An early departure leads guests to experience a section of the tracks on a “Train to the Clouds”. One of the world’s railway engineering marvels weaves through the Andes at 4,200 m above sea level, connecting Argentina with Chile and making this the third highest train system in the world.
We continue our journey by road, to the Quebrada Del Toro (Bull’s River Gorge) and past the Ruins of Santa Rosa de Tastil, an ancient pre-Inca settlement and the mining town of San Antonio de los Cobres, a typical highland settlement with adobe houses. We take in the vistas as we cross Puna to the expansive 212 square km salt flats of Salinas Grandes. The striking landscape is an invitation to take some creative jumping, handstanding and optical illusion photos, and purchase a llama or cactus figurine carved in salt.
After visiting this natural phenomenon, the winding, beautiful Cuesta del Lipan descends to Purmamarca, a quaint village with dusty streets at the foot of multi coloured mountains known as the “Seven Colours Hill”. The minerals and sediments in the surrounding mountains create brilliant green, purple, red, orange, and white stripes that swirl through the rocky mountain faces. The streets in Purmamarca are flanked by craftsmen selling colourful blankets and hand-woven hats, scarves and an array of hand-crafted objects. From Purmamarca we return to Salta for the evening.
Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch