VOLCANOES AND SALT FLATS OF THE PUNA

A private 4x4 journey with guided hikes (5D/4N)

A journey connecting the Calchaquí Valleys with the volcanic landscapes and vast salt flats of the Puna regions of Catamarca and Salta.

Over five days, we cross Los Cardones National Park and the Quebrada de las Flechas, visit the Quilmes archaeological site and the Campo de Piedra Pómez, hike to the crater of Antofagasta Volcano and explore the Antofalla and Arizaro salt flats before completing the expedition through the Red Desert and the Quebrada del Toro.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
• Starting point: your accommodation in Salta
• Endpoint: Salta
• Travel style: private and tailor-made
• Transportation: 4x4 vehicle
• Hikes: Valle Encantado, Quilmes archaeological site, Campo de Piedra Pómez, Antofagasta Volcano and a rock-painting site
• Overnight stays: Cafayate (1), El Peñón (1), Antofagasta de la Sierra (1) and Tolar Grande (1)
• Maximum altitude: approximately 4,500 m above sea level
• Difficulty: moderate
• Languages: Spanish or English

DAY 1 – LOS CARDONES NATIONAL PARK AND THE CALCHAQUÍ VALLEYS

We leave the passengers’ accommodation in Salta early in the morning and ascend along the Cuesta del Obispo towards Los Cardones National Park.

On the way, we enter Valle Encantado, provided that weather conditions and access to the protected area permit the visit. Here, we take an approximately two-hour hike through high-altitude grasslands and rock formations, with sweeping views across the mountains.

After the hike, we return to the vehicle and continue into the Calchaquí Valley. We cross Los Cardones National Park and pass through Seclantás before reaching Molinos, one of the valley’s most attractive historic villages. We visit its church and have time to explore the area around its main square.

From Molinos, we continue south along National Route 40 until we enter the Quebrada de las Flechas. Its sandstone formations rise like enormous arrowheads, creating one of the most striking geological landscapes in the Calchaquí Valleys.

At the end of the day, we arrive in Cafayate, where we spend the night.

• Route: Salta – Cuesta del Obispo – Valle Encantado – Los Cardones National Park – Seclantás – Molinos – Quebrada de las Flechas – Cafayate
• Approximate distance: 295 km
• Hiking time: approximately 2 hours
• Approximate driving time: 6 hours
• Road conditions: paved, gravel and mountain roads
• Maximum altitude: approximately 3,450 m above sea level
• Overnight: Cafayate

DAY 2 – QUILMES ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE AND CAMPO DE PIEDRA PÓMEZ

After breakfast, we leave Cafayate and travel to the Quilmes archaeological site in the province of Tucumán.

We visit the interpretation museum and take an approximately one-hour walk along the trails of the ancient settlement, learning about the history and organisation of the Indigenous community that once inhabited this territory.

We return to the vehicle and continue south through the Yocavil Valley, passing through Santa María before entering the province of Catamarca.

After lunch, we begin our ascent towards the Puna de Atacama. We travel through great mountain landscapes, sand dunes and ancient volcanic terrain until we reach El Peñón, where we leave the main road and follow a mountain track to the Campo de Piedra Pómez.

We take an approximately one-hour walk among the extraordinary white formations sculpted by erosion, with time to explore the landscape and take photographs.

We then return to El Peñón, where we spend the night in locally operated accommodation.

• Route: Cafayate – Quilmes – Santa María – El Peñón – Campo de Piedra Pómez – El Peñón
• Approximate distance: 345 km
• Hike at Quilmes: approximately 1 hour
• Hike at Campo de Piedra Pómez: approximately 1 hour
• Road conditions: paved roads, gravel and mountain tracks
• Maximum altitude: approximately 4,000 m above sea level
• Overnight: El Peñón

DAY 3 – ANTOFAGASTA VOLCANO AND ANCIENT ROCK PAINTINGS

We leave El Peñón and travel towards Antofagasta de la Sierra, crossing volcanic landscapes, ancient black lava flows and vast high-altitude plains.

After arriving, we continue to the base of Antofagasta Volcano. From there, we begin our hike up the volcanic cone to reach the crater.

The complete hike takes approximately two and a half hours and includes reaching the crater, walking all the way around its rim and descending to the vehicle.

From the upper section, we enjoy sweeping views over Antofagasta de la Sierra and the volcanic landscape surrounding the village.

After the descent, we return to the village for lunch. In the afternoon, we travel to an archaeological site containing ancient rock paintings in the nearby mountains. After leaving the vehicle, we take an approximately 20-minute walk to reach the site.

At the end of the visit, we return to Antofagasta de la Sierra, where we spend the night.

• Route: El Peñón – Antofagasta de la Sierra – Antofagasta Volcano – rock-painting site – Antofagasta de la Sierra
• Approximate distance: 70 km
• Volcano hike: approximately 2½ hours
• Walk to the rock paintings: approximately 20 minutes
• Terrain: sand, volcanic material and loose rocks
• Technical difficulty: low
• Overnight: Antofagasta de la Sierra

DAY 4 – ANTOFALLA AND ARIZARO SALT FLATS

After breakfast, we travel west into one of the most remote areas of the Puna de Atacama.

We cross volcanic landscapes inhabited by vicuñas and, occasionally, rheas. Along the way, the Antofalla Salt Flat appears: a vast salt basin surrounded by mountains and volcanoes.

