Exploring the Andes
We head away from Salta on a humid grey morning - we're going out to explore the Andes. Quickly we leave the city behind. Initially we follow the Train to the Clouds railway line. Built originally for mining, to link Argentina and Chile, it now operates sporadically as a tourist train - the third highest in the world.
As we climb higher the landscape changes: cactuses replace trees, and eventually only small, stunted clumps of grasses scatter the dry, rocky landscape. We also leave the cloud behind and emerge above it into searing sunshine. In places we're reminded of New Zealand's mountain scenery.
We reach 4000 meters above sea level and stop to admire the view. A vast landscape with beautiful colors in the rock, glowing in the sunlight - grey, red, yellow, white.
As we drive there are almost no other cars; we see no birds up this high.
We stop for lunch at San Antonio de Las Cobres. A dusty town seemingly in the middle of nowhere. We feast on a delicious casserole of llama meat and vegetables served with local potatoes and rice, accompanied by the regional beer - Salta. This quiet town has a beautiful small church and peaceful streets.
We drive on. Now that we're up on the puna we spot the occasional herd of sheep, goats or llama. Our first encounter with a vicuña is a lone animal racing across the road. These animals are close relatives of the llama and alpaca. Light brown and white wool makes them incredibly well camouflaged in this landscape, and they are apparently notoriously shy. As we travel further we see more, usually in family groups of six or more.
We begin to catch glimpses of the vast white salt flats Salinas Grandes. As we approach we see the mining operation, where rectangular trenches are cut in the flats to expose and evaporate the water hidden beneath the salt crust. The patterns of the salt crystals, and the contrast between the pale flats, the bright blue sky and the grey mountains are beautiful.
It's baking hot and bright, with the sun reflecting off the pale surface of the salt flats.
We have fun attempting to take the obligatory perspective photographs.
Climbing once again out of the salt flats we reach the highest point of our explorations today: 4170 meters above sea level. This is higher than the summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook, and in the distance we see the even higher peak of the volcano Llullaillaco - 6700 metres above sea level.
Our last stop for the day is Purmamarca, in the Humahuaca Gorge. The area is famous for the seven colors you can see in the hills and rock formations. A pretty town with its main square overlooked by a small white church and market craft stalls spread around the edges. We leave with a small selection of local crafts!
As we climb higher the landscape changes: cactuses replace trees, and eventually only small, stunted clumps of grasses scatter the dry, rocky landscape. We also leave the cloud behind and emerge above it into searing sunshine. In places we're reminded of New Zealand's mountain scenery.
As we drive there are almost no other cars; we see no birds up this high.
We stop for lunch at San Antonio de Las Cobres. A dusty town seemingly in the middle of nowhere. We feast on a delicious casserole of llama meat and vegetables served with local potatoes and rice, accompanied by the regional beer - Salta. This quiet town has a beautiful small church and peaceful streets.
We begin to catch glimpses of the vast white salt flats Salinas Grandes. As we approach we see the mining operation, where rectangular trenches are cut in the flats to expose and evaporate the water hidden beneath the salt crust. The patterns of the salt crystals, and the contrast between the pale flats, the bright blue sky and the grey mountains are beautiful.
It's baking hot and bright, with the sun reflecting off the pale surface of the salt flats.
We have fun attempting to take the obligatory perspective photographs.
Climbing once again out of the salt flats we reach the highest point of our explorations today: 4170 meters above sea level. This is higher than the summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook, and in the distance we see the even higher peak of the volcano Llullaillaco - 6700 metres above sea level.
Our last stop for the day is Purmamarca, in the Humahuaca Gorge. The area is famous for the seven colors you can see in the hills and rock formations. A pretty town with its main square overlooked by a small white church and market craft stalls spread around the edges. We leave with a small selection of local crafts!
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