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4
days - 3 night
The city of Salta, located in the NW
of Argentina & within the Province of the same name,
was founded in 1582 by Hernando de Lerma. Today, it
still preserves its Spanish colonial history & traditions,
maintaining close links to its neighbouring countries
- Bolivia, Chile & Paraguay - with whom it shares
common borders.
Within Provincia de Salta, some 220000 hectares have
been set aside as National Parks known for their rugged
terrain, salt deserts & ever changing colours of
the backdrop, the mighty Andes mountain range.
Salta city offers the visitor wonderful opportunities
to purchase local crafts, amongst which, basket works,
barracan fabrics, tapestries, brilliantly coloured ponchos
& quality pottery pieces are prized.
It is also a city of wonderful ornate churches, a central
cathedral & museum, a famous monastery & many
grand statues & monuments recognizing past military
heroes & battles fought to secure national independence
from the Spanish.
Inaugurated in 1625, San Francisco church is a favourite
for photographers seeking to capture its brilliant reds
& ornate gold frontage, as well as historians checking
out the museum within.
Having undergone four transformations, it was declared
an historic monument in 1947 & proclaimed as a Minor
Basilica by the Vatican in 1997. Its museum houses amongst
many religiously historical artefacts, a Cross that
General Belgrano ordered be placed commemorating the
victors & those who fell in the battle fought near
by in 1813.
This area was key in many battles fought in the name
of Argentine independence & accordingly, there are
statues aplenty that recognize the conflicts & struggles.
Monumento al General Martín Miguel de Guemes
& El Monumento a la Batalla de Salta are two such
impressive tributes.
No visit to Salta is complete without a wander through
the mansión 'Casa de Uriburu'- the house built
for President Jose Felix Uriburu in the late 18th century.
Declared a National Monument in 1944, it is a colonial
styled building with a large classical balcony housing
furniture, documents & personal garments that belonged
to the late President.
Salta has An excellent range of quality hotels &
fine restaurants where visitors will be welcomed &
provided the best of cuisine, fine local wines &
service.
Day 1.
You'll be met on arrival at Salta & transferred
to your centrally located city hotel. Take the afternoon
to stroll & acquaint yourself with the city layout
& certainly, don't be without a camera as there
is an abundance of historical buildings located in &
around the town square that make for wonderful photographic
opportunities.
Day 2.
(B) An early start to the day & you will be taken
to the central station by 0700. Here awaits one of the
world's most spectacular day train excursions - Tren
de Las Nubes - the Train to the Clouds.
This will be a long day, but one that will truly amaze,
as the train winds its way out of the city, through
the surrounding valleys & then begins its steep
upward zig-zag climb through tunnels, over bridges &
crossing the famous viaduct 'La Polvorilla', before
reaching it's zenith high in the Andes mountains at
4220m above sea level.
Day 3.
(B) Take your time this morning as after a leisurely
breakfast, its off on a half day tour of Salta &
the surrounding countryside. Historic buildings, churches,
monuments & the 'Casa de Uriburu '- house of the late
President Jose Felix Uriburu, are on the list of sights.
This afternoon we'd suggest you take time to visit the
local artisan market, held on Sundays in the city square.
Here, there are wonderful bargains to be had buying
pottery, tapestries, traditional ponchos, gaucho silverware
& apparel & exquisite Argentine silver 'mate'
drinking cups.
Day 4.
(B) After breakfast, you will be transferred to the
airport for your onward flight.
Included features :
· 3 nights quality hotel accommodation
· Breakfast daily as indicated in the itinerary
· Full day excursion on the 'Tren de Las Nubes'
· Morning Salta & surrounds sightseeing excursion
· Transfers on arrival & departure from airport
to hotel & v.v .
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