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Salta, Salinas Grandes & Atacama: Private Luxury Puna Tour

Salta, Salinas Grandes & Atacama: Private Luxury Puna Tour

Chile
11 Days

Overview

The Argentine Puna moves through elevation and landscape faster than almost anywhere in South America — from the high-altitude vineyards of Cafayate at 1,660 meters, through the wind-sculpted volcanic rock of Campo de Piedra Pómez near Antofagasta de la Sierra, across the Salar de Antofalla and the Cono de Arita, to an overnight at Pristine Camps Salinas Grandes — a glamping property positioned directly on the salt flat at 3,450 meters with unobstructed views of the white horizon at sunset and stars at night — before crossing into the Atacama Desert for El Tatio geysers, Moon Valley, and the Piedras Rojas, and returning through Paso de Jama to Purmamarca and Salta. This 11-day private Puna de Atacama tour sequences all of it with Grace Cafayate, Pristine Camps, and House of Jasmines as the three distinctive properties anchoring the route, and dedicated local guides and 4x4 vehicles throughout the high-altitude sections.

  • Pristine Camps Salinas Grandes — Overnight on the Salt Flat: The glamping property sits directly on the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters — not adjacent to the salt flat, but on it. Sunrise and sunset from camp are the two most photographed moments of the entire itinerary, and they're only available to guests who stay overnight rather than visit on a day tour from Purmamarca or Salta.

  • Grace Cafayate — Design Hotel in the Heart of the Wine Valley: One of Cafayate's most architecturally distinctive properties, positioned within the town center with direct access to the best bodegas — an arrival base that sets a different tone from a standard tourist hotel.

  • Paso de Jama Cross-Border Logistics: The crossing from the Salinas Grandes into San Pedro de Atacama via Paso de Jama (4,200 meters) and the return through the same pass are coordinated in advance with vehicle documentation and border timing — including the high-altitude acclimatization considerations that affect this specific crossing.

  • Expert Local Guides & Private 4×4 Transfers: Travel the Puna and Atacama with experienced local guides who understand the region's geography, history, and high-altitude environment. Throughout the journey, private 4×4 vehicles and dedicated drivers provide a comfortable, flexible way to explore remote landscapes that are difficult to access independently.

  • Fully Customizable: This private Puna and Atacama itinerary extends naturally into the Quebrada de Humahuaca for cultural immersion, or to Buenos Aires and Iguazú Falls as part of a broader Argentina circuit.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Taste Torrontés and Malbec at Cafayate's finest bodegas including El Esteco, Piatelli, or El Porvenir

  • Visit the Quilmes Ruins, the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina

  • Drive to Campo de Piedra Pómez — 25 km of wind-sculpted white volcanic rock at 3,900 meters, with flamingos at Laguna Carachi Pampa

  • Cross the Salar de Antofalla and Laguna Colorada with vicuñas and flamingos at the foot of the Carachi Pampa volcano

  • Reach the Cono de Arita, a perfect 200-meter volcanic pyramid rising from the Salar de Arizaro — the third-largest salt flat in South America

  • Stay overnight at Pristine Camps directly on the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters for sunrise and sunset on the white horizon

  • Cross Paso de Jama at 4,200 meters into Chile, with the border logistics coordinated in advance

  • Watch El Tatio Geysers at sunrise — over 70 active vents at the world's highest geyser field

  • Explore Moon Valley at sunset and Piedras Rojas, Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons in the Atacama

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from Salta Airport (SLA) to Cafayate, home to the Torrontés grape grown nowhere else in the world at this altitude. The afternoon is free for visits to El Esteco, Piatelli, or El Porvenir. Check in at Grace Cafayate.

Day 2

A drive from Cafayate through Tucumán province to the Ruins of Quilmes — the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina, at the foot of Alto del Rey Hill. Continuing through Santa María and the village of Hualfín on the ancient Inca Trail to the remote Puna town of Antofagasta de la Sierra.

Day 3

A 6-hour 4x4 excursion from Antofagasta de la Sierra to Campo de Piedra Pómez — 25 km of wind-sculpted white pumice rock at 3,900 meters, one of the most otherworldly landscapes in South America. The adjacent Laguna Carachi Pampa holds thousands of flamingos in the high-altitude shallows.

Day 4

A day across the Puna's most dramatic salt and volcanic terrain: Antofalla oasis and the vast Salar de Antofalla; the red-hued Laguna Colorada at the foot of Carachi Pampa volcano with vicuñas and flamingos; and the Salar de Arizaro — third-largest salt flat in South America — where the perfect volcanic pyramid of the Cono de Arita rises 200 meters from the surface. Overnight in Tolar Grande.

Day 5

Continuing north through Jujuy Province to the Salinas Grandes — 212 km² at 3,450 meters, the second-largest salt flat in South America. Check-in at Pristine Camps, a glamping property positioned directly on the salt surface. The rest of the afternoon and evening unfold at the salt flat's own pace: the white horizon, the sunset over the flat, and the night sky away from any light source.

Day 6

A morning drive north from the Salinas Grandes and ascent via Route 52 to the Paso de Jama at 4,200 meters — the border crossing coordinated in advance with vehicle documentation and passenger permits. Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama in the afternoon.

Day 7

A pre-dawn departure for El Tatio Geysers — the world's highest-altitude major geyser field, with over 70 active vents releasing steam and boiling water as the sun rises. Breakfast at the geysers. A morning stop in Machuca, a small Atacameño village of adobe houses with traditional llama dishes. In the afternoon, Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) in the Los Flamencos Reserve at sunset.

Day 8

A full Atacama excursion: the indigenous village of Toconao with its white adobe architecture; the flamingos of Laguna Chaxa; a trek to Miscanti and Miñiques high-altitude lagoons with vicuñas, foxes, and flamingos; and the iron-oxidized red formations of Piedras Rojas.

Day 9

The border re-entry via Paso de Jama leads through Susques in Jujuy's Puna region, descending the Cuesta de Lipán from 4,170 meters to Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colors. Overnight in Purmamarca.

Day 10

Descend from Purmamarca back to Salta's fertile Lerma Valley. The afternoon is set aside for a private horseback ride through the vineyards and gardens of House of Jasmines, a 100-year-old estancia outside Salta. Overnight at House of Jasmines.

Day 11

A morning at House of Jasmines, a 100-year-old estancia outside Salta, before a private transfer to Salta Airport (SLA) for your domestic flight to Buenos Aires and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

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  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into Salta International Airport (SLA), located just outside Salta City. This airport receives flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – (AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to Salta (SLA).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Salta (SLA) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Grace Cafayate

Grace Cafayate

Salta & The Nothwest , Cafayate

Marqués De Tojo Hotel

Marqués De Tojo Hotel

Salta & The Nothwest , Purmamarca

Pristine Camp Salinas Grandes

Pristine Camp Salinas Grandes

Salta & The Nothwest

House of Jasmines

House of Jasmines

Salta & The Nothwest , Salta

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to the Puna and Atacama in the first place.

  • Add the Quebrada de Humahuaca between Days 9 and 10 for the Pucará de Tilcara and Uquía's Cusqueña church paintings.

  • Extend in Cafayate with additional bodega visits and canyon exploration.

  • Add Buenos Aires for tango, world-class restaurants, and the city's historic neighborhoods.

  • Extend to Iguazú Falls or Mendoza for a broader private Argentina circuit.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

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