Embark on an unforgettable journey through the mesmerizing Puna region with our exclusive Puna Experience package. This adventure is crafted for five days and four nights of full exploration.
This itinerary includes one night's stay in Tolar Grande at either the charming Hostería Casa Andina or a local Homestay, complemented by three nights at the esteemed Hostería de Altura El Peñón. Throughout your tour, benefit from a private 4x4 transportation service guided by a skilled driver-guide fluent in both Spanish and English, ensuring a seamless experience as per the detailed itinerary.
Discover extraordinary landscapes and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the region. You will be captivated by panoramic views and authentic experiences unique to the Puna. From the serenity of strategically located accommodations to the thrilling exploration in a rugged all-terrain vehicle, every element of this journey is tailored to provide you with lasting memories of this stunning part of Argentina.
Tour Description
Day 1
Salta | Quebrada del Toro | San Antonio de los Cobres | Santa Rosa de Pastos Grandes | Labyrinth Desert | Tolar Grande
Our journey kicks off with a visit to the Quebrada del Toro, located a mere 30 kilometers from Salta. This natural passage links the lush Lerma Valley with the arid Puna plateau. As we traverse the Quebrada, surrounded by archaeological ruins and traces of the Inca Trail, we'll arrive at San Antonio de los Cobres, the heart of the Puna and a frequent destination for travelers.
Following our passage through the Salar de Pocitos, now in its final geological stage, we'll embark on a three-hour journey through untamed and remote landscapes. The Labyrinth Desert, a fossil dune desert over ten million years old, boasts countless clay spires and gypsum crystals. Continuing onwards, Tolar Grande sits at the edge of a vast depression, offering views of the Salar de Arizaro, one of the world's largest salt flats. From this quaint railway town established in the 1940s, you'll enjoy a breathtaking vista of the western end of the Cordillera beneath a brilliant blue sky and towering volcanoes exceeding 6000 meters.
Day 2, Option A
Tolar Grande | Caipe | Rio Grande Salt Flats | Mina Casualidad (Mina Julia)
The former Mina La Casualidad was a thriving mining settlement in an extraordinary location on the Chilean border, enveloped by some of the planet's tallest volcanoes, sulfur-covered peaks, and expansive salt flats, all under a cobalt blue sky at 4,200 meters elevation.
Abandoned in the 1970s, this once-bustling town is now a ghostly remnant. Caipe, the old railway station of the Mine, was constructed to facilitate the transportation of processed minerals to Salta. From this deserted station, you'll be treated to an expansive panoramic view of the Salar de Arizaro.
As the sun sets, we'll make our return journey to Tolar Grande, bathed in the glow of dusk.
Day 2, Option B
Tolar Grande | Sea Eyes | Hidden Dunes | Tolar Grande | Caipe
In the morning, we will explore the Ojos del Mar, a series of marine blue pools reflecting the silhouettes of the volcanoes in the early light.
The area surrounding Tolar Grande provides an excellent opportunity for picturesque walks. The most remarkable among them leads through the sand dunes in the middle of the desert. From the top of the dune, you'll enjoy a 360-degree view of the entire region, stretching from the sacred mountain of Macón to the Llullaillaco volcano, an ideal spot for reflection.
After lunch in Tolar Grande, we'll have some leisure time at the Hotel.
In the afternoon, we continue our journey to Caipe, the old Mina railway station, originally built for transporting processed minerals to Salta. From this abandoned station, there is a grand panoramic view of the Salar de Arizaro.
As the sun sets, we'll commence our return trip to Tolar Grande, with the sunset casting its glow over a nearby hill.
Day 3
Tolar Grande | Arita Cone | Antofallita Oasis Antofalla | Vega Colorada | Calalaste Gorge | Antofagasta de la Sierra | El Peñón
Crossing the Arizaro, we retrace the path of ancient muleteers from the 18th and 19th centuries, who guided animal caravans to Chile.
The Arita Cone, a mysterious black volcanic pyramid rising from the white expanse of the Salar de Arizaro, will be one of the day's highlights. Our journey continues to Antofalla, a stunning example of a Puna Oasis. Nestled in a high desert, this green valley thrives thanks to a natural spring, surrounded by Poplars, Molles, and Willows.
Day 4
El Peñón | Lagoon Pavilion | Laguna Grande and Diamante | Fumaroles | El Peñón
Today's adventure begins on the fringe of the Campo de Piedra Pómez. Upon reaching the Carachi Pampa basin, you'll encounter the Volcano of the same name, encircled by black lava fields and a lagoon, home to the Andean flamingo and the James flamingo (or high-altitude flamingo).
During the dry season, a small salt lake encircles the lagoon.
This unique landscape of white labyrinths and towering dunes lies just a few kilometers to the west, along a track where the road continues through the sand—a true explorer's dream and an overland adventure. We'll return to the hotel just in time to savor the breathtaking sunset views from the town.
Day 5
El Peñón | Hualfin | Santa Maria | Cafayate | Quebrada de las Conchas | Salta
On this day, we depart from El Peñón, heading to Salta, where the northwest still holds many surprises. The paved road from El Peñón intersects with Route 40 after 150 kilometers, passing through Paja Brava and a desert canyon lush with vegetation at its core.
In the afternoon, under the day's optimal light, we'll traverse the Quebrada de las Conchas, a 55-kilometer stretch of breathtaking rock formations, dating back 40 million years, featuring significant geological structures like Yacoraite or Las Pirguas. Salta and its verdant Lerma Valley will welcome you back after an unparalleled 4-day journey through extraordinary landscapes.
What’s included?
What’s included:
- Private 4x4 transfer
- Accommodation
- Spanish-English expert guide
- Breakfast days 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Lunch every day
- Dinner days 1, 2, 3 and 4
What’s NOT included:
- Food and/or drinks not detailed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Tips
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Exclusive Experience In The Argentine Puna
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