The best of Argentina’s natural beauty

Spanning the South American continent from the Andes and the Atlantic, Argentina’s dusty expanses and monumental peaks are made for exploring.

Here are some of the very best places to soak up Argentina’s natural beauty, according to global travellers.

Los Reartes

Los Reartes sits in the Calamuchita Valley, which is home to Argentina’s great lakes. The closest is Embalse Los Molinos, a reservoir fed by streams such as the Los Reartes River. You’ll find a rich offering of water sports here, including kayaking, zip lining and fishing. A short stroll away, Finca El Amparo has a garden with a pool where you can relax in the evening.

Uspallata

The town of Uspallata is situated at 2,000 metres above sea level in the Andes, and has plenty to offer keen trekkers. Hiking trails start here, snaking up mountain paths, past rusty-red boulders and snow-coated plateaus. More experienced walkers can take on Cerro Montura, a route that promises thigh-busting ascents and unparallelled panoramas. If you don’t have the stamina, you can always opt for a road trip, following the incredible, Instagram-worthy highway through Uspallata deep into the Andes. Back in town, the banish the cold staying in a warmly-decorated studio at Departamento Uspallata.

La Cumbrecita

Founded by Europeans in the mid-20th century, this quirky mountain hamlet transports you straight to the Alps. But beyond the Bavarian-style restaurants, the cool thing about the town is how it’s integrated the surrounding nature. One of La Cumbrecita’s best walking routes runs through the neighbouring beech forest, which echoes with the chirps of woodpeckers and song thrushes. Spend the night at Aires Serranos – Suites, where you’ll wake up to views over the valley.

Villa Pehuenia

Villa Pehuenia is one of those places where the sky seems endless. Lake Aluminé’s clear mountain waters reflect each and every shade throughout the day, glistening under the sun. Here, you can hop on a boat and flit between white-sand coves, or head upstream for white-water rafting. Nearby Posada La Escondida is an ideal place to soak up the views at sunset.

Humahuaca

This ancient town sits in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a dusty ravine that follows the Río Grande through Argentina’s northern Andes. It’s best known for the Serranía del Hornocal, a strikingly bizarre rock formation. Here, a vein of limestone runs along the mountains, creating a curious zig-zag of greens and yellows. At sundown, share your stories with fellow travellers around El Sol Hostel de Humahuaca’s outdoor barbecue.

Purmamarca

Just down the road from Humahuaca lies Purmamarca, a town that’s proud of its indigenous heritage. Aside from its crafts market, what brings outsiders to Purmamarca is the Hill of Seven Colours. The wildly contrasting hues are created by different types of rock, each one layered, compressed and distorted over millennia. A 3-km walking route loops around the hill – set off early in the morning to see it at its best. For easy access, stay at Tierra Virgen Apartments, located at the foot of the hill.