Salta Off The Beaten Path

Ricardo Clark and Mario Mosquiera are two renowned guides for naturalists and birdwatchers. They are often busy taking groups from universities, etc., around Argentina and Chile, but if you can manage to get them to lead you on a tour of the cloudforest parks near Selva you are in for an incredible treat. But book very early. They are also spearheading the new nature reserve at San Lorenzo. More on this at
San Lorenzo Reserve

Marcelo Zambrano is a guide living in Salta who delights in showing people out-of-the-way corners of the province of Salta, ranging from the high mountains to the cloudforests and canyons. You will need some Spanish to communicate more effectively but he is happy to help you meet interesting people, find archaeological sites, hike into hidden valleys, or study the flora and fauna of this incredible region..

3 more images

A daytrip via the "Cuesta del Obispo" to the National Park located at a height of 3300 meters,
another experience in northern Argentina
A platform on the Andes Mountains, a moon alike landscape with more than thousands of
"Chandelar like Q"
The road to the park is tuff ( unpaved streets and street working still going on ), curving small roads doesn't make it easy to get there, but the views are breathtaking.
Various colored mountains, loal wildlife like horses and lama's will make your day, and not to forget a look through a window on a snowed roof of South America

As we turned left from our Hostel, Backpacker's Soul at San Juan 413, we passed by a tienda that said "Mortuario." Of course, we reason it to mean, "mortuary." However, upon a 2nd or 3rd glance, one will notice, behind the divider, are PORNOGRAPHIC videos. No joke. We didn't step foot of course, but we now know a "secret" of this small, quaint town.

Now we wonder, do the signs that say "pharmacia" really mean "pharmacist?"

For a change of pace, you might walk through this huge market. Go where many of the locals shop. Its all indoors, so if you want to duck the hot sun or a rain shower, this could be the place. Cheap chicken, meats, fruits, veggies, spices, etc are all to be found here.
We saw 2 chickens for less than $3. Two kilos (over 4 pounds) of tomatoes for 1P/$.33US. There were several places in the market to eat or get a drink.
Its located on the Florida pedestrian mall and Av San Martin.

Gerald is my friend... When he lives in Salta, he also displays its art (drawings and paintings) on the pedestrian street of Aribaldi. From 9 in the evening... Go there and have a look, it’s worth it !

Gerald est mon pote... Quand il vit a Salta, il en profite aussi pour exposer son art (dessins et peintures) dans la rue pietonne de Aribaldi. A partir de 9 heures du soir... Allez y et matez le tout, ca vaut le coup !