Two Backpackers » Aracely

Photo of the Day: Salt Flats In Black And White

Aracely — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:00:16 +0000

During our exploration of Northern Argentina we visited Salinas Grandes. These are the largest Salt Flats in Argentina. After driving out into the middle of the flats you get an amazing panoramic view of the area. The contrast in colors between the blinding white salt and the rich blue sky is incredible and best captured in this black and white photo.

Black & White Photo of Salinas Grandes in Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Mountains in Jujuy Province of Argentina

Aracely — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:00:57 +0000

These colorful mountains rest in the Jujuy province of Northwest Argentina which borders Chile and Bolivia. As part of our tour from Salta, we visited several towns in Jujuy, including Purmamarca. Purmamarca is most famous for it’s Hill of Seven Colors (Cerro de los Siete Colores), which describes the mountains surrounding the town that glow in many colors. A small trail, about 40 minutes long allows you to walk around the town on a elevated route for some spectacular photos.

Colorful Mountain Range During Drive in Jujuy Province of Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Rock Formations in Northwest Argentina

Aracely — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:00:57 +0000

Northern Argentina, the region of Salta, has an unlimited number of naturally formed landscapes perfect for site seeing. If you are looking for things to do in Cafayate or Salta, rent a car. It’s the best way to explore these rock formations, salt flats, small villages, wineries and more.

Rock Formations Near Cafayate, Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Gamez Islands in Panama’s Pacific Coast

Aracely — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:00:57 +0000

The Gulf of Chiriquí is a part of Panama that encompasses Coiba National Park and Golfo de Chiriquí National Park. There are dozens of islands in this Gulf. We visited Gamez Island for a day in our own personal paradise of snorkeling, climbing and swimming.

Gamez Island in Gulf of Chiriquí National Park, Panama

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Photo of the Day: Mountains at Dusk in Northwest Argentina

Aracely — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:57 +0000

Northern Argentina is the less traveled, but much to share region surrounding the province of Salta. We explored this region by renting a vehicle for 7 days, beginning southwest to the city of Salta. On the drive from Cachi to Cafayate, the sun was settling and we took this beautiful photo of a blanket of white clouds being held back by glowing red mountains with the moon already shining.

Red Mountains at Dusk in Near Cafayate, Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Yellow Daisy in Northwest Argentina

Aracely — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:57 +0000

Northern Argentina is the less traveled, but much to share region surrounding the province of Salta. We explored this region by renting a vehicle for 7 days, beginning southwest to the city of Salta. Unexpectedly, we followed a typical festival sign that had us driving off onto a dirt and gravel road for several kilometers. We arrived to a gaucho harvest festival, where children and adults displayed traditional gaucho dancing while serving some typical pampas food.

Yellow Daisy Against Northwest Argentina Pampas and Mountains

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Photo of the Day: Gaucho Festival in Northwest Argentina

Aracely — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:57 +0000

Northern Argentina is the less traveled, but much to share region surrounding the province of Salta. We explored this region by renting a vehicle for 7 days, beginning southwest to the city of Salta. Unexpectedly, we followed a typical festival sign that had us driving off onto a dirt and gravel road for several kilometers. We arrived to a gaucho harvest festival, where children and adults displayed traditional gaucho dancing while serving some typical pampas food.

Locals Dancing at the Gaucho Festival in Northwest Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Iguazú Waterfalls in Argentina

Aracely — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:15:57 +0000

The Iguazú National Park is a national park of Argentina, located in the Iguazú Department, in the north of the province of Misiones, Argentine Mesopotamia. It has an area of 550 km2 (212 sq mi). The park was created in 1934 and it contains one of the greatest natural beauties of Argentina, the Iguazu Falls, surrounded by the subtropical jungle. Across the Iguazu River lies its Brazilian counterpart (Iguaçu National Park). Both sites were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, in 1984 and 1986. – Wikipedia

Cataratas del Iguazú are waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. The Iguazu River starts at the city of Curitiba and runs for the most part of the course entirely in brazilian territory, and in a little part at the end bordering Brazil and Argentina. – Wikipedia
See photos from the Brazil side.

Devil

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Photo of the Day: Magellanic Penguin On Peninsula Valdez

Aracely — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:01:24 +0000

Magellanic penguins dot the Argentina Patagonia landscape along the coast. Peninsula Valdez offers a myriad of sea life viewing opportunities including sea lions, elephant seals, penguins and if you are lucky, killer whales (orcas). As we drove our rented vehicle down the east coast of the peninsula from Punta Norte, we pulled off the side of the road at a penguin mirador (lookout). Signs detailed the penguins migrating and eating behaviors and also explained why they were currently shedding their fur.

