Frequently Asked Questions
PRISTINE SALINAS GRANDES LUXURY CAMP
Pristine Salinas Grandes Luxury Camp is located in the middle of the “Salinas Grandes” salt desert, near the settlement of Tres Morros, in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, at an altitude of 3,420 meters above sea level in the Andean altiplano.
Access is made in two sections from Purmamarca: (1) via National Route No. 52 crossing the Cuesta de Lipán to the Cruce de la Virgen María (26.6 km, 32 minutes), and (2) via Provincial Route No. 79 (gravel) in the direction of San Antonio de los Cobres to the Tres Morros Church (7.3 km, 20 minutes). At Tres Morros, camp guides await to transfer the guest the final 8 km to Pristine in their own vehicle.
The meeting point for Pristine Salinas Grandes is the Tres Morros Church, in the Tres Morros hamlet, Jujuy. Coordinates: -23.71450321378599, -65.83961639021051. From there, a community guide transfers the guest to the camp in 30 to 50 minutes.
The total journey from Purmamarca to Pristine Salinas Grandes takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, distributed as follows: 32 minutes to Cuesta de Lipán, 30 minutes to the Virgin Mary Crossroads, 20 minutes to the Tres Morros Church, and a final 30-50 minutes with the camp guide.
Lipán Slope is a mountain road with sharp curves that ascends up to 4,170 meters above sea level, its highest point. It is safe when driven with caution, especially on days with wind, rain, or snow. We recommend not driving it at night.
Yes, Pristine offers private transfers from Jujuy Airport (JUJ), Salta Airport (SLA), Purmamarca, or any other location in the province, at an additional cost.
Purmamarca is the last point on the route with a reliable cellular signal. From the Cuesta de Lipán onwards, coverage is non-existent. We recommend notifying your contacts before leaving Purmamarca; the camp's contact phone number is +54 9 3885 20-2622.
Yes. The camp is at 3,420 meters above sea level and many excursions reach up to 5,700 meters above sea level (Barrancas). The altitude can cause altitude sickness (soroche), especially during the first few hours.
To minimize altitude sickness, we recommend: staying well hydrated, eating light meals, avoiding alcohol and physical exertion during the first few hours, moving slowly, and, if possible, acclimatizing beforehand in Purmamarca (2,200 meters above sea level) or Tilcara for one night prior. The camp team offers coca mate and monitors guests, in addition to having oxygen tanks available for anyone who requires them.
Pristine Salinas Grandes welcomes guests aged 12 and over due to the altitude (3,420 meters above sea level) and high mountain excursions.
People with uncontrolled hypertension, heart problems, advanced pregnancy, or severe respiratory conditions should consult their doctor before traveling to Salinas Grandes due to the altitude.
Pristine Salinas Grandes includes a program of immersive experiences in the Puna: Visit to the Salt Flat Pools, Interpretation of Andean Constellations, Biking through the Salinas (e-bikes with a snack), and full-day excursions to Barrancas, San Francisco de Alfarcito and Cuenca Guayatayoc, and El Moreno – San José de Chañi.
The Full Day excursion to Barrancas lasts 6 hours (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), covers 50 km up to a maximum altitude of 5,700 meters above sea level, and includes a visit to the Archaeological Interpretation Center, an apacheta, a ceremony to Mother Earth (Pachamama), the Map Stone, petroglyphs, a gourmet picnic, and Andean wildlife observation (vicuñas, suris, foxes, and birds).
The Full Day excursion to San Francisco de Alfarcito and the Guayatayoc Lagoon Basin lasts 6 hours (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), covers 104 km at 3,400 meters above sea level, includes a visit to Piedra Quemada, and is only operated during the summer season due to the accessibility of the Basin.
The Full Day excursion to El Moreno and San José de Chañi lasts 6 hours (10:00 AM to 4:00 PM) at 3,500 meters above sea level, and includes a visit to a local producer of artisanal goat and sheep cheese and the Antigal archaeological site.
The visit to the Piletones of the Salinas Grandes salt flat is a 1-hour excursion, covering a 400 m route, led by a local guide, where you will learn how salt mining and extraction are carried out, in addition to visiting the salt-harvesting pools worked by the Cachi del Chincho Cooperative of the Aguas Blancas community.
Yes. The Andean Constellation Interpretation takes place at approximately 20:30, lasts for 1 hour, and takes advantage of the clear skies of the Jujuy Puna (classified among the best in the world for astronomical observation).
Yes. The Biking through Salinas Grandes experience is done with electric bicycles and includes a snack along the way.
No, Pristine Salinas Grandes does not offer a visit to Purmamarca.
The domes of Pristine Salinas Grandes are heated geodesic structures integrated into the high plateau, designed to withstand thermal amplitude and high-altitude winds.
Pristine Salinas Grandes features 6 domes: 4 premium suites with a capacity of up to 3 guests each, and 2 exclusive suites with a capacity of up to 2 guests, for a total of 16 guests at a time.
The capacity of the Pristine Salinas Grandes restaurant is 16 diners, which maintains the intimate character of the camp.
Yes. The domes are heated to cope with the cold Puna nights, all domes feature a wood-burning stove and another alcohol stove.
We have a solar panel plant that supplies the entire camp, allowing us to have electricity 24 hours a day. As for water, we are supplied with drinking water by trucks that arrive at the camp.
The gastronomic experience includes a 3-course lunch served at 12:30 PM, paired with wines from Bodega Colomé and natural juices, and the Salt Pools activity with the Cachi del Chincho Cooperative. The meeting time with the guides at Tres Morros is at 11 AM, and they will be back there at the end of the experience at 3 PM.
Yes. Pristine Salinas Grandes offers the Full Day Gastronomic Experience for non-registered guests, with two options:
With transfer: includes round-trip transfer from the passenger's accommodation, a 3-course lunch at 12:30 PM paired with wines from Bodega Colomé and natural juices, and the activity at the Salt Pools with the Cachi del Chincho Cooperative from the Aguas Blancas community.
Without transfer (in your own car): the meeting point is the town of Tres Morros, 8 km from the camp (coordinates -23.71450321378599, -65.83961639021051), where guests leave their vehicle in Pristine's exclusive parking lot. From there, a community guide provides the internal transfer of 30 to 50 minutes to the camp. It includes the same paired 3-course lunch and the activity at the Salt Pools.
The restaurant capacity is 16 diners, so advance reservation is recommended at info@pristinecamps.com or WhatsApp +54 9 11 7113-7161.
Yes. The gastronomic experience can be booked as a day-trip, in two modalities: with transfer or without transfer (using your own vehicle to the meeting point in Tres Morros and an internal transfer with a community guide lasting 30-50 minutes).
Check prices at info@pristinecamps.com
The gastronomic experience is reserved by email at info@pristinecamps.com or by WhatsApp at +54 9 11 7113-7161
For Pristine Salinas Grandes, the following are recommended: high sunscreen (SPF 50+), plenty of hydration, lightweight long-sleeved clothing in light colors for the day, trekking boots, warm clothing for the night, sunglasses with UV filter, a hat and scarf, and lip balm with SPF due to the dryness of the Andean air.
No. Salinas Grandes is in Argentine territory, in the province of Jujuy, and is accessed with the same immigration requirements as the rest of the country.
Yes. Pristine Salinas Grandes operates all year round, including the Southern Hemisphere summer (January-February), which in the Puna is the summer rainy season and the salt flats can have water mirrors that multiply the reflection of the sky.
