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ANDES
OFF ROAD PURE |
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EXTREME ANDES |
11 DAYS LA RIOJA -
SALTA |
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This once in a lifetime
tour along the northwestern Andes in Argentina combines adventurous
off road drive with striking natural beauty. Largely still unknown
and spectacular landscapes, abandoned places and almost unreal atmospheres
will create long lasting memories. |
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DAY
1 | La Rioja - Villa Unión
We start our tour in the city of La Rioja, arriving at the small
town Villa Unión, the largest settlement in the Bermejo Valley,
a few hours later. It is also possible to meet and start the tour
in Villa Unión .
DAY 2 | Laguna Brava - San José de Vinchina
Heading into Andean heights the road curves upwards in the middle
of multi-coloured gorges. To an altitude of 4,200 m, a stupendous
panorama of a sky blue lagoon and snow-capped pinnacles opens up.
Laguna Brava (Brave Lagoon) is an extensive altiplanic lake of salty
waters. The Reserve was established to protect native fauna like
vicuñas, guanacos, foxes and flamingos, and is surrounded
by giants like the Veladero (6,436 m) and Bonete (6,872 m) volcanoes.
In the afternoon we drive down again to spend the night in Villa
Unión. DAY 3 | Villa Unión - Chilecito
- Famatina
After following a snaking road along the beautiful Cuesta de Miranda,
through 500-meters-tall red rock walls dotted with towering cacti,
we arrive in Chilecito, where Station 2 of the cableway La Mejicana
is worth a stop. Constructed in 1903 by a German company to transport
gold and other metal extracted, in its time it was the longest and
highest cable railway of the world, stretching 34 km up onto the
gold mine of Cerro Famatina at an altitude of 4,600 m. Not far from
here we enter a fertile green valley and reach Famatina, featuring
a church home to an articulated Christ, and a perfect take-off area
for paragliders also. Overnight stay in a roomy hosteria.
DAY 4 | La Mejicana Mine
Sierra de Famatina is a magnificent mountain chain neighbouring
the Andes and flanking Famatina to the west. Its highest peak, rising
to 6,097 m, is the glacier-covered Cerro Famatina, which is where
the abandoned mining site La Mejicana, the last station of the cable
car, is placed. A rugged road snakes up following a meandering yellow
river and passing by an incredibly fabulous gorge and multi-coloured
hillsides before reaching a last stretch of vertiginous bends. At
4,600 m altitude, the rusty remains of the station and the mine
appear before us sunk in abandonment, and colossal iron towers,
interwoven by steel cables, can be seen rising into the sky until
they get lost behind the goldish, cragged slopes of the mountains.
We return back down the same route to overnight again in Famatina.
DAY 5 | Famatina - Fiambalá
We easily continue our journey entering the province of Catamarca
and sighting age-old adobe houses and churches as part of the attractive
Adobe Route. Leaving the small oasis of Fiambalá behind us,
we head straight into the heart of its surrounding desert, the monumental
undulating sand dunes of Tatón, which are among the highest
in the world. The nearby village of Tatón, charmingly nestled
against a sandy hillside in a ravine, invites to stay for a while
-- to enjoy this peaceful setting, to have a little picnic or to
"sandboard" as a fun way to explore the dunes. After returning
to Fiambalá (1,570 m) we can visit its invigorating thermal
waters, which come down from the mountain to plunge into natural
pools set between high granite walls. We overnight in a comfortable
hostería.
DAY 6 | Balcony Mount Pissis/Green Lagoon - Las Grutas
(Paso San Francisco)
Fascinating and demanding drive off the beaten track, steadily winding
up into the paradisiacal Andean world of 19 "sixtyhundreds".
Carrying names like Blue, Black and Green because of their intense
colour, we pass by shimmering lagoons. At an altitude of 4,200 m
a natural balcony offers a breathtaking view of untouched nature
and of Mount Pissis, rising as the highest volcano of the world.
It is a glacier-covered massif with five summits and 6,882 (IGN)
meters in height, one of the remotest mountains in Argentina. As
the track leads down along Black Lagoon and even deeper into the
wilderness, we reach the glowing Green Lagoon, which resembles an
enormous blue-bordered emerald. After heading back down we follow
a serpentine road up to Paso San Francisco, driving amid captivating
backdrop to Las Grutas, near the Chilean border. Overnight in rustic
dorm accommodation (4,000 m). DAY 7 | Las Grutas
- Peinado Volcano - Antofagasta de la Sierra
A challenging but outstandingly beautiful, pure Andes off road journey.
Slowly ascending into a spectacular volcanic region, it goes through
limestone gorges, heavy sand valleys and volcanic rocks, feasting
the eyes on dramatic vistas of orange, white and black-coloured
peaks framing two lagoons, an olive green and a turquoise. After
skirting the Peinado volcano (5,741 m) the track abruptly descends,
joins the Peinado's dazzling green-blue lagoon and turns into an
almost invisible sandy path, leading to Salar Antofalla and through
otherworldly, solitary desertscapes to Antofagasta de la Sierra
(3,440 masl). This green oasis quietly sits in an arid plain of
the Andean high plateau, called Puna in Argentina, and is surrounded
by black volcanoes and lava-flows. Overnight stay in a roomy hostería.
