Salta is located in the Lerma valley in a mountainous region in the North-West of Argentina. The town has quite a few nice colonial mansions and churches and is a good base for exploring the region.

The city centre is small enough to explore on foot. To Plaza 9 de Julio is the real centre...

Salta is located in the Lerma valley in a mountainous region in the North-West of Argentina. The town has quite a few nice colonial mansions and churches and is a good base for exploring the region.

The city centre is small enough to explore on foot. To Plaza 9 de Julio is the real centre of town, and here you find the Cathedral dating back to the 1850-ies and the Cabildo. East of the centre is the Cerro San Bernardo which can be reached by cable car (spanish: teleferico - depart from Parque San Martin) and from which you get a great view over the city.

The small suburb or San Lorenzo is a good destination for a short excursion (20 minutes away, AR$9 by taxi) - stroll in the park or go further into the forest on one of the many hiking trails that start there; go on a horseback ride up the hill to get a great view of Salta, or simply walk around this very nice neighborhood to see the the colonial-style houses the rich Saltenos live in.

From Salta, there is a variety of excursions that will take you up in the mountains for fantastic views. On Avenida Buenos Aires, one block south of Plaza 9 de Julio, you will find several agencies providing 1-day, 2-day, 3-day or even 4-day excursions / trekkings (recommended: MoviTrack - excellent service and great fun). Go to Cachi (West) for one day to see landscapes reminiscent of the desert of Arizona, Cafayate (South) for breath-taking rock formations, or Jujuy (North) for a trip into the rainforest.

The main attraction in Salta is the Tren A Las Nubes (train to the clouds). This 15-hour train ride (only runs on saturdays) takes you to 4,200 m of altitude, to the large viaduct La Polvorilla and the small Indian village of San Antonio de Los Cobres. Tourguides on the train will tell you a lot of interesting information during the ride; Indian artisans will sell you hand-made alpaca sweaters for US$8; and folk bands will play traditional music on the way back. The ride is long (especially the last 2 hours, after nightfall) and a bit pricey, but WELL WORTH IT. The scenery will take your breath away.

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