Salta and excursions to Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes

Sunday was Mother’s Day in Argentina so most of the commercial activity was shut down in their honour! Our main focus was getting some groceries as we’ve been staying in places with small kitchens so we can fix most of our own meals. We were thankful to find a few grocery stores open. I always have fun exploring the various stores we go into when travelling, so many different brand names, products and selection. It reveals a lot about the culture…

Today we went on a tour with a small group out of the city to see the mountains near the town of Purmamarca. The mountains we wanted to see represent a geological formation known for their striking, multi-coloured rock layers. It was a clear day, the sun intense, as it often is at that high altitude, the landscape was incredibly beautiful. The town appeared to rely heavily on the tourist trade, small, clean and quaint. The other focus of the tour was further along but at a lower elevation - the salt flat of Salinas Grande. It too is a wonder of nature! It’s a vast white desert of salt, covering an area of approx 200 sq km, known for its hexagonal formations and salt mining. It was a long, full and very fun day!