Marvel at the beauty of Tolar Grande

Tolar Grande, a sweeping desert in Salta Province, sits at an altitude of 11,500 feet and is the starting point for excursions into the surrounding area. With dunes as far as the eye can see, you could easily mistake your surroundings for a science fiction film set.

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly atmosphere of this remote area with a hike in the Salar de Arizaro, a salt flat dominated by the mysterious Cono de Arita. You can also look over this 17,000 square miles expanse from the surrounding dunes. From atop the dunes, a 360° panorama of the snow-capped peaks of the Andes awaits.

For a more timeless setting, head to Ojos de Mar. These three small lakes, which appear before you as you cross the salt flat, offer a spectacle unlike any you've seen before. The depths of these turquoise waters are home to micro-organisms and stromatolites, which provide the oldest evidence of life on Earth.