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Wine and Mountains

5.0•8 reviews
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Trip Highlights

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Visit The Largest Salt Flat In The Argentine Altiplano

Visit The Largest Salt Flat In The Argentine Altiplano

How was the Cono de Arita pyramid created?

How was the Cono de Arita pyramid created?

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Visit The Largest Salt Flat In The Argentine Altiplano

Visit The Largest Salt Flat In The Argentine Altiplano

How was the Cono de Arita pyramid created?

How was the Cono de Arita pyramid created?

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Unwinding in Colome vineyard

Description

A 4x4 safari tour into the heart of the most remote areas of Argentina’s Andean mountain plateau, combined with the Valles Calchaquies wine region. This high altitude Altiplano tour also includes the best of Salta wine region, where the white grape of Torrontes finds its best expression, and apart from the classic Argentine Malbec, you can also sample Tannat, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Wine lovers should see our Classic Wine route or Salta to Mendoza trip for more details on the sacred grape: either of those trips can be combined with this one. Click here to view map route.

Tour info

Duration
6 days
Group Size
1 to 3 people
Price starts at
$900
Languages
English, Spanish
Meeting Point
We can pick you up direct from Salta airport or from your chosen hotel in the city.
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Why take this tour?

From Salta city, we head south into the Valles Calchaquies over one or two days, acclimatizing with overnights at close to 2,000m altitude before climbing into the very southern edge of Argentina’s mountain plateau, where we rise gradually to nearly 4,000m altitude.

 

You will witness a complete change of landscape as we transition from the valley to the Altiplano: we are rewarded with views of snow-topped mountains and lagoons speckled with wild vicuña, the cameloids of the high mountain plateau. We arrive in El Peñon, an oasis of a town set in the middle of the plain, and a strategic jumping-off spot to visit the extraordinary lunar landscape of the Piedra Pomez (pumice stone) fields at the very southern edge of the Altiplano.

 

We can visit Laguna Grande, home to thousands of flamingoes during the breeding season of September to March and the pukara (fort) of La Alumbrera, built by the Belen tribe, dating from 1,000AD. This vantage point offers some great views of the lagoons, the Puna town of Antofagasta de la Sierra, and the mountains beyond.

 

We will visit the oasis town of Antofalla, then head on to the Cono de Arita Salt Pyramid, set like an island in the ocean of the biggest salt flat in Argentina, the Salar of Arizaro: from here it’s a short journey north with some breathtaking close up views of the Andes mountain range, onto Tolar Grande.

 

This old railway town in the shadow of the volcano of Llullaillaco is set in an extraordinary red rock landscape.

 

We return to Salta through the Desierto del Diablo, via the viaduct of La Polvorilla where the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) finishes its journey, and the Quebrada del Toro: another complete change of landscape, where we can visit the pre-Inca ruins of Tastil.

Included

  • Bilingual tour guide
  • Private tailor-made tour
  • Vehicle and guide costs

Excluded

  • Food
  • Accommodation
  • Wine tasting fees

Things to know

Accommodation & Food

Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$15 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in a smart restaurant is unlikely to set you back more than US$40 per person.

Pricing

Headline price based on three people travelling together in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide. Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to the end of 2025. One person - US$400 Two people - US$225 Three people- US$150

Group Size

This trip covers some very rough roads in the mountain plateau, so for safety and comfort we take a maximum of three passengers per vehicle. If you're travelling with a larger group, please contact us in good time and we will do our best to accommodate you in two 4x4s.

Recent Reviews

8 Verified reviews
BL
Tripadvisor

BL

November 7, 2025

We wanted to include the Puna region in our five-week trip through Argentina and preferably drive ourselves in a rental car. However, we were advised against this several times. That's why we turned to Poncho Tours, a choice we did not regret. It was a fantastic experience... bea…

Margo v
Tripadvisor

Margo v

August 1, 2025

Travelling on my own, I was a bit weary beforehand to be in a car with a stranger for 5 days. I shouldn't have worried. Ale was a great companion. While seeing the most amazing landscapes on the Extreme Puna tour, we also discussed life, culture, and basically had fun.Unfortunate…

Google Reviews

Pawel Preuss

February 14, 2025

Great experience travelling with Poncho Tours across Salta, Catamarca and Jujuy region ! Recommend to everyone to do that ! One in the life time !

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$900
5.0
8 Verified reviews

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