Arrival at Salta Airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day will be free to explore this unique city.

Overnight in Salta.

Breakfast and departure towards Molinos. The road between Salta and Cachi is one of the most spectacular routes in Northwestern Argentina. We will pass through four different ecosystems, from the lush green Yungas forest to the semi-desert Calchaquí Valley, where we may spot condors flying across the blue sky, as well as guanacos and wild donkeys among thousands of cardón cacti, the local species of giant cactus.

There will be time for a walk through a small red desert, rarely visited, and a moment to relax under a welcoming Molle tree in the white colonial town of Molinos, where the sun shines almost all year round.

This is the area with the highest-altitude wineries in the world. We will then continue our journey to Colomé Winery, one of the oldest wineries in Argentina, where we will take a tour and visit the James Turrell Museum.

Return to Molinos and accommodation.

Overnight in Molinos.

After breakfast, we continue the journey. The road between Molinos and Cafayate passes through desert landscapes, small local farmers’ ranches, vineyards, and gigantic colorful mountains. Along the way, we will admire the Quebrada de las Flechas, a desert of ash and quartz rocks covered with clay, formed as a result of an ancient lake.

Arrival in the city of Cafayate.

Overnight in Cafayate, the World Capital of High-Altitude Wine.

Following Route 40 south, we will travel through one of the most desert-like regions of Argentina. We will visit the Quilmes Ruins (entrance included), where we will learn about the history that brought an end to this ancient settlement.

After Hualfín, the road will begin to climb towards the desert, eventually reaching the plateau known as the PUNA.

Surrounded by groups of wild vicuñas, gigantic white sand dunes, volcanoes, and lagoons, we will reach the Oasis of El Peñón, a small town located at 3,400 meters above sea level, home to 200 people, most of whom are llama, goat, and sheep herders.

Overnight in El Peñón.

In the morning: visit to the Campo de Piedra Pómez Natural Reserve, a strange and impressive landscape carved into the rock.

In the afternoon: visit to the Laguna Grande RAMSAR Site, a place of unique beauty that preserves fragile environmental treasures. This saline lake is located at an altitude of 4,150 meters above sea level, on the way to the crater of Galán Volcano, the largest in the world.

During winter, the water freezes completely, but when spring arrives, it becomes the largest gathering place for flamingos in the Puna, also known as the Andean flamingo or “Parina Pequeña,” with more than 19,000 birds. It is also a gathering place for Andean flamingos during the summer and a common nesting site for Chilean flamingos.

The visit will respect this special Andean sanctuary, which is of great importance to the exotic bird species that arrive at this natural habitat.

Breakfast and departure towards Antofagasta de la Sierra, a large town with more than 2,000 inhabitants that preserves its ancient traditions and culture. The name Antofagasta means “place where the sun shines,” and the town is surrounded by countless volcanic peaks.

The Calalaste Valley, a few kilometers from Vega Colorado, is the best place to spot wild camelids.

Antofalla, together with Antofagasta and Santa Rosa, was an important stop for llama caravans connecting this part of the Andes with the Atacama Oasis. Antofalla is still inhabited by a small community of 60 people, all of whom are herders.

We will cross the Salado de Arizaro, a dry lake that resembles the ancient journey of the Arrieros (herders who used to guide animal caravans to Chile).

Tolar Grande is located on the edge of a gigantic depression. The Arizaro Salt Flat is one of the largest salt flats in the world. We will visit this small railway town, built in 1940, from where we will be able to admire the western ridge of the Andes, with volcanoes rising more than 6,000 meters above sea level.

Breakfast and departure towards San Antonio de los Cobres, the current capital of the Puna. This will be our first contact with civilization after traveling through the remote Andes.

We will then continue the journey along Route 40 to Salinas Grandes, where we will have time to rest (lunch not included).

We will then begin the descent along Cuesta de Lipán, where condors are often spotted. Arrival in the town of Purmamarca, home to the Hill of Seven Colors.

Accommodation and overnight in Purmamarca.

After breakfast, you will depart to explore and visit the famous “Humahuaca Gorge,” where you will visit the “Pucará de Tilcara” (ancient ruins of an Inca fortress), the Archaeological Museum, and the town of Huacalera.

You will cross the “Tropic of Capricorn,” from where you can observe the colors of the “La Pollera de la Coya” hill.

Visit the town of Uquía and its church, where paintings of the “armed angels” (Arquebusiers, an important remnant of the Cuzco School in Peru) are preserved.

You will arrive in the town of Humahuaca around noon, where you can visit the historic center with its important church and the Monument to the Heroes of Independence (Cacique Viltipoco).

In the afternoon, return to Purmamarca for the overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will begin our journey to the neighboring country of Chile, traveling along Route 52 until reaching the town of San Pedro de Atacama.

Arrival and accommodation. Time to relax.

Overnight in Atacama.

Early in the morning, we will begin our visit to the Atacama Salt Flat, Toconao, and the high-altitude lagoons.

You will visit Chaxa Lagoon, located within the Atacama salt flats, where you will have the opportunity to observe local wildlife and migratory birds.

The journey continues towards Miscanti and Meñiques Lagoons, located at an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level. Their formation is the result of the eruption of Meñiques Volcano one million years ago.

Driving along the road towards San Pedro, we will stop in the small town of Socaire. Located at 4,000 meters above sea level, it is where you can enjoy lunch. We will then visit the local churches.

On the return journey, you will also visit the town of Toconao and some of its 18th-century churches. Towards the end of the afternoon, return to San Pedro for the overnight stay.

At sunrise, we will depart towards the Tatio Geysers, whose name means “the grandfather who cries.” It is one of the highest-altitude geyser fields in the world. Located in the Andes northeast of San Pedro de Atacama, it is the largest group of geysers in the Southern Hemisphere and the third largest in the world.

The greatest activity of these volcanic vents occurs around 6:00/7:00 in the morning, reaching temperatures of 85°C.

On the way back, it is possible to observe wildlife such as vicuñas and llamas, as well as flora such as giant cacti.

We will visit the ancestral village of Machuca, whose few inhabitants are mainly dedicated to sheep farming and cheese production. Nearby, we find Salada Lagoon, where families of flamingos, ducks, and seagulls live.

In the afternoon, we will visit Moon Valley. It is a desert landscape and a geomorphological wonder. The ancestors of the area called it “Las Salinas.” In 1982, it was declared a Nature Sanctuary, and here it is possible to observe a geological spectacle of great interest, especially at sunrise and sunset.

In the afternoon, return to San Pedro de Atacama.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

After breakfast, we will begin our return to Argentina, following the same Route 52 we took to reach San Pedro. Upon reaching the intersection of Route 52 and Route 40, we will take the latter south towards the town of San Antonio de los Cobres.

Here, we will spend the night to rest before continuing our return to Salta.

Overnight in San Antonio de los Cobres.

Breakfast and departure towards the city of Salta. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Free time.

Overnight in Salta.

Breakfast and transfer to the airport to take the flight back to Buenos Aires.