After our night in San Antonio de los Cobres and having witnessed one of the iconic engineering feats in the history of this region, we continue our journey along Route 40, heading north once again.
We are about to encounter some of the landscapes that distinguish this area. Along the way, we will find many beautiful things to see; however, two of them take the top spots: I refer to the Salinas Grandes and the Cuesta del Lipán.
The first will be on our path, just an small detour to reach a landscape that truly looks like another planet. Here, the enormous expanse of salt reminds us, among other things, of how small we are and how nature also expresses itself in this form. It is an ideal place for some fun, perspective-bending photos. Here we will meet our host for the day, with him we will explore this crazy place, learn about the work people do here and get a deeper view on more than what the eye sees. Lets have a lunch sorrounded by inmensity and get ready for the nest stage.
Continuing our journey, we meet the Cuesta del Lipán, a winding road that takes us away from Route 40. It will compel us to stop and let our imagination roam.
After leaving the Cuesta del Lipán behind, our destination is the town of Tilcara. On the way, we will pass through beautiful Purmamarca, with its Hill of Seven Colors and small streets filled with handicrafts and traditional food. I recommend returning to this spot once settled in Tilcara to walk at a leisurely pace and absorb some of the tranquility that its streets evoke into our present moment.
Tilcara is a strategic enclave on the route. Since pre-Hispanic times, the ancient inhabitants of the region considered it a place to settle and from where they could control the convoys traveling through the area while keeping themselves safe. We will learn about this on a tour with a private guide, visiting the city, its main landmarks, and the famous Pucará de Tilcara: a site reconstructed upon the ruins of the ancient fortress that controlled the valley from above.
El Candil will be our accommodation for the next three nights. A suggested excursion, if you enjoy walking, is to visit the Quebrada de la Señorita, or perhaps a winery. However, always keep in mind that relaxation time is also important.
The Quebrada de Humahuaca, the geographical region where we are located, offers many other places to explore. Just like Purmamarca, there is the town of Maimará, recently declared one of the most beautiful tourist villages in the world.
We are nearing the end of Holy Week, so we can still expect celebrations that will continue to remind us that faith, in this part of the world, also dresses in many, many colors.
Services included during these days: