DAY
1 | Salta - Cafayate - Amaicha del Valle
Leaving the city of Salta we head south to traverse the fertile
Lerma Valley, the green lowlands of Salta with prospering farms
and tobacco plantations, and to travel along the dazzling Las
Conchas Gorge, an eroded riverbed-ravine. Its bizarre terracotta
coloured rock formations carry names like Amphitheatre, Sapo (Toad)
or Castillo (Castle). After reaching Cafayate, north Argentina's
wine capital, well known for its aromatic torrontés white
wine variety, we will visit a famous winery (optional). 50 km
further on we reach and explore the pre-hispanic Ruins of Quilmes,
considered the most extensive site in Argentina. Nearby we spend
the night at the quiet village of Amaicha del Valle (1,900 masl).
DAY 2 | Amaicha del Valle - Antofagasta de la Sierra
We continue on Route 40 through a setting of hills and cacti,
crossing a wide dry valley and also passing by 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 an altitude 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 flats
and snow-dusted summits. We make an off road detour through the
otherworldly Pumice Stone Field, embedded in the surreal atmosphere
of an endless volcanic scenery. After arrival at Antofagasta de
la Sierra (3,440 masl), a green oasis lying in an expansive and
arid plain dotted with black volcanoes and lava-flows, we spend
the night in a roomy guesthouse.
DAY 3 | Laguna Grande
Yet another fascinating off road excursion into wild beauty. Catching
sight of gracious suris and flocks of vicuñas we reach
Laguna Grande (Big Lagoon), skirted by a white salted shore and
a remarkable mountain backdrop. Making a perfect habitat for thousands
of pink flamingos, this sometimes green sometimes sky blue lagoon
shelters the three kinds Andean, Chilean and James flamingos.
We observe them wading, feeding and flying in all of their majesty,
and drive up to an overlooking hill to behold this peaceful, idyllic
environment before we head back the same way. Overnight again
in Antofagasta de la Sierra.
DAY 4 | AdlSierra - Antofalla|Arizaro - Tolar Grande
This captivating journey offers a large diversity of vistas and
unforgettable contrasts. We drive along a solitary winding path
amid colourful elevations and crossing a pass at 4,500 m altitude.
It unfolds a breathtaking view of Salar Antofalla, the longest
salt flat of the world (160 km), and leads to the green settlement
of Antofalla. Hemmed in by red, blue and grey mountains, this
tiny villa lies at the foot of the huge namesake volcano (6,409
masl). We continue on and enter Salta Province, reaching and traversing
for about 80 km the largest salt flat in Argentina, Salar de Arizaro,
framing a looming sharp cone named Cono de Arita. We arrive in
Tolar Grande (3,500 m), a small village surrounded by stunning
nature, and spend the night in a cosy hosteria.
DAY 5 | Tolar Grande - Salta
After an exciting stretch in the Valley of the Dreams among bizarre
red rock formations, the road takes us through the empty vastness
of the Andean high plateau, called Puna in Argentina, until reaching
San Antonio de los Cobres (3,775 m). Not far from here we next
head down the long curving mountains and impressive gorges of
Quebrada del Toro (Bull's Gorge), almost paralleling the Tren
a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds). On half the way, we visit the
ruins of Santa Rosa de Tastil, an enormous pre-columbian fortification,
superbly set on a hillside with overlooking views. Arrival in
Salta and end of trip. |