Argentina national park wardens in the dock
It's fair to say I have had a slightly troubled relationship with the national park authorities during my nigh on 16 years operating private tours in Argentina. Many years ago, guests of ours were strolling down a wash in…
New estancia in the heart of the Salta wine region
Many years ago, while squiring guests around the Valles Calchaquies wine region, I met a larger than life Dutchman who instantly recognized a fellow gringo (there weren’t as many of us around in those days). With a wide sweep…
The unstoppable rise of Argentina's blue dollar
I returned to Chile this week as the Argentine peso reached parity with the local currency. Since I first took guests across to San Pedro de Atacama 12 years ago, Chile has recorded 66.7% inflation: Argentina has recorded almost twice…
The high altitude wine region of Tarija, Bolivia
I first discovered Bolivian wine in 2011 when my wife proposed a shopping trip to Tarija, three hours across the border from Argentina. I wasn't entirely keen until she said: "They have wineries". - Really? In Bolivia? Who knew? On…
Religious parades in Argentina and the Milagro of Salta
The middle of September marks the most important religious pilgrimage in Salta and it has nothing to do with Christmas or Easter. In far flung corners of the province close to the Bolivian and Paraguayan borders, this week pilgrims began…
Explore Argentina In The Stunning Landscape Of Quebrada De Humahuaca
I was delighted to be back in the Quebrada de Humahuaca recently for the first time since roadblocks made trips into Jujuy province nigh on impossible. As you will see from a previous blog, for almost two months, travel north…
The Magical Floating Islands of Uros on Lake Titicaca
The first time I visited Peru in 1999, I deliberately avoided the floating islands of Uros, because they struck me as too touristy. I was one of those insufferable backpackers looking for the “real Peru”: though that didn’t stop…
7 Amazing Things To Do In Salta - Discover The History And Culture
Salta, Argentina, also known as Salta la Linda, is one of the most beautiful locations in the northwest of Argentina. This historic city has a rich colonial culture with traditional food choices and attractions. Typical local food includes empanadas (small…
Jujuy ablaze with protest
Tomorrow I should be starting a two day trip into the Quebrada de Humahuaca with four guests from India, but instead we are going in completely the opposite direction: south to Cafayate in the Salta wine region. For more…
Argentina wine & climate change
As in much of the world, Argentina’s winemakers are battling with climate change: early figures for the 2023 harvest suggest that total production is a swingeing 27% below the figures for 2013. For years now, on our wine tours…