Erin & Regan's South American Adventure
Iruya, San Isidro
Hola,
From Cafeyate we headed north, spent a night in Salta (which was singularly unimpressive) then headed further north to Humahuaca (also unimpressive and expensive to boot) where we stayed another night. Finally, the next day we reached our intended destination of Iruya, a town of around 1400 people or so.
We were met at the bus station / large open part of the town by a woman with a hostel (sound familiar) we decided what the heck. It turned out to be an excellent place to stay, the people were nice, the bed comfy, it was quiet and we basically had the run of the place. Not to mention the fact that the price was cheaper for both of us, with a private room than for one of us in the dorms in Humahuaca.
That afternoon we decided to walk to San Isidro which is an even smaller town of only 75 people. The walk begins by skirting the side of the hill next to Iruya.
Then it follows the river down the valley, at this point we were a little lost. We didnīt want to cross the river a million times and we couldnīt see any other trail. It was just now that a local man, who lived in San Isidro started climbing a nearly invisible trail up the side of the valley, we decided to follow his lead. The trail skipped past the river and dropped back down to the valley floor.
After several of these trails we reached a part where the valley narrows and the river continues, here there was a sign indicating the path up to San Isidro. We climbed up a bit then looked back along the river.
There isnīt anything to do in San Isidro except climb to the graveyard and look back down on the town, so thatīs what we did.
Then we headed back. Itīs gotta be boring for the dogs here, at least during the day, in the hot sun. Nothing better to do than sleep I guess.
I decided to snap a few shots of the trail back as it was kinda impressive.
We passed a donkey, molting or something. My guess is they do this at a certain age because the younger ones were much furrier than the older ones.
The river, and Erinīs smiling face. She liked this walk much better than in Tafí once the old guy showed us where to go of course.
The next morning we had just enough time to do a short walk, before our bus left. We climbed to the cross and then a bit higher to get a good view of the town and valleys.
Our hostel, and our pink travel towels.
Some more shots of the town.
And the graveyard.
While on the hill an eagle of some sort shot over my head, at first I wondered if it was going to try and eat me then I decided to take a photo.
Erin trying to decide if she can climb any further.
The sheer sides of the valley.
The highest point.
Erin decided to try climbing round the ridge, in her flip-flops, what a nutter!
Waiting for our bus.
Erin trying to get a reflection in my glasses.
The road from Iruya, switchbacks as far as the eye can see.
This cool shot is the result of the camera behind my sunglasses, behind the window of the bus shooting the sun behind the clouds, gnarly.
