El Penon & the Puna
The stark landscape of the Puna stretches into northern Argentina from Peru; at around 3000m above sea level it is a sparsely populated region with the small town of El Penon the only major settlement. The majestic pumice stone monoliths of the Campo de Piedra Pómez create a sculpture park-like scenery, their obscure white shapes moulded by the harsh winds that sweep across the plateau.
Climb to the rim of the Galan Volcanic Crater, the largest in the world, and marvel at the salt lake of the Laguna Grande, its mirrored waters alive with the blousy pink of 19,000 flamingos.