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Viajes explora
explora Crossing the Andean Mountain Range

Travel across the Andes Mountain range between the Atacama Desert in Chile and Salta in Argentina. An opportunity to experience the beauty of volcanoes and salt flats interwoven between lakes and marshes throughout the Altiplano.

The trip can be taken in both directions starting in either Chile or Argentina. Visit Salta, one of the oldest colonial villages in Argentina, travel the ancient route of the Calchaquíes Valley which features imposing landscapes and finds traces of the Atacameña Indian culture and other pre-Columbian cultures that once inhabited this region.

Season: April to December

Departure dates in 2010:
From Atacama to Cachi: On request
From Cachi to Atacama: On request

Duration: 9 days/8 nights

JOURNEY FROM CHILE TO ARGENTINA

Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama
Upon arrival in Calama you will be met and taken to San Pedro de Atacama (approximately 1½ hours) for your 3-night stay at the Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama).

Days 2 & 3: San Pedro de Atacama
Daily choice of excursions and explorations by foot, by bicycle, on horseback from a just a few hours to full day, relaxed or physically demanding. These explorations will allow you to adjust to the altitude and prepare you for the 'travesía' (crossing) to Cachi. You will also have the opportunity to experience the complex geography of Atacama, its wildlife and its ancient culture.

Day 4 - Through the Andes Mountain Range
Early morning start of the crossing of the Andes Mountain Range towards Argentina travelling south-east and passing by the agricultural towns of Toconao and Socaire.

You will start out on a three-hours trek in the altiplano at 4,000 metres above sea level, following a series of salt flats, mountains and volcanoes, ending at the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Later you will pass by the Tuyajto lagoon and eventually reach your campsite at El Laco just before dusk. El Laco is located at 4,200 metres above sea level, very close to the border between Chile and Argentina. Situated at the foot of the Laco peak and with a view of the salt flat of the same name, this is one of the highest-altitude and most isolated sites.

Day 5 - Crossing to Argentina
Continuing the journey towards Argentina, you will reach the Sico border pass, at 4,115 metres above sea level. From there, continue towards the Calchaquí valleys, passing by the village of San Antonio de los Cobres at 3,900 metres above sea level. Later you will travel the Abra del Acay road, whose highest point is at 4,900 metres above sea level, where you will be able to see the source of the Calchaquí River. Here, you will tour around the mountains surrounding the valleys.

At dusk arrive at the campsite at La Quesera, located at 3,500 metres above sea level. This dairy farm gets its name from the traditional goat cheese that is produced in the area.

In the morning tour the area around La Quesera and later descend into the valley towards La Poma, a mountain town dedicated to goat and sheep farming, located at 3,000 metres above sea level.

You will have the opportunity to trek to the crater of one of the Gemelos volcanos, eventually reaching Cachi at dusk. Cachi, whose name means "salt" in Quechua, is one of the most important towns in the Calchaquí valleys. 8 Kms from Cachi is the Finca (Ranch) Rancagua with an impressive view of the valley and the mountains, where you will stay for the next three nights.

Days 7 & 8 - The Calchaqui Valleys
These days will be dedicated to exploration. You will trek through the intricate Calchaquí valleys and through the Finca Rancagua, a terrain measuring over 5,000 hectares. The landscape is mountainous and semi-arid. There are countless rock formations sculpted by the wind, as well as fresh water currents which gush down from the mountains and mix with the salt water of the Calchaquí river, creating good conditions for agricultural settlements and many different types of crops.

You will come upon ruins, archeological remains and cave paintings by the Calchaquí people, who developed a culture based on agriculture and ceramics many centuries ago. On this trek, you will be able to approach the snow-capped Cachi mountain which, at over 6,380 metres above sea level, is the highest summit in the region.

Day 9 - Departure from Salta
Descending the Cuesta del Obispo and crossing along a landscape of hills eroded by wind and water, you will head in the direction of Salta, one of the oldest colonial cities in Argentina.

Around noon you will arrive in the city which is situated at an altitude of 1,200 metres above sea level and has a very pleasant climate. Depending on the time of your flight, you can have lunch or you can be taken straight to the airport. If you would like to stay and explore Salta, we can arrange for a few nights stay in Salta at the hotel of your choice.

JOURNEY FROM ARGENTINA TO CHILE

Day 1 - Salta
Pick-up in the morning from the airport or your hotel in Salta and from there transfer to the Cuesta del Obispo across hills eroded by wind and water, heading towards the town of Cachi, whose name means "salt" in Quechua, the language of the Incas. 8 Kms away from Cachi is the Finca Rancagua, a ranch with an impressive view of the valley and the mountains, where you will stay for the next three nights.

