Cafayate - Empanadas and Wine

After a nice and relaxed time in Salta, our next destination is a small town surrounded by vineyards: Cafayate. The bus ride only takes 4 hours - we are no longer used to such short trips. We arrive in the town on a hot afternoon and walk to our hostel, where a small pool is waiting for us, which Lisa immediately cools off in. We can spend two days here. In the evening, we have delicious empanadas, a specialty at 'Casa de las Empanadas' - who would have thought. We also have a red wine in a traditional clay jug and listen to traditional music.

The next morning, after breakfast, we set off for a hiking trail that is supposed to lead through the vineyards up to a beautiful waterfall. The Lonely Planet claims that this hiking trail is very easy and takes about 3 hours. Great, an uncomplicated and challenging hiking trail is just what we need. So we start marching. We leave the hostel, walk through the town, and reach the road that leads to the hiking trail in the vineyards. Hmm, the road is quite long. And very dusty. It takes us over 30 minutes to reach the hiking trail, but the view over the vineyards to Cafayate with its small yellow cathedral on the main square is really beautiful. But is this really the hiking trail? Cars are constantly passing us and there is no sign of a river. Rather dry desert and lots of cacti. We don't let ourselves be discouraged and finally meet a local who confirms that the way is correct and immediately offers his services as a guide. The Lonely Planet mentioned that too, but we two professionals don't need any help, of course. Eventually, we discover a small trickle of water next to the road. Could that be the river? The path gradually becomes narrower and wilder, until we are no longer sure where there is still a path. Then we come across a group with a guide, who points us to an barely recognizable steep path up the mountain.

We scramble uphill and also come across some small waterfalls and a kind of river. Ah, so THIS is where the 3-hour hiking trail begins. Since we have already been walking for several hours and have already passed and admired mountains and waters, we decide to turn back and curse the Lonely Planet in our thoughts, for once again leading us astray instead of helping us. Maybe a local tour guide would be the better choice.

Despite that, the trip was still beautiful and we relax for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we will continue towards Cordoba, but to get there, we first have to go to Tucuman, the nearest train station 6 hours away.