Argentina- Full Puna!

Today is a free day to enjoy the city and its many attractions!  We suggest visiting a traditional estate where you will experience the native Gaucho traditions to the full.  If you want more experience of the city itself, visit various neighbourhoods and their distinctive characteristics and vibe; from the historic barrios of San Telmo and La Boca to the impressive parks and plazas of Palermo and Recoleta, and the contrasting modern skyscrapers of Puerto Madero. Taste your way through Buenos Aires - from Argentinian pizza, Choripan, Empanadas and dulce de Leche with alfajores, for those with a sweeter tooth. 

Today we will head to the domestic Airport, for your flight to Salta airport. On arrival, you will be met by your local guide who will take you to the hotel.  We will then visit the MAAM museum. One of Northern Argentina's best museums, MAAM has a serious and informative exhibition focusing on Inca culture. Exclusive to this museum are the mummies of child sacrifices, found on some of the Andes’ most imposing peaks. The principal attraction is the mummified body of one of three children which are rotated every six months. These mummies were discovered at the peak of Llullaillaco in 1999 and it was a controversial decision to display the bodies of the children in a museum, so be prepared for an unusual and emotive experience. We will then continue on to your hotel for the evening. 

Today we will visit Purmamarca. Purmamarca is a village in the Jujuy province of northwest Argentina. It is found at the base of a striking, multi-coloured mountain called the Seven Colours Hill. From the village, we will take the “Paseo de Los Colorados” trail, which leads into the surrounding desert landscapes for spectacular views of the mountain. Adobe houses line the streets, and the plaza 9 de Julio, hosts a popular crafts market. Nearby is the Santa Rosa de Lima church, dating back to colonial times.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the surroundings or kick back and relax.

In the morning, we will head to Tolar Grande. En route, we will visit the Big Flats. These salt flats are second only to the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia for pristine beauty.  We will then carry on to San Antonio de Los Cobres at 3775 metres elevation, where we can see the copper mountain. 

Today, we will visit the abandoned, ex-mining town of La Casualidad, located at 4200 m elevation and then continue on to the Cono de Arita, an incredible volcanic formation, made from black lava, in the form of a pyramid and reaching 122 metres high! 

After breakfast, we will head to Antofagasta de la Sierra. On the way, we will explore the "Ojos de Mar" area.  These salt flats are surrounded by these 3 transparent, turquoise lagoons, which are four times saltier than the ocean! This unique habitat is the home of bacteria which form the origins of life and the photosynthesis of plants, providing oxygen for animal species, over 35 thousand million years ago!

We will then continue to Antofalla Salt Flats and the Calastre Gorge before we eventually arrive at Antofagasta de la Sierra. 

Today, we will spend the day visiting the Galan Volcano, the largest crater on the Earth, which forms part of the Central Volcanic Zone. In its crater, we can see the Diamond Lagoon, which is world-renowned for its extreme environmental conditions and high arsenic content which provide a feeding ground for migrating flamingos.

During this visit, we will also visit Grande Lagoon, where in summer, it is possible to observe the incredible pink flamingos.  

Today we will head to the town of Cafayate, where we will visit The Piedra Ponez Stone Fields, one of the jewels of the area. These gigantic stone formations, made from the black lava of the nearby volcano, are a unique and spectacular sight in this region void of vegetation water and extreme temperatures. 

Today is a free day to explore this small, quaint village, surrounded by boutique vineyards.  

Today we will head back to the city of Salta for your flight to Buenos Aires. On arrival, your driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel for your final evening in the capital. We suggest a Tango show and dinner for your last night and an authentic Argentine experience.

We will take you to the airport for your flight back home or onto your next exciting destination!