DAY 8 | Crater Galán Volcano
Yet another intrepid journey into wild beauty. Catching sight of
gracious suris and flocks of vicuñas we reach Laguna Grande
(Big Lagoon), populated by thousands of pink flamingos and bordered
by a white salted shore and a remarkable mountain backdrop. Continuing
on we gradually ascend to an altitude of 4,800 m to gain the crater
rim of the Galán volcano (5,912 m), the widest caldera of
the world (36 km). After a steep descent we explore the volcano's
interior, revealing a turquoise lagoon and bubbling hot springs.
Returning the same way we again spend the night at Antofagasta de
la Sierra. DAY 9 | AdlSierra - Antofalla
Heading westwards, at altitude 4,400 m we cross a striking mountain
pass opening up impressively colourful panoramas of Salar Antofalla,
the longest salt flat of the world (160 km), and zigzag down to
traverse the salt flat. Following its shore we discover the hidden
gems: the astonishing circular lagoons, known as "Eyes of the
Field"; and the copper-green oasis of Botijuela, where the
curious bottle-shaped cone of an extinguished geyser stands out.
In the afternoon we arrive at the hamlet of Antofalla (3,500 masl),
sitting at the foot of the huge namesake volcano (6,409 m). Simple
accommodation in cosy lodging DAY 10 | Antofalla
- La Casualidad - Tolar Grande
The mighty mountains surrounding Antofalla will be replaced today
by a vast, ochre-coloured puna setting featuring majestic volcanoes
and enormous salt flats. Immersed in boundless nature and like a
ghostly vision of the past stand the remains of the mining settlement
La Casualidad, at 4,000 m, and of the mining site La Julia, at 5,200
m altitude next to the chilean border, both joined by an also abandoned,
15 km long cable car which transported the sulphur extracted in
the mine. Additionally we will pass by the forsaken railroad station
Caipe, where the sulphur was dispatched from. The sights and expansive
views we enjoy while driving through these places are overwhelming.
After crossing Salar de Arizaro, Argentina's largest salt flat with
a surface area of 1,500 km2, we arrive in Tolar Grande (3,500 m),
a small village encircled by idyllic landscapes. Overnight stay
in cosy hostería. DAY 11 | Tolar Grande
- Salta
After an exciting stretch through the bizarre red rock formations
of the Valley of the Dreams, the road takes us through the empty
vastness of the Puna until reaching San Antonio de los Cobres (3,775
m). Not far from here we next head down the long curving mountains
and striking gorges of Quebrada del Toro (Bull's Gorge), almost
paralleling the Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds). On half
the way, we visit the ruined city of Santa Rosa de Tastil, an enormous
pre-hispanic site superbly set on a hillside with overlooking vistas.
Arrival in Salta and end of trip.
CARRIED OUT ONLY WITH AT LEAST 2 4X4 VEHICLES |
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TOUR CONNECTION HIDDEN
PUNA |
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EXtrem andes | ALTERNATIVE
PUMICE STONE FIELD |
DAY 6 | Balcony
Mount Pissis - Fiambalá
As described above (DAY 6). After heading back down we return to
Faimbalá. Overnight again in the hostería.
DAY 7 | Fiambalá - Pumice Stone Field - Antofagasta
de la Sierra
An exciting day of incomparable scenery and adventurous off road
passages: A path meandering along a riverbed in a scenic gorge,
a steep road zigzagging up a mountainside with fantastic views,
and an almost invisible track crossing a sea of sand and white-grey
looming dunes. Unfolding in this fascinating volcanic landscape
lies the enormous, moon-like Pumice Stone Field, its pastel coloured
formations eroded into unusual shapes. By exploring it we feel as
visiting another planet. After arrival at Antofagasta de la Sierra
(3,440 masl), we spend the night in a roomy guesthouse.
TO COMPLEMENT WITH OR REPLACE THE ABOVE DESCRIPTED PROGRAMM |
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CUSTOMIZED
DEPARTURE DATES, please
contact
:: Best time to travel: March - May | October - December
:: Itinerary subject to climatic and road conditions
:: This tour can be carried out as GUIDED SELF DRIVE TOUR also
:: Itinerary can be customized to your
requirements
:: Reservations at least 6 weeks in advance
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INCLUDED SERVICES |
:: terrestrial
transfers with experienced driver and/or guiding 4WD fully equipped
:: coordination, logistic, technical and mechanical assistance
:: bilingual guide / accompaniment (English/German/Spanish)
:: accommodation in local guesthouses based on double room and breakfast
:: refreshments and snacks, 1x pic-nic
:: local guides support
:: access to national parks / tolls |
NOT INCLUDED SERVICES |
:: meals,
alcoholic beverages / additional drinks
:: during guided self drive tour, vehicle, fuel, street tolls
:: individual activities + expenses
:: medical expenses/insurance
:: tips |
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CONTACT
| BOOKING | INFO |
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