Salar de Antofalla from El Peñón
A full day across the Puna to the Balcón del Salar de Antofalla, the Pozo Bravo stromatolites and the Antofalla community.
These leave from El Peñón (Antofagasta de la Sierra), several hours from Fiambalá. They are usually combined with a night there.
- Departure
- El Peñón, after breakfast
- Duration
- About 10 h
- Vehicle
- 4x4
- Altitude
- Up to about 4,600 m
Route
Stops
- Quebrada de Calalaste
- Vega de los Colorados
- Balcón del Salar de Antofalla
- Pozo Bravo
- Comunidad de Antofalla
- Ojos de Campo
- Botijuela
- Volcanes de Colores
The route leaves El Peñón along Provincial Route 43, with views of the Antofagasta and Alumbrera volcanoes, and leaves the asphalt to enter the Quebrada de Calalaste and the Vega de los Colorados, an area where llamas and sheep are raised.
From the Balcón del Salar de Antofalla you see the whole salt flat with the snow-capped Antofalla behind it. Further down, at Pozo Bravo, there are stromatolites and microbial mats: life forms that thrive in extreme conditions.
Lunch is in the Kolla Atacameña community of Antofalla. On the way back the route passes the springs of Ojos de Campo, Botijuela with its natural pool, and the Volcanes de Colores, before returning through the Quebrada del Diablo.
Good to know
- It's a long day at altitude: best done after a few days in the Puna.
- The trip depends on the weather and the state of the roads.
- At Pozo Bravo, don't step on or touch the stromatolites.
Who offers it
No published agency offers this tour yet.