Salta

Salta is the capital of the Argentine province of the same name, in the Lerma Valley, at 1,187 meters. Hernando de Lerma founded it on April 16, 1582, and it keeps its historic center around 9 de Julio Square, with the Cabildo, the Cathedral and the Basilica of San Francisco, all national historic monuments.

Facing the square is the High Mountain Archaeology Museum, home to the Children of Llullaillaco, left 500 years ago as an Inca offering on the summit of that volcano and found perfectly preserved. At the foot of San Bernardo Hill stands the monument to Martín Miguel de Güemes, hero of the Gaucho War.

To continue into Chile, the road goes through Purmamarca and climbs National Route 52 to the Jama Pass, which leads to San Pedro de Atacama.