Travel Guide Salinas Large

They extend above Purmamarca. You can visit them from Purmamarca, Tilcara or even from Salta. The beauty of the Salinas is indisputable, but for those who lack time and have planned in their program the discovery of the Uyuni salt flats (Bolivia), it is not essential to make the detour. For those who would stay in Argentina, you will discover salt flats 40 to 50 km long and 35 km wide, with a dazzling reflection under the sunlight. They are still in use, but the salt is only harvested during the winter; the rest of the time, they are covered by water. The workers can be seen piling up mounds of salt to fill the trucks. Their meager wages are "just" calculated per truck... a pittance. You will notice, if you look at a map, that the road between the Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca is indicated in zigzag. It is still far from reality... 15 km after leaving the village (road 52), we attack the Cuesta de Lipán, a particularly winding road, which will take you in 45 minutes, 99 turns and 33 km to 4,200 m, to Abra de Potrerillos (we start from 2,600 m). The road is paved, however, until La Puna. The salt flats are 25 km further on, but this time along a flatter road, typical of those that cross the Puna.A superb excursion, not to be missed. If you don't take the official excursion from Purmamarca, make sure that your cab or guide takes you to the famous "piletas" where the salt is harvested, and not only to the entrance of the Salinas Grandes...