Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Salta
In the morning, we will pick you up in Salta, one of the oldest colonial cities in Argentina. From there, we will take the Cuesta del Obispo across hills eroded by wind and water, heading towards the town of Cachi, whose name means "salt" in Quechua, the language of the Incas.

Eight kilometers (5 miles) away from Cachi is the Finca Rancagua, a ranch with an impressive view of the valley and the mountains, where we will stay for the next three nights.    

Days 2 and 3: The Calchaquí Valleys
 In the morning we will set out on a trek around the Finca Rancagua, touring the Calchaquí valleys. The terrain is semi-arid and mountainous with distinctive rock formations sculpted by the wind. In the mid-20th century, this area was used for raising cattle, horses and mules, which were later herded to San Pedro de Atacama to supply settlements around the saltpeter and copper mines in the north of Chile.

Countless fresh water currents run from the mountains down to the valleys and mix with the salt water in the Calchaquí river, giving life to the many different types of crops grown in the local agricultural settlements.

While exploring the area we will be able to see archeological remains and cave paintings by the Calchaquí natives, who developed a unique culture based on agriculture and ceramics many centuries ago. Later, we will reach the snow-capped Cachi mountain with, at over 6,380 meters (20,930 feet) above sea level, is the highest summit in the area.

The treks that we go on during these few days will allow you to acclimatize to the altitude and prepare you to continue on to the next leg of the journey.   

Day 4: Through the Andes mountain range
We will start out early from the Finca Rancagua to cross the Andes mountain range. We will trek towards the crater of one of the amazing Gemelos volcanos and later continue exploring in the region around La Poma, a mountain village dedicated to goat and sheep farming, located at 3,000 meters (9,845 feet) above sea level.

At dusk, we will arrive at our shelter at the “La Quesera” dairy, at 3,500 meters (11,480 feet) above sea level. This place gets its name because of the traditional goat cheese that is produced there.    

Day 5: Crossing to Chile
We will continue the journey towards Chile, crossing the Abra del Acay, a road whose highest point is at 4,900 meters (16,075 feet) above sea level and from where we will be able to see the source of the Calchaquí river.

We will head towards the Sico border pass at 4,115 meters (13,500 feet) above sea level. We will reach our shelter at El Laco, one of the highest and most isolated sites, at sunset. There, at the foot of the El Laco mountain and with a view of the salt flat of the same name, we will be able to get an idea of what travelers many centuries ago must have experienced crossing the mountain range on foot or by mule.    

Day 6: Arrival at San Pedro de Atacama
We will depart early from El Laco, heading towards Atacama. Exploring a landscape of salt flats, mountains and volcanos at an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,125 feet) above sea level, we will arrive after a three-hour trek at the Salar de Aguas Calientes. At dusk, we will reach Hotel de Larache.    

Days 7 and 8: Hotel de Larache
While staying at the Hotel de Larache, you can choose every day from a variety of different explorations. On foot, by bicycle, on horseback; a couple of hours or a full day; relaxed or physically demanding.

The explorations you go on will give you a chance to experience the complex geography of Atacama, its wildlife and its ancient culture.

At the end of each exploration, our lodge is always there waiting for you: a place to enjoy and regain the energy you will need to keep on exploring.    

Day 9: Departure from San Pedro de Atacama
In the morning, we will take you to the airport at Calama for the flight to Santiago.

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