An unforgettable Adventure trip that allow us to join the San Pedro de
Atacama Desert, in Chile, with its Altiplánicas lagoons, the Geysers of
the Tatio Volcano at Atacama; and then, crossing to Argentina, to visit
the Quebrada de Humahuaca and trek between Iruya and Rodeo Colorado towns,
to finally take a domestic flight to Patagonia to trek at Los Glaciares
National Park, hiking around Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre and taking a tour
to the Perito Moreno glacier.
This is a regular group hiking activity but with a minimum of 2 travelers.
Travel Departures 2009:
19 days - 18 nights
Season:
April to October
Begins: Tuesdays
Starts at: Calama Airport (Chile)
(you can also arrive by bus from Salta, Argentina)
Ends at: Calafate Airport (FTE).
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 -
El Calafate Airport
After breakfast we are transferred to the Salta airport where we catch
our flight to Buenos Aires in order to take the combination flight to
El Calafate. Upon arrival we welcome you at El Calafate airport and transfer
you to town. Check in at your lodge and spare time to visit this picturesque
village.
Lodging at Hosteria or Inn, double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals : breakfast (B)
Day 13: El Calafate - El Chalten
After breakfast we travel by bus to El Chalten, a little and colorful
town next to Mount Fitz Roy. To arrive to El Chalten we will cross cross
220 km through the Patagonia steppe and around lakes Argentina and Viedma,
with a stop over on route to enjoy a coffee and homemade cakes. Approaching
town we will have spectacular views of the mountains and of Glacier Viedma.
In the afternoon, we will have time to visit town and get used to winter
conditions.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B) and dinner (D)
Day 14: El Chalten - Fitz Roy trail
After breakfast we go hiking to the Fitz Roy trail. This trail starts
on the north side 
of
the town. A gentle slope leads us to the first viewpoint over the River
de las Vueltas valley, and we hike on to Laguna Capri and the first sights
of Mt. Fitz Roy. Laguna Capri should be frozen by this time of the year,
giving us the chance to get a unique picture of the frozen lagoon with
Mt. Fitz Roy spires and glaciers in the background. From Capri we already
have full views over Fitz Roy. If conditions are OK, we hike towards Rio
Blanco, Fitz Roy base camp for climbers. Once at the base camp and depending
on weather and terrain conditions those who want can continue trekking
with snowshoes to Laguna de los Tres, a spectacular viewpoint for Mt.
Fitz Roy massif, spires and glaciers. During this trek we climb 500 meters
to get to the first viewpoints and 400 more meters if we climb to Laguna
de los Tres. We carry snowshoes and we use them when necessary. Walking
time depends on the conditions of terrain but please consider a full day
hiking.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)
Day 15: El Chaltén - Cerro Torre trail
We trek today the Torre valley. This valley starts as a glacier valley
in the Laguna Torre reaching town as a fluvial valley. Is shorter and
with less gain of altitude than Mt. Fitz Roy trail. We hike to a first
viewpoint of the glacier part of the valley after a first hour of walking.
Depending on conditions, we will continue hiking to reach the lagoon,
natural viewpoint for the group of ice-mushroom-covered spires of Cerro
Torre massif. The lagoon should be frozen and we can cross it up to the
front of Glacier Grande. Its blue colour and dimensions are breathtaking.
Weather, conditions and time permitting we can try to make some basic
ice climbing in the frozen waterfalls which hang in the sides of the lagoon.
We hike back to El Chaltén in late afternoon.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)
Day 16: El Chaltén - El Calafate
Morning at leisure to rest or to take different optional alternatives
that the place offers: a walk to Cerro Pliegue Tumbado with beautiful
sightseeing points over Mt. Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre and the glacier valley
in between. Or to visit estancia Madsen (home of the first european immigrant
that settled in the valley) or the Chorrillo del Salto waterfall, that
should be half frozen in this time of the year. In the afternoon we take
our bus back to El Calafate where we will be transfered to our lodge.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B)
Day 17: El
Calafate - Perito Moreno Glacier
We dedicate this day to one of the World’s Natural Wonders: the Perito
Moreno glacier. After breakfast we travel by bus, on a road that allows
us to go through the folds left on the steppe by the glaciers, to the
Magallanes peninsula where the southern entrance of Los Glaciares National
Park is located. Its major attraction is the Perito Moreno Glacier which,
because of unusually favorable local conditions, is one of the world’s
few advancing glaciers. This ice field-type glacier flows down from the
Patagonia Icefield, a big ice surface that with its 22.000 square kilometres
is the third largest glacier area in the world, after Antarctica (14 M
sq km) and Greenland (1 M sq km). The Perito Moreno Glacier is the only
one in the world that shows a closure and rupture process. Huge icebergs
from the glacier wall collapse into the De los Tempanos Channel. The roar
of the gigantic ice rocks falling and crashing into the waters of the
channel is a unique experience. Our bus will lead us just in front of
the Glacier, allowing us to walk and view the Glacier from different viewpoints.
We return to El Calafate using a different route. We will drive 80 km
(1 and a half hour) to get and then again to come back from the glacier
across the steppe, watching a wide variety of birds.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B)
Day 18: El Calafate - Optional Boat
Trip on Lake Argentino
This is a free day and you can choose some of the options that El Calafate
can offer. The most advisable is to go sailing in the catamarans that
make the trip to the glaciers which calve in the west arms of Lake Argentino.
Among them are glaciers Upsala, Spegazzini and Onelli, Bolados and Agassiz
glaciers in the area of Laguna Onelli. Also 4 wheel drive excursions and
horseback riding is available at El Calafate.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single Room with private bathroom
Included meals: breakfast (B)
Day 19:
El Calafate airport
After breakfast we transfer to El Calafate Airport where the hiking trip
ends.
Included meals: breakfast (B)
Price:
3124 u$d (Hosteria - Double room)
3912
u$d (Hosteria - Single room)
Included services: Incoming services,
14 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,
18 breakfast(B), 8 box lunch (BL) and 7 dinners (D), Trek to Cerro Fitz
Roy viewpoint, Trek to Cerro Torre viewpoint, Perito Moreno glacier excursion,
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 4-5 and 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 to cross the border between Argentina and Chile
• Garbage bags (we Leave No Trace)