Any opinions would be appreciated:
Our choices are to either spend a couple of extra days in Uruguay and Buenos Aires, then fly to Salta, bus to Tarija (Bolivia), and fly to La Paz (the Buenos Aires-La Paz leg taking about 4-5 days)
OR
Spend a little extra time, skip the flight to Salta, and bus from Buenos Aires with stops along the way (maybe Cordoba). This saves money but means lots of time on the bus, and takes time away from the cities for randomness in Northern Argentina.
Another question is whether anyone has gone from Salta to Tarija - my guide book is unclear as to how long it takes, other than that the border can be a nightmare. Anyone with experience?
zoombini
1
esterosdelibera
La Veloz del Norte and Balut bus companies run from Salta to Aguas Blancas on the Argentine-Bolivian border. This trip takes 6 hours and costs 10.00 US$. When you cross the border you arrive in Bermejo. Buses from this town to Tarija take 4 hours and cost 4.00 US$.
www.balutsrl.com.ar</a><BR><a href="http://www.lavelozcallcenter.com.ar/">www.lavelozcallcenter.com.ar</a><BR><BR>Jorge Daniel Barchi.
Buenos Aires.
2
zoombini
Perfect, thanks Jorge. Any advice on the Northern Argentina/Salta v. Buenos Aires/Uruguay time crunch? Is it worth seeing Salta if the Train is closed?
Also another option has popped up - do you think a blitz of Chile (fly to Santiago/Valparaiso, fly to Arica, see the park, bus to La Paz) sounds like a better alternative to Cordoba/Salta/Tarija?
3
jamesbrunker
Im in Salta at the mo, just passing quickly but nice town and looks to be a lot to do in the area, other travellers are giving it the thumbs up. There are jeep tours doing pretty much the same route as the train, and the Cafayate area looks beautiful from photos in town. Another option would be go straight up to La Quiaca (another border crossing to Bolivia). This route goes through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, looked superb from bus coming down and you could easily spend a few days in this area. Lots of buses with Balut from Salta, direct to La Quiaca costs US$10 and takes around 8hrs. From the Bolivian side its then only 2-3 hrs to Tupiza, from where there are 4 days tours to Salar de Uyuni if you fancy that.
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