Salar de Antofalla, Salt pan in Catamarca Province, Argentina
Salar de Antofalla is a high-altitude salt pan in Catamarca Province, Argentina, lying in a dry valley of the Andes. Its flat white surface runs between rocky ridges with almost no vegetation in sight.
The salt pan formed over millions of years as water carrying minerals flowed into this enclosed valley and slowly evaporated. Repeated cycles of flooding and drying left behind the thick salt crust visible today.
The only family living in Botijuela keeps a traditional way of life at one of the most remote spots in Argentina. Their presence is one of the few human signs a visitor will notice across the entire expanse of the salt pan.
The site sits above 12,000 feet (3,700 meters), so give yourself time to adjust before attempting any long walk. The white surface reflects sunlight intensely, making sun protection and drinking water essential for any visit.
Where freshwater springs meet the salt crust at the edges of the pan, small tower-like salt formations grow out of the ground. These structures are a rare sign that water still moves beneath the dry surface.
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