4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
400km by four-wheel drive from Salta
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
One day
Tolar Grande (Argentina)
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Kevin Jones
Practical information on Tolar Grande
Expériences inoubliables à vivre Tolar Grande
Reviews of Tolar Grande
Tolar Grande is a little mining village at 4,000m altitude, nestled in the red and ochre mountains of northwest Argentina.
My suggestion:
The village of Tolar Grande is at a high altitude. To avoid altitude sickness, I suggest you take it slow and, if needs be, chew cocoa leaves.
My review
With its ochre-coloured canyons, salty surfaces, thermal springs and turquoise lagoons, Tolar Grande is a hidden treasure in the heart of northwest Argentina.
It takes almost a day to get there from Salta. The only way is by four-wheel drive as the road is in poor condition. After passing Salar de Pocitos and Salar del Diablo, you'll turn a few sharp bends and the village of Tolar Grande will loom in to view.
Founded by Spanish colonists who wanted to exploit the local mines, Tolar Grande today has a tiny population of only a hundred or so people. Cut off from the rest of the world, it's an isolated life. From time to time travellers will arrive and wake the village up from its slumber.
If you're looking to escape from it all in beautiful, isolated surroundings, then I recommend you come here during your holiday in Argentina.
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AHLN
A tiny village with a lunar landscape, to the west of the Salta region near the Chilean border.
My suggestion:
You can get there by yourself in the dry season via San Antonio de los Cobres, but you still need to take some precautions: a GPS, a good map AND some knowledge of mechanics, in case you break down, as there will be no one to help you for miles around!
My review
Are you a fan of unusual destinations, that aren't too touristy and have some extraordinary landscapes? Welcome to Tolar Grande! Like the entire region, you'll sense the Latino version of the wild west atmosphere here, except surrounding you, there will only be llamas, alpacas or guanacos, creatures that I'm not really sure how to differentiate from a distance (or even up close).
The city itself has a very special atmosphere: its isolation, the harsh climate and breath-taking landscapes. It's a must if you're passing through the northwest during your trip to Argentina. What is there to see? A series of locations with colours that seem to come straight from a Miyazaki film: the salt flats, the colourful land and the iconic symbol of the area, the famous Ojo del Mar.
One little detail: the place is not easily accessible on a small budget. However, I planned the trip well in advance, with some friends living in Salta at the time like me, just to share the costs.
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Kevin Jones
©
Kevin Jones
298 travelers' photos
