"The
tour with You in 2004 was really a special and a ever lasting experience.
In 2005 I joint with some Brazilian friends a Crossing of the Alpes. .I
have to
compliment You on the professional way You guided as in 2004!"
Michael
Kempa, Germany
Deep inside
the magical Argentine Northwest
Salta, Cachi, Molinos, Cafayate, Tafi del Valle, Tucumán
(Argentina)
A bike journey packed with highlights, through a region
that can truly be called magical. You will climb above high
mountain passes, reaching the very edge of the great Altiplano
(the highest inhabited mountain plateau in the world, after
the Tibetan highlands). The Calchaqui Valleys don´t
cease to surprise, with amazing desert landscapes, wonderful
colonial towns, and a people marked by an ancient indigenous
culture mixed with colonial Spanish heritage.
A fantastic way to delve deeply into a region that is fast
becoming a world-class destination. Come experience the
magical Northwest with us!
Location:
Salta and Tucumán provinces in the Argentinean northeast
region near the Andes Mountains and Bolivia, 1600 km from
Buenos Aires.
Duration:
9 days, 8 nights*
* 8 days, 7 nights for guests flying out of Salta or Jujuy
at tour end
- Flight in: Salta, Argentina Flight out: San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
*please read about transportation options in detailed itinerary
-Trip begins in: Salta, Argentina Trip ends in: Tucuman, Argentina Activities:
Friday: Guests starting with us in Buenos Aires will
depart in our van on Friday afternoon en route to Salta
(flight to, and accommodations in Buenos Aires are not included
in tour price). The shuttle from Buenos Aires to Salta takes
20 hours, arriving in Salta on Saturday.
If you choose to fly to Salta (which we recommend), we will
meet you there on Saturday
Day 1 (Saturday): Welcome to Salta
The group will rendezvous in Salta this evening, transferring
to the town of Chicoana. We'll be lodged at the Estancia
Peñaflor.
Day 2 (Sunday): Down the Bishop´s Slope and into the
Andean Plateau
After our detailed welcome and safety talk, we'll start
our tour with one of the trip's highlights! Leaving on our
comfortable van, we'll cross the town of El Carril, and
begin climbing the Quebrada de Escoipe, following a canyon
sculpted by a river flowing down from the mountains. This
beautiful place is surrounded by verdant vegetation and
huge mountain chains. We keep climbing the famous Cuesta
del Obispo (the Bishop´s Slope), an amazing climb
that seems to never end. We'll reach Piedra del Molino (the
Millstone), which lies at 3,348 ms above seal level (10,980
ft). After being amazed by the views atop, we'll get on
our bikes and descend over the wonderful Camino de los Colorados
(the Red Road), the name coming from the eroded slopes surrounding
us, exposing all shades of red - a fantastic sight. We´ll
also cycle through the Cardones National Park named after
the huge cactus that grows everywhere and that is protected
here. We'll arrive in Cachi tonight, sleeping in a cozy
hosteria. 50 km of dirt roads (31 miles)
Elevation gain: 230 meters (755 Feet) uphill- 1390 meters
(4560 Feet) downhill.
Day 3 (Monday): Colonial Cachi and the High Andes We´ll awake in the beautiful Cachi, a remote town
on the very edge of the Altiplano, originally founded by
the Chicoano native indians, and an important outpost during
Spanish colonial times. Its beautiful 18th century church,
white-walled buildings and old adobe homes make for a picturesque,
traditional town. After exploring Cachi, we´ll begin
our riding, climbing steadily towards the Nevado de Cachi,
a massive snow-capped mountain reaching 6,200 ms (20,340
ft). At Las Arcas, we´ll find an incredible lookout
point, after which we´ll descend back to town, cycling
on to Route 40. We´ll stop at La Paya, spending the
night at the beautiful Hosteria La Paya, a wonderful restored
colonial country home with comfortable rooms and plenty
of local hospitality. 42 km of dirt roads (26 miles)
Elevation gain: 1010 meters (3313 Feet) uphill- 910 meters
(2985 Feet) downhill.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Cachi to Molinos After a hearty breakfast, we'll head to one of the most
surprising places of the journey, landing in the middle
of red, dry mountains, surrounded by the incredible cardón
cactus (a relative of the saguaro). At Laguna Brealito we'll
have our lunch. This scenic and rocky path will offer a
challenging ride, with plenty of climbing and descending.
In the afternoon, we'll ride over another isolated backroad,
used only by the few locals existing in the region. We'll
arrive in Molinos, after 3kms of loose sand, where we might
have to do some walking. The enchanting landscapes we'll
cross are well worth the challenging ride. Tonight we'll
be lodged at the Hacienda de Molinos, a restored country
manor set in a fantastic location. 47 km of dirt roads (29
miles)
Elevation gain: 970 meters (3183 Feet) uphill- 1448 meters
(4750 Feet) downhill.
Day 5 (Wednesday): The Calchaqui Valleys The small town of Molinos dates from the 17th century,
and after a bit of exploring, we'll begin pedaling on the
famous Route 40, which stretches the length of Argentina
along the spine of the Andes, from the border with Bolivia
down to Ushuaia, on the southern edge of the continent.
We'll follow the Calchaquí River Valley, a fertile
region settled since pre-historic times. We'll pass few
small towns, and arrive in Angastaco, with lively regional
arquitecture and plenty of traditional culture. The silence
of the Valley and the scenery surrounding us will keep us
awed throughout the journey. Tonight we'll rest at the Hosteria
de Angastaco. 42km of dirt roads.
Day 6 (Thursday): Through the Quebrada de las Flechas
into colonial Cafayate
Today, we'll enter the amazing Quebrada de las Flechas (The
Canyon of Arrows), one of the most amazing sites in the
Argentine Northwest. The eroded cliffs and slopes, with
the high Andes off in the distance; create an almost surreal
landscape, dazzling all that come through here. After 24
km of riding, we'll stop for lunch, and load our bikes to
drive into the town of San Carlos. From this town, we'll
again ride but over a paved road, eventually nearing the
desert oasis of Cafayate, famous for its high altitude vineyards.
The town of Cafayate is another trip highlight - you'll
be made to feel at home by its friendly inhabitants, who
still live and breathe Northwest tradition and culture.
We'll be lodged at the Hosteria Sol del Valle. 53 km of dirt roads (33 miles)
Elevation gain: 550 meters (1804 Feet) uphill- 560 meters
(1837 Feet) downhill.
Day 7 (Friday): The Quebrada de las Conchas
We'll depart in our van from Cafayate and cycle through
the Quebrada de las Conchas, another magical canyon offering
enchanting landscapes of strange rock formations and eroded
slopes exposing innumerable bands of colors. Similar to
the US Western deserts, there are many rock formations to
discover, and the colors will change as the sun arches over
and behind the canyon. To add to this wonder, the ride is
entirely paved, allowing for a day of tranquil riding. We'll
return to Cafayate in the afternoon, a wonderful town for
strolling and enjoying the evening. 50 km of dirt roads (31 miles)
Elevation gain: 310 meters (1017 Feet) uphill- 540 meters
(1771 Feet) downhill.
Day 8 (Saturday): The Ruins of Quilmes
After a scenic, short drive we'll arrive in the amazing
Quilmes Ruins, set on the slopes of the namesake Sierras.
This indigenous fortress is truly surprising - the Quilmes
Indians resisted the Inca and Spanish invaders here for
many years. Only when their sources of food and water were
cut off did they end their resistance. After exploring this
amazing site, we'll shuttle a bit further, to the top of
the Cuesta del Infiernillo (the Hell's Pass), at 3,200 ms,
from where we'll descend a wonderful paved road. This is
the mountain pass where the first Spanish conquistadores
to arrive in Argentina came through. The views on the way
down towards Tafi Valley are wonderful. After lunch in Tafi,
we'll load our bikes, and drive through the amazing sub-tropical
rainforest set below the Altiplano - another highlight of
our trip!
Our tour ends in the city of Tucuman, the oldest city in
Argentina, where independence was first declared. Those
travelling back to Buenos Aires with us will rest up before
beginning an overnight drive. 25 km of dirt roads (15,5 miles)
Day 9 (Sunday): back in Buenos Aires
We'll arrive in Buenos Aires at 11 am.
Services
13- to 18-person van equipped with TV & video
Support vehicle equipped with two-way communication
radio (everyday, with on-board service, including
granola bars, fruits when possible, and other snacks
and drinks) & mountain bike transportation during
the extent of the tour
Mechanical assistance and spare bike available (in
case your breaks down)
Medical insurance
All accommodations included, using hotels, hosterias
(inns), and cabins
All breakfasts and lunches (dinners and meals while
on transit not included)
Daily Trip Information Notes, with maps, routes
and detail on the region
Bilingual Tour Leaders, equipped with two-way radios,
and local guides
Entry fees to Quilmes Ruins
Pre-trip information package with details on how
to prepare, what to bring, and more detailed information