Salinas Grandes: the white desert of the Puna

At 3,450 meters above sea level, one of the most impressive postcards of northern Argentina opens: 212 square kilometers of white salt that disappear into the horizon, under a blue sky that cannot be seen anywhere else. The Salinas Grandes were formed millions of years ago by the evaporation of old lagoons loaded with volcanic salts, and today they continue to be worked by hand by the communities in the area. The visit is accompanied by guides from the local communities, who explain the extraction process, take you to the pools and show the Ojos del Salar: natural springs of deep turquoise that contrast with the absolute whiteness. The tour lasts between one and two hours. Between January and March, when it rains, a thin sheet of water turns the salt flat into a perfect mirror of the sky. It is reached via National Route 52, completely paved, going up the Cuesta de Lipán. It is advisable to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a coat: the high sun hits hard and the wind does not let up.