This amazing tour of Discovery thru the Desert of Atacama and the north Area of Argentina, combines beautiful landscapes with the possibility of enjoying the culture and customs of its inhabitants.
Places such as the Altiplánicas lagoons, the Geysers of the Tatio Volcano at Atacama, together with the Quebrada de las Señoritas, the community of the Hornaditas, and the Quebrada de Sapagua in the northeast of Argentina, will allow us to have a much more intimate and complete look at the region.
Day 1 San Pedro de Atacama - Valle de la Luna
We welcome you at the Calama Airport and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. (It’s also possible to arrive by Bus from Salta, Argentina) In the afternoon there’s 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.
Meals we provide: none.
Day 2 Altiplánicas Lagoons.
This day we will visit the Miscanti y Miñique lagoons; with its wonderful colors are located over 4000 meters over the level of the sea. On our way to them, we stop at a Toconao, an old town made completely of stone, where the art craft is also well known. Another highlight of this is the ‘ Salar de Atacama’ which is over 100 km of extension. . We will also appreciate some of the birds and fauna that has manage to survive in one the most desertic places of the earth. All this will require from us around 6 hours. Our lodging will be around 90 Km from San Pedro de Atacama. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
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 the level of the sea. First thing we’ll do once we arrive is to go to the geothermal field located in the mountain range of Los Andes. 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 on steam and the water that runs underneath the surface makes of this, and unforgettable experience.
We will have breakfast here, and then we’ll 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.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.
Day 4 San Pedro de Atacama - Tilcara
Early in the morning we say goodbye to San Pedro de Atacama and by bus we go back to Argentina crossing the mountain range of Los Andes. Thru el Paso de Jama we will be able to appreciate the “Salinas Grandes”; then descending over the path of the Lipan, we’ll make a stop at the town of Pumamarca and its famous Mount of the ‘Los Siete Colores’. Later we arrive to our lodge at the painteresque town of Tilcara. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 5 Devil’s Throat - Tilcara
We’ll have the morning free to discover the town and its unique things such us: la plaza grande, la plaza chica, the town church - and the Pucará de Tilcara. In the afternoon we’ll 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.
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Day 6 Tilcara - Iruya - Humahuaca
Early in the morning we take a local bus and go to a small town located right in between the mountains, Iruya. From it we can have a special view since its right on the end of the valley. After enjoying the town we spend the night at Humahuaca. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast & box lunch.
Day 7 Uquia - Quebrada de las Señoritas
Alter breakfast by bus we leave Humahuaca and alter 10 km we arrive to the small town of Uquía. Once there we visit the church of “San Francisco de Paula” with its altar laminated in gold by the Jesuits in 1691 - year in which it was built - and adorned with the pictures of the arcabuceros angels brought from Cuzco. Then we do a small trek to the la Quebrada de las Señoritas o Yacoraite. The intense red color makes of it a shocking place; also because it’s known for its paleontological deposit where have been rest fossil of the last great mammals that inhabited the Earth, like milodontes and gigantic perezosos. Back in Uquía we visit a place where vicuñas are raised and an old hydraulic mill. At the end of the day we go back to Humahuaca. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast & box lunch.
Day 8 Pueblo de Santa Ana - Miradores de la Yunga
We depart early to the view point of the cloudy forest with our 4 x 4 van until we reach the 4400 meters of lowest point between the mountains of the Zenta. From there we descent to the small village of Santa Ana, las t town before the region of Yungas. After lunch we take a small trek thru the area until we reach the Abra, natural balcony to the subtropical forest of the Yungas. Finally, we go back to our lodge in Humahuaca. During this night we will enjoy the northern ‘’Peñas’’. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast & box lunch.
Day 9 Quebrada de Sapagua - Hornaditas Community
We depart in our mini bus for Humahuaca to the Quebrada de Sapagua, where we’ll take a walk around the area. For there we continue to the small community of the Hornaditas, where we will be able to share the life experience of the natural inhabitant of the area, who open the door of their homes. Finally we go back to the city of Salta. Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast & box lunch.
Day 10 Salta - Airport
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport or bus Terminal where our tours ends
Meals we provide: Breakfast
Bilingual guide (Spanish - English) during the excursions.
9 nights in Hostería it bases double or single with private bath and breakfast (3 nights in San Pedro de Atacama, 2 in Tilcara, 3 in Humahuaca y 1 in Salta)
Meals we provide: 9 Breakfast, 4 box lunch
Transfer Hotel Salta – Salta Airport.
All transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses.
Not included:
Medical and life insurance.
Tips.
Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks).
Flights or airport taxes.
Optional excursions.
Services not shown or detailed in the program.
Notes
Camino Abierto holds the right of changing the itinerary or cancel any of the activities when any natural cause (or any other cause of any type) justifies it in order to look after the group safety. The tour can start in Salta ( Argentina ) and from there take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. If this is the case, you will need an extra night in Salta .
