassical Iglesia San Francisco, and a raft of excellent museums dedicated to subjects as varied as pre-Columbian culture, anthropology, local history and modern art. A generous sprinkling of well-preserved or well-restored colonial architecture has survived, giving the place a pleasant homogeneity and certain charm.
Tours from Salta
1 Clark Expediciones Caseros 121 
0387/421-5390 
www.clarkexpediciones.com Specializes in bird-watching trips to Calilegua and El Rey national parks, to the Laguna de los Pozuelos and further afield (Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, plus other parts of Argentina).
2 
Marina Turismo Caseros 489 0387/431-2097 www.marina-semisa.com.ar One of the most professional outfits in the region, Marina's friendly and dynamic team will bend over backwards to get you a vehicle (and driver-guide, should you need one), find you a guided excursion, book your hotel, change your flight or even just give you useful tips about where to eat, sleep or drink. English spoken.
3 MoviTrack Buenos Aires 28 0387/431-6749 www.movitrack.com.ar Offers the "Safari a los Nubes", a fun and adventurous way of discovering the Quebrada del Toro; there's an optional extension via the Quebrada de Humahuaca, in a special vehicle giving all passengers panoramic views. In addition to safaris to Cachi, Quilmes and Cafayate, and day-trips to Molinos and Tilcara, they also arrange an outing to Iruya and a five-day expedition to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
4 Norte Trekking Los Juncos 173 0387/436-1844 or 156-832543 
fede@nortetrekking.com Federico Norte and his experienced team can take you on a safari into the puna, on a two-day trip to the Valles Calchaquíes or to the Parque El Rey. Norte Trekking also organizes longer tours to the Atacama Desert, Chile.
5 Salta Rafting Buenos Aires 88, local 13 0387/401-0301 www.saltarafting.com Highly professional, youthful team of operators specializing in rafting on the Río Juramento, southeast of the city, plus kayaking, horse riding and mountain-biking.
6 Siempre Viajeros Caseros 121 0387/421-5390 www.clarkexpediciones.com Natural history excursions and longer journeys to various locations in the region. Operating out of the same office as Clark Expediciones, they also do excellent city tours in Salta itself, can put you in touch with people running bike tours, help you with local accommodation and show you around the Reserva del Huaico in San Lorenzo.
7 Tastil Caseros 468 0387/431-0031 www.turismotastil.com.ar Professionally run but mostly routine trips to the Salinas Grandes, Humahuaca, Cafayate, the cloudforest national parks, Laguna de Pozuelos and even as far as Chile. Expect to waste lots of time collecting and dropping off passengers and not much English in the commentary.
8 Expeditions www.tailoredexpeditions.com.ar Internet-based tour company specializing in tailor-made tours – with native English-speakers as guides – of the Argentine Northwest for very small groups with emphasis on culture, leisure and luxury.
9 Uriburu – Father and Son J.M. Leguizamón 446 0387/431-0605 hru@salta-server.com.ar Unforgettable horseback, bike and trekking excursions to Molinos, La Poma and other less-visited routes around the province, all run by the prophet-like Hernán – a highly experienced guide and real character – and his son Marco.
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