Discover Seclantás, Argentina: A Hidden Gem In The Calchaquí Valleys Recognized By Un Tourism For Its Culture And Sustainability

Published on September 20, 2025

Situated astir 150 kilometres southbound of Salta successful nan picturesque Calchaquí Valleys, Seclantás is simply a quaint and historical municipality that perfectly embodies Argentina’s earthy beauty and rich | taste legacy. Recently named 1 of nan Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, Seclantás is renowned for its exquisite landscapes, accepted craftsmanship, and beardown ties to Argentina’s assemblage past. This accolade highlights nan municipality arsenic a premier sustainable agrarian destination, making it a must-visit location for anyone travelling done Argentina’s bluish provinces.

Seclantás: A Town Rich successful History and Heritage

Seclantás is not conscionable a beautiful spot to sojourn but besides a municipality steeped successful history. The town’s history dates backmost to nan assemblage era, and it remains a surviving testament to nan past. Visitors to Seclantás are greeted by adobe houses, accepted colonial churches, and plazas that still echo nan stories of independency struggles. The Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church, built successful 1835, is 1 of nan town’s astir important landmarks. This well-preserved building offers a glimpse into nan belief architecture of nan clip and remains a cardinal portion of nan town’s life.

Perhaps 1 of nan astir historically important places successful Seclantás is Plaza La Junta, which has been declared a National Historic Site for its pivotal domiciled successful Argentina’s conflict for independence. The quadrate was nan tract of nan First Vallista Junta successful 1814, an important gathering that helped style nan country’s future. Exploring nan humanities bosom of Seclantás allows visitors to measurement backmost successful clip and observe nan stories that person shaped this vibrant community.

A Cultural Heritage Preserved Through Craftsmanship

Seclantás is celebrated for being nan Cradle of nan Salteño Poncho, an emblematic garment that embodies nan region’s textile heritage. The Salteño poncho is made pinch sheep wool utilizing accepted techniques passed down done generations. The weaving method known arsenic ‘palo plantado’ has been practised for hundreds of years and is simply a cardinal portion of nan town’s taste identity. This woollen garment, erstwhile worn by nan gauchos, is much than conscionable a portion of clothing; it represents nan psyche of Seclantás and its people.

Visitors to Seclantás tin research nan Camino de los Artesanos successful nan El Colte area, which is location to family-run workshops wherever skilled artisans create these iconic ponchos and different textiles. The area offers an authentic glimpse into nan lives of section artisans, who still activity pinch nan aforesaid techniques that their ancestors used. Tourists are invited to acquisition nan weaving process firsthand and return location beautifully crafted ponchos, tapestries, and blankets that bespeak nan region’s gaucho culture and its long-standing textile traditions.

Exploring Seclantás’ Stunning Natural Landscapes

Seclantás isn’t conscionable astir history and culture—it besides boasts breathtaking landscapes that tie quality lovers, photographers, and escapade seekers alike. Located astatine a precocious altitude successful nan Calchaquí Valleys, nan municipality offers immoderate of nan astir stunning earthy beauty successful Argentina.

One of nan standout earthy attractions is nan Laguna de Brealito, a volcanic lagoon that sits astatine complete 2,000 metres supra oversea level. The lagoon is renowned for its ever-changing colours, shifting from blue to green and moreover reddish astatine definite times of nan day. Surrounded by dramatic volcanic landscapes and high-altitude flora, Laguna de Brealito is simply a must-see for visitors looking to acquisition nan unsocial geological features of this portion of Argentina.

Beyond nan lagoon, Seclantás is besides location to nan Quebrada del Rincón, a canyon-like ravine filled pinch striking sandstone formations. The vibrant reddish stone faces and rugged terrain connection awesome opportunities for hiking and exploration, while nan Valle de Luracatao, situated astatine an awesome 2,700 metres supra oversea level, provides panoramic views of nan surrounding mountains and valleys.

For those looking for a much progressive adventure, Seclantás offers galore hiking trails, horseback riding, and cycling paths that return visitors done its beautiful and often untouched landscapes. Additionally, nan region’s starry skies are immoderate of nan astir breathtaking successful nan world, offering a magical acquisition for stargazers and nighttime entity photographers.

Gastronomy: A Taste of nan Valley’s Flavors

One of nan champion ways to acquisition a spot is done its food, and Seclantás does not disappoint erstwhile it comes to location flavours. The municipality is known for its hearty accepted dishes that bespeak nan cultivation practices of nan Calchaquí Valleys. Local specialities see empanadas, tamales, humitas, chivito (a goat nutrient stew), and charquisillo (dried meat). These dishes are often made pinch ingredients grown successful nan surrounding valleys, giving them a caller and unsocial flavour.

In summation to nan savoury dishes, visitors tin sample high-altitude wines that person gained nickname some successful Argentina and abroad. The region’s vineyards nutrient wines that thrive successful nan area’s cool ambiance and precocious elevation, resulting successful a chopped taste. These wines are nan cleanable pairing for nan region’s accepted dishes, making eating successful Seclantás a memorable experience.

Sustainable Tourism: A Commitment to Preservation

What sets Seclantás isolated arsenic a tourer destination is its committedness to sustainable tourism. Recognised by UN Tourism, Seclantás has made awesome strides successful preserving its taste and earthy practice while promoting responsible tourism practices. The town’s artisans are dedicated to preserving accepted textile techniques, ensuring that nan trade of weaving nan Salteño Poncho is passed down to early generations.

Additionally, nan municipality has worked to minimise nan biology effect of tourism by promoting eco-friendly practices and encouraging visitors to respect nan earthy landscapes that make Seclantás specified a typical place. This attraction connected sustainability has made Seclantás a exemplary for different agrarian communities seeking to equilibrium tourism pinch preservation.

Getting to Seclantás

Getting to Seclantás is portion of nan adventure. The municipality is accessible by roadworthy from Salta, pinch National Route 68 and Provincial Route 33 offering scenic drives done nan Cuesta del Obispo and Los Cardones National Park. Alternatively, travellers tin return nan Camino de los Colorados, a picturesque way that winds done Provincial Routes 42 and 55.

For those coming from Buenos Aires, location are buses that recreation to Salta successful astir 21 hours. Once successful Salta, visitors tin return a autobus aliases thrust to Seclantás, which offers nan cleanable equilibrium of escapade and comfortableness for those consenting to research nan region’s unsocial beauty.

Conclusion

From quality lovers and escapade seekers to history buffs and civilization vultures, Seclantás has thing to connection each kinds of tourists. It is simply a must-see location successful Argentina because of its unspoiled landscapes, rich | humanities legacy, and taste customs. Seclantás offers a genuine acquisition that embodies nan principle of Argentina’s bluish provinces, whether you’re hiking done picturesque valleys, tasting nan region’s flavours, aliases admiring nan elaborate textiles of nan Salteño poncho.

Recognised by UN Tourism for its taste value and sustainable tourism initiatives, Seclantás is much than conscionable a destination; it’s a model into Argentina’s soul, a organization that embraces sustainability while paying tribute to its past.

[Image Source: Visit Salta Official Website]