To start the day, we will cross the imposing Quebrada de las Conchas, also declared a natural heritage of Humanity is a 65 km canyon of sedimentary rock formations from the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras (90-60 million years). The characteristic red color derives from the presence of ferric oxide in its mineral deposits. The name of the Shells derives from the abundant amount of fossil colonies of seashells, fish and mollusks, testimony to the humid tropical climate that dominated the area in remote times. Then we will travel through the desert highlands of the Puna. A path of 150 km, which goes uphill between imposing landscapes in the land of the highest volcanoes in the world. At the height of the highest mountain pass of the route, we will find an immense sand dune. We will arrive at the small Oasis del Peñón and in the distance to the left the Campo de Piedra Pómez. Night at the Hostería de Altura El Peñón.

Our adventure starts today at the edge of Campo de Piedra Pómez, as we reach the Carachi Pampa basin, in its margins there is a Volcano of the same name, surrounded by black lava fields and a lagoon, where the Andean flamingo, and the James’ (or puna) flamingo can be found. During the dry season a small salt lake is formed around the lagoon. Later, our journey will continue into the Natural Reserve Campo de Piedra Pómez, a strange and stunning landscape carved into the rock that gives rise to its name: The Pumice. Of purely igneous origin, it was produced from a massive explosion of the volcanic stratum, this explosion was so powerful that if one could have seen it, it would be similar to the mushroom cloud produced by a nuclear bomb. This cloud has spread the ashes and debris in large areas and in different directions, which crystallized by the effects of the temperature giving shape to these wonderful rocks with special features and with plenty of holes produced by the escape of gasses during the chilling 

stage. This degassing phenomenon made the rock very easy to carve by the winds of the Puna, arid and harsh winds that move freely through the region, becoming the best and most prominent Andean rock sculptors. 

This strange landscape of white labyrinths and climbing sand dunes is located a few miles to the west, on a track where the path continues through some sand that we could describe as the dream of the explorer, an overlanding adventure. Return to the Hotel, just on time to enjoy stunning sunset views from the village.

With an early start, we will drive in direction to Antofagasta de la Sierra as we enter the región of Real Grande (4050 meters), where traces of the first settlements of the Puna can be found in ancient petroglyphs, dated 10000 B.P. and entrance point to Cerro Galán Caldera from the Northwest.

Cerro Galán, is one the world’s largest volcanic calderas and greatest of the Andes Mountains, its dimensions are 34 km from north to south and 24 km from east to west, and it is the result of an extreme plinian eruption that occurred 2.2 million years ago. Its identification as a volcanic caldera was performed using satellite photographs, since its elliptical shape is too large to be able to be appreciated from the ground. Its walls reach 5,000 meters of altitude and the central peak 5,912 meters, while its floor is at 4,500 meters of altitude. The Caldera contains a lake in its south western corner, known as Laguna Diamante, which is home to flamingos and ducks, protected from the wind by the walls, in this extremely harsh environment.

Our path will lead us to another high altitude Andean lake, known as Laguna Grande Reserve, a saline lake that sits at an altitude of 4150 meters. During winter, the water freezes completely, but when spring arrives, it becomes the largest gathering center of the Puna flamingo birds, also called Small Parina (Phoenicopterus jamesi), with more than 19,000 birds (25% of the known total population). It is also a place for summer congregation for the Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus) and it is a common nesting site of Southern flamenco (Phoenicopterus chilensis). We will drive to El Peñón with the perfect warm light of sunset. 

Its name derives from the native Kunza language and means village where the sun dies. Getting to it from EL Peñón involves climbing the mountains to the Abra de los Colorados at 4,667 masl along a road that was only opened in 1989. The largest Oasis in the Puna, the Salar de Antofalla is the longest in the world, its width never exceeds 12 kilometers. The extreme southeast of the Salar de Antofalla is a hyperarid place with extraordinary tertiary salt formations that can be reached from Antofagasta de la Sierra or from Salta territory following the Arizaro salt flat south. It is one of the most inhospitable and inaccessible places in the Argentine Puna. 

The salt flat nestled between the Sierras de Antofalla and Calalaste, the latter has an infinity of unique colors, has an average altitude of 4,210 meters, the maximum being 6,227 and the minimum 3,270. Within this there is a formation of lagoons called “Ojos de Campo” among them there is one that contains reddish waters. There is also an area of hot springs, including the isolated Botijuelas hot springs. The local community is open to tourism and they provide a homemade lunch and homestays to experience life in one of the most remote corners of the globe. Return to El Peñón with the stunning sunset colors of the andean mountains.

This day is a true Andean crossing, from the Puna of Catamarca, through the Puna of Salta to the Quebrada del Toro. Leaving the oasis of Antofagasta behind, we will tour the area of the Salar del Hombre Muerto and its Laguna Verde, an important nucleus in the extraction of Lithium. After crossing the salt flat we go to another, that of Pocitos, its multicolored colors will accompany us for 70 km until the junction of the RP27, we take it to the east, passing through the junction of Cauchari, its old town and Olacapato station. 

The Chorrillos pass (4,560 m) brings us to San Antonio de los Cobres, one of the towns with the longest mining tradition and the most inhabited in the entire Puna. The last part of the trip will take us to visit the Quebrada del Toro, the History of the C-14 Branch and its works of Art. A mixture of landscapes, colors and railway architecture accompany us to the Lerma Valley and the City of Salta.
End of our services.

Our path will lead us first, to a high altitude Andean lake, known as Laguna Grande Reserve, a saline lake that sits at an altitude of 4150 meters. During winter, the water freezes completely, but when spring arrives, it becomes the largest gathering center of the Puna flamingo birds, also called Small Parina (Phoenicopterus jamesi), with more than 19,000 birds (25% of the known total population). It is also a place for summer congregation for the Andean flamingo (Phoenicopterus andinus) and it is a common nesting site of Southern flamenco (Phoenicopterus chilensis).

Cerro Galán, is one the world’s largest volcanic calderas and greatest of the Andes Mountains, its dimensions are 34 km from north to south and 24 km from east to west, and it is the result of an extreme plinian eruption that occurred 2.2 million years ago. Its identification as a volcanic caldera was performed using satellite photographs, since its elliptical shape is too large to be able to be appreciated from the ground. Its walls reach 5,000 meters of altitude and the central peak 5,912 meters, while its floor is at 4,500 meters of altitude.

The Caldera contains a lake in its south western corner, known as Laguna Diamante, which is home to flamingos and ducks, protected from the wind by the walls, in this extremely harsh environment. We will drive back to El Peñón with the perfect warm light of sunset.