Description

SEASON: SEPTEMBER – MAY Operational notes: Day 2: It is required to arrive on a morning flight. The High Mountain Museum is closed on Mondays. Due to the closure of Cabildo (TUE) and Mercado de San Miguel (SUN), the points of interest to visit will be modified. Day 5: The visit to La Casualidad Mine’s Camp is subject to weather conditions. From MAY-SEP it will be replaced by Laguna Santa María and El Arenal. Day 7: The trip to Galan Volcano can be done by the traditional route or by an alternative. It remains subjected to weather and route conditions. Day 9: The Vine and Wine Museum closes on Mondays. To keep in mind: • Although it can be operated all year round, it is recommended for SEP-MAY weather. The rest of the year is subject to road and weather conditions. • Due to the altitude, atmospheric pressure and reduction of oxygen of the Puna, we recommend that people with respiratory, cardiac or pressure diseases, take special care. Day 1 Buenos Aires. D Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, we make a panoramic tour of the city. We start in Plaza de Mayo, witness to the most important events of the country since 1810, to then continue to the neighborhood of La Boca and finish in Palermo and Recoleta. In the evening, we attend a dinner show to appreciate the magnetism of tango. Day 2 Buenos Aires / Salta / Purmamarca. B L Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Salta. Upon arrival, we briefly visit the city that awaits for us to explore it by foot through its streets, colonial churches and buildings and visit the MAAM. After lunch, departure to Purmamarca. Travelled distance: 207 km (129 miles) Travel time: 4 hours Maximum altitude: 2324 MASL (7.625 ft.) Day 3 Purmamarca. B L Today we enjoy the Humahuaca Gorge, a Cultural and Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO. In addition to the typical villages, we will get to know Las Señoritas Gorge and El Hornocal, also called the Fourteen Colours Hill. Travelled distance: 319 km (198 miles) Travel time: 9/10 hours Maximum altitude: 4380 MASL (14.370 ft.) Day 4 Purmamarca / Tolar Grande. B L D In the morning, departure towards Salinas Grandes and San Antonio de los Cobres, where we have lunch. We start our journey to Tolar Grande, passing by a landscape of deserts and salt flats that astonishes us as we explore it. Travelled distance: 319 km (198 miles) Travel time: 9 hours Maximum altitude: 4500 MASL (14.764 ft.) Day 5 Tolar Grande. B L D Departure to La Casualidad Camp, located at 4.200 MASL (13.779 ft.), which used to be the most important sulfur mine of the region. This visit unveils the history and secrets of what today is a ghost town. On the way back, we visit the Cono de Arita, an eye-catching 122-meter-high (400 ft.) volcanic formation. Travelled distance: 283 km (176 miles) Travel time: 09/10 hours Maximum altitude: 4550 MASL (14.928 ft.) Day 6 Tolar Grande / Antofagasta de la Sierra. B L D Before leaving Tolar Grande, we visit Ojos de Mar (Sea Eyes), lagoons of turquoise water that contain some curious microorganisms. We begin our way to Antofagasta passing by Antofalla Salt Flat, the largest of Argentina. After lunch, we ascend through the Calacaste Gorge. Arrival at Antofagasta de la Sierra. Travelled distance: 283 km (176 miles) Travel time: 09/10 hours Maximum altitude: 4620 MASL (15.157 ft.) Day 7 Antofagasta de la Sierra B L D We start the trip to Galán Volcano, the largest crater on the planet. On the way there, we pass by the Grande Lagoon (4.150 MASL-13.615 ft.) that during summer months (from December to March) attracts a population of over 10.000 flamingos. For that reason, it has been declared a RAMSAR Site (International Treaty of Conservation and Rational Use of Humidity). Once inside the crater we see the Diamante Lagoon, a striking mirror due to the colour of its waters. Travelled distance: 280 km (174 miles) Travel time: 8/9 hours Maximum altitude: 4760 MASL (15.617 ft.) Day 8 Antofagasta de la Sierra / Cafayate. B L We leave the village to start the road to Cafayate. but first, we visit one of the jewels of the Catamarca’s Puna: the Pumice Stone Field. We immerse in a trail while we admire the Carachi Pampa Volcano and its lava field. Once we arrive there, we descend and walk through a stone field, result of millenary erosion, which has been declared a Natural Protected Area due to its importance. After a time at leisure, we continue towards Cafayate by De Randolfo Slope, Barranca Larga Hualfin and Quilmes Ruins, finally arriving at Cafayate. Travelled distance: 458 km (285 miles) Travel time: 11 hours Maximum altitude: 3400 MASL (11.155 ft.) Day 9 Cafayate / Salta. B After a short visit to the city, we return to Salta through the Cafayate Gorge, characterized by its strange formations product of water and wind erosion. Arrival and accommodation. Travelled distance: 192 km (119 miles) Travel time: 4 hours Maximum altitude: 1660 MASL (5.446 ft.) Day 10 Salta / Buenos Aires. B At due time, transfer to the airport to board your scheduled flight to Ezeiza. Notes: Private services throughout the entire journey. Day 2: The Walking tour is not available on Sundays due to the closure of Mercado San Miguel and on Mondays due to the closure of the Museo de Alta Montaña. If only these days are available, it will be replaced by a private classic visit. Day 3 to 10: Services aboard 4X4 vehicles. Allowed baggage. Only one carry-on suitcase is allowed on all trips that stay overnight outside the city of Salta. Days 5 to 8: Meals are box lunches. Tolar Grande: Accommodation at Hosteria Casa Andina is considered; in case of unavailability, it will be in a family home.