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Journey to Cachi - 15 days Overland Atacama to Cachi plus Buenos Aires & Santiago

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Day 1 - Depart Miami: Evening departure on overnight flight to Chile.

Day 2 - Arrive Santiago: Morning arrival in Santiago. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Ritz Carlton in the heart of the city for overnight stay. Your room is paid the night before to guarantee immediate occupancy upon arrival. Afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Santiago, Fourth largest city in South America and beautifully set among a back-drop of snow-capped Andes. Visit the highlights   including the Club Hipico, the area of "La Moneda" government palace with statues of national heroes of the early Independence years; historic Plaza de Armas with the Cathedral, Post Office and National Museum, the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, with one of the most complete collections of ceramics, ancient textiles and relics of American culture, among other places of interest. (B)

Day 3 - Santiago - Calama - San Pedro de Atacama: Morning pick up at your hotel by your private car and guide for a visit to the Santa Rita Vineyard with lunch at the popular Dona Paula's at the vineyard, and then return drive back to Snatiago's airport for flight north to Calama, gateway to the Atacama Desert, considered one of the driest deserts on earth. Meeting by Explora staff and drive one hour by hotel van into the heart of the desert to the town of San Pedro de Atacama for three night stay in Yali accommodations at the Explora en Atacama. (B/L/D)

During your stay you will enjoy all meals, an open bar and a daily menu of activities and excursions, including horseback riding, biking, hiking, and visits to main points of interest in the area such as the Salt Flats, the geysers and the town of San Pedro de Atacama. Click here for a complete list of excursions and activities.

Day 4 - San Pedro de Atacama: Today you will choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Day 5 - San Pedro de Atacama: Again today you can choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Day 6 -  Through the Andes - San Pedro de Atacama - El Laco "camp":
We leave early in the morning to cross the Andes to Argentina, traveling southeast and passing the agricultural villages Toconao and Socaire.  We will then walk for 3 hours on the altiplano up to 13,120 feet above sea level, ending at the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Then we will pass by the Tuyajto Lake, and arrive before sundown to our “El Laco” camp, at 13,776 feet above sea level and very close to the border between Chile and Argentina. From our campsite at the foot of the Laco peak we can see the Laco salt flat; this is our highest and most isolated camp during our journey. Our stay here allows us to comprehend what it is like to live at high altitudes and live the experience of the first pioneers who crossed through here on foot or by mule. (B/L/D)

Day 7 - Cross into Argentina - El Laco to La Quesera "camp":
We continue to Argentina and the Sico international border, at 13,492 feeet above sea level. From here we continue to the Calchaquíes valleys, passing the village San Antonio de los Cobres, at 12,792  feet above sea level. We then cross through the Abra del Acay, a road whose highest point is at 16,072 feeet above sea level, and from where we can see the Calchaqui River. Here we will take a walk between the hills of the Calchaquíes valleys. At sunset, we will arrive at the “La Quesera” camp, at 11,480 feet above sea level. The camp gets its name from local resident Mrs. Berta, who makes traditional goat cheese.  (B/L/D)

Day  8 - La Quesera - Finca Rancagua:
In the morning we will walk along the outer edges of La Quesera and then head down through a valley to La Poma, a mountain village dedicated to raising goats and sheep, and located at 9,840 feet above sea level. We then walk to the crater of one of the Twin Volcanoes and arrive at Cachi, one of the most important villages in the Calchaquíes valleys. The region derives its name from the many sweet water streams that descend from the mountains and join the saltwater Calchaquí River. In this region we will find agricultural areas. About 5 miles from Cachi we find our next camp, the “Finca Rancagua,” which features a sweeping view of the valley and mountains. We spend 3 nights here. (B/L/D)

Day 9 & 10 - Calchaquíes Valleys:
We will dedicate these two days to exploration, walking through the intricate Calchaquíes valleys and around the area of the Finca Rancagua, along a semi-mountainous, arid terrain that features rocks sculpted by the wind, as well as streams of fresh water that course their way from the higher peaks to mix with the saltwater Calchaquíes River, and allow us to appreciate local agriculture and diverse cultivations. We will also see ruins, archeological artifacts, and rock paintings of the Calchaquíes Indians, who centuries ago developed a unique alfalfa agriculture. This walk puts us close to the Nevado de Cachi peak, at 20,926 feeet above sea level it is the highest in the region. (B/L/D)

Day 11 - Finca Rancagua-Salta-Buenos Aires:
We leave for Salta descending the Cuesta del Obispo, surrounded by a landscape that has been shaped by erosion from wind and water. We arrive at Salta at midday, at 3,936 feet above sea level, for flight to Buenos Aires. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Cesar Park Hotel, in the heart of fashionable Recoleta for 2 nights with buffet breakfast daily. This evening you will enjoy the Rojo Tango Experience, with dinner and tango show. (B/DS)

Day 12: Buenos Aires: Morning city tour of Buenos Aires, often called "The Paris of South America". Drive down the widest boulevard on earth, 9 de Julio, past the Obelisk commemorating 400 years of history, past the Colon Opera House and many other places of interest in this sophisticated European style city. Afternoon at leisure to explore at your own pace.  (B)

Day 13 - Depart Buenos Aires in the evening: Day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. Your room is paid for late check-out so no need to hurry through the day. Evening transfer to the airport for your international flight. (B)

Day 14 - Arrive USA in the morning: Morning arrival in the USA. Clear immigrations and customs and connect to your home city.

RATES and DETAILS: