The Andean Triangle II
Experience the different cultures and Landscapes
13 Days / 12 Nights
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Discover this round trip that combines the most fascinating Landscapes of Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.Experience the most arid desert in the world, the biggest Salt Flat in Bolivia and the charm of Argentina.
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Day 1 Santiago de Chile
Arrival at Santiago airport and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon you will take part in a city tour, enjoying the most interesting attractions of the Chilean capital. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 2 Calama - San Pedro and the Moonvalley
Arrival at the airport of Calama and transfer to San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is an unusually colourful village located 2.440 m / 8.000 ft above sea level in the middle of a green oasis. In the afternoon you will be taken into the mystifying Valle de la Luna, the famous Moon Valley. At sunset you can see how the light intensifies the impression of a moonscape. We will climb a sand dune to watch this spectacle and then return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro.
Day 3 San Pedro, Toconao and the Atacama Salt Lake
After breakfast you will visit San Pedro de Atacama - the centre of a Palaeolithic civilization that built impressive rock fortresses on the mountains encircling the green valley. The colonial church was constructed in 1577 and is the largest and most beautiful church of the region. The extraordinary archaeological museum (closed on Mondays) of Padre Gustavo Le Paige shows, among its many archaeological pre-Hispanic artefacts, several amazingly well preserved mummies, including one known as "Miss Chile." After this visit you drive 4 km / 2.5 mi to reach the pre-Columbian village Tulor with an approx. age of 3000 years. The archaeological remains are the oldest evidence of human settlement in the valley. We will then continue our morning tour to Pukara de Quitor a fortress, which was conquered in 1540 by the Spanish conquistadores defeating the Incan troops who, in turn, had captured it from the pre-Incan cultures and extended the fortification. In the afternoon you will start your tour to Toconao, a village where locals dedicate themselves to the manufacture of white volcanic stone sculptures. We continue to the huge Atacama Salt Lake, an inland sea formed millions of years ago. The vast emptiness with the white salt crusts stretched out in front of you as far as the eyes can reach is overwhelming. It simply is one of the most spectacular and dramatic landscapes in Chile. Return to the hotel. Overnight in San Pedro. (Breakfast, Lunchbox)
Day 4 El Tatio and Machuca
In the morning you will depart early at 4:00 am to reach the El Tatio Geysers at an altitude of 4.300 m / 14.108 ft before sun-rise. In a remote setting it is the highest geothermal field in the world and offers a spectacular scenery. Make sure to bring warm clothes because it is very cold in the morning at this altitude. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam shoot up from various blowholes. The steaming ponds are encrusted with brilliant salt crystals reflecting the metal-blue sky at dawn. You will have enough time to enjoy this beautiful natural wonder before we return and drive to the village Machuca where the ancient llama caravans used to rest from their travels on the "Inca High-way". Today only few people live here. Afterwards, we will return to San Pedro de Atacama. Leisure time in the afternoon. Overnight in San Pedro. (Breakfast,Lunchbox)
Day 5 San Pedro - Ojo de Perdiz
In the morning we depart from San Pedro to drive towards the Bolivian border located at 60 km 37 mi. from San Pedro. Through Hito Cajon International pass you we will be crossing it to then enter the Eduardo Abaroa National Reserve we will visit the Laguna Verde, a green lagoon displaying wonderful emerald colours. On the route to the Laguna Colorada, we come across the Laguna Blanca, Polques hot springs and the geyser Sol de Mañana. The Laguna Colorada is situated in the Occidental Mountain Range of the Andes with an average altitude of (4600 m. / 15.000 ft.), where one can also observe a series of other lagoons with hundreds of flamingos. Then we continue to the village of Ojo de Perdiz. Overnight in Ojo de Perdiz (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Day 6 Uyuni Salt Flats
Today you will start your trip to the amazing Uyuni Salt Lake, passing mountain areas with high erosion and further to the north San Augustín. The Salar de Uyuni is with its 10,582 square km (4,085 square miles) the world’s largest salt flat. The major minerals found in the salar are halite and gypsum. Overnight stay will be in Tahua, a village in the foothills of the Tunupa Volcano. Some highlights are the Hedionda and Cache lagoons as well as the Incahuasi Island. Enjoy the Sunset!! Overnight in Tahua. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
Day 7 Tahua - Tupiza
Today we will travel to the city of Tupiza. Allegedly one of the oldest cities of Bolivia, this would have been founded by Diego de Almagro on his way down to Chile in 1535. Tupiza is also famous for being the place where the two notorious thieves Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid robbed their last banks before being killed after their South American travels. Overnight in Tupiza. (Breakfast/Lunch)
Day 8 Tupiza- La Quiaca- Purmamarca.
Day 8: Tupiza- La Quiaca- Purmamarca.
Today we will start heading over to Argentina. We will cross at La Quiaca to deepen into the beautiful Argentinean North and learn about its rich native heritage and impressive landscapes. We will be ale to see the town of Tilcara, a town of low adobe buildings with steep streets offers you all the magnificence of the quebrada view which is decked out with the live cultural life of its inhabitants; this is
considered as the archaeological capital of Jujuy. We also will visit Humahuaca, a colonial city with narrow paved streets with streetlamps and adobe houses. Humahuaca is one of the most important trade centres of Alto Peru until the end of the XIX Century. Worldwide known due to the imposing Quebrada de Humahuaca, professed as Humanity Heritage by UNESCO, shows a heavenly landscape where Rio Grande flows and where great archaeological beds are found in colourful hills. Finally we will reach our final destination at Purmamarca. Overnight in Purmamarca. (Breakfast)
Day 9 Purmamarca - Salta
Today we will visit the amazing town of Purmamarca, meaning "Town of the Virgin Land" in Aimara language- is settled at the foot of the polychromatic "Cerro de los Siete Colores" ( Seven Colours Hill ) which provides the village with the ideal touristic contrast since it delights the senses of all the tourists that visit it. The village, with adobe buildings of cardon roofs and mud tiles, was designed around the Main Church from 1648 consecrated as St. Rosa de Lima which has currently been professed as National Monument since it has a particular architecture as well as valuable paintings and images from Cuzco inside. In the Square, there is a crafts market where you can get regional products such as pottery, carpets made with looms, ponchos, musical instruments and typical clothes from the Quebrada ( Narrow path).Then we will head South towards the traditional city of Salta. On its old facades one can appreciate the colonial heritage and the big Spanish influence of this place, which went through its peak during the XVIII century. We can start with the visit to the 9 de Julio square, then walking by the arcades that surround it. To finish the 9 de Julio square area, it is impossible not to visit the Cathedral BasÃlica and, right opposite to it, the historical Northern Cabildo. After a few blocks from the square you will get to the impressive San Francisco Church. A few metres from there, the San Bernardo Convent shows its magnificent carob gate built by the aborigines in 1762. Very close there is the former Hernández House, now turned into the Museum of the City. Another architectural jewel is the handcrafts market, the first one in the country. Finally we will ascend the San Bernardo Hill, a privileged panoramic viewpoint in terms of the contemplation of the total extension of Valle de Lerma. Overnight in Salta. (Breakfast/Lunch)
Day 10 Salta - Cafayate
Leaving Salta early to visit the towns of the Valley of Lerma until arriving at Quebrada de las Conchas (the Gorge of the Shells). This magnificent stone wall seems to jealously guard the vineyards of the Valley of Cafayate. The place has a special microclimate for the wine production; given the great thermal amplitude it is not necessary the use of chemical products and a truly organic production is obtained. Then we will continue on to the ruins of the ancient human settlement of the Quilmes, the most famous archaeological site in the country. Quilmes is an ancient pre-Incan city which was inhabited between centuries IX and XVII. The site, built on a natural amphitheatre, offers an exceptional view of the valley, which we will tour on foot. We will return to the city of Cafayate. Overnight in Cafayate (Breakfast).
Day 11 Cafayate - Cachi - Salta
Day 11: Cafayate - Cachi - Salta
After breakfast we will meet up to start the characteristic "Tour of the Valles Calchaqui Valleys". It will take us along the edge of the fertile valleys of the RIo Calchaqua River and we will cross the extraordinary Quebrada de las Flechas Gorge, passing through the small villages of Molinos and San Carlos. We will reach the old Village of Cachi, situated at the confluence of the Cachi and Calchaqui rivers; this town is located at 2280 m / 7300 ft. This important pepper production centre is encompassed by impressive mountains like El Obispo and Cerro Negro. Handcrafts and loom made blankets made here are excellent souvenir ideas. Once we have explored the town and surrounding we will cross through the Parque Nacional Los Cardones Nacional Park and then will head over to Salta where we will spend the night. (Breakfast)
Day 12 Salta - Buenos Aires
After breakfast, at an appropriate hour we will go to the Airport to board our flight to Buenos Aires. After arrival you will transferred to your hotel. At the early afternoon we will visit the city of Buenos Aires. The tour starts at the historic Plaza de Mayo square, scenery of resonant political demonstrations. It is surrounded by the Government House, best known as the “Pink House”, which is the Government seat; the Cabildo and the Cathedral. The Avenida De Mayo, which starts in this square, is an interesting set of buildings of varied styles that reflect the diversity of its inhabitants. Through this avenue, you reach the Congress Palace. Southwards, we reach the picturesque and colourful port neighbourhood of La Boca with its famous street, “Caminito”, whose architectonic characteristics reflect the culture the European citizens that arrived to these shores at the end of the 19th century, specially Genovese sailors. The visit continues towards San Telmo, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, which was also a centre for immigrant settlers and still keeps most of its architectonic patrimony untouched: its colonial houses, its cobbled streets. Every Sunday an antique fair is held in Plaza Dorrego. The visit continues towards the modern district of Puerto Madero; Palermo neighbourhood with its elegant residences framed by wide green areas; reaching finally the district of Recoleta, the most sophisticated neighbourhood in Buenos Aires. In the evening we will feel the night life in Buenos Aires enjoying a tango show that will contribute to make your stay in the city unforgettable. Overnight in Buenos Aires. (Breakfast/Dinner)
Day 13 Buenos Aires
At the appropriate hour you will be taken to the airport and assisted as you board your international flight. (Breakfast)
NOTE: The itinerary may be partially modified without prior notice; due to unfavourable weather and road conditions; especially during January and February. (Altiplano Winter!)
| Season (mm/dd/yyyy) | Categories | Class |
Double | Sgl Traveller | Sgl Supl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/01/2009 - 04/30/2010 | USD 4895 | USD 8299 |
Program includes: 12 overnights with breakfast, meals according the program. dinners, transfers and excursions with bilingual guide.
Not included: National flights, meals other than above mentioned, wine, beer or liquor with meals, porter.
Flights recommended
Santiago - Calama (LA 340)
Salta - Buenos Aires (LA 4113)
HOTELS FOR THIS PROGRAM
Santiago: Hotel NH Ciudad
San Pedro de Atacama: Hotel Altiplánico
Ojo de Perdiz: Hotel Tayka del Desierto
Tahua: Hotel Tayka del Sol
Tupiza: Hotel Mitru
Purmamarca: Hotel La Comarca
Salta: Hotel Del Virrey
Cafayate: Hotel Los Sauces
Buenos Aires: Hotel Art
Booked hotels may vary in each tour depending on availiability.