We reach the small village of Antofalla, where we may have lunch before continuing our journey.

After lunch, we continue alongside and across sections of the salt flat. The precise route may vary according to seasonal conditions and the state of the roads.

We visit Pozo Bravo and continue towards the Arizaro Salt Flat, which we cross for approximately 85 kilometres.

Along the way, we encounter the Cono de Arita, an extraordinary natural formation rising in isolation from the surface of the salt flat. We stop beside the road to take photographs and contemplate the landscape.

At the end of the day, we arrive in Tolar Grande, where we spend the final night of the journey.

• Route: Antofagasta de la Sierra – Antofalla Salt Flat – Antofalla – Pozo Bravo – Arizaro Salt Flat – Cono de Arita – Tolar Grande
• Approximate distance: 250 km
• Road conditions: gravel, mountain tracks and salt flats
• Cono de Arita: photographic stop
• Overnight: Tolar Grande

DAY 5 – THE RED DESERT AND RETURN TO SALTA

We leave Tolar Grande early and cross the Red Desert, a landscape of sandstone mountains, unusual rock formations and salt-covered areas creating dramatic contrasts of shapes and colours.

We continue towards Salar de Pocitos and ascend along mountain roads to approximately 4,500 metres above sea level.

We then descend towards San Antonio de los Cobres, a town historically associated with the Train to the Clouds. There will be time for lunch.

After lunch, we continue along National Route 51 and descend towards Salta through the Quebrada del Toro. Our estimated arrival time is approximately 6:00 p.m.

• Route: Tolar Grande – Red Desert – Salar de Pocitos – San Antonio de los Cobres – Quebrada del Toro – Salta
• Approximate distance: 390 km
• Road conditions: gravel, mountain roads and paved roads
• Maximum altitude: approximately 4,500 m above sea level
• Estimated arrival in Salta: 6:00 p.m.

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Private transportation in a 4x4 vehicle throughout the journey
• Experienced Spanish- or English-speaking driver-guide
• Guidance from the driver-guide during the hikes or, when appropriate, from a local guide
• Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast
• Passenger transport insurance covering passengers while travelling in the vehicle
• Operational coordination and assistance throughout the journey

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Entrance fee to the Quilmes archaeological site
• Entrance fees to any other sites or attractions, where applicable
• Personal hiking equipment
• Personal travel, medical, accident, rescue or evacuation insurance
• Personal expenses
• Any service not expressly listed as included

ACCOMMODATION

The programme includes four nights’ accommodation:

• One night in Cafayate
• One night in El Peñón
• One night in Antofagasta de la Sierra
• One night in Tolar Grande

In Cafayate, we work with different categories of hotels. In El Peñón, Antofagasta de la Sierra and Tolar Grande, accommodation options are more limited and may include local inns, refuges or properties operated by members of the local communities.

The establishments will be selected according to the travellers’ preferences and availability at the time of booking.

HIKES AND DIFFICULTY

The programme combines extensive 4x4 journeys with hikes of different lengths:

• Valle Encantado: approximately 2 hours
• Quilmes archaeological site: approximately 1 hour
• Campo de Piedra Pómez: approximately 1 hour
• Antofagasta Volcano: approximately 2½ hours
• Rock-painting site: approximately 20 minutes

The hikes do not involve technical mountaineering, but some take place at high altitude over sandy terrain, volcanic material and sections of loose rock.

Travellers should have a suitable level of fitness for walking for several hours. The duration and routes may be adapted to the travellers’ pace and weather conditions.

The driver-guide accompanies the travellers during the hikes. A local guide may be included for certain visits when appropriate.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

• Hiking shoes or boots with good grip
• Comfortable walking clothes
• Warm layers for low temperatures
• Waterproof and windproof jacket
• Warm hat and gloves
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Small daypack
• Water bottle
• Trekking poles

ALTITUDE AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS

The programme reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 4,500 metres above sea level. The ascent is gradual, beginning in the Calchaquí Valleys before entering the higher areas of the Puna.

The journey takes place in remote regions with significant temperature variations, intense solar radiation and sudden changes in wind and temperature.

The hikes and itinerary may be modified if weather, road conditions or the travellers’ response to the altitude affect the safety or continuity of the journey.

VEHICLES AND OPERATION

The journey is operated in 4x4 vehicles with an experienced driver-guide familiar with the roads of the Calchaquí Valleys and the Puna.

The same professional accompanies and guides the travellers during the hikes. A local guide may be included for certain visits when appropriate.

This is a private journey, and departure times are arranged in advance with the passengers. Due to the remote nature of the route, the itinerary may be modified if weather, snow, road conditions or any safety-related circumstances affect the planned operation.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

The programme operates throughout the year.

During the summer, rising rivers may exceptionally cause temporary difficulties on some roads in the Calchaquí Valleys. In winter, snow may affect certain sections of the route across the Catamarca Puna.

Operation is always subject to weather and road conditions.

TAILOR-MADE OPTIONS

The programme can be adapted to the travellers’ fitness level, preferred hiking duration, accommodation category, flight schedules, particular interests and travel pace.

Any modification may require a different duration or rate.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Tell us your preferred travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred accommodation category, your hiking experience and any particular interests you would like us to consider.

We will confirm availability and prepare a private proposal for exploring the volcanoes, salt flats and remote landscapes of the Catamarca and Salta Puna on foot and by