A reader's story: My trip to Salta, north-west Argentina

NAME Gail Schwedler, of Katoomba

THE TRIP Salta – north-west Argentina

THE ITINERARY Argentina is a country I have visited before and its diversity has always surprised me, so it was an easy decision to pay a return visit. I met up with my daughter, and travel companion, in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires before our short flight to Salta, the little-known gateway to the rugged majesty that is north-west Argentina. We planned an itinerary of a week to explore the region.

We stayed in a converted convent, Hotel del Antiguo Convento, in the old town, just a short walk down a cobbled street from the main square. Our room opened onto a lovely little courtyard with a fountain, potted impatiens and an eclectic mix of indigenous artefacts.

After the breakfast of sweet biscuits, apple cake and other goodies, not recommended for maintaining one's waistline, we headed off to explore the local markets and the high-end souvenir and craft shops in the city. Thinking that we needed some protein for lunch we bought a huge barbecued turkey drumstick from a market stall and decided that it would keep us going all afternoon.

The next day we headed for the MAAM, the High Mountain Archaeology Museum. What a brilliant museum! We especially wanted to see the Inca "mummies", known as the frozen children, recently discovered on the Llullaillaco Mountain at an altitude of 6739 metres.

We booked a local bilingual guide to take us on day trips from Salta and the surrounding towns of Cachi and Cafayate. We used Anda Turismo Responsible but there were many local tour companies offering the same services.

Over the next few days we explored archaeological sites, canyons, and geological phenomena dating back eons, as well as the ever-present cemeteries, maintained with such devotion and care by the families of the departed. We couldn't fail to notice the brightly coloured plastic flowers on every grave and on closer inspection we saw that they had been made from discarded plastic bags! We took lots of photos …. how could we not? The colours in the changing landscapes were incredibly intense.

At the archaeological site of Quilmes, we were the only tourists there so we could really take our time clambering up the steps of the ancient fortress to view the whole layout. At La Garganta del Diablo, the Devil's Throat, we posed for some of those shots that belie reality and create a talking point … me, with my hands out holding up the mountain!