6 Kickass Hilltowns for Your Bucket List

www.ozy.com [OZY]( OZY A Modern Media Company Share This Sh*t December 31, 2022 Share This Sh*t [The drop]( 6 KICKASS HILLTOWNS FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST It takes effort to reach Argentina’s dazzling Andean village of Iruya. But like the other five spectacular hilltowns in this list, the stunning payoff is worth the journey. Stunning “Dead End” Destination Nick Dall in Cape Town, South Africa [nickdall.co.za]( It’s been almost three hours since we left the village of Humahuaca and we’ve only covered 33 miles. The sky-blue 1970s bus is more carthorse than thoroughbred, and we chug higher and higher through the cactus-strewn quebrada. Once we reach the 13,123-foot Cruz del Condor, tedium gives way to terror as our trusty steed careens down a series of dizzying gravel switchbacks. Luckily there’s very little traffic in this forgotten corner of the Andes and we make it to our destination in one piece, más o menos (more or less). The tiny village of Iruya in northwest Argentina is one of the best places I've ever been. The backdrop of purple, green and black sedimentary quebradas is spectacular, the hiking is out of this world and it’s also where they filmed this incredible [Guinness ad](. A big chunk of Iruya’s charm comes from the fact it’s “far enough off the beaten track to be interesting,” says Stephanie van Hoeijen of [Budget Bucket List](. As someone who’s visited 75 countries during a decade of almost non-stop hitchhiking, she should know. “Iruya still has a fair amount of tourism,” she clarifies, “but it’s a dead end and requires a fair effort to reach. The people that decide to visit such places are, by definition, more interesting.” Once we’ve more or less recovered from the bus ride and found a place to stay (don’t bother booking accommodation in advance — you’ll be offered loads of options as soon as you arrive), we obey the first rule of Latin American travel and make a beeline for the main plaza. It’s a good thing we did because there, on a polished cement quadrangle overlooked by a crenelated cliff of pink and green rocks, a bunch of junior school kids are practicing a synchronized hula hooping demonstration. An abuela who has also stopped to watch tells me they’ll be performing at the town’s annual festival: a jolly commemoration of the church’s founding in 1753. (If nothing else, those missionaries should be lauded for their tenacity.) For half an hour or so we watch as a middle-aged man in a tracksuit patiently puts the children through their paces (the hula hoops spend a lot of time on the ground) before eventually giving up and letting them play soccer instead. “Only Two Things to Do in Town” Iruya is not your typical tourist destination. There are “only two things to do in town,” says van Hoeijen, and both involve steep hikes at high altitude. But if you’ve always wanted to travel back in time then it’s pretty hard to beat. While the town has definitely developed since the 18th century, its people still dress, eat and behave as if it were the 1950s. And, as van Hoeijen points out gleefully, it still doesn’t have high-speed internet — a major turnoff for the Instagram crowd. Being at the end of a 9,100-foot-high cul de sac makes it “feel like a bit of a hiding place from the rest of Argentina,” she adds. After the impromptu hula hoop show and quick lunch of locro, a thick squash stew that dates back to Incan times and comes highly recommended by locals, we follow a near vertical pathway to the Mirador del Condor (Lookout of the Condor). What would be a strenuous but totally doable walk is made considerably tougher by the thinness of the air. Fortunately, the views from the top more than justify the hardship. And that’s before a majestic Andean condor has conveniently soared past the mirador that bears its name. All the David Attenborough documentaries in the world cannot prepare you for the sight of a 30-pound bird with an 11-foot wingspan flying past your nose. (While we were more than satisfied with the views from the official mirador, for truly spectacular panoramas, van Hoeijen advises “walking straight past the sign that says ‘Forbidden for Tourists’ and going up an hour more!” But don’t say we sent you.) The second thing to do is a full-day hike, which might be a bit beyond some readers. While the [trail to the nearby town of San Isidro de Iruya]( is relatively flat by Andean