If you plan on traveling the world for a year, you'll have to budget. There's no way around it. Ask any traveler who's been to Argentina in the last 3 to 5 years, and they'll tell you it's dirt cheap.
The Quebrada de las Conchas is stunning!
Founded in 1582 by Spanish Conquistador Hernando de Lerma, Salta was originally intended to be an outpost between Lima, Peru and Buenos Aires.
The violent past lives strong in the memory of the South American people.