On-Site Museum of the Ruins of Puerta de la Paya

Right-hand side of national route No. 40, 16km. away from Cachi.
Tel. 0868-91080
Open all day long from Mondays to Sundays

This archaeological site is located 9km. away from Cachi and comprises a conglomerate spread over approximately 6 hectares including a double cirumvallating dry stone rampart, rectangular enclosures and circular tombs with fake vaults. It is estimated that between 300 and 800 people lived here. Amongst the ruins there is an enclosure pertaining to a dwelling known as the "Casa Morada" (Royal Purple House), whose stones were used by the villagers to build a church at the side of the road. The site was studied by the anthropologists Juan B. Ambrosetti, Eric Boman and Rex González. Researchers arrived at the conclusion that the "Casa Morada" was apparently an Inca tambo (inn) erected there after the annexation of the Argentine Northwest to the Tawantisuyo culture in 1480 by the Inca Tupac Yupanqui, tenth monarch, son of Pachacutec.

Cachi
Cachi is located in the Calchaquí Valleys and lies 157km. away from the city of Salta and 2,210m. above sea level. It can be reached by taking provincial route No. 33 and then switching to national route No. 40. Most of the way, the road is not paved but made of consolidated dirt, and winds around the mountain slopes. This town was born in the 17th century and has narrow streets and old houses built of adobe and stone with reed roofs. After leaving Salta and before reaching Cachi the road runs past picturesque sites such as Quebrada de Escoipe, Cuesta del Obispo, Valle Encantado, Piedra del Molino, Los Cardones National Park and Payogasta, located 2,410m. above sea level. The return trip can be tackled either by taking the Recta del Tin-Tin, a straight stretch of road laid out by the Indians at a height of 3,000m. by using bonfires as range poles, or by following national route No. 40 up to Cafayate and then traveling back to Salta down provincial route No. 68, therefore completing the entire circuit around the Calchaquí Valleys.