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Journey from Cachi - 15 days Cachi to San Pedro de Atacama plus Buenos Aires & Santiago

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

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

Day 2 - Arrive Buenos Aires: Morning arrival. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to the Cesar Park Hotel, in the heart of fashionable Recoleta for 2 nights with Buffet Breakfast daily. Your room is paid for guaranteed immediate check-in upon arrival. Afternoon 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.

Day 3 - Buenos Aires : Day at leisure to explore Buenos Aires at your own pace. This evening you will enjoy the Rojo Tango Experience, with dinner and tango show. (B/DS)

Day 4 - Buenos Aires-Salta - Cachi: Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Salta, in the northwest of the country and one of the oldest colonial cities in Argentina. Meeting upon arrival Salta by explora staff from Finca Rancagua, for scenic three hour drive to the town of Cachi, whose name comes from Quechua and signifies “salt.”  At 8 km from Cachi we find our  the “Finca Rancagua,” which features a sweeping view of the valley and mountains; we will spend 3 nights here. (B/L/D)

Days 5 & 6 - Calchaquíes Valleys
During the morning we will walk around the area of the Finca Rancagua, and the Calchaquíes valleys, along a semi-mountainous, arid terrain, which features rocks sculpted by the wind. Until the mid 20th century, this was a grazing region for cattle, horses and mules, which were later taken to the Atacama Desert to attend to the needs of the nitrate and copper mines northern Chile.  Innumerable streams of fresh water descend from the mountains to the valleys and join the salt water Calchaquíes River, giving life to several agricultural areas with diverse cultivations. During our walk we can appreciate archeological ruins and rock paintings made by the Calchaquíes Indians, who thousands of years ago developed a unique agro-alfalfa culture. We then will approach the Nevado de Cachi mountain, which at 20,926 feet above sea level is the highest in the region. (B/L/D)
     During these days you will properly acclimatize to continue the journey through the altiplano.

Day 7 - Through the Andes - Cachi to La Quesera "camp":
We begin our journey through the Andes early, leaving from the Finca Rancagua and walking to the crater of one of the Twin Volcanoes. We then continue the excursion in the Poma sector, a mountain village at 9,840 feet above sea level that is dedicated to raising goats and sheep. In the late afternoon we arrive at our camp “La Quesera,” at 11,480 feet above sea level. This area gets its name from local resident Mrs. Berta, who makes traditional goat cheese. (B/L/D)

Day 8 - Cross into Chile - La Quesera to El Laco "camp":
We continue our journey to Chile crossing through the Abra del Acay, a road whose highest point is at 16,072 feet above sea level, and from where we can see the Calchaquí River. Advancing toward the international border Sico, at 13,497 feet above sea level, we will eventually arrive in the afternoon to our camp “El Laco,” one of the highest and most isolated camps during our journey. Here we can live the experience of early pioneers who crossed through this region on foot or by mule. (B/L/D)

Day 9 - El Laco to San Pedro de Atacama:
We will leave early from El Laco and head toward the Atacama Desert, stopping for a 3-hour walk at the Salar de Aguas Calientes at 13,120 feet above sea level and featuring a landscape made of salt flats, mountains and volcanoes. We will arrive at the town of San Pedro de Atacama (8,000 feet above sea level) 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 10 - San Pedro de Atacama: Today you will choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Day 11 - San Pedro de Atacama: Again today you can choose from the menu of excursions as offered by Explora. (B/L/D)

Day 12 - San Pedro de Atacama: One last day to explore the area Explora style. (B/L/D)

Day 13 - San Pedro de Atacama - Calama - Santiago: Morning transfer to the airport for flight south to Santiago. Meeting upon arrival and transfer to your hotel, the Sheraton Santiago in the lively Providencia neighborhood. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit main points of interest in Santiago including the Pre-Columbian Museum, a drive up Cerro San Cristobal for a bird's-eye panoramic view of the city and wine tasting at the Wine House. (B)

Day 14 - Depart Santiago: Morning at leisure to explore at your own pace. Mid-day pick-up for an hour's drive to the Santa Rita winery where you will enjoy lunch at the vineyard's popular Dona Paula's restaurant, a visit to the winery and the small but excellent musuem. Your hotel is paid for late check-out. Transfer to airport for your overnight flight. (B)

Day 15 - Arrive USA: Arrive the USA in the morning, clear immigrations and customs and make connections to your home city.

RATES and DETAILS: