🌄 Day 1 | Arrival in Puna & Purmamarca’s Colors
Your Puna Argentina 5 Day Itinerary begins in Purmamarca, a quaint Andean village framed by the vibrant Cerro de los Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors). As you wander cobblestone streets, artisan markets tempt with handwoven ponchos and ceramic crafts.
Climb to the Paseo de los Colorados for a panoramic view of multicolored hills glowing in the late afternoon sun. In the evening, savor a hearty llama stew and humitas steamed in corn leaves at a rustic adobe restaurant.
🚗 Transport Tip: Fly into Salta Airport and rent a 4×4 vehicle for navigating Puna’s rugged desert roads.

🏜️ Day 2 | Salinas Grandes & Altiplano Adventure
Day 2 of your Puna Argentina 5 Day Itinerary takes you across winding mountain roads to the dazzling Salinas Grandes, one of South America’s largest salt flats. Under a cobalt sky, endless white salt crusts stretch to the horizon, creating surreal photo opportunities.
Pause at a remote salt hotel for mate tea and alfajores before continuing across the Altiplano’s high-altitude plains. Spot vicuñas grazing among golden grass tufts and flamingos wading in shallow lagoons.
🍷 Food Highlight: In the village of Susques, enjoy roasted goat with quinoa salad, paired with a glass of robust Torrontés wine.
🏞️ Day 3 | Laguna de los Pozuelos & Andean Wildlife
Head north to Laguna de los Pozuelos, a serene highland lake that is a sanctuary for pink flamingos and over 100 bird species. Walk along the lagoon’s edge as herds of guanacos graze nearby, and condors circle high above.
Visit the indigenous community of Abra Pampa, where local artisans craft intricate silver jewelry and traditional textiles dyed with natural pigments.
In the evening, return to your eco-lodge and warm up by a crackling fire with locro, a hearty Andean stew, and fresh baked empanadas.
🏔️ Day 4 | Volcán Cono & Moonlike Landscapes
Day 4 of your Puna Argentina 5 Day Itinerary unveils otherworldly scenery. Journey to Volcán Cono, an extinct volcano rising from a sea of black lava flows and ash fields. The landscape here resembles a lunar surface, dotted with surreal rock formations sculpted by wind and time.
Continue to the Campo de Piedra Pómez, a sprawling white pumice stone field where jagged formations gleam under the sun. Hike among the stones, listening to the whisper of dry desert winds.
🍺 Food Highlight: Dine on tamales stuffed with spiced meat and local herbs, accompanied by artisanal Andean beer infused with coca leaves.

🌅 Day 5 | Cachi & Farewell Puna
Conclude your Puna Argentina 5 Day Itinerary with a scenic drive south to Cachi, a charming colonial town nestled in the Calchaquí Valleys. Stroll past adobe houses and shady plazas framed by ancient pepper trees. Visit Cachi Church, a simple yet elegant 18th-century landmark crafted from local cactus wood.
Before departing, relax at a vineyard estate for a farewell lunch of asado (Argentinian barbecue) paired with Malbec, gazing at the sun setting behind the Andes.
🚗 Transport Tip: Return to Salta for your onward journey, enjoying the dramatic Quebrada de Escoipe along the way.
💶 Budget Recommendations (Not Included in Word Count)
- Transport: 4×4 rental $80-120/day; fuel $1.50/litre
- Food: Average $25-40 per person per day; fine dining $50+/person
- Accommodation: Boutique eco-lodges $70-120/night
- Attractions: Salinas Grandes free entry; Campo de Piedra Pómez guided tour $20
For more inspiration and practical travel tips, visit the Visit Argentina: Puna Official Travel Guide to plan your high-altitude adventure.
If you’re fascinated by South America’s diverse cultures and landscapes, you might also enjoy the Ultimate Encarnación Travel Guide: 5-Day Itinerary for Riverside Charm, Guarani Culture and Culinary Delights for a rich cultural journey in Paraguay.