standards, it is also fairly long — 4 miles each way — and involves a lot of river crossings (read: soggy boots). For me, this was a small price to pay for the privilege of visiting a town that, even in the 21st century, is only accessible on foot. San Isidro, population 350, was only connected to the electrical grid in 2013 — but it still has a school, a soccer field, a church and a basic eatery that served what felt at the time like the best damned chicken leg I’d ever tasted. Iruya may only have two things to do. But here’s the thing: You don’t even have to do either of them to have a good time. I could wax philosophical about how a trip to Iruya will change your perspective and soothe your soul. Or you could follow van Hoiejen’s suggestion: “Hike every day and build campfires every night,” she advises. “And bring sufficient wine to share with all the new people you’re going to meet.” NOW STREAMING FROM OZY STUDIO 5 Other Kickass Hill Towns Huamachuco, Peru Despite being the gateway to one of the “most important archeological sites in Peru,'' this 465-year-old town of 40,000 souls in the country’s far north has managed to fly blessedly under the radar. The sprawling ruins complex of Markahuamachuco is at least 1,000 years older than Machu Picchu — but on the day I visited, I had it all to myself. The nearby site of Wiracochapampa, an imposing square citadel built around A.D. 650, is also well worth checking out and the trekking in the area is top notch. Still not convinced? You might see a kangaroo … [Read More on OZY]( Tam Đảo, Vietnam The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi is a vibrant and intoxicating place but it can also be pretty full-on. The old French hill station of Tam Đảo is less than 50 miles from the madness of the city center — but its cool, forested embrace makes it feel like another planet. If you’ve got the skills, I’d advise riding out on a scooter (getting there is half the fun) but a four-wheeled automobile will also do the trick. Attractions include a 27-acre bear sanctuary that’s single-handedly taking on the illegal wildlife trade, and hikes to several nearby waterfalls. But splatting out next to the hotel pool is also permitted. [Read More on OZY]( Hogsback, South Africa While the longstanding rumors that J.R.R. Tolkien (who was born in South Africa) based Middle Earth on Hogsback’s otherworldly landscapes [probably aren’t true](, it’s easy to see why they came about. You could spend years exploring the fable-filled Amathole Mountains and not run out of surprises. What’s more, the town itself has charm by the bucketload, as its spectacular location and temperate climate have made it a haven for artists, yogis and other creatives. You can even learn how to make a composting toilet in Hogsback. [Read More on OZY]( Bled, Slovenia Boasting medieval castles and churches perched on the shores of a mirror-calm alpine lake, the town of Bled seems torn from the pages of a fairytale. In Italy or Switzerland, a spot this charming would be rammed with tourists 24/7, but Bled’s location in sleepy Slovenia means you’ll have many walks and hikes — not to mention its legendary cream cakes — pretty much to yourself. [Read More on OZY]( Nagarkot, Nepal Kathmandu may be one of the world’s most polluted cities, but you don’t have to head far out of town to trade the smog for some of the purest air on the planet. For a hike with a difference, simply commandeer a taxi to the nearby town of Telkot and walk the rest of the way to Nagarkot. The hike may be short but with a 1,500-foot incline at an altitude of over 7,100 feet, it’s challenging. Once there you’ll be rewarded with views of Mount Everest (on a good day) and a cornucopia of cafés and restaurants to enjoy them from. [Read More on OZY]( What special destination is on your bucket list? We'd love to hear about the place you dream of traveling to one day. [SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS HERE]( [TV]( | [PODCASTS]( | [NEWS]( | [FESTIVALS]( OZY is a diverse, global and forward-looking media and entertainment company focused on “the New and the Next.” OZY creates space for fresh perspectives, and offers new takes on everything from news and culture to technology, business, learning and entertainment. #OZYMedia, #TheDrop OZY Media, 800 West El Camino Mountain View, California 94040 This email was sent to {EMAIL} [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Read Online](