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A private 4x4 journey connecting two completely different environments in north-western Argentina: the arid landscapes of the Puna de Atacama and the lush subtropical forests of the Yungas. Over four days, we cross Salinas Grandes and explore some of the most remote areas of the Jujuy Puna, following National Route 40 through Coranzulí, Cusi Cusi, the Quebrada de Paicone and Santa Catalina. After visiting La Quiaca, Humahuaca and the Serranía del Hornocal, we cross the mountains to Santa Ana before beginning an extraordinary descent towards Calilegua National Park.The defining feature of this journey is the gradual transformation of the landscape: from salt flats, remote gorges and high-altitude deserts to mountain grasslands and the lush vegetation of the Yungas.

DAY 1 – INTO THE PUNA DE ATACAMA

We leave Salta and travel towards the province of Jujuy along a winding mountain road surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation. After passing San Salvador de Jujuy, we continue to Purmamarca, one of the most picturesque villages in the Quebrada de Humahuaca, nestled beneath the iconic Hill of Seven Colours.

There will be time for lunch and to explore the village, whose main square is surrounded by stalls selling traditional handicrafts, textiles and ceramics. Those who wish may also walk the Paseo de los Colorados, a scenic 45-minute trail through vividly coloured rock formations.

In the afternoon, we begin our ascent along the Cuesta de Lipán, following the international road towards Chile. The route reaches an altitude of 4,170 metres, marking our entrance into the high-altitude environment of the Puna, before descending towards Salinas Grandes. Here, we can walk across the vast white salt flats and take in the immensity of the landscape.

Approximately one hour later, we arrive in Susques, where we spend the night.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• Starting point: your accommodation in Salta
• Endpoint: Salta
• Travel style: private and tailor-made
• Transportation: 4x4 vehicle
• Route: Salta – Purmamarca – Salinas Grandes – Susques – Coranzulí – Cusi Cusi – Quebrada de Paicone – Santa Catalina – La Quiaca – Humahuaca – Hornocal – Santa Ana – Calilegua National Park – Salta
• Overnight stays: Susques (1), Santa Catalina (1) and Santa Ana (1)
• Maximum altitude: approximately 4,600 m above sea level
• Road conditions: paved roads, gravel, mountain tracks and riverbeds
• Physical difficulty: low
• Overall demands: moderate due to the altitude, long travelling days and remote roads
• Best time to travel: between April and November
• Languages: Spanish or English

DAY 2 – DEEP INTO THE PUNA

We leave Susques early for a long day travelling entirely along gravel roads. A picnic lunch will be carried with us, allowing us to make the most of the day and stop at a scenic point along the route.

Our first visit is Coranzulí, a small Puna village with an attractive central square facing its colourful colonial church. From there, we continue north through remote valleys and along the Oros River until we reach Cusi Cusi.

Nearby, we visit the viewpoint overlooking the Valley of the Moon, a remarkable geological formation sculpted by erosion, with multicoloured walls, ravines and unusual rock formations.

We then continue along National Route 40, cross the Grande de San Juan River and enter the Quebrada de Paicone. For approximately 11 kilometres, the road follows the interior of the canyon and, in some sections, runs directly along the riverbed.

After leaving the gorge, we travel for another 40 kilometres before reaching Santa Catalina, one of Argentina’s northernmost villages, where we spend the night.

• Route: Susques – Coranzulí – Cusi Cusi – Valley of the Moon – Quebrada de Paicone – Santa Catalina
• Approximate distance: 263 km
• Road conditions: gravel and mountain roads
• Lunch: picnic during the journey
• Overnight: Santa Catalina

DAY 3 – FROM THE PUNA TO THE BALCONY OF THE YUNGAS

We leave Santa Catalina early and, after approximately one hour, reach La Quiaca, a border town in the far north of Argentina and the northern endpoint of National Route 40.

From there, we continue along paved roads to Humahuaca, where we begin another ascent through the mountains, reaching an altitude of approximately 4,600 metres. We visit the viewpoint overlooking Cerro Hornocal, also known as the Hill of Fourteen Colours, an extraordinary geological formation rising above the Quebrada de Humahuaca.

