ARGENTINA: The Highlands of Argentina – 4 days

Day 1: SALTA – TOLAR GRANDE

Early departure from your hotel in Salta, passing through the Quebrada del Toro, a narrow and winding valley crossed by the famous Train to the Clouds, offering impressive views of the surrounding mountains. You will have lunch in San Antonio de los Cobres, a small Andean town with a rich history and unique culture. You will then cross the Salar de Pocitos and the Devil's Desert, which offer spectacular views of mountains, canyons, and rock formations displaying a striking red hue. You will pass through the Alto Chorillo pass at 4560m and then descend to Tolar Grande, located at 3500m above sea level. In the afternoon, you will arrive in Tolar Grande.

• Transport: private vehicle – 360 km – 9h
• Driver (SP)
• Accomodation: Hostel
• Included meals: none

Day 2: TOLAR GRANDE – ANTOFALLA – ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA

Enjoy more time on the Andean plateau this morning. You will visit Ojos del Mar, two remarkably clear, blue freshwater lakes in the middle of the desert, before continuing to Salar de Arizaro, the region's largest salt desert. Here, you will be surrounded by majestic mountains and a lunar landscape, with bright white salt stretching as far as the eye can see. In the center of this salt flat, you will find Cono de Arita, a cone-shaped geological formation rising from the landscape. You can walk to its base, but climbing it is not allowed since this site is sacred to local communities. You will pass through Pozo Bravo, a small mining town, and arrive at Antofalla, a small village nestled in a valley. You will spend the night in Antofagasta de la Sierra, a small city surrounded by mountains. Here, you can visit the main square, the colonial church, and the local archaeological museum, which displays artifacts from pre-Columbian times.

• Transport: private vehicle – 230 km – 6.5 h
• Driver (SP)
• Accomodation: Hostel
• Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: ANTOFAGASTA DE LA SIERRA – El PEÑON

Today you will discover Campo de Piedra Pómez, a spectacular region composed of rock formations eroded by wind and rain. Here you will find white and gray rock formations that rise like giant sculptures in the middle of the desert landscape. You will visit the Dunas Blancas, a fascinating landscape made up of white dunes that stretch for several kilometers. You can take a walk or go sandboarding. Finally, you will visit Laguna de Carachi Pampa, a salt lake situated in a spectacular volcanic landscape. Here you can observe the local fauna, including flamingos and other migratory birds.

• Transport: private vehicle – 180 km – 4.5 h
• Driver (SP)
• Accomodation: Hostel
• Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: El PEÑON – SALTA

Early departure to La Cuesta de Randolfo, a mountain road that offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and the valley. You will have lunch in Hualfín, a small and quiet village with the opportunity to visit the local market. You will return to Salta at the end of the day.

• Transport: private vehicle – 545 km – 8 h
• Driver (SP)
• Included meals: Breakfast

The Altiplano, like Tibet, is among the largest high plateaus in the world. The Altiplano o , Punais located in the Central Andes and is shared by Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. The Quechua word "puna" translates to "high land.".This high plateau, situated over 3,000 meters above sea level, is dominated by Andean peaks that rise to heights of 4,000 to 6,000 meters. The Andes Mountain range is the longest on the planet, stretching over 7,000 km in length, around 240 km in width, with an average height of approximately 3,700 meters, and an area exceeding 300,000 km².

While the Puna can be visited throughout the year, there can be occasional disruptions caused by extreme weather, such as floods or snow, particularly during the peak of the Andean summer rains (January-March) and the heart of winter (July-August). Overall, the best times to visit are from September to December and from April to June

Much of the journey will take place at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters, where the climate is extremely harsh. Sharp temperature contrasts occur between day and night, as well as between sunny and cloudy periods. During the peak of the dry season (July-August), very cold nights with sub-zero temperatures are common, although days may remain mild and sunny.

Altitude sicknessalso known as acute mountain sickness (AMS) or soroche (from Quechua "suruqchi" or "suruqch'i"), is the body's failure to adapt to hypoxia, or the lack of oxygen, experienced at high altitudes. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sleep disturbances. Rapid changes in altitude intensify these effects. Therefore, acclimatization is crucial; ascending gradually allows for slow and progressive adaptation, which helps prevent altitude sickness. Staying hydrated and maintaining a balanced diet is essential. It is recommended to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and heavy meals.

Among the natural remedies used for centuries by local populations are coca leaves, which can be consumed as an infusion, in the form of candies, or by chewing them directly, allowing their juice to be released slowly in the mouth.

Altitude combined with remoteness, lack of medical facilities and simple accommodation makes the Puna suitable for resilient travellers..

«La Pachamama», or Mother Earthis the most popular of the mythological beliefs of the Andean regionthat still survives strongly in many places in the South American Andean region. "Pacha" in Aymara and Quechua means earth, world, universe; while "Mama" is a mother. Hence comes Mother Earth Day. August is the perfect time to honour Mother Earth, expressing gratitude for the crops, favorable weather, animals, and the abundance of the land. Therefore, on the first day of this month, the ritual of giving thanks to the earth is revived.