The Calchaquí Valleys and the Atacama Puna of Catamarca and Salta

Transpuna Express is a private 4x4 journey linking the Calchaquí Valleys with some of the most remote landscapes of the Atacama Puna. It is designed for travellers with limited time who do not want to miss places such as Campo de Piedra Pómez, Carachi Volcano, the Antofalla Salt Flat, Cono de Arita and the Arizaro Salt Flat, as well as the small Andean settlements of El Peñón, Antofagasta de la Sierra and Tolar Grande.

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• Starting point: Salta city
• End point: Salta city
• Travel style: private, tailor-made 4x4 expedition
• Recommended party size: ideally 2 to 4 guests per 4x4 vehicle
• Route: Salta - Cafayate - Santa María - Puerta de Corral Quemado - El Peñón - Campo de Piedra Pómez - Carachi Pampa - Antofagasta de la Sierra - Antofalla - Arizaro Salt Flat - Cono de Arita - Tolar Grande - San Antonio de los Cobres - Salta
• Overnights: 1 night in Puerta de Corral Quemado, 1 night in El Peñón and 1 night in Tolar Grande
• Vehicle: private 4x4, suitable for mountain roads and remote tracks across the Puna
• Guide: professional Spanish- or English-speaking driver-guide
• Connectivity: Starlink satellite service during the journey, subject to technical availability and coverage
• Altitude: the route normally runs between 3,200 and 4,200 m above sea level, reaching approximately 4,630 m at the Antofalla Pass. The ascent is gradual throughout the journey.
• Level of difficulty: low physical demand and moderate overall demand due to the altitude, long driving days and some sections on mountain roads or remote mining tracks
• Best time to travel: year-round. In June and July, there is a small chance of snow on some high mountain passes. When necessary, the route may be adjusted to preserve safety and keep the journey running smoothly.

DAY 1 - SALTA, CAFAYATE AND THE VALLEYS OF CATAMARCA

We leave the guests’ accommodation in Salta in the morning and travel towards Cafayate through Quebrada del Río Las Conchas, stopping at its main geological formations and viewpoints.

After a short visit to Cafayate, we continue along National Route 40, passing through Colalao del Valle and the Quilmes area before entering Catamarca Province. The journey continues through Santa María in the Yocavil Valley and Hualfín before reaching Puerta de Corral Quemado.

The day ends at a local inn in Puerta de Corral Quemado.

• Starting point: Salta city
• End point: Puerta de Corral Quemado, 1,860 m
• Approximate distance: 417 km
• Maximum altitude: 2,031 m
• Accommodation: local inn in Puerta de Corral Quemado
• Meals included: breakfast, when applicable according to the guests’ previous accommodation
• Lunch: not included

DAY 2 - ASCENT TO THE PUNA, CAMPO DE PIEDRA PÓMEZ AND CARACHI PAMPA

After breakfast, we begin the ascent towards the Atacama Puna. As we gain altitude, the landscape opens into dunes, wetlands, lagoons, dry salt flats, herds of vicuñas and volcanic mountains that may still hold snow on their summits, depending on the season.

We reach El Peñón and continue along a remote mining track into the desert. We visit the Gran Duna, Campo de Piedra Pómez and the Carachi Pampa area, where a high-altitude lagoon often attracts flamingos, Andean geese, ducks and other native birds.

Lunch is a picnic that is not included and will be ordered during a stop along the route. We return to El Peñón in the late afternoon and stay at a local guesthouse.

• Starting point: Puerta de Corral Quemado
• End point: El Peñón, 3,400 m
• Approximate distance: 200 km
• Maximum altitude: 4,000 m
• Accommodation: local guesthouse in El Peñón
• Meals included: breakfast
• Lunch: picnic not included, ordered from a local restaurant during the journey

DAY 3 - ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA, ANTOFALLA AND ARIZARO SALT FLATS, CONO DE ARITA AND TOLAR GRANDE

We leave El Peñón and travel towards Antofagasta de la Sierra, surrounded by lagoons and volcanic fields dominated by the Antofagasta and Alumbrera volcanoes. From there, we follow mining roads through Quebrada de Calalaste to the Antofalla Pass, the highest point of the journey at approximately 4,630 m above sea level.

From the viewpoint, we look across the vast Antofalla Salt Flat and descend to the small village of Antofalla. We then continue across the salt flat, visiting Laguna Verde and other areas where salt, volcanic mountains and the high-altitude sky create one of the most distinctive landscapes of the journey.

We enter Salta Province again and cross the Arizaro Salt Flat to Cono de Arita. The day ends in Tolar Grande.

• Starting point: El Peñón
• End point: Tolar Grande, 3,508 m
• Approximate distance: 290 km
• Maximum altitude: 4,630 m
• Accommodation: local guesthouse in Tolar Grande
• Meals included: breakfast
• Lunch: not included, at a local restaurant during the journey

DAY 4 - RED DESERT, SAN ANTONIO DE LOS COBRES AND RETURN TO SALTA

We leave Tolar Grande early and cross the Red Desert and Salar del Diablo, an area of red sedimentary formations that contrasts sharply with the white salt surfaces.

We continue towards Pocitos, once an important railway point and now a crossroads for routes across the Puna, before travelling to San Antonio de los Cobres. After lunch, we begin the descent to Salta through Quebrada del Toro, following part of the railway route used by the Train to the Clouds.

Arrival is expected in the late afternoon, directly at the guests’ accommodation.

• Starting point: Tolar Grande
• End point: Salta city
• Approximate distance: 350 km
• Maximum altitude: 4,560 m
• Accommodation: not applicable; the programme ends in Salta
• Meals included: breakfast
• Lunch: not included, at a restaurant in San Antonio de los Cobres
• Estimated arrival in Salta: 6:00 pm

SERVICES INCLUDED

• - Private transport in a 4x4 vehicle.
• - Professional Spanish- or English-speaking driver-guide.
• - Three nights’ accommodation in a double room with private bathroom.
• - Breakfast at the accommodation.
• - Starlink satellite connectivity during the journey.
• - Passenger insurance while travelling in the vehicle.
• - Operational route planning and adjustments according to weather, road conditions and the group’s pace.
• - Applicable taxes.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• - Domestic or international flights.
• - Lunches, dinners, drinks and picnic food unless expressly stated.
• - Entrance fees to nature reserves and protected areas.
• - Travel insurance or medical assistance outside the vehicle.
• - Personal expenses and tips.
• - Any service not expressly listed as included.

ACCOMMODATION

In the small settlements of the Puna, we use simple local inns and guesthouses selected for their location and operational reliability. The planned rooms are doubles with private bathrooms and breakfast. Availability may vary, particularly in remote villages, so the final accommodation is confirmed at the time of booking.

VEHICLES AND OPERATION

The journey is operated in a private 4x4 driven by a guide with experience on high-altitude roads. The route includes paved roads, gravel, mountain roads and remote mining tracks. For safety reasons, the order of visits or some sections of the route may be changed according to the weather, road conditions and terrain.

CUSTOMISATION

The programme can be adapted to flight schedules, starting point, pace of travel and combinations with other destinations in Catamarca, Salta, Jujuy, Uyuni or the Atacama Desert. Any changes may require a different duration or price.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Send us your travel dates, the number of guests and any particular interests. We will check accommodation availability and prepare a private proposal for your Transpuna Express journey.