DAY
1 | Salta - Cafayate - Quilmes Ruins - Amaicha del Valle
Leaving the city of Salta we drive south through the green Lerma
Valley and down las Conchas Gorge, a fascinating reddish canyon
of eroded rock layers. Its bizarre formations carry names like
Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), Sapo (Toad) or Castillo
(Castle). When reaching the town of Cafayate, well known for its
excellent wine production, we visit a famous winery (optional).
50 km further on we arrive at the pre-Columbian Ruins of Quilmes,
considered the most extensive site in Argentina. We spend the
night nearby at the quiet village of Amaicha del Valle (1,900
masl).
DAY 2 | Amaicha del Valle - Hualfin - Antofagasta de la
Sierra
We continue traveling on Route 40 through a setting of hills and
cactus and through the valleys of Santa Maria and Hualfín.
From here the road twists and climbs up towards the Puna's high
volcanic steppe in Catamarca, reaching altitudes of over 4,000
m. The landscape starts to change and becomes fantastic as we
feast our eyes on the first flocks of vicuñas, on huge
sand dunes, gleaming salt fields and snowcapped summits. Time
permitting we make a detour to explore the otherworldly Pumice
Stone Field, embedded in the surreal atmosphere of an endless
volcanic landscape. After arrival at Antofagasta de la Sierra
(3,440 masl), a green oasis lying in a vast and arid plain dotted
with black volcanoes and lava-flows, we spend the night in a roomy
guesthouse.
DAY 3 | Antofagasta de la Sierra
Today we experience the raw beauty of nature along the circuit
of Salar Antofalla. At altitude 4400 m we cross striking mountain
passes opening up breathtaking, white-blue-red vistas, and drive
on an empty track along the shore of the salt desert to discover
its hidden gems: the remote settlement of Antofalla, sitting at
the foot of the namesake volcano; the astonishing circular lagoons,
known as "Eyes of the Field"; and the incredibly colorful
oasis of Botijuela, where the curious bottle-shaped cone of an
extinguished geyser stands out. We again overnight at Antofagasta
de la Sierra.
DAY 4 | AdlSierra - Salar del Hombre Muerto - La Polvorilla
- San Antonio de los Cobres
A lonely road leads northwards to the gleaming Salar del Hombre
Muerto (Dead Man's salt field), the second largest salt desert
in Argentina. At its shore we explore the abandoned gold mine
Incahuasi, and continue our way through the limitless extent of
the Andean altiplano until reaching the mighty La Polvorilla viaduct.
At 4,220 m in altitude, it is the highest station of the Tren
a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds). A few kilometers ahead, we
arrive at the ancient mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres
(3,775 m), where we overnight in a restful hotel.
DAY 5 | SACobres - Northern Calchaquí-Valleys -
La Poma - Cachi - Salta
From San Antonio de los Cobres, the 'gate' to the Puna, the road
climbs toward the highest road pass in America, the Abra del Acay,
where a superb panorama opens up around us at an altitude of 4,985
m. Afterwards we enter the northern Calchaquí-Valleys and
steadily descend through a delightful backdrop of sinuous gorges,
passing green farmlands and several hamlets until we reach the
enchanting village of La Poma. After arrival in Cachi we can walk
around on its cobbled streets and between adobe homes painted
white. On our way to Salta we enjoy beautiful views traveling
through Los Cardones National Park, a desert of centenary giant
cactus', and down the pretty serpentine road of Cuesta del Obispo
(Obispo's Slope). Our trip finishes upon arrival in Salta, 'La
Linda' (The Beautiful).
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