In the heart of the **Calchaquí Valleys**, **150 kilometers from the city of Salta**, you will find **Seclantás**, a town full of history, tradition, and natural beauty.
Recently selected by **UN Tourism** as one of the **eight Argentine municipalities** advancing to the global stage of the **Best Tourism Villages** initiative. This distinction recognizes the **most attractive and sustainable rural destinations in the world**.
International Recognition and Tourism Projection
The news was celebrated in Buenos Aires, in an event led by **Zurab Pololikashvili**, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, along with national and provincial authorities.
For Salta, this achievement holds special value: Seclantás was declared a **Magical Place in 2016**, and today reaffirms that title with an **international projection** that highlights its **cultural identity and commitment to sustainable tourism**.
“Tourism can be a tool for development with its own identity,” said Salta’s Minister, **Manuela Arancibia**.
Cradle of the Salteño Poncho: Textile Tradition and Ancestral Knowledge
Seclantás is known as the **Cradle of the Salteño Poncho**, an emblematic garment made with **sheep wool** using the ancestral technique of **palo plantado**.
In the **El Colte** area, the **Artisans’ Path** allows visitors to tour **family workshops** where ponchos, tapestries, and blankets reflecting the **gaucho identity** and the **textile heritage** of the region are crafted.
Historic Heritage and Colonial Architecture
**Adobe houses, centuries-old churches, and squares with memories**
The historical center of Seclantás invites you to explore **houses with patios and galleries**, visit the **Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church** (1835), and relax in **Plaza La Junta**, declared a **National Historic Site** for its role in Argentine independence. Every corner of the town holds **stories passed down from generation to generation**.
Nature, Archaeology, and Active Tourism
Beyond the center, nature offers **unique landscapes**: **Laguna de Brealito**, **Quebrada del Rincón**, the place **Seclantás Adentro**, and the **Valle de Luracatao**.
The archaeological site **El Churcal** allows for the discovery of **traces of ancient civilizations**. Visitors can combine **rest and adventure** with **hiking, horseback riding, cycling, and 4×4 excursions** under **starry skies** that make the place magical.
Valley Gastronomy and High-altitude Wines
Regional flavors that complement the **cultural experience**.
Local cuisine offers **empanadas, tamales, humitas, chivito, and charquisillo**, accompanied by **high-altitude wines** that now reach tables worldwide.
**Valley gastronomy** is an essential part of the tourist experience, connecting flavor with history.
How to Get to Seclantás from Buenos Aires
**Travel options to discover this rural treasure in Salta.**
- By plane: direct flights to **Salta capital**
- By bus: from **Terminal de Ómnibus Retiro**, a 21-hour journey
- From Salta: via **National Route 68**, **Provincial Route 33** (Cuesta del Obispo), **Los Cardones National Park**, and **National Route 40**
- Scenic alternative: **Camino de los Colorados** via **Provincial Route 42 and 55** (check conditions in summer)
