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Touring “Montana Alta”

We had great weather and thus a perfect view of Mount Aconcagua, which is often hidden by clouds. This mountain, at 6,967 meters above sea level, is a very popular destination for climbers, but requires good mountaineering skills and no less than two weeks of your time - Aconcagua, the highest summit of South America, Mendoza, Argentina

We had great weather and thus a perfect view of Mount Aconcagua, which is often hidden by clouds. This mountain, at 6,967 meters above sea level, is a very popular destination for climbers, but requires good mountaineering skills and no less than two weeks of your time – Aconcagua, the highest summit of South America, Mendoza, Argentina

“Alta Montana” is a very popular one day tour starting in Mendoza which covers about 400 kilometres. Its declared highlights are a view of Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, a visit to Puente del Inca and the monument of Cristo Rendedor. Continue Reading →

Tour De Bodegas In Maipu

 

At très chic Tempus Alba, we decided to sample their whole range of 6 red wines and a rosé which enabled us to compare all the famous red wines of Argentinean in one go: a Malbec Rosé, a Merlot, a Tempranillo, a Syrah, a Malbec, a Cabernet Sauvignon and last but not least, a cuvee, their best wine, Mendoza, Argentina

At très chic Tempus Alba, we decided to sample their whole range of 6 red wines and a rosé which enabled us to compare all the famous red wines of Argentinean in one go: a Malbec Rosé, a Merlot, a Tempranillo, a Syrah, a Malbec, a Cabernet Sauvignon and last but not least, a cuvee, their best wine, Mendoza, Argentina

The Spanish conquistadores planted wine to South America, although what was produced then hardly resembled the Cabernet-Sauvignons or Malbecs that are nowadays so famous in international wine circles. During the immigration boom in the 19th century, Italian, French and Spanish settlers brought their knowledge and best grapes to Argentina and started growing wine in the west of the country. Continue Reading →

Mendoza, “Tierra De Sol Y Buen Vino”

Our first impression was that this is the city of trees, trees, trees and wide avenues! All streets, which are unusually wide, are lined with tall trees providing the most needed shade for this city. The most pleasant area is the pedestrian mall with outside cafes and restaurants, Mendoza, Argentina

Our first impression was that this is the city of trees, trees, trees and wide avenues! All streets, which are unusually wide, are lined with tall trees providing the most needed shade for this city. The most pleasant area is the pedestrian mall with outside cafes and restaurants, Mendoza, Argentina

Arriving at Mendoza’s bus station after a 13 hour trip from Tucuman, we dropped by the tourist information telling them what we expected of a hostel in Mendoza. This time we were very particular because we would stay here for six nights AND it was the very last place to visit in South America. We were sent to Hostel Estacion Mendoza and found everything we wanted, a quiet place with a swimming pool, Internet and kitchen use. Plus a little garden, a friendly staff and lots of common areas to relax or mingle with other travellers. There are here lot of tourists from Argentinean and Brazil, a great place for a reasonable price that we can truly recommend. Continue Reading →

Back In Tucuman Striking Luck 3 Times

 

Crossing again the Tropic of Capricorn, heading north ...

Crossing again the Tropic of Capricorn, heading north …

After checking in again at the very basic but super friendly “El Portal del Viajero” or Gaucho Hostal, we immediately went to the car rental, ready to hear some bad news. The staff at Movíl Renta turned out to be absolutely professional, so everything ran just smoothly. Basically, they told us to come by the next morning, by then they would have a quotation of how much the repairs of the car would be. Continue Reading →

Doma A Crina Limpia

 

Crina Limpia - It is a gaucho trying to stay on a horse without a saddle, only holding on to a rope tied around the horse?s neck pushing his long spurs into the horse?s belly. The gaucho has to stay on the bucking horse for 13 seconds, otherwise he is disqualified - Maimara, near San Salvador de Jujuy, Northwest Argentina

Crina Limpia – It is a gaucho trying to stay on a horse without a saddle, only holding on to a rope tied around the horse?s neck pushing his long spurs into the horse?s belly. The gaucho has to stay on the bucking horse for 13 seconds, otherwise he is disqualified – Maimara, near San Salvador de Jujuy, Northwest Argentina

You don’t know what we are talking about? Also we had no clue when we spotted a poster at Maimara’s village square saying “Festival de folklore y doma”. There was a photo of a bucking horse on it so we decided to go for it, hoping to see a rodeo with real gauchos, something we never had a chance to see. Continue Reading →

The Andean Feeling Is Returning

 

La Quebrada de Humahuaca - A magic display of colours, dark red or pinkish hills and whitish cliffs with brown tops are often twisted into bizarre formations

La Quebrada de Humahuaca – A magic display of colours, dark red or pinkish hills and whitish cliffs with brown tops are often twisted into bizarre formations

As it turned out, leaving Salta was not that easy, only after asking four times for the way could we head north, to San Salvador de Jujuy and our next destination: Purmamarca and Humahuaca. We could not help but thinking of our friend Jody who described exactly the same experience in her travel notes. Continue Reading →

One Day In Salta

Excellent folkloristic performance by young local dancers near the main plaza - Salta, Northwest Argentina

Excellent folkloristic performance by young local dancers near the main plaza – Salta, Northwest Argentina

After this exciting trip we bid farewell to our three lovely Argentinean passengers, Guadalupe, Martina and Pia. We started looking for a hostel and luckily, very soon we stumbled across the superb Hostal El Cerrito, where first thing we showered off all the mud from this travel. Continue Reading →

Mudslides, Falling Rocks & “Mucho Suerte”

 

During the next hour we had to pass two more blockages, not talking about numerous flooded parts that had to be crossed.

During the next hour we had to pass two more blockages, not talking about numerous flooded parts that had to be crossed.

We knew that the road from Cachí to Salta was not only extremely scenic, but also bumpy and a muddy mess during the rainy season, with precipices equalling “Death Road” in Bolivia. But we never anticipated the things to come! Continue Reading →

Argentina’s Northwest Around Cafayate & Cachi

 

La Quebrada de Cafayate - A magic display of colours, dark red or pinkish hills and whitish cliffs with brown tops are often twisted into bizarre formations

La Quebrada de Cafayate – A magic display of colours, dark red or pinkish hills and whitish cliffs with brown tops are often twisted into bizarre formations

Cafayate is a popular resort town thanks to its scenic surroundings and the pleasant climate during the summer months. The main attraction is Quebrada de Cafayate, a canyon cut in the arid zone by rivers descending down from the Andes. What make the canyon so spectacular are the many colours of the different sedimentary layers and the bizarre rock formations. Continue Reading →

Las Ruinas de Quilmes

Quilmes was an urban complex where about 8.000 people lived, starting from 1200 AD. They fiercely resisted the Incas and after that fought the Spanish for over 130 year but were defeated in 1667, after the Spanish succeeded in cutting off their water supply

Quilmes was an urban complex where about 8.000 people lived, starting from 1200 AD. They fiercely resisted the Incas and after that fought the Spanish for over 130 year but were defeated in 1667, after the Spanish succeeded in cutting off their water supply

Quilmes was an urban complex where about 8.000 people lived, starting from 1200 AD. They fiercely resisted the Incas and after that fought the Spanish for over 130 year but were defeated in 1667, after the Spanish succeeded in cutting off their water supply. Continue Reading →