An adventure trek for those who want to discover the secrets of this region, covering the unique Atacama Desert (Chile) with its attractive Salt field. We will enjoy the Tatio Geysers in a particular and privileged way, since we will reach them during our trekking. We will also hike the Puna region and the Quebrada de Humahuaca in Argentina, trekking from Iruya to La Quiaca and connecting this area with the Yungas and jungles reaching the Calilegua National Park in the province of Salta. The environment variety and all its special features make this trekking & crossing an unforgettable experience that you cannot miss.
This is a regular group trekking activity but with a minimum of 3 passengers.

Departures 2013:


    22 days - 21 nights

    Season: April to October

    Begins: Sundays



Starts at: Calama Airport (Chile). The tour can start in Salta (Argentina) and from there take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. In this case you will probable need an extra night in Salta.
Ends at: Salta Airport (SLA).

Itinerary
Day 1: Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
We welcome you at the Calama Airport and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama in the North of Chile. We will have the rest of the day to enjoy the town.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room
Included meals: none

Day 2: San Pedro de Atacama – Valle de la Luna
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will visit an area near town known as “La Cordillera de la Sal (’Mountain range made of salt’) with its very own particular formations. From there we will have an unforgettable view of Los Andes and the valleys around the town. In the afternoon we will do a small trek to the Valle de la Luna; located at 17 km from San Pedro de Atacama 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 : breakfast (B)

Day 3: Salar Grande - Trekking to the Valley of San Bartolo
This day we will visit the Atacama’s Great Salar (stone formations made of Salt). It is known all around the world, being the third one by its dimensions. While walking there we will also see the flamencos that live in the region. Later we will continue to Toconao, a small town known for its art crafts. In the afternoon, we will start our trek through the valley of Catarpé: we will walk to the beginning of the river San Bartolo where 'petroglifos' (small encrustations of marine life in stone) can be found. We keep hiking until we reach the 2700 meters of elevation, where we will camp.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals : breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 4: Trekking San Bartolo - Rio Grande
Today, already acclimatized, we will begin trekking to gain altitude, join a riverbed where we find weird stone formations and giant cactus that emerge from the arid desert. We will continue hiking up to 3500 meters elevation, around the area of Rio Grande, a small village where we have our second Camp site.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals : breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 5: Trekking Rio Grande - Machuca
After breakfast, we leave behind Rio Grande village and we will trek through an area of narrow rivers that create fertile valleys where the inhabitants take their llamas to graze. We will continue gaining altitude hiking up to Vilarejo de Machuca (4100 meters) where we camp. From here, we have an astonishing view of the Licancabur volcano.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals : breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 6: Machuca - 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 at 4500 meters over sea level. First thing we will do once we arrive is to go to the geothermal field located at 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 makes an unforgettable Atacama experience. We will have breakfast here, and then we will take a walk and those who want to might take a bath in the warm water near the geysers. (That’s why we recommend you to bring along besides warm clothing, a swimming suit, towel, sun block)
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 7: San Pedro de Atacama
This is a day off so we will be able to choose between different options such as: the ascension of the Lascar Volcano or the Toco Mountain or just take a look around San Pedro de Atacama walking or by bicycle
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 8: San Pedro de Atacama - Tilcara
Early in the morning we say good-bye to San Pedro de Atacama and by bus we go back to Argentina crossing Los Andes mountain range. Through the Paso de Jama we will be able to appreciate the “Salinas Grandes”; then descending over the path of the Lipan, we will make a stop at the town of Purmamarca and its famous Mount of ‘Los Siete Colores’. Later we arrive to our lodge at the picturesque town of Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 9: Devil’s Throat - Tilcara
We will have the morning free to discover the town and its unique things such us: the Plaza Grande, the 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 10: 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 11: Iruya - Chiyayoc
Early in the morning, we will begin the trekking 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 12: Chiyayoc - Rodeo Colorado
Our trek continues through this amazing landscape. We descend hiking until we reach the valley of the river Trancas. Once there we start an ascending trek 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: 8 to 9 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 13: Rodeo Colorado - Nazareno River
This day we descend hiking our way through a wide slope to the town of Molino, keeping always the amazing view of the valley of the river Nazareno in our back. From here we walk up to the place where we will put up our camp. Estimated walking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 14: Nazareno River - Nazareno
Last stage of our trekking crossing the Puna Andes, during which we will go hiking up river to reach Nazareno village. There, we can discover this typical town and enjoy our experiences. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Simple Lodging
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 15: Nazareno - La Quiaca - Tilcara
In the morning we go back to La Quiaca in the northern region of Argentina, on the border with Bolivia. From here we continue our way down south to Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 16: Free day at Tilcara
We dedicate this day to rest, rearrange our equipment and prepare for the final part of this trekking journey.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 17: Tilcara - Veranada de Yutos Pampa
Early in the morning we take a local transfer to “Alfacito” (2900 meters elevation). There we will begin our trekking, with a slow ascent as we have to be careful about acclimatizing, hiking up to reach Campo Laguna (4200 m). This is the highest point of the trekking. After lunch, we will hike down to Yutos Pampa at 3200 m.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 18: Veranada de Yutos Pampa - Molulo
We continue our trekking, ascending to the top of Mount Cumbre Grande. At the end of the valley, the crowded forest can be appreciated. In the afternoon we arrive to the community of Molulo at 2950 m. Estimated walking time: 6 to 7 hs.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 19: Molulo - Abra Del Potrero
We will have a peaceful morning, and plenty of time to meet the local inhabitants and walk around the area. After lunch, we will continue with our trekking. Gradually, you would notice the increase of vegetation; we will arrive then to a place known as Abra Del Potrero ('Abra' is the lowest point between two mountains). Walking time: 4 to 5 hs.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 20: Abra Del Potrero - San Lucas
We continue our adventure hiking from Abra Del Potrero. The thick forest gives birth to plain landscape. From the red land come the first trees. After trekking a section of forest in continuous ascension we get to see the caserío (very small village) of San Lucas, located at 2500 m. Later, we slowly start to hike descending to the town. Walking time 7 to 8 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Included meals: breakfast (B), box lunch (BL) and dinner (D)

Day 21: San Lucas - Calilegua - Salta
Last stage of the trekking, crossing between San Lucas and San Francisco. The path continues by the southern bank of San Lucas River, the vegetation is dense and the valley is deep. After crossing Valle Grande Valley, we will ascent to Peña Alta, which is the end of our long walk. There, a local transfer is waiting for us, to lead us through the small town of San Francisco and the whole Calilegua National Park arriving to Libertador San Martín Village. From there, we will move to Salta city. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Lodging at Hosteria Double or Single Room.
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Day 22: Salta - Salta Airport
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport where our Intense Trekking trip ends
Included meals: breakfast (B)

Price: 4487 u$d (Hosteria - Double room)
           5348 u$d (Hosteria - Single room)

Included services: Incoming services, 9 nights in Hostería double or single with breakfast, 9 nights in Semi–Full Camp (included: tents and dinner tent or saloon. Not included: sleeping bag or insulating mattress), 3 nights in simple lodging (room without private bathroom) Bilingual guide (Spanish – English) during all the activities, 21 breakfast (B), 12 box lunch (BL) and 12 dinners (D), transfers Calama airport - San Pedro de Atacama & Salta - Salta airport, all transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses, mules for transportation of the tents, general equipment & food for all the trekking. We will carry the traveler's luggage up to a maximum of 8 kg, for the days 11 to 15 and the days 17 to 21.

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)
• Thermal socks
• 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
• Passport/Visa (if needed) to cross the border between Argentina & Chile.
• Garbage bags (we Leave No Trace)