Overland
adventure trip across the Atacama Desert through the Andes to Northern
Argentina
This overland begins in the heart of the Atacama Desert and continues
across the Andes into the colored valleys of Northern Argentina. Slowly,
and only for a brief moment, we make our way into the jungle and its
lush vegetation. We then return to Chile through the San Francisco
pass, the same one that the conquistador Diego de Almagro borrowed
in the XVth century. The area chosen for this program, which includes
the province of Catamarca in Argentina and the Atacama region in Chile,
stands out for its vastness and its colors which seem to sprout from
a painter's palette. Some of the world's highest volcanoes are hidden
in this area: Ojos del Salado (6893m) is the guardian of them all.
The trip ends on the Pacific coast.
A journey into huge contrasts and close to the clouds. |
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| Day 1
CALAMA-CASPANA |
| Reception
at Calama airport. Drive into the Atacama Desert, visiting Chiu-Chiu
and Lasana. This will be our first contact with the Andean communities.
We continue our road towards Caspana village and camp in the surroundings.
(L,D) |
| Day 2
CASPANA - TATIO - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA |
| Early departure
to watch the geological thermal activities of the geysers as the sun
rises. We drive down to Puritama hot springs for a relaxing bath.
Lunch and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. Excursion to the Moon
valley at sunset. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA - LAGUNA MISCANTI |
| Trekking
in the Salty Mountain range. Visit of the archeological museum. In
the afternoon we drive into the high plateau, to Laguna Miscanti.
Camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4
LAGUNA MISCANTI - CACHAURI SALT LAKE (Argentina) |
| Short trekking
in the morning. We continue our road through colored land till we
reach the Argentinean border. Camp at Cachauri Salt Lake. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5
CACHAURI SALT LAKE - SALTA |
| We drive
to the colonial town of Salta. Overnight at the Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6
SALTA - TILKARA - PURMAMARCA |
| We continue
our trip towards Purmamarca. On the way we visit Tilkara, its museum
and Pukará (fortress). We then head to the Mountain of seven
colors. We set our camp in the surroundings of Purmamarca. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7
PURMAMARCA - SALINAS GRANDES - SALTA |
| Excursion
to Salinas Grande, a beautiful salt lake. Drive back to Salta. Overnight
at the Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8
SALTA - CACHI - LAS FLECHAS |
| Departure
towards Cachi, in the heart of the Calchaqui valley. We drive through
lush valleys which contrast dramatically with the red-colored mountains.
The landscape soon changes colors and turns blue..... We camp in the
surroundings of Las Flechas Pass. Camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9
LAS FLECHAS - QUILMES - TAFI DEL VALLE |
| We drive
through more amazing landscapes until we reach Quilmes fort. We stop
at this archeological site before continuing to Tafi del Valle. Overnight
at the Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day 10
TAFI DEL VALLE - AGUAS DE LAS POLAMOS |
| Excursion
to the Menhir Park, an ancient site for worship located by a lake.
Our trip continues and in a matter of miles we see how the desert
disappears into the Tucuman jungle with its trees, lichens and orchids.
The sight is amazing! We soon leave the jungle behind and take the
Clavillo pass back to the higher plateaus. We camp in the surroundings
of ancient Inca ruins called Agua de los Polamos. (B,L,D) |
| Day 11
AGUAS DE LAS POLAMOS - FIAMBALA |
| Early departure
to Fiambala where we will enjoy a well deserved barbecue by the hot
springs. Camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 12
FIAMBALA - LAGUNA VERDE (Chile) |
| We cross
the Andes a second time and return to Chile via the San Francisco
(4700m) pass located at the feet of Incahuasi volcano (6620m). Camp
by the emerald colored Laguna Verde. (B,L,D) |
| Day 13
LAGUNA VERDE - COPIAPO - BAHIA INGLESA |
| We drive
down towards the Pacific coast. On the way we will see Ojos del Salado
(6893m), the highest volcano in the world, and its towering neighbor,
volcano Tres Cruces (6753m). We drive through the Maricunga Salt Lake
and Laguna Santa Rosa before arriving to Copiapó. We continue
to Bahía Inglesa, a small town by the sea. Overnight at the
Hotel. (B,L,D) |
| Day 14
BAHIA INGLESA - COPIAPO |
| Transfer
to Copiapó airport. (B) |
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MIN 2 PEOPLE
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US$ 2.830
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MIN 3-5 PEOPLE
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US$ 2.280
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6 UP
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US$ 2.020
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| Single
Supplement US$ 200 |
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April 2 & 16
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May 1 & 21
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June 4 & 18
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July 8
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August 19
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September 30
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October 21
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November 11
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December 2
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January 13
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February 24
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March 17
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April 28
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May 19
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June 9
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INCLUDED :
- Private support transportation during trip
- All accommodations quoted per person based on sharing a double
room or tent
- All meals according to the itinerary: breakfast, box lunch and
dinner
- Park entrance fees
- Bilingual speaking guide.
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NOT INCLUDED :
- Any type of insurance
- Medical expenses
- Tips and extra expenses as laundry, meals and drinks out of
program and other items not mentioned
- Air local flights.
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Note:
Due to the nature of this itinerary, some changes may occur. The condition
of the group, weather, custom opening days, may determine these modifications.
Altue Active Travel can not be held responsible for any modification
whatsoever. Our guides will do their outmost to modify the program
for an "equivalent" one.
All extra expenses must be taken care of by clients. |
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