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Season: April to December. FB. To discover the hidden Andean
World on horse-back.
Day 1: Meeting with the guide. Departure
by car from Salta to La Falda ranch, where the Northwest “gauchos”
with their red and black ponchos will be waiting with the horses
and pack animals. Typical lunch from the Northwest area (empanadas,
humitas, tamales). Horse riding along the Andean range, crossing
several ravines, to the Argentino Cruz ranch (5 hours). Dinner.
Day 2: Ride up the steep slopes to La Lagunilla (small lake
at 3000 m.) between steep mountains covered by huge cactus. Great
view from this panoramic point. Guanacos, shy vicuñas and
condors can be spotted, representing part of the local fauna. After
6 hours ride, arrival in the Anacleto’s high plateau ranch
(4000 m.). FB.
Day 3: Ride up to Rodeo along deep ravines, visiting isolated
sheperd ranches. In the distance, below the clouds, Salta city can
be seen.
Day 4: Ride up the trail to a 4300 m. pass with dramatic
view of the Acay and San Miguel Mounts (5900 mts.), then down to
the Incahuasi valley, to see the Inca Throne shrine and the ruins
of the Inca village. There is also a tiny Indian village. After
having a meal, ride up to the Golgota pass, excellent view of the
Toro gorge. Overnight in lodge.
Day 5: Ride down to the colourful Toro Gorge along the Train
to the Clouds’ track. Meeting with vehicle for transfer to
Salta.
Season: April to end November. Grading: easy trek. FB.
Day 1: Departure by bus from Salta driving up to the famous
and spectacular Cumbres del Obispo range. On the way visit to the
enchanting Valle Encantado valley, and further drive to Piedra del
Molino pass (3.620 m), which has a great mountain view. After crossing
Tin Tin plateau, covered by huge Trichocereus Pascana cactus, arrival
in Cachi, a colonial style village. After visiting the superb plaza,
church and museum, lunch and drive to finca Belgrano, a typical
farm in the area. Camp at 2.800 m.
Day 2: Trek starts in the morning going up the Blanco river
gorge up to the Puesto Corralito ranch, from where there is a magnificent
view of the snow covered Cachi range (6.350 m). Camp. (8 Km).
Day 3: After crossing some small valleys, arrival in Patahuasi
(3.400 m), a cultivated plateau with a glorious view of the spectacular
Pukamayu (Vallecito) gorges framed by snow-covered mountains. On
the platform of an old Indian shrine one can imagine the rites of
worshipping these wonders of nature and the traveller is overcome
by a sensation of peace and grandeur. On entering this magic Puka
Mayu low valley the air gets warmer and the gorge has plenty of
colours and forms. Camp on natural terraces in front of the small
Chillahuar village, with spectacular views of the surrounding area
(2.700 m) (7 Km).
Day 4: The day starts trekking uphill through the Casa Quemada
range gorge to the Potrero pass (3.400 m) with excellent views of
the snow-covered mountains and lower valleys of Cachi and Hagar.
Walk down to Potrero de Payogasta, a pleasant peasant village located
at the end of the narrow dirt road coming from the Calchaqui Valleys.
Camp at 2.700 m. (11 Km).
Day 5: Departure in the morning by car to the Piedra del
Molino Pass. Along the descent there is the spectacular transition
from Andean grassland to subtropical forest along a narrow gorge.
Condors soaring above can often be seen. Arrival in Salta and transfer
to hotel.
Season: March to December. CB in hotels, 1 lunch included.
Day 1: Arrival in Salta. Trf to Htl Portezuelo
(4*). P.m. city tour of this the most beautiful colonial town in
Argentina.
Day 2: CB. Departure to Cafayate, driving along the spectacular
Las Conchas gorge. Arrival in Cafayate, local “Torrontes”
white wine tasting. Trip goes further through interesting eroded
mountains in Las Flechas gorge. Arrival in the Molinos village (6
hours, 289 km), lodging in charming colonial hosteria
Day 3: CB. Departure for Cachi, beautiful Indian village.
Drive to Salta; the high cactus covered plateau belongs to Los Cardones
National Park. Then, the road climbs further to 3400 m., allowing
a great view of the Cumbres del Obispo range. (6.30 hours, 207 km)
Hotel.
Day 4: CB. Departure to Jujuy. Visit the Cathedral with interesting
colonial wooden carved pulpit. Continue to Quebrada de Humahuaca,
known for its folklore tradition. Visit the enchanting Purmamarca
Indian village and market. Continue to Humahuaca. Return to Salta
(9 hours, 545 km). Hotel.
Day 5: Early morning departure to the Cuesta de Lipan pass;
drive across the Salar Grande salt lake, to the Susques Indian village.
Drive continues through the highlands in a landscape of volcanoes
and salt lakes. Herds of guanacos, llamas, vicuñas, and Suris
(the Andean ostrich). After crossing the Jama pass (4700 m) into
Chile, drive to San Pedro de Atacama (360 km, 10 hours). Lodging
in hostería. Lunch.
Day 6: CB. Am. free. In the afternoon tour to the Moon Valley,
to enjoy the strangely eroded rock formation and the extreme dryness.
Hostería.
Day 7: CB. Very early departure (3.30 am) to the El Tatio
Geysers, to enjoy the sun rising among the steam columns. Return
to San Pedro. Hostería.
Day 8: CB. transfer to the Calama airport.
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ARGENTINA
