Argentina's Northwest spans from 1,187m (Salta city) to 4,350m (Hornocal viewpoint) in just a few hours of driving. This altitude difference is the single most important health consideration for your trip. Altitude sickness (known locally as "soroche" or "apunamiento") can affect anyone above 2,500m regardless of fitness level. The highest destinations — Salinas Grandes salt flats (3,450m/11,320ft), Cuesta del Lipán pass (4,170m/13,680ft), Train to the Clouds (4,220m/13,845ft), and Hornocal (4,350m/14,270ft) — require specific precautions. The good news: with hydration, gradual acclimatization and coca leaves, the vast majority of travelers enjoy these excursions without issues. This guide covers everything you need to prepare.
Altitude Reference Table — Every NOA Destination
| Destination | Altitude | Feet | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salta City | 1,187m | 3,894ft | None |
| Cafayate | 1,660m | 5,446ft | None |
| Cachi | 2,280m | 7,480ft | Low |
| Tilcara | 2,461m | 8,074ft | Low |
| Humahuaca | 2,939m | 9,642ft | Moderate |
| Salinas Grandes | 3,450m | 11,320ft | High |
| San Antonio de los Cobres | 3,775m | 12,385ft | High |
| Cuesta del Lipán (pass) | 4,170m | 13,681ft | High |
| Train to the Clouds | 4,220m | 13,845ft | High |
| Hornocal (14-color hill) | 4,350m | 14,272ft | High |
What Is Altitude Sickness?
Altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS) is the body's reaction to reduced oxygen availability at high elevations. At 3,500m, the air contains roughly 35% less oxygen than at sea level. Your body needs time to adapt by increasing red blood cell production and breathing rate.
Common symptoms (typically above 2,500m)
- Headache (the most frequent symptom)
- Fatigue and shortness of breath when walking
- Mild dizziness
- Nausea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mild loss of appetite
These are usually mild and manageable. Most travelers experience headache and fatigue at Salinas Grandes or on the Train to the Clouds — it's uncomfortable but not dangerous.
When to seek medical attention
- Severe headache not relieved by painkillers
- Persistent vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty breathing at rest
- Persistent dry cough (possible pulmonary edema)
The most effective treatment for severe symptoms is descent. Going down 500-1,000m usually brings rapid relief.
10 Prevention Tips
- Hydrate aggressively: drink at least 3 liters of water daily at altitude. Dehydration makes symptoms worse.
- Coca leaves: chewing them or drinking coca tea is the ancestral Andean solution. Available everywhere in the NOA — kiosks, markets, roadside stops. Completely legal. No narcotic effect in natural form.
- Eat light: avoid heavy, greasy meals on excursion days. Your digestive system slows down at altitude.
- Avoid alcohol: skip alcohol the night before a high-altitude day trip. Alcohol dehydrates and its effects multiply.
- Gradual acclimatization: if your itinerary allows, visit Tilcara (2,461m) or Purmamarca (2,324 m) a day before going to Salinas Grandes (3,450m).
- Sunscreen: UV radiation is far more intense at altitude. Use SPF 50+ and reapply every 2 hours. Lips burn especially fast — bring lip balm with SPF.
- Move slowly: don't run or exercise intensely in the first hours at altitude. Walk slowly, breathe deeply.
- Layer your clothing: temperature swings are extreme. At 4,000m it can be 25°C/77°F in the sun and 0°C/32°F in the shade simultaneously.
- Preventive ibuprofen: 400mg of ibuprofen 1 hour before ascending can help prevent altitude headache. Consult your doctor.
- Acetazolamide (Diamox): prescription medication for altitude sickness prevention. Useful if you know you're sensitive. Requires medical consultation.
Coca Leaves — A Practical Guide
Coca has been used in the Andes for over 4,000 years. In Argentina's northwest it is completely legal and culturally integrated. It has no narcotic effect in its natural form — it's comparable to coffee in intensity.
- Coca tea (mate de coca): tea bags in hot water. Available at every hotel, restaurant and market. Mild herbal taste. Easiest option for beginners.
- Chewing (coquear): form a wad of 5-10 leaves in your cheek, adding bicarbonate (an alkaline catalyst that activates the compounds). Leave in your cheek for 30-60 minutes. Tour guides usually offer and teach this.
- Coca candies: available at kiosks. Mild effect, good supplement.
Important for travelers returning home: coca leaves and coca tea bags are illegal in the US, EU, and most countries outside of South America. Consume them during your trip but do not take them home.
