ARGENTINA: The Andes Mountains in the Province of Salta Do NOT Disappoint

If it is not pretty obvious, I'll just come right out and state it - we both love the mountains!

And Argentina's Andes Mountains do not disappoint. 

In the NW part of the country is the province of Salta, with the capital city being, Salta. 

It is smack dab in the heart of the mountains.

SPOILER ALERT: Lots of mountain photos and the bigger the screen the better. 

From the city of Salta we did a 3 hour day trip west to Cachi.

We drove a car. Not everyone else did.

It was so peaceful finding these horses in the valley. 

I don't know if they were wild or belonged to someone. 

Lush vegetation growing around the water beds.

Going around every corner is another Kodak Moment.

I couldn't help but think "Rest In Peace" when we saw this cute little cemetery,

literally in the middle of nowhere.

The photos do not show how steep the mountains are. Just straight up.

These mountains have vegetation and are not as dry as some of the other ranges.

Hairpin curves leading higher and higher into the steep mountains.

We found these little cuties that do not seem to be worried about the state of the universe.

Around a couple more curves and the scenery changes...

through a dry flat plateau between ranges. 

With a "straight as an arrow" road. 

Which was a nice break for Mario Andretti after the hairpin roads.

The next day we drove 3 hours south to stay in the town of Cafayate. It was another beautiful drive through the mountains with stunning scenery.

We hiked up one of the miradors (look out points.)

What goes up, must come down.

A gorge with a waterfall - when there is water. 

This is the end of summer, so, it is not quite the Diablo as the name suggests.

Where there is water there is vegetation. 

A couple of straight roads for a bit.

Look very closely at the rocks across the valley.

Mountain goats!!! And boy, do they move quickly!

We stayed 4 nights in Calafatye. We did a day hike north of the town in Los Colorados.

For part of it we walked along a dry riverbed. Look closely at the holes in the ground. 

They are hoof tracks. A whole herd of goats enjoyed some water here before it dried up. A nice place to enjoy a long cool drink of water. 

We are very happy hikers. 

We just need to mastered the art of Selfies.