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TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS

The itinerary combines a short overland in the Calchaqui Valleys and High Puna with a 5-day memorable trek above the clouds.

DAY 01: SALTA. Arrival in Salta, meeting at the airport and accommodation at SELVA MONTANA hotel. Afternoon visit of the city and its surroundings. Briefing with the guide. Dinner.

DAY 02: SALTA - CAFAYATE - QUILMES RUINS. Morning drive to Cafayate through the scenic "Quebrada del Rio de las Conchas" with its impressive geological formations.
Arrival in Cafayate, home of the delicious and unique Torrontes wine. Visit the little village, its craft's market and a local winery. Further drive to Quilmes ruins, site of the spectacular fortificacions and town built by the natives of the same name. Overnight at PARADOR RUINAS de QUILMES. (B- Box-lunch & D).

DAY 03: QUILMES - MOLINOS. Morning visit of the Ruins and afternoon start a drive to the Calchaqui Valleys. Every single little village along the valleys deserves a stop and a short walk. The drive ends at MOLINOS, small little town with its massive adobe church, colonial streets. Across the river is a recently formed artist cooperative, housed in a beautiful renoved house, complete with a large patio, arches and an inner courtyard. (B-Box-lunch & D).

DAY 04: MOLINOS - SECLANTAS - SALTA. From Molinos the drive leads us to LOS CARDONES NP, the Obispo Pass and SALTA. Accommodation at SELVA MONTANA hotel. (B-Box-lunch & D).

DAY 05: SALTA - IRUYA. Morning departure from Salta along a winding mountain road, where we will appreciate an exuberant subtropical vegetation including a varied number of ferns, parasite plants, ancient native trees, and multicolored birds. We drive into the historical and fantastic Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca canyon), where we visit many typical colonial towns on the way to Iruya. We arrive at Humahuaca, 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 tip of the mountains and overlooking the valleys. Its population with a strong mixture of the mestizo and the local coya, still keeps its ancients traditions, as well as a very particular religious celebration (mixture of the Catholic tradition and the native's ones). The religius festivals are memorable as well as very interesting. You will never believe your eyes! Accommodation at the recently opened but comfortable HOSTERIA de IRUYA. (2750 m). (B- L & D).

DAYS 06: IRUYA. Full day hike to acclimatize to the altitude and to get acquainted with the Silent Valleys and its mysteries and its people, the COYAS. Return to the hosteria. (B- box-lunch & D).
Duration of the hike: 5 hs Slope: 300 m

DAY 07: IRUYA - SAN JUAN. After breakfast we load our mules and equipment to hike to the small village of San Juan, and slowly entering the heart of the Silent Valleys.
A red rock mountain path, will lead us to San Juan, after crossing two torrential rivers: San Isidro and later on San Juan. In between we will reach a strategic lookout point "Pantipampa", where we will stop for lunch and be amazed by the magnificent vistas of the valleys below. Afternoon arrival at Refugio CONDOR (at 3050 m). (B-box-lunch & D).
Duration of the hike: 5 hs
Slope: 300 m

DAYS 08 & 09: REFUGIO CONDOR. During these days we hike along narrow paths up the mountain slope, with deep abyss, crossed by torrential rivers and the silhoueted high peaks, emerging like stone guardians, as our only witnesses. Our trail winds, at times up the cracks or passes, or down to the riverbed. We walk into a transversal valley, whose inhabitants join the ancestral rituals and costumes with Christian practises. 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. (B,Box-L, D).

DAY 10: TREKKING to 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 wove the beautiful ponchos.
Accommodation at hosteria in Iruya (2750m). (B, Box-lunch, D).

DAY 11: IRUYA - GREAT SALT FLATS - ROUTE 40 - PURMAMARCA.
Morning departure leaving behind the Silent Vallyes to drive in one of the highest places on earth - the Puna or High Andean Plateau. We return to the National Route to Abra Pampa and start our drive 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:the music, the street fairs and native markets and the gastronomy of the local people.
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).
Accommodation at EL MANANTIAL del SILENCIO. (B, box lunch, D).

DAY 12: PURMAMARCA - SALTA. Morning to rest and visit the small village, its market. Afternoon return to Salta to board the flight back to Buenos Aires. (B, Lunch).

2006 rates per person in double accommodation:
Based on 2 pax traveling together U$S 1888
Based on 3-4 pax traveling together U$S 1065
Based on 5-6 pax traveling together U$S 840
Single supplement (minimum of 2 pax traveling together) U$S 293

** Passengers to bring their own sleeping bags and mats**
** Single supplement applies to hotels only and not at the Condor Refuge**

Season: Mar to November
Level of difficulty: Demanding
Minimum / Maximum: 2 / 16 pax
Departures: Daily