TREKKING TO IRUYA TOUR Package

DAY 01- BUENOS AIRES

Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet & greet at the International airport and transfer to the selected hotel.

In the afternoon a two hour walking tour to get acquainted with some area of Buenos Aires and be introduced to this amazing city by one of our fine guides.
Some ideas for a walking tour are:
* Historic Walk
* Cafes & bookstores
* Architecture of the first days of Buenos Aires
* Buenos Aires Today
* Nature prevails in Buenos Aires.

This Cosmopolitan city can be a superlative introduction to an exploration of Argentina. European in appearance, Buenos Aires can keep any culture-oriented visitor busy indefinitely. The city has been a true melting pot of native inhabitants, Spanish, Italian, British, French, German, and Central European, Jewish, Arabian, Greek, Japanese and more recently, Chinese and Korean immigrants. Different aspects of its architecture and the diversity of its districts and suburbs reflect times of grandeur and plenty, cultural influences and migratory waves.

DAY 02- BUENOS AIRES

Morning meet the guide at the hotel for a 3 hour bike ride in Buenos Aires to discover a different Buenos Aires. The ride will include such areas as Puerto Madero and Costanera Sur Nature Reserve. Balance of the afternoon at leisure.
Hotel: Moreno Buenos Aires hotel
Meals: None

Evening dinner and tango show at one of the most prestigious tango venues. Executive service. Best seats on ground floor and upgraded menu. Transportation to from the hotel is included on a shared basis.
Hotel: Moreno Buenos Aires hotel
Meals: Breakfast & dinner.

DAY 04- BUENOS AIRES / SALTA
Transfer from the hotel to the domestic airport to fly to Salta.

Arrival in Salta, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Afternoon a A 2-hour walking tour of the city center that offers a dense concentration of museums, historical buildings and galleries. We will discover the beautiful architecture, its cobble-stoned colonial streets, and the everyday life of this bustling city. It will be the perfect introduction to the exploration of the area.
Hotel: Aldaba hotel www.aldabahotel.com
Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 05- SALTA
Morning Bike Tour in Salta. There will be some possibilities such as the Toro Canyon, San Lorenzo or the whereabouts of Salta. Choices will be informed when booking and will depend on the weather. Afternoon at leisure.
Hotel: Aldaba hotel
Meals: Breakfast.

DAY 06- THE ROAD TO THE CLOUDS
We start our exploration of these areas leaving early in the morning driving along the Toro canyon, which runs parallel to the tracks of the train to the clouds. Our first stop will be the Tastil ruins, the largest pre-Inca Columbian in the Northwest of Argentina. We then follow our way to San Antonio de los Cobres (at 12500 ft, 4080m), a windswept town in the middle of the Andean Puna. Over there we will be able to observe the famous "la Polvorilla Viaduct", a wonderful engineer work built in 1930.

We reach San Antonio de los Cobres for a stop for lunch (not included) and from there head through the Puna (high plateau) towards a huge salt deposit (SALINAS GRANDES), where we will appreciate the rudimentary exploitation of the salt and then drive down the winding "Cuesta de Lipán" to reach a highlight: the colonial village of Purmamarca, at the foot of the Seven Colors Mountain. After a short visit, drive 20 minutes to Tilcara.
Hotel: Posada de Luz (Tilcara) www.posadadeluz.com
Meals: Breakfast & lunchbox.

DAY 07- SALTA / IRUYA
Early morning departure towards the Humahuaca Canyon and Iruya. Along a winding mountain road, where we will appreciate exuberant subtropical vegetation including a varied number of ferns, epiphytes, ancient native trees, and multicolored birds. We drive into the historical and fantastic Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca canyon). We arrive at Humahuaca (3000 m / 9842ft above sea level) where the splendor of the landscape and the presence of aboriginal ruins leave their long lasting tracks in our souls. We resume our trip and, in Iturbe, start our way up toward Abra Condor (Condor Pass - 4000m) where we can feel the "Pre-Puna" (the High Andean plateau). In the afternoon we arrive at Iruya, the small village at the top of the mountains and overlooking the valleys. Its population with a strong mixture of the mestizos and the local coya still keeps its ancient traditions, as well as a very particular religious celebration. Accommodation (2750 m)

