GEOLOGICAL 4X4 EXPEDITION (April - November)

*This program is personally guided by Federico Norte, the owner and founder of Norte Trekking, and by Ivan Petrinovic, PhD in Geology, CONICET researcher, and volcanology specialist.

Day 1 

We will depart from the city of Salta through the Quebrada del río Las Conchas (Las Conchas River Gorge), arriving in Cafayate. We will then continue along National Route 40, passing through Quilmes in Tucumán, Santa Maria de Catamarca, Hualfín, and Belén, until we reach Fiambalá, where we will spend the night.

We will delve deep into the history of the Andes, from its beginnings to the present day. A journey into the past with stops and visits to key places to understand it. The history of the Calchaquí Valleys and the evident geological dynamics are revealed simply by contemplating their landscape.

Day 2 

After breakfast, we will depart from Fiambalá heading west (San Francisco Pass) to take the gravel road to the spectacular viewpoint of the Balcón del Pissis (Pissis Balcony). After taking photos, we will return to Fiambalá to visit the Fiambalá Hot Springs until sunset, after which we will return to Fiambalá.

The Pissis volcano is one of the highest in the world, along with the Ojos del Salado volcano. We will witness the history of the eruptions that shaped the landscape and the spectacular nature of the Andean volcanoes.

Day 3 

We will depart from Fiambalá through the Quebrada del río Las Papas (Las Papas River Gorge), where empanadas prepared by the locals await us. We will then begin our ascent to the Puna de Atacama to visit the Caldera del Volcán Blanco (White Volcano Caldera), the spectacular Campo de Piedra Pómez (Pumice Stone Field), and arrive at our final destination, the town of Antofagasta de la Sierra.

This route allows us to see how the Sierras Pampeanas (Pampas Ranges) come into contact with the volcanoes and salt flats of the Puna, slowly ascending and traversing records of very recent super-eruptions and volcanoes similar to those in Iceland or Hawaii, bordered by salt flats inhabited by flamingos and other species adapted to extreme conditions.

Day 4

Today is the day of the journey to the Caldera del Volcán Galán (Galán Volcano Caldera). Departing from Antofagasta de La Sierra, we will travel through the Quebrada de Real Grande (Real Grande Gorge), visit the Caldera del Volcán Galán, Laguna Diamante (Diamond Lagoon), the geothermal field, Laguna Grande (Big Lagoon), the Ignimbrites of Laguna Grande, El Peñón, and finally return to Antofagasta de La Sierra.

We will understand the significance of a supervolcano (Cerro Galán) and grasp the scale of one of the most violent eruptions in the planet's history. We will see the records of this eruption and the persistence of thermal springs and the life forms that utilize such extreme conditions. We will compare these records with those left by very small but very abundant eruptions in the surroundings of Antofagasta de La Sierra.

Day 5 

We will depart from Antofagasta de La Sierra towards the oasis of the Quebrada de Calalaste (Calalaste Gorge) to descend to the Salar de Antofalla (Antofalla Salt Flat) and continue south, entering the province of Salta through Antofallita. From there, we will glimpse the great Salar de Arizaro (Arizaro Salt Flat) with the formation of the Cono de Arita (Arita Cone), and finally, after crossing the salt flat, we will arrive at the town of Tolar Grande, where we will spend the night.

The most extensive salt flat of the Puna, the formation conditions of the salt flats, the contribution of the surrounding rocks, the current and extinct thermal springs, the internal lagoons and the life they harbor. The Salar de Arizaro and the volcanoes that surround it, current and past mining in the Puna, the passage of millions of years and erosion.

Day 6 

On our last day, we will descend from Tolar Grande, passing through another salt flat, the Salar de Pocitos (Pocitos Salt Flat), the town of Olacapato, and descend the Chorrillos slope to reach the town of San Antonio de los Cobres. Finally, we will leave the Puna behind through the Quebrada del Toro (Toro Gorge) to return to the Lerma Valley, where the city of Salta is located.

We will descend from the Puna, traversing almost its entire west-to-east section, traveling along the mythical National Route 51, with countless volcanoes and a rich geological history. The Quebrada del Toro is one of the richest geological landscapes in the northwest. We will make stops and narrate its history from the beginning of the Andes.