27.10.2004

House on the main square in Cafayate. Click here to see more photos!

On a late afternoon we reached the peaceful town of Cafayate, which is situated at the confluence of two rivers in an arid area near the Quebrada de Cafayate.
The sun is shining there for 350 days per year and so there grow some of the most famous wines of Argentina, like the countries unique grapes called Torrontés. A lot of vineyards offer free tours and tastings and if that is not enough you can still try the extremely delicious wine ice cream made by a local "heladeria". The owner claims it the only place in the world that makes it! And even if just for the ice cream it is worth going to Cafayate!
I loved the place! It has got a quiet pace with people taking a long siesta in the middle of the day. The town square was well maintained, surrounded by a church and nice little houses and trees. People are relaxed, helpful, chatty, and friendly, and everyone seems to know each other.
One day there we rented some bicycles and got on the 5 a.m. bus to Salta. That way we reached the Quebrada de Cafayate in time for sunrise. The bus driver dropped us at "The devils throat" - La Garganta del Diablo - and from there we cycled the 45 km back to Cafayate, passing quite a few bizarre rock formations along the road. It is altogether a bizarre and impressive landscape with the red rocks and the dry earth. After a beautiful ride we got back to Cafayate just in time before the heat of the day reached its worst and took a siesta followed by some wine ice cream.
We stayed a few days in Cafayate, exploring the nearby surroundings, tasting wine and taking in the atmosphere of this peaceful little town, before leaving to Tafi del Valle - another quiet small place, unless it is holiday season.