The Puna: Where Is It and How Do I Get There?
It is the second-highest plateau on Earth after Tibet. Its 8,640,000 hectares to the west of Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca are full of animals, salt flats, lagoons, and vegetation. Are you already interested? Read on, and we'll tell you all the secrets to make the most of your adventure in the North.
Volcanoes, salt flats and colourful deserts at over 3,000 metres above sea level create a sublime experience among a myriad of otherworldly landscapes. The breathtaking scenery and old-fashioned villages of northern Argentina will tug at the heartstrings of travellers. So, what are the gems of this ecoregion of Argentina? Let's begin:
Valle de la Luna de Cusi Cusi (Cusi Cusi Moon Valley)
A secret corner full of formations in reddish tones as if they were straight out of a Martian fairy tale.
Laguna de los Pozuelos Natural Monument
One of the great wetlands of the Puna and an excellent place to enjoy nature outdoors, bird watching and epic landscapes. The star here is the homonymous lagoon, which receives more than 100,000 flamingos a year in its waters.
1) Some Handy Tips:
How do you get to this wonderful place?
Most of the highlights of the Puna are far from the big urban centres. If you want to experience a full adrenalin romance with the gifts of the Argentine north, the tours, and excursions usually start from the city of Salta, San Salvador de Jujuy or San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca. But also from the tourist towns of the Quebrada de Humahuaca.
What is the weather like?
Windy, cool, sunny, and dry. A bit of everything. And that's why we advise you to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
What should you pack?
We suggest you pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, a coat and a windbreaker, and you'll be always ready to go.
What is altitude sickness and how to avoid it?
Some visitors may get altitude sickness as a result of the altitude at which most of the hidden gems of Northern Argentina are located. This condition can cause nausea, deafness, headaches, exhaustion, and fatigue.
Keep these recommendations in mind to make the most of your trip to the Puna:
1. Avoid making rapid ascents in just a few hours.
2. Do little physical activity during the first two or three days at high altitude.
3. Take carbohydrates (sugars) in several small portions.
4. Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages.
5. Do not take sleep-inducing medications.
6. Ask your doctor if he/she recommends any specific medication before the trip.
2) Highlights of the Puna
Salinas Grandes
67 km from Purmamarca, this salt desert of more than 500 square kilometres is one of the three largest salt flats in the world. Here you'll capture unforgettable white postcards at over 3,000 metres above sea level.
Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds)
A world record, one of the highest railways in the world that takes you through the landscapes of the Puna of Salta in an hour and a half of adrenaline and dreamlike sights.
Tolar Grande
This stunningly beautiful place offers endless scenic gems such as the Desierto del Diablo, the Cono de Arita, the Ojos de Mar, the Salar de Arizaro and many more.
Antofagasta de la Sierra
Can you picture a sea of white rock with formations that look like waves frozen in time? Well, this is how you could describe the Campo de Piedra Pómez (Pumice Stone Field) hidden in this region. At 550 km from San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, Antofagasta de la Sierra is the key to the Puna of Catamarca. It attracts travellers from all over the world, with volcanoes such as the Galán and the salt flats of Antofalla and Hombre Muerto.
3) Recommended Circuits
1. From the Quebrada de Humahuaca to Puna
San Salvador de Jujuy, Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes, La Polvorilla, Quebrada del Toro and Salta Capital.
Best time to go?
Autumn and spring. Although you can visit it all year round, the summer months are the rainiest and some roads can become tough to walk on.
Where to stay?
San Salvador de Jujuy and the city of Salta offer a wide range of accommodation and campsites. These are followed by Purmamarca, San Antonio de los Cobres, Susques and San Francisco de Alfarcito.
2. From San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca to Antofagasta de la Sierra
Andalgalá, Belén and Shincal de Quimivil.
Best time to go?
All year round, but the tourist peak is in autumn and spring. Once again, the summer months are the rainiest and in winter it's very cold and there can be heavy snowfalls.
Where to stay?
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca has its own airport and a wide range of accommodation and campsites.