Puna

Information

This 5 day roundtrip takes you up into the wide, lonely plains of the Puna of Salta and Jujuy, the Argentinian answer to the Bolivian Altiplano. "Eternal" sunshine reigns in this fascinating landscape of salt lakes and scattered volcanoes.
Ride across the dazzlingly white surface of the salt lake Salinas Grandes.
Visit the most picturesque mountain villages and the most important of the Pre-Inca ruins.
Enjoy the stunning beauty of the Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003).

Total distance about 1200 km, approx. 50% on gravel roads.

The trip can be done in the 4 x 4 off road support vehicle, too!




Day 1
The tour first takes us on a twisting tarmac road through densely wooded hills to Jujuy. Here we enter the picturesque Quebrada de Humahuaca canyon, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 for its unique landscapes and culture. In Tilcara we visit the important ruins of the Pre-Inca Pucará.
The road to the enchanting mountain town of Iruya winds through the 4000m high pass Abra del Condor into the valley of Iruya. The town itself is in a narrow part of the valley and is surrounded by colourful mountains and eroded rock walls.


Day 2
Crossing the Abra del Condor again, we reach the main road and keep heading north to the Bolivian border to reach the remote village of Yavi. There you can visit the historic church Iglesia de San Francisco, cave paintings and petroglyphs.


Day 3
We set out to explore the beautiful landscapes of the national monument, Laguna de los Pozuelos, a lake at 4000m altitude, and home to unique flora and fauna.


Day 4
Today we head about south through the high plains of the Puna, to reach the salt lake Salinas Grandes, where you can experience riding over the broad white salt plains. We hit a gravel track which takes us over a wide plain and through a beautiful hidden valley to the famous viaduct La Polvorilla of the "Train to the Clouds" (Tren a las Nubes).


Day 5
The last day of the tour leads us along the tracks of the legendary "Train to the Clouds", crossing its tracks several times. We leave the plains of the Puna and descend to the ruins of Santa Rosa de Tastíl. After visiting the ruins the road takes us through the colourful valley Quebrada del Toro. We reach Salta and have a traditional barbecue as guests of Horizonte-Tours.



Route

Info on the tour
As 4x4 adventure
For more pictures click on a photo
TOUR: Puna
Duration of the tour: 5 days / 4 nights
Total distance: about 1200 km, ca. 55% gravel roads.
Participants (drivers): minimum: 3, maximum: 6
Level of experience: The trip is suitable for any motor-biker with some off-road experience.
Prices: With support vehicle:      driver       1200 €
                                    passenger   700 €
                                    own bike     700 €
Without support vehicle: driver         900 €
                                    passenger   500 €
                                    own bike     500 €
Single room surcharge:                    200 €
Included: - Motorbike rental (Honda Transalp, BMW R80GS)
- Third party insurance
- Trilingual guide (English, Spanish, German)
- Petrol for the whole trip
- Maps
- Accommodation in hotels and comfortable hostels with breakfast
- Dinner
- Baggage storage
- Airport transfer in Salta
exlcuded: - Lunch
- Drinks
- Entry fees
- Flights
- Travel insurances
- Health insurances
- Accident insurances
Climate and season: The Puna (high plains), on the other hand, are characterised by a harsh climate: temperatures regularly drop below zero at night (even in the summer). In the daytime temperatures rise, and it's comfortably warm compared to the night. Dry winds are common, and even in the rainy season rainfalls are rare. The altitude (around 4000m) intensifies the effects of the ever-present sun (don't forget your suncream!).
Rainy season: January - March

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