Magellanic Penguin On Peninsula Valdez in Argentina

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Photo of the Day: La Catedral de León

Aracely — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

La Catedral de León is the biggest cathedral in Central America. It is also the final resting place of Ruben Dario, as well as many other notable Nicaraguans. You can pay a small fee to climb the stairs up to the roof, where you can get a nice view of all of León’s churches and the surrounding volcanoes, and you can go into the cellars beneath the cathedral. – Wikipedia

Leon Cathedral in Nicaragua

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Photo of the Day: Nature in Torres del Paine Patagonia

Aracely — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

Torres del Paine National Park (Parque Nacional Torres del Paine) is a national park encompassing a mountains, glacier, lake, and river-rich areas in southern Chilean Patagonia. The national park (598.593,02 acres) is a popular hiking destination in Chile. There are clearly marked paths and many refugios which provide shelter and basic services. Views are breathtaking. Hikers can opt for a day trip to see the towers, walk the popular “W” route in about five days, or trek the full circle in 8–9 days. It is a national park and thus hikers are not allowed to stray from the paths. Camping is only allowed at specified campsites and wood fires are prohibited throughout the park. – Wikipedia

Torres Del Paine, Chile Circuit Trek

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Photo of the Day: Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

Aracely — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

As you travel from coast to coast in Costa Rica, be sure to visit the unique cloud forest region of Santa Elena and Monteverde. During our few days in the forest, we enjoyed a day tour in the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, a night tour searching for sloths and the sky walk across the many suspension bridges that offer beautiful views of the thick forest floor.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Suspension Bridge Walk

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Photo of the Day: Putre Chile Mountains

Aracely — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 13:00:16 +0000

Putre is a Chilean town and commune, capital of the Parinacota Province in the Arica-Parinacota Region. It is located 130 km (78 miles) east of Arica, at an altitude of 3500 metres (11,400 feet). The town is backdropped by Taapaca volcanic complex.
Putre is on the edge of the Lauca National Park, and is popular with visitors to the National Park wishing to acclimatise to the altitude. – Wikipedia

Drive From Arica to Putre, Chile

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Photo of the Day: Finca Del Paraiso Waterfall

Aracely — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:00:20 +0000

Finca del Paraiso is a small remote park where a hot spring waterfall fills a pool of cold water. You can access the park in Guatemala by taking a 1 hour ride in a collectivo (shuttle bus) from Rio Dulce inland. It’s a wonderful day trip to explore the waterfall and nearby caves.
Watch our HD video!

Finca del Paraiso, Guatemala

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Photo of the Day: Antigua, Guatemala

Aracely — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

La Antigua Guatemala (commonly referred to as just Antigua or La Antigua) is a city in the central highlands of Guatemala famous for its well-preserved Spanish Mudéjar-influenced Baroque architecture as well as a number of spectacular ruins of colonial churches. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. – Wikipedia

City Streets in Antigua, Guatemala

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Photo of the Day: Kuna Tribe Huts on San Blas Island

Aracely — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

During our sailing trip from Panama to Colombia, we spent 2 days exploring the San Blas islands in Panama’s Caribbean. The indigenous Kuna tribe inhabits the islands. Amazingly, they build huts such as these on the tiniest of islands. They navigate between each island in dugout canoes.

A Tiny San Blas Island Covered in Kuna Tribe Huts

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Photo of the Day: Semuc Champey

Aracely — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

Semuc Champey is a natural monument in the department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, near the Q’eqchi’ Maya town of Lanquín. It consists of a natural 300m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabòn River. Atop the bridge is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, a popular swimming attraction. Although it can be difficult to get to, Semuc is becoming more and more popular with travelers. – Wikipedia

Watch our HD Travel Video of our trek to Semuc Champey.

Semuc Champey

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Photo of the Day: A Parrot On A Fence in Cafayate

Aracely — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:00:16 +0000

While driving through the wineries in Cafayate, Argentina parrots, or possibly parakeets, swarmed the pampas. The plains seem to be the perfect nesting grounds for these loud groups of quick moving birds. When they fly through the sky, turquoise colored wings glow against their bright green bodies. This particular bird stood still long enough for us to capture a beautiful landscape with it as the star.

A Parrot Sits on a Fence Post at a Winery in Cafayate

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Photo of the Day: Train Of The Clouds

Aracely — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 13:00:16 +0000

This train is a tourist attraction in Northern Argentina. Tren a las Nubes (or Train of the Clouds) takes a very long scenic stroll through the Salta region over bridges, viaducts as high as 4,200 m and the altiplano. The train doesn’t actually go to any specific town, it just takes it’s passengers to the end of the route on La Polvorilla Viaduct where artisan merchants sell their crafts for 30 minutes. Food and tour guides are both provided on the train.

Tren a las Nubes or Train Of The Clouds In Northern Argentina

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Photo of the Day: Salinas Grandes Argentina

Aracely — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:30:16 +0000

During our exploration of Northern Argentina we visited Salinas Grandes. These are not the largest Salt Flats in South America, but beautiful none the less. After driving out into the middle of the flats you get an amazing panoramic view of the area. The contrast in colors between the blinding white salt and the rich blue sky is incredible.

Salinas Grandes in Argentina

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