Tolar Exp
The Tolar Exp was the first trip organized by Socompa, so many years ago. Three days exploring the Puna of Salta, with the village of Tolar Grande as its base, with our pick-up 4x4, with every safety equipment on board, from satellite communication to the best local guides, and all what’s necessary to cross the heart of the Highland Deserts of the Puna.
The Itinerary includes two days (the first and the third ones) useful to arrive to Tolar Grande and to return to Salta, while the second day offers the opportunity of visiting the surroundings of Tolar Grande, including amazing short hikes and the Sunset over the Cono de Arita and the Arizaro Salt Flat, or an overlanding full day excursion to Mina Casualidad and the climb in 4x4 to Mina Julia at 5200 meters.
The region of Tolar Grande offers the possibility to live a travel experience in another Planet. Here, NASA has start its reasearch, due to the similarity of the terrain to Planet Mars.
The Highlights of the Tolar Exp: the wild Quebrada del Toro, the Labyrinth Desert with the afternoon lights, the sunset over Mount Macon or over the Arizaro Salt Flat, the view of the Arita Cone, the Blue holes of the Ojos del Mar, the magic moments in the Hidden Sand Dunes or the black sky of Mina Julia, these are unique places in the world.
The overnight is at the Small Boutique Hotel of Tolar Grande, run by the local government, or in the case of the hotel being fully booked, we stay in comfortable and clean family homes exclusively dedicaded to tourism. All meals are included and managed by Socompa, to be able to offer you the best, even if it is a pic nic at 4000 meters. Everything is taken care of to the smallest detail and every tour is monitored day by day from our Logistic office in Salta to always provide the maximum safety.
Tolar Exp is the perfect trip for those who have few day to devote to the Salta Region and want to explore a región unique in the World and in our opinion the area of Salta not to be missed.
Please find here under the brief itinerary of the Tolar Exp. To receive the full programme we kindly ask you to complete the contact form or to send us an e-mail to info@socompa.com Thank you very much!
Tolar Exp Itinerary
Day 1: Salta | Quebrada del Toro | San Antonio de los Cobres | Santa Rosa de los Pastos Grandes |Labyrinth Desert (northern region) | Tolar Grande (L |D)
Distance: 100 km paved road. 250 km gravel road.
Altitude: Highest point 4.500 m./ 14.764 feet. Tolar Grande 3.500 m. / 11.483 feet.
Estimated driving time: 7 hs.
Day 2: Full day to Explore Tolar Grande
Option A: Tolar Grande | Salar de Arizaro | Oasis de Antofallita | Cono de Arita | Tolar Grande (B|L|D)
Distance: 260 km earth track and salt road.
Altitude: Highest point 4.000 m./ 13.123 feet. Tolar Grande 3.500 m. / 11.483 feet.
Estimated driving time: 5 hs.
Note: This option is recommended to travelers who prefeur explore the region of the Salar de Arizaro and teh Arita Cone, arriving at the secluded Antofallita Oasis where only 2 people still live in one of the remotest place on Earth.
Option B: Tolar Grande | Caipe | Salar de Río Grande | Mina Casualidad (Mina Julia) | Tolar Grande (B|L|D)
Distance: 130 km paved road. 180 km earth track and salt road.
Altitude: Highest point 5.200 m./ 17.060 feet. Tolar Grande 3.500 m. / 11.483 feet.
Estimated driving time: 7 hs.
Note: This option is recommended to travelers who are looking to explore the remote area of Mina Casualidad en Mina Julia. Travellers who do not mind in spending a full day on the 4x4 in order to reach some of the most amazing natural beauties of the Puna.
Day 3: Tolar Grande | Blue Salt lakes | Labyrinth Desert (southern part) | San Antonio de los Cobres | Salta (B|L)
Distance: 100 km paved road, km 250 gravel road.
Altitude: Highest point 4500 m. / 17.764 feet Salta 1.200 m. / 3.937 feet.
Estimated driving time: 7 hs.
End of our services.
The Itinerary is subject to weather conditions in the region, for this reason last minute changes may take place in order to ensure a safe trip.
Food references: | B: Breakfast | L: Lunch |D: Dinner
Accommodation:
2 Nights in Hosteria Casa Andina www.casa-andina.com.ar
Casa Andina is a small 6-bedroom Hotel managed by the local community of Tolar Grande. All the rooms have private bathrooms and the facilities are comfortable and clean. The Hostería does not include breakfast service; it has a common seating area, with a coffee maker and electric kettle to prepare tea at any time.
As an alternative, if there is no availability in Casa Andina, there are Family Homes that receive guests and there is also a Refuge with shared bedrooms.
Meals:
• Day 1: Lunch in a restaurant of San Antonio de los Cobres. Dinner in the restaurant of Tolar Grande.
• Day 2: Breakfast in the local restaurant of Tolar Grande. Box Lunch. Dinner in the restaurant of Tolar Grande.
• Day 3: Breakfast in the local restaurant of Tolar Grande. Lunch in a restaurant of San Antonio de los Cobres.
Notes:
1. Soft drinks are included with every meal.
2. In the Puna the provision of supplies is limited, so the meals are mostly based on local products.
3. Please be patient with the timing for the services.
Transportation & Guiding:
4WD vehicle of Socompa comprising:
• Professional guide/driver.
• Permits for passenger’s transportation.
• Insurances for transported passengers and driver.
• Water (1 ½ liters per day per person) and snacks on board.
• Special equipment for overland trips (first aid kit, satellite communication, extra tools, fuel and extra tire).
• 24/7 Logistics support from the Salta office.
• Daily monitoring of the trip with SPOT GPS.