Into the Puna: Deserts, Lagoons & Salt Flats

5.0 reviews
1/12
walking next to salt lagoon in puna

Go on the adventure of a lifetime in northwest Argentina...

2/12
swimming pool in hotel purmamarca

Softened with the creature comforts of small hotels...

3/12
hosts at hosteria el penon

... And the warm hospitality of the high Andes

4/12
walking in the quebrada de las conchas

Travel from Salta's epic red-rock gorges...

5/12
harvesting grapes in cafayate

To the lush winelands of Cafayate...

6/12
white sand dunes puna de atacama

And into the high Puna wilderness...

7/12
driving across salar grande in argentina

... As you go waaaay off the beaten track

8/12
flamingos in laguna grande argentina

See Andean wildlife up close...

9/12
peppers drying in the sun near salta

See incredible sights like this...

10/12
traditional weaver in seclantas

... And immerse yourself in rural culture

11/12
couple sitting on salt flat in argentina

This is adventure without the stress...

12/12
altiplano landscapes in puna de atacama

... In a place of stupendous natural beauty.

Duration

Explore one of South America's great wildernesses as you venture into the Puna - a high-altitude region of arid desert punctuated by turquoise lagoons, red rock valleys and brilliant white salt flats shimmering below towering volcanoes.

  • Breathtaking scenery
  • Enormous sand dunes
  • Salta & red-rock valleys
  • Cafayate vineyards
  • Flamingo lagoons
  • Specialist guides
  • Oasis villages
  • Llama caravan trails
Read Full Itinerary

What's Included

Key Inclusions

13 nights in first-class hotels

All breakfasts

6 x lunches

5 x dinners

Private transfers

Internal flights

Guided activities as described


Guided Activities

Private half-day Buenos Aires tour

Private half-day Salta tour

Shared Cafayte wine tour & tasting

6 x private full-day guiding in Puna


5* Service

We have personally experienced & loved every aspect of this trip

Travel Guide App with advice, background information and recommendations

ABTOT / ATOL Financial protection

Local support throughout

24/7 emergency support

Industry-leading 160% carbon capture


Please note: International flights not included

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Buenos Aires


You begin in Buenos Aires, a city steeped in rich stories and timeless romance. We'll help you settle into your boutique hotel in trendy Palermo before you head out to stroll in this leafy and quiet barrio. Tomorrow you will see the main sites, today, just let it all sink in.

Day 2

Discover Buenos Aires on and off the beaten path


Day 3

Fly north to Salta


Day 4

Discover Salta with your guide


Day 5

Drive through Los Cardones National Park


Day 6

Travel into the Cafayate winelands


Day 7

Visit a winery in Cafayate


Day 8

Head into the great Puna wilderness


Day 9

Go way, way, way off the beaten track


Day 10

Visit a flamingo-filled lagoon


Memorable moments you can look forward to...

Argentina salta c finca valentina pool 4

Take a dip...

In inviting hotel pools

Argentina salta seclantas weaver c socompa

Weave together...

The story of Andean crafts

Argentina c patios de cafayate hotel 2

Indulge on...

Traditional empanada treats

Argentina cafayate el esteco wine c socompa

Say yes please...

To another glass of the good stuff

Argentina cafayate vineyard c socompa

Go for a stroll...

Through sunny vineyards

Argentina puna c hosteria el penon

Cross the puna...

To remote oasis villages

Argentina puna laguna grande socompa 4

Get close to...

Flamboyances of flamingos

Argentina puna sand dunes c socompa

Feel the silence...

Amid a sea of sand dunes

Argentina puna near Antofagasta c socompa 8

Watch your step...

In vivid salt lagoons

Argentina puna c hosteria el penon 2

Feel at home...

With lovely local hosts

Argentina salta c finca valentina room

Sleep like a log...

In peaceful small hotels

Argentina puna c socompa 2 ojos de mar salta

Capture the color...

Of natural water pools

Argentina puna near Antofagasta c socompa 2

Soak your feet...

And soak in the views

Argentina puna c socompa Vicuna at Laguna Blanca Sebastian del Val JPG scaled

Keep an eye out...

For the Altiplano wildlife

Argentina salta puna pumice stone desert picnic

Take lunch...

In nature's restaurant

Argentina puna c socompa 04 Hornocal Jujuy

Be amazed...

By the Hill of Seven Colors

Argentina salta salar grande jeep

Travel across...

Argentina's biggest salt flat

Argentina salta condor in flight

Get neck ache...

From watching condors soar

Argentina salta drying peppers

Soak up the sun...

Like the famous red peppers

Argentina salta los cardones national park in northern argentina

Go for a drive...

In Argentina's Wild West

Argentina puna c socompa Sunset at labyrinth Desert Seabstian del Val scaled

Ask yourself...

Is this Earth, or Mars?

Argentina puna salt lake c socompa

Feel tiny...

In epic desert wilderness

Argentina purmamarca c manantial del silencio 4

Linger over...

Delicious Argentine dinners

Argentina puna c socompa 06 Purmamarca

Wander...

In typical Andean towns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Puna?


Where do I fly to and from?


When is the best time for this trip?


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Can I make the Puna section self-drive?


Can I have someone to do all the driving?


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