Days 2 & 3 - The Calchaqui Valleys
In the morning you will set out on a trek around the Finca Rancagua, touring the Calchaquí valleys. The terrain is semi-arid and mountainous with distinctive rock formations sculpted by the wind. In the mid-20th century, this area was used for raising cattle, horses and mules, which were later herded to San Pedro de Atacama to supply settlements around the saltpeter and copper mines in the north of Chile.

Countless fresh water currents run from the mountains down to the valleys and mix with the salt water in the Calchaquí river, giving life to the many different types of crops grown in the local agricultural settlements.

While exploring the area you will be able to see archeological remains and cave paintings by the Calchaquí natives, who developed a unique culture based on agriculture and ceramics many centuries ago. Later, you will reach the snow-capped Cachi mountain which, at over 6,380 metres above sea level, is the highest summit in the area.

The treks that you will be able to take on these days will allow you to acclimatize to the altitude and prepare you to continue on to the next leg of the journey.

Day 4 - Through the Andes Mountain Range
Depart early from the Finca Rancagua to cross the Andes mountain range. You will have the opportunity to trek towards the crater of one of the amazing Gemelos volcanoes and later continue exploring in the region around La Poma, a mountain village dedicated to goat and sheep farming, located at 3,000 metres above sea level.

At dusk arrive at your campsite at the “La Quesera” dairy located at 3,500 metres above sea level. This place gets its name because of the traditional goat cheese that is produced there.

Day 5 - Crossing to Chile
Continue the journey towards Chile, crossing the Abra del Acay, a road whose highest point is at 4,900 metres above sea level and from where you will be able to see the source of the Calchaquí river.

You will head towards the Sico border pass at 4,115 metres and reach your campsite at El Laco, one of the highest and most isolated sites, at sunset.

Day 6 - Arrival at San Pedro de Atacama
Early departure from El Laco, heading towards Atacama. Exploring a landscape of salt flats, mountains and volcanoes at an altitude of 4,000 metres you will arrive after a three-hour trek at the Salar de Aguas Calientes. At dusk, reach the Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama).

Days 7 & 8 - San Pedro de Atacama
While staying at the Hotel de Larache, you can choose every day from a variety of different explorations. On foot, by bicycle, on horseback; a couple of hours or a full day; relaxed or physically demanding. The explorations you go on will give you a chance to experience the complex geography of Atacama, its wildlife and its ancient culture.

Day 9 - San Pedro de Atacama - Calama
In the morning you will be transferred to Calama airport on time for your outbound flight.

Lodging and Meals

Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama) located at 2,500 metres above sea level (from Chile Nights 1, 2 and 3 and from Argentina Nights 6, 7 and 8)

El Laco located at 4,200 metres above sea level (from Chile Night 4 and from Argentina Night 5)

Tambo “La Quesera” located at 3,500 metres above sea level (from Chile Night 5 and from Argentina Night 4)

Finca Rancagua located at 2,400 metres above sea level (from Chile Nights 6, 7 and 8 and from Argentina Nights 1, 2 and 3)

At the beginning of the travesía from Chile (or at the end if starting in Argentina) you will spend a few nights at our Hotel de Larache (Explora Atacama) in the San Pedro de Atacama oasis. For the rest of the travesía and Cachi tours, you will stay at campsites, specially adapted by explora. The campsites have double rooms and separate bathrooms, with hot and cold water. Each room has camping campbeds with comfortable mattresses, as well as sleeping bags and bed linen appropriate for the climate in the altiplano. In addition to the sleeping quarters, each campsite has a kitchen and dining area. The campsite construction varies, as each is built to be appropriate to its setting. Some were constructed out of insulated 40 foot steel shipping containers. Others have been reconstructed from old stone and wood buildings which are hundreds of years old. Among the explora staff who accompany the travellers on the travesía there is a chef and kitchen assistants. The menu for the travesía was designed with the highest standards of quality and includes elaborate recipes with specially selected ingredients. Many of the ingredients we use are local, and the menu also includes some dishes which are typical to the areas explored in the travesía.

Austral Tours Ltd: 20 Upper Tachbrook Street
London SW1V 1SH - United Kingdom
Tel. +44(0)20-7233 5384 / Fax +44(0)20-7233 5385
Email: info@latinamerica.co.uk

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