Tour of the Northwest

Monday, November 23, 2009

Salta to Humauhuaca and Back

Karen here. We were to be waiting outside of our hotel at 6:45am for pick up for the tour; this was good, we were to be the first pickup, so we would get our choice of seats. As we boarded the 18 seater Mercedes Benz van we seated ourselves directly behind the driver and had a wide open view.

The tour led us out of Salta, through some green fields and mountians and headed north to Pumamarca. The landscape along the way became much drier and the temperature noticable hotter (40+C). For some reason, even though the tour company advertised that we would be travelling in a new, modern, comfortable, air conditioned, Mercedes Benz van - all of these were not quite true; yes it was a Mercedes and it may have had a/c but they didn't turn it on if they did, so it was a bid hot most of the time. Pumamarca is known for the colourful mountains which backdrop the town. In part these mountains consist of 7 small mountains each a different colour - in tones of red, green, yellow and blue The town appears to be one big market with vendors selling pottery, brightly colours yarns, the typical knitted Andean sweaters, hats, socks and gloves, bright table cloths and bed spreads, mate mugs with filter straws, wonderful wool and leather bags. Back in the van and off to Tilcara.

Tilcara another of the Quebrada towns - where the Peruvian and Bolivian cultures are evident. The town was rebuilt after being leveled in an earthquake several centuries ago. We toured a pre-Incan fortified historic site at the top of a hill; from here we had a great view of the town and the incredible mountain coulours and structure. The village below was a beautiful mixture of Cardon cacti (the ones you see in the old western movies) and cedar trees. Then off to Humamarca our most northerly point where we were treated to a lunch of epanadas (something like baked samosas - these were filled with a curried chicken), llama, potatoes, and fruit salad (fruitas ensalada). Then a tour of the town by a local native - didn't understand a word. Back in the van for a two hour drive back to Salta - we experienced the heaviest rain storm ever with large hail stones and constant lightening. This coupled with the fact that we were told that our guide and drive duo work 7 days a week and this tour was 13hr on the road and of course their days start earlier and go later than ours...so needless to say we were very relieved to arrive back safely.

Unfortuneately, time is up and we have to check out of this hotel, so I have to end.