Most likely you have heard of the high Andes of Bolivia or Northern Chile, like Atacama Desert and Uyuni flat lands, but just a few kilometres away from both iconic places is the border with Argentina. El Norte, the “North” as Argentinians referred to the high northern andes region is characterised by several micro regions. The higher, the Puna, above 3200 meters high and below 4500 meters where Vicuñas, Llamas, Chilean Flamingos wander about in the lonely both wet and dry plateau. This is where you feel you have reached the top of the world and you can see across only the highest volcanoes, step into the enormous salt lakes, the controversial lithium, gold and silver mines and among all these loneliness, some hidden High Altitude wineries.
Below the 3000 we find the Red-rock canyons and mountain passes that create stunning views of the colourful valleys where the sunshine paints different tones on the mountain ranges, as it passes by. Little agricultural towns, linked to the Inca arrival of the region and later attached deeply to the Independence Wars between Argentina and Spain add the cultural aspect that makes this the richest cultural area of the country.
Believe it or not, although Argentina is most well known for Patagonia, Iguazu Falls or Buenos Aires, The Northern Andes is where the country was born. Here you can find the origin to many of the cultural aspects that make up to understand the historical conflicts of the country, the unique europeans-native cultural mixing pot and the classic colonial food origins. Empanadas, Locro, Humitas, besides traditional barbecue and even some of Argentina’s greatest wineries are located here.
One of the most unexplored regions of Argentina, with paved roads and unpaved short, medium and long detours, towns are mostly small size, cozy, safe and over-the-top friendly. If you are looking for solitude, colorful, unexplored, culturally rich and adventure, “El Norte, is the region for you to explore!