When planning this trip last October we looked at all the recommendations online and books. I found a chap who said, do not miss northwest Argentina for unforgettable journeys. The least visited and yet to be discovered.
Well thankyou whoever you are, this has been a HIGHLIGHT we shall certainly not forget, even surpassing the glaciers
Nature speaks powerfully here, lending the region a certain mystery. The magnificent Andes mountains are on such a scale they overwhelm you. We have travelled mile upon mile and feasted on glorious scenes around every bend.
Less of the Hispanic influence here for, once outside the towns you are into Andean culture from early man to pre-Colombian 1492 days. The past is still alive in the adobe houses, in the crafts of the artisans, in the music and the faces of the people.
Undiscovered, allowing you to soak it up undisturbed much of the time on the more off- the- beaten tracks.....and we did a few. The air is fresh and silence intoxicating.
The area is diverse, we drove through valleys lush and fertile, then as we climbed cacti reigned and higher still sat scrubby bushes for goats and llama to get their tough teeth into. And way up in the dizzy heights the snow gleamed.
The wind and rain have gouged huge channels and carved strange shapes into the rocks. Before that though unbelievable power below the earth’s crust has pushed up these jagged, peaked mountains and our car’s been covered in a layer of fine sand that was once a sea bed.
Above all though it is the colours that are the most spectacular, that make you gasp and wonder.
So off we go 10 fantastic days ahead of us where the journey has been the event rather than the destination. I won’t put it all in one post instead will will blog it in parts.
Day 1
First stop after four hours northwest was a two night stay in Purmamarca, a small village with the most wonderful 3km walk from behind our lovely accomodation.
I shall put up some photos but believe me they cannot possibly capture the true beauty and feeling you get from seeing such raw nature.