Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Argentina

DISC OVERING ARGENTINA  15

Day 6: Cafayate and
Quebrada de las Conchas
The road south passes green
vineyards en route to Cafayate
(p194), an adobe village with a
winemaking heritage. Enjoy
tastings and learn about native
cultures at the Museo de
Arqueolgaí Calchaquí, near
the main plaza.
From Cafayate, the loop back
to Salta traverses the Quebrada
de las Conchas (p194). Drink in
the polychrome colors of this
canyon’s towering walls and the
eerie rock formations that pock The atmospheric ruins of San Ignacio Miní, a centuries-old Jesuit mission
the canyon floor, including
La Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Day 9: Nacional Iguazú: the Iberá wetlands: a vast
Throat) and El Sapo (The Toad). Brazilian side wilderness of marshland,
Arrive at Salta. Cross the international border lagoons, waterways, and floating
for panoramic vistas of the islands. Start your visit at the
Day 7: Quebrada de Iguazú Falls from their Brazilian preserve’s gateway village,
Humahuaca side. Visitors from some Colonia Carlos Pelligrini, or
Take a day trip to a true natural countries will need a visa prior nearby Estancia Rincón del
marvel: the Quebrada de to travel (p314). Afterwards, Socorro. Stroll the village’s
Humahuaca (pp200–4), a return to the forested intimacy sandy streets, browse native
canyon of awesome size and of the Argentinian side and trek Guaraní handicrafts, and walk
stunning rock coloration that is the Sendero Macuco. The roar the banks of the main Laguna
populated by ancient villages of the unsighted waterfalls and Iberá, spying native fauna such
lost in time. Visit the picturesque the chatter of capuchin monkeys as caiman and capybara.
village of Purmamarca, famed accompany this jungle hike.
for a multicolored hillside; the Day 12: Esteros del Iberá
mountainside necropolis at Day 10: San Ignacio Miní Spend another full day exploring
Maimará. and the pre-Inca Discover the ruins of a the wetlands. Drift silently
fortress at Tilcara. Continue 17th-century Jesuit mission at across lagoons on a small-boat
through the canyon, stopping San Ignacio Miní (p173). Close excursion into the wetlands.
at villages Uquia, Humahuaca, to the Falls, but a world apart, Spot abundant wildlife, including
and Iruya. Look behind the these orange-stone ruins songbirds of brilliant plumage.
cactus-wood doors of the conserve intact archways, walls, After sunset, don’t miss a
17th-century church at Uquia niches and religious statues, set nocturnal safari of the wetlands.
to discover frescoes of warring dramatically against the verdant Burrowing owls appear; the eyes
angels. Return to Salta. green of the jungle. Stay of caiman and capybara flash
overnight next to the ruins. red and green in the pitch black.
Day 8: Parque Nacional
Iguazú Day 11: Esteros del Iberá Day 13: Mercedes and
The landscape shifts deliciously Head to the glassy, silent waters Corrientes
to virgin rainforest at Puerto of Esteros del Iberá (pp170–71), Make the road trip to gaucho
Iguazú, gateway city to the town Mercedes (p169). Shop
UNESCO World Heritage Site for gaucho ware and visit the
of Parque Nacional Iguazú shrine to Gauchito Gil, a folk
(pp176–9) and the magnificent saint, at the edge of town.
Iguazú Falls. On a day trip to Continue on to Corrientes.
the national park, approach
the upper lip of the waterfalls Day 14: Corrientes
on foot along the Circuito End your trip at a little-visited
Superior, before descending jewel: Corrientes (p172), a
through rainforest to their provincial capital rich in history
spray-shrouded base via the and set on the banks of the
Circuito Inferior. Then ride mighty River Paraná (p167).
the eco-train to the giant Wander its streets and admire
Garganta del Diablo cataract, 19th-century buildings such as
and get truly drenched on a the Casa de Gobierno. Dine
powerboat ride to the base of Scarlet-headed blackbird, a striking denizen on the riverbank, with views
the Salto San Martín falls. of the reed beds of Esteros del Ibéra of forested islands.

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