An adventure trekking for those who want a walking tour to discover the secrets of this region, covering the Atacama Desert (Chile) with its unique attractive, the lagoons at the Altiplano and the Geysers of the Tatio volcano. We will camp next to a 'Salar' (Salt Field), a truly white desert, and later we will go to the Puna in the North of Argentina in order to visit La Quebrada de Humahuaca. With this trekking on the Andes mountains we will visit different towns such as Iruya and Rodeo Colorado until we reach Humahuaca. Our trip ends in the city of Salta. An adventure tour that will allow us to have a much more intimate and complete look at both regions, making a great combo trip between the well known places of Northern Argentina and Northern Chile and those that still maintain its natural virgin value.
This is a regular group activity but with a minimum of 2 passengers.

Departures 2013:
12 days - 11 nights

Season: April to October

Starts at: Calama Airport (Chile) (you can also arrive by bus from Salta, Argentina)

Ends at: Salta Airport (SLA).

Itinerary
Day 1: San Pedro de Atacama – Valle de la Luna
We welcome you at the Calama Airport and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama in the North of Chile. In the afternoon there is the option to take a trek to the Valle de la Luna; located at 17 km from San Pedro in the area of the Cordillera de la Sal, it has an especial appeal for its amazing resemblance to the lunar surface.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals: none

Day 2: Altiplano Lagoons
This day we will visit the Miscanti and Miñique lagoons; with their wonderful colors are located over 4000 meters over sea level. On our way to them, we stop at Toconao, an old town made complete of stone, where the art craft is also well known. Another highlight of this journey is the ‘Salar de Atacama’ which has an extension of more than 100 km. We will also appreciate some of the birds and fauna that have managed to survive in one the most deserted places of the earth. We will require around 6 hours. Our lodging will be approx. 90 Km from San Pedro de Atacama.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals : breakfast (B)

Day 3: Geyser Del Tatio
This day starts quite early in the morning. We will depart before dawn (4 AM) in order to go to the Tatio volcano, located 4500 meters over sea level. When we arrive we will go to the geothermal field located in Los Andes mountain range. Early in the morning this place has an amazing steamy activity because of the high temperatures that are coming up from the craters. The boiling water, the huge columns of steam and the water that runs underneath the surface make of this day an unforgettable experience. We will have breakfast here, and then we will take a walk and those who want may take a bath in the warm water near the geysers. This is the reason why we recommend you to bring, besides warm clothing, a swimming suit, towel & sun block.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals : breakfast (B)

Day 4: Salar de Tara - Camping
This day we will do a trek inside the Salar (desert made of salt stone) where we will walk to discover its capricious formations. To our amazement, once into the Salar we will camp next to a lagoon surrounded by flamencos. The sunset will be the perfect time for us to take unforgettable pictures.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals : breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 5: Salar de Tara – San Pedro de Atacama
We will have the morning free to discover by ourselves the place and later we will go back to San Pedro, first walking and then in our van. Once there we will have the rest of the day to walk around the town.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals: breakfast (B) and box lunch (BL)

Day 6: San Pedro de Atacama - Tilcara
Early in the morning we say good-bye to San Pedro de Atacama and by bus we travel to Argentina crossing Los Andes mountain range. Through 'Paso de Jama' mountain pass we will be able to appreciate the Salinas Grandes; later we arrive to our lodge at the picturesque town of Tilcara in la Quebrada de Humahuaca, Jujuy.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 7: Devil’s Throat - Tilcara
We will have the morning free to walk and discover the town and its unique places such as: la Plaza Grande, la Plaza Chica, the town Church and the Pucará de Tilcara, an important milestone in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. In the afternoon we will do a small trek to the devil’s throat, walking along the old Kollas paths and watching the amazing view. After 3 or 4 hours we finally go back to Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 8: Tilcara – Iruya
During the morning, we will travel out of Jujuy towards the North in a local Bus to the small town of Iruya, a picturesque village just in the north of Salta. We will have enough time to walk around the town, discovering its beautiful cobbled streets and its typical chapel. We will spend the night in this fascinating place.
Simple Lodging.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 9: Iruya - Chiyayoc
Early in the morning, we will begin the crossing from Iruya, at 2800 meters altitude. We will hike up north the river in a slow but incessant ascent, until we reach the Abra Del Colorado. From there, we will walk down to the San Juan River where we have lunch. After the break, another hiking ascent is expecting us and then the posterior hiking descent to the Chiyayoc village, at 3100 m altitude over sea level. Walking time: 8 to 9 hours.
Simple Lodging
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 10: Chiyayoc - Rodio
We continue our crossing trek, walking up to the Abra of Chiyayoc ascending at 3900 meters over sea level. From there we descent while enjoying the view, until we arrive to the small town of Rodio, at 3000 meters altitude. Estimated walking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 11: Rodio – Rodeo Colorado - Humahuaca
Our trekking continues through this amazing landscape. We descend walking until we reach the valley of river Trancas. Once there we start hiking up again until we arrive to the edge. From there we will have a fabulous view of the town of Rodeo Colorado. Later we hike back descending through the Pera river. We finally arrive to Rodeo Colorado town. Estimated walking time: 5 to 6 hours. During the afternoon we go back in our vehicle to Humahuaca, Jujuy.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B) and box lunch (BL)

Day 12: Humahuaca – Salta Airport
After breakfast we are transferred to the Salta airport where our tours ends.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Price: 2954 u$d (Inn - double base)
           3584 u$d (Inn - single base)

Included services: Incoming services, 7 nights in Hostería double or single with breakfast, 2 nights in Semi–Full Camp (included: tents and dinner tent or saloon. Not included: sleeping bag or insulating mattress), 2 nights in simple lodging (room without private bathroom) Bilingual guide (Spanish – English) during all the excursions, 11 breakfast(B), 5 box lunch (BL) and 4 dinners (D), excursion to the Altiplano Lagoons, excursion to the Geysers Del Tatio, Devil’s throat Trek at Tilcara, all transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses, trekking to the Salar of Tara with 2 days at camping (during this time the traveler has to porter his own personal equipment including his sleeping bag and insulating mattress), trekking between Iruya and Rodeo Colorado. (Between days 9 to 11 we provide mules for the transportation of the tents, general equipment and food for all the crossing. We will carry the travelers’ luggage up to a maximum of 8 kg)

Not included services: international and domestic flights, airport taxes, transfers in Buenos Aires, nights in Buenos Aires, drinks, foods not detailed, optional excursions, medical covering, tips, services not detailed in the program. More information

List of suggested personal equipment:
• Backpack, 60 /70 lts
• Sleeping bag, down or synthetic, for -10ºC
• Sleeping mattress (therm-a-rest type)
• Trekking shoes or boots
• Thermal underwear
• Trekking pants
• Fleece
• Breathable parka and over pants
• Gaiters
• Gloves
• Thermal socks
• Swim suit & towel (for a warm bath at Atacama geysers)
• The necessary spare cloth
• Wool hat
• Sun hat
• Sun glasses
• Sun screen / block (UV is strong)
• Personal items
• Lamp
• Trekking poles (recommended, if you are used to them)
• Water bottle
• Photo camera & batteries
• Personal medication
• Personal documents (passport, visa if needed) to cross the Argentina-Chile border
• Garbage bags (we Leave No Trace)