Salta is one of Argentina's most alluring cities, known for its shaded streets, fascinating museums and passionate people. The city's pleasant central plaza, Plaza 9 de Julio is the cultural heart of the city and is surrounded by the pastel pink cathedral, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the fascinating Museum of High Altitude Archaeology, which displays mummies from the Niños de Llullaillaco, a sacred burial site discovered in 1999.

San Salvador de Jujuy - or Jujuy as it is often simply called - is the capital of Jujuy Province and one of the highest provincial capitals in the world. It's also one of Argentina's most interesting cities culturally, founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and with a significant population of indigenous people, commonly referred to in Argentina as ‘Los Indios'. It has some excellent craft markets and is pleasingly more chaotic alternative to colonial Salta and modern Tucumán, the largest city in the Northwest. It also makes a great stopover for travellers heading towards the Quebrada de Humahuaca - which follows the Camino Inca route along the valley of the Rio Grande.