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Salta and Jujuy are two provinces in northwestern Argentina with unique identities and attractions. Salta is larger and more urbanized, while Jujuy offers stunning natural landscapes such as Quebrada de Humahuaca. Visitors can take tours, including the popular Tren a las Nubes, or explore on their own. Altitude sickness is a common issue, but reputable organizations can provide coca leaves to relieve symptoms.
Salta and Jujuy are the two northwesternmost provinces of the country of Argentina. Jujuy is bordered to the north by Bolivia, to the west by Chile and to the south and east by the province of Salta. Certainly, Salta and Jujuy each have their own unique identity and regional attractions. However Salta City is only 74.5 miles (120 km) from Jujuy and many natural wonders in this region cross the borders of these two provinces. For these reasons, visitors to northwestern Argentina usually include both Salta and Jujuy in their itineraries.
Salta is the larger and more urbanized of the two provinces and is known colloquially as “la Linda”, or the beautiful one. April and March are the best months to visit, as days are usually clear and warm. Salta and Jujuy offer a wide variety of tours for visitors, including bus tours, bike tours, and hiking. Most of these tours depart from Salta, but go through both Salta and Jujuy.
Although Salta is a bit more established than Jujuy, both provinces have a strong indigenous culture, mainly Inca and Aymará. Traditional celebrations such as religious festivals are common and local people can be seen in native dress, playing music on traditional native instruments. In both Salta and Jujuy, surviving indigenous culture combines with colonial-style structures, indicating both native culture and the former colonization of Argentina by the Spanish. This unique identity is very different from the largely Europeanized atmosphere of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.
Salta City features a number of colonial buildings, including the Church of San Francisco, the Cabildo or City Council, the Covenant of San Bernardo, the Bascilica Cathedral, the Candelaria Church, and San Lorenzo. From here, central Salta, one can travel west to the town of Santa Rosa de Tastil and see a series of Inca ruins. In the southwest of the province of Salta are the Valles Calchaquíes, which include the small villages of Cachi and Molinos. Hiking and horse riding are popular here. Tours to Valles Calchaquíes can also include those through Los Cardones National Park and the Enchanted Valley, where there is a small lagoon and cave paintings.
An especially popular attraction in the province of Salta is the city of Cafayete. A tour through Cafayete will likely include a trip to Quebrada de Las Conchas, where erosion has carved shapes into the earth. Cafayete is also known for its vineyards. Here you can taste the regional high-altitude wines, including the popular local white grape variety, torrontés.
Another popular tourist attraction in Salta is the Tren a las Nubes, or Train to the Clouds. This is a railway that crosses the Andes and the tours depart from Salta, go through the Lerma Valley and the Quebrada del Toro and arrive in Puna. The Puna is a high-elevation desert that spans the territory of Salta and Jujuy at an elevation of 12,467 feet (3,800 m) above sea level. The Puna is the site of the famous Salinas Grandes, a shimmering white expanse of salt beds. Also in La Puna is Laguna de los Pozuelos, a brilliant blue lagoon populated by exotic birds.
Jujuy, although the smaller and less developed of the two provinces, also offers stunning natural landscapes and amazing attractions. Aside from Sainas Grandes, perhaps Jujuy’s most popular attraction is Quebrada de Humahuaca. Quebrada de Humahuaca is also known as the Cerro de los Siete Colores, or the hill of seven colors. This huge gorge is streaked with brilliantly colored earth and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Towns to visit in Jujuy include Purmamarca, Maimará, Humahuaca and Tilcara. From Tilcara you can reach a volcano known as Volcán de Yacoraite. Another popular trip follows the Río Grande, surrounded by multicolored mountains, and where you can see cave paintings from pre-Hispanic colonialism and festivals such as Pachamama and Carnival.
Travel arrangements in Salta and Jujuy can be done easily, as there are a number of organizations offering accommodation and tour times. It is not uncommon for tourists to be overcharged or otherwise exploited. Travelers should look for reputable organizations that combine reasonable pricing with accountability. One of the most common difficulties encountered by tourists is altitude sickness. Responsible organizations warn tourists about this problem and often provide coca leaves, which are very effective in relieving altitude sickness when chewed. Of course, it is also possible to see many of these attractions without the help of a guide. However, it may be safer to take guided tours, especially for foreigners.