DAY 08- TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS
During this day we hike along narrow paths up the mountain slope, with deep abyss, crossed by torrential rivers and the high peaks, emerging like stone guardians, as our only witnesses. Our trail winds, at times up the cracks or passes, or down to the river bed. We walk into a transversal valley, whose inhabitants join the ancestral rituals and costumes with Christian practices. During the hike, we can visit small colonial chapels and see the vestiges of ancient native civilizations. The landscape and the views that can be appreciated on this trip totally fill up our adventurous desire, and the beauty of the place grants an overwhelming sight.
Accommodation in a very comfortable mountain refuge -Refugio CONDOR (3050m) - located in a high cliff with a panoramic view over the valleys. The refuge includes: bar service, hot water and toilet facilities.
Slope: 500 m.
Approx. hike: 6 hours
Maximum altitude during the trek: 3150 m.
Hotel: Refugio Casa Condor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch- box & dinner.

DAY 09- TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS
Full day hiking the Silent Valleys reaching areas of stunning beauty, beautiful canyons and deep abyss.
Hotel: Refugio Casa Condor.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

DAY 10- TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS /IRUYA
Return to Iruya through a different mountain road, which will allow us to visit some small villages along the way, mingle with local people and if we are lucky see the artisans at work while they weave the beautiful ponchos.

DAY 11- IRUYA - SALT BEDS - SALTA
Morning departure leaving behind the Silent Valleys to drive into one of the highest places on earth - the Puna or High Andean Plateau. We return to the National Route and drive to Abra Pampa, where we start our exploration in the mythical and deserted Route 40 at 3800m above sea level.
During our drive we will observe herds of llama and vicuñas to photograph. The multi-hued canyon walls serve as a backdrop for the lively manifestation of indigenous culture. Along the way we will be able to visit several charming village known for their small churches and chapels of varying architectural styles.
Visit SALINAS GRANDES (Great Salt Flats) to observe the rudimentary exploitation of the salt. Drive down to Purmamarca through a very panoramic winding road and the highest point in our itinerary: 4170 m at CUESTA de LIPAN (Lipan Slope).
Late afternoon arrival in Salta. Accommodation.

DAY 12- SALTA - BUENOS AIRES
Day at leisure to explore on own until the time for the transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Buenos Aires.

Arrival transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Hotel: Moreno Buenos Aires hotel
Meals: None

DAY 13- BUENOS AIRES
Day at leisure to explore on own.
Transfer to the International airport.

RATES & DETAILS
rates per person sharing a double room in U$S Dollars : $2132 with 2 people, $1987 with 4, $1903 with 6. Single supplement - $639

Rates are valid through Apr 30th, 2012. These rates are NOT valid for the period of Xmas and New Year´s Eve. Please check with our office.

The rates include:
Accommodation with breakfast and local taxes at the mentioned hotels.
Transfers in private car with assistance of a bilingual guide for arrival transfers
Tours in private services except for the Dinner & Tango Show.
Assistance of bilingual (English / Spanish) speaking guides.
Entrance fees to National Park.
Meals as per the itinerary without beverages.

The rates do not include:
Airline tickets, airport taxes and local taxes
Meals except the ones mentioned on the itinerary and beverages
Tips for baggage handling and optional gratuities for guides / drivers
Personal expenses.

Also see Argentina Hike and Kayak Trip

5) PACKING LIST: Basic pack should include:
· High mountain sleeping bag (-10º C) and pad.
· Trekking shoes (that have been broken in).
· Comfortable gym shoes for resting.
· 1 or 2 pants.
· Windbreaker.
· Polar wear / warm sweater.
· Light pullover / sweatshirt.
· T-shirts (two at least).
· Thermal underwear.
· Gloves, hat / cap, bandanna, sunglasses.
· Sunscreen / sunblock, soap and towel.
· Swiss army knife.
· Flashlight with extra batteries.
· Water bottle.
· Trekking poles (optional).
· Camera and lots of film.
· Personal belongings (medicine).

6) TEMPERATURE - March., April, September, October and November: from 5ºC to 30ªC
May, June, July, August: from 0ºC to 18ºC

Photos courtesy of Puna Expeditions

Argentina Tours and Travel

FULL PACKAGE WITH TREKKING TO IRUYA

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Also see Argentina Hike and Kayak Trip