A one-day excursion of incomparable scenic beauty, ascending into the Andes Mountains through two very different gorges: La Troya Gorge and the multicolored Peñón Gorge, before reaching the vast Altiplano at over 4,000 meters above sea level, home to Laguna Brava. The lagoon is surrounded by numerous volcanic peaks and lies within a high-Andean region that has been designated both a Vicuña Reserve and a RAMSAR site, aimed at protecting this species as well as the local flora and fauna. Available year-round. From June to October, operation is conditional: access to the lagoon depends on daily weather conditions and the state of roads and tracks, which are often blocked by snow accumulation. In some cases, these obstacles cannot be safely overcome, making it necessary—and advisable—to begin the return journey, usually near Peñón Refuge, approximately 10 km before Laguna Brava. Nevertheless, the excursion remains equally impressive due to the long journey through the spectacular multicolored gorges.

Detail:

After breakfast, we depart from the hotel in Villa Unión at 8:30 am. We pass through Villa Castelli and Vinchina, where we visit the Diaguita Stars, a ritual site accessed by crossing the Vinchina (Bermejo) River. We then enter the spectacular La Troya Gorge, following a dramatic cliffside road alongside the river of the same name, winding through imposing folds and fractures of the Earth’s crust. Some rock strata have taken on striking shapes due to millions of years of erosion, such as “The Pyramid”; another pyramid-like formation can also be seen rising directly from the water. Among the hundreds of bends traced by the La Troya River, several form nearly 180-degree turns, as if the river were attempting to flow back upon itself. Within the exposed strata, we discover traces of prehistoric animals that once roamed the area in search of water along ancient riverbeds, leaving their footprints in the mud—now compacted into solid, uplifted, and tilted sedimentary rock. Unfortunately, some of these footprints have since been removed for “preservation and study” and are currently housed at CRILAR in Anillaco. At the end of La Troya Gorge, we arrive at the village of Jagüé, an ancient settlement preserved almost in its entirety, with adobe houses lining what is now a dry riverbed that has eroded its channel so deeply that the houses stand above it. From here, we begin the ascent into the Andes through the multicolored Peñón Gorge, where the landscape changes dramatically. Around every bend, we may encounter herds of vicuñas and guanacos descending to graze in the lush high-altitude wetlands (vegas) of the gorge. At higher elevations, the route offers spectacular panoramic views of the multicolored Andes. There will be opportunities to take photographs with the “Hill of 256M Colors” (Cerro Azul) as a backdrop. We continue along the cliffside road, traversing the final stretch of the steep ascent, as the surrounding mountains surprise us with their unusual shapes and vibrant colors. We climb up to 4,350 meters above sea level at the Laguna Brava Pass, the gateway to the majestic Laguna Brava. Approaching the lagoon from the eastern side, we reach its very edge at Flamingos Bay, where during the summer months (October to March) we can admire magnificent pink flamingos, watching them feed on plankton in the icy, saline waters. If weather conditions, participants, and vehicles allow, the excursion may be extended by circling the lagoon along its northern shore to reach the Laguna Refuge, also known as “El Destapado.” This name comes from an old muleteer’s grave located nearby—he was affected by altitude sickness and caught by severe snowstorms driven by the dreaded white wind. The stones covering the grave are often displaced, revealing the remains of the traveler. From the refuge, we continue to the western edge of the lagoon, where striking natural formations await: the Laguna Brava Geysers. We then begin our return journey along the same colorful route through the Peñón Gorge. Upon reaching the Peñón Refuge, we stop for a picnic-style lunch. From there, we return to Jagüé, once again crossing La Troya Gorge, pass through Vinchina, and arrive back in Villa Unión at approximately 7:00 pm.