Purmamarca and the Salt Flats

From Salta the salt flats are only a short(Argentinean distances), but windy drive away. First we took the longest road out of Salta. It went through a forest and we stoped to look for SPIDERS! Apparently there were spider as big as a hand living in that forest. The spiders were not dangerous, but they could jump 1m up in the air. I am glad we didn't manage to spot any of them.

Chewing koka leaves are supposedly good to do if you want to avoid altitude sickness. As we had to drive through a pass at more than 4000 meter we had to try it:p

The home of the spider...

The windy road up to the flats

At 4170 meters!

 One could feel that the air was thin and dizziness was not far away...

First sight of the mountain with seven colours with Cecilie:)

What a coincidence and luck we were on the same tour and on the same bus=) 

We tried to take good pictures at the salt flats, but it was not easy. We were, or that is, Cecilie was just getting the hang of it when we had to leave. The excursion was good, but we all wanted more time at the flats instead of a long lunch, but I think food is too important for Argentineans for them to get the idea.

The mountain with seven colours in Purmamarca.

Instead of going back to Salta we jumped off the bus in Purmamarca (we got picked up the next day to go on an other excursion). First we had lunch with the rest of the group , then checked in at our "hostel" and then we hiked up the mountain with seven colours. Purmamarca was a cosy village with a relaxed atmosphere. If it wasn't for the hostel, that was only a bed in a hut, I would have loved to stay longer. The standard at the hostel was okay for one night, but it was very expensive considering the standard and that nothing, not even hot water nor toilet paper, was included. I had to go toilet paper hunting just before bed: not easy to find! But I did get to see the village by night. A whole crowd was gathered at the plaza and they were playing instruments and singing. I just wanted to join! I would really recommend anyone to stay in one of the small villages in Jujuy, it is a different experience than what one gets just stopping on the way to attractions. (

Beautiful colours in the valley behind the seven couloured mountain

A little bit of hiking:)

Why not bring a guitar to the top of the mountain? It was idyllic:)

Angela, who I traveled with and me looking rather tired

Making pita smells so good, but when we got there following the smell, they were sold out:(

What is that on the top of the mountain? Yes, it is a cross. As everywhere else.

Our hostel

All that was included

The next day we got up early and managed to do a short hike on the mountain opposite the seven coloured mountain before we got picked up and headed for new places:)

Purmamarca

A narrow path, but wide enough