North West Region

Northwestern provinces feature traces of pre-Columbian cultures, mingled with ruins of natives’ villages, as well as forts and constructions dating back to the time of the Conquest and Colonization.
Time seems to stand still in the high plateau of the Puna, a land full of mountain ranges, steep mountain paths, and gorges. Villages have been built in the small valleys. Multi-coloured and monochromatic hills covered with huge cactuses on the slopes surround the village. This region offers landscapes full of contrast for tourists to enjoy, from the high peaks to the plains, the salt pans, and the subtropical rain forests, where Latin American culture took root.

Provinces: Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero

Activities in the North West Region

Adventure Tourism
The whole region combines natural attractions with suitable areas for diverse activities such as mountaineering, trekking, horseback riding, mountain biking, ecotourism, bird-watching, rural tourism, and archeological trips.
Sailing, canoeing and windsurfing are other sports that may be practiced in this region.

Sport Fishing
An ample diversity of natural landscapes and dramatic contrasts such as the densely vegetated Yunga forests, or the serenity of mountains, hills and brooks of the Calchaquí Valleys, provide exhilarating conditions for sport fishing. The rivers Juramento, Lipeo, Iruya and Bermejo are home to the mighty dorado, and the mountain river rapids support trout.

Fiestas, trips, and leisure
Popular fiestas, colourful carnivals and Holy Week celebrations take place in the Puna and the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Misachicos are colourful religious processions where Christian liturgy is mixed with ancestral rites in the towns of the altiplano. Another typical event in Salta are the peñas folklóricas in which folklore groups play the guitar while regional meals are served. Interesting visits to wine cellars can be made in Salta. There are casinos in Salta, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, San Miguel de Tucumán and Termas de Río Hondo.

Thermal Spas
There are spas in Termas de Río Hondo (Santiago del Estero), Rosario de la Frontera (Salta), Termas de Reyes and Aguas Calientes (Jujuy). Thermal waters are found in Tinogasta and Fiambalá (Catamarca).