After enjoying the views, we continue for approximately 100 kilometres along a remote mountain road through some of Jujuy’s most isolated landscapes. Deep valleys and sweeping panoramas gradually announce the transition between the Puna and the Yungas.

At the end of the day, we arrive in Santa Ana, a small mountain village situated at approximately 3,500 metres above sea level. We spend the night in simple accommodation operated by the local community.

• Route: Santa Catalina – La Quiaca – Humahuaca – Hornocal – Santa Ana
• Approximate distance: 312 km
• Road conditions: paved, gravel and mountain roads
• Maximum altitude: approximately 4,600 m above sea level
• Overnight: Santa Ana

DAY 4 – FROM THE DESERT TO THE FOREST

After breakfast, we begin an extraordinary descent from Santa Ana into the Yungas. For approximately four hours, we follow a mountain road that reveals the gradual transformation of the landscape: the arid highlands give way to grasslands, ravines of black and red earth and, finally, the lush vegetation of the subtropical forest.

In some sections, the valleys are so deep that Andean condors can occasionally be seen flying below the road.

We pass through the villages of Valle Colorado, Valle Grande and San Francisco before entering Calilegua National Park. This protected area preserves more than 76,000 hectares of the Yungas ecoregion and contains one of the most biodiverse environments in north-western Argentina.

At the end of the descent, we reach Libertador General San Martín, a city closely associated with Ledesma’s sugar industry. From there, we continue for approximately three hours along paved roads to Salta, where our journey comes to an end.

• Route: Santa Ana – Valle Colorado – Valle Grande – San Francisco – Calilegua National Park – Libertador General San Martín – Salta
• Approximate distance: 279 km
• Road conditions: mountain roads, gravel and paved roads
• End of the journey: Salta

SERVICES INCLUDED

• Private 4x4 transportation throughout the journey
• Experienced Spanish- or English-speaking driver-guide
• Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast.
• Operational coordination and assistance throughout the journey

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

• Lunches, Dinners and pick nicks
• Drinks
• Entrance fees to sites or attractions, where applicable
• Personal expenses
• Any service not expressly listed as included

ACCOMMODATION

The programme includes three nights’ accommodation:

• One night in Susques
• One night in Santa Catalina
• One night in Santa Ana

In Susques and Santa Catalina, we use locally operated hotels or inns. In Santa Ana, accommodation is simple and operated by the local community. As options in these small villages are limited, the establishments will be confirmed according to availability at the time of booking.

ALTITUDE AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS

The journey reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 4,600 metres above sea level. The ascent is gradual, beginning in Salta and including the first overnight stay in Susques before continuing into the higher areas of the Puna. A significant part of the itinerary follows gravel roads, mountain tracks and remote routes, with long travelling days far from the main towns. Road conditions may vary due to rainfall, rising rivers, snow or other weather-related factors.

VEHICLES AND OPERATION

The journey is operated in 4x4 vehicles with an experienced driver-guide familiar with the roads of the Puna, the Quebrada de Humahuaca and the Yungas. This is a private journey, and departure times are arranged in advance with the passengers. Due to the nature of the route, the itinerary may be modified if weather, road conditions or rising rivers affect the safety or continuity of the journey.

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL

The best time to undertake this journey is between April and November, when rainfall is less frequent and mountain roads are generally in better condition. During the summer, particularly between December and March, rainfall may cause rising rivers, landslides or temporary road closures along certain sections of the route. Operation during these months is therefore subject to road and weather conditions.

TAILOR-MADE OPTIONS

The programme can be adapted to flight schedules, preferred accommodation category, travellers’ interests, travel pace and the desired endpoint of the journey. Any modification may require a different duration or rate.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRIP

Tell us your preferred travel dates, the number of travellers, your preferred accommodation category and any particular interests you would like us to consider. We will confirm availability and prepare a private proposal for a journey across the Jujuy Puna, descending from the high-altitude deserts into the subtropical forests of the Yungas.