Adventure in Argentina | Trip Itinerary

DAY 1-   BUENOS AIRES
Arrival in Buenos Aires. Meet & greet at the International airport and transfer to the Hotel Moreno and check-in for a two-night stay.

This afternoon enjoy 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 2-  BUENOS AIRES
This morning includes 3 hour bike ride to visit the highlights of Buenos Aires in this fun and unique tour. The ride will include such areas as Puerto Madero and Costanera Sur Nature Reserve. This is a shared tour and the meeting point is with-in easy walking distance of your hotel at Plaza San Martin. Here you’ll meet your guide, get your bikes outfitted and adjusted, and depart on your ride.
Balance of the afternoon at leisure to explore the city on your own.  Tonight you’ll experience a traditional Tango show and dinner at El Querendi.  Enjoy authentic tango dancers, accompanied by live musicians, singers and a dinner in an intimate and traditional atmosphere.  (B, D)

DAY 3- BUENOS AIRES / SALTA
Transfer from the hotel to the domestic airport to fly to Salta. (Flight costs are not included in the trip Price)

Arrival in Salta, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the Villa Vicuña. Check in for an overnight stay in a “clasica” room.  This afternoon enjoy 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. A visit to the excellent MAAM museum (Museum of High Altitude Archaeology) is also included. It will be the perfect introduction to your exploration of the area in the next few days. (**Note the MAAM is closed on Mondays) (B)

DAY 4- TRANSFER TO IRUYA BY CORNICE ROAD
We will leave Salta in the morning and take National Route 9 to the North; we will cross from Salta to Jujuy Province and after about 15 minutes  we will reach Vaqueros and start driving by Cornice Road, enjoying nice views of the area and the surrounding jungle.  This road is 100km long and it takes about an hour, the curves and counter curves are constant, we may stop at some of the strategic points to take spectacular photos.

The route first passes next to the La Ciénaga Dam and then reaches the Las Maderas Reservoir, the blue of the water is almost as abundant as the green of the jungle. Once the interprovincial boundary is crossed, we will reach La Caldera, cross the river and this will be the end of the Cornice Road. next we pass by San Salvador de Jujuy, and continue traveling the Quebrada de Humahuaca as we cross Jujuy Province. The Quebrada is an imposing yet endearing Andean gorge of multi-layered, rust-coloured mountains, and ancient settlements. Humahuaca will be the last “big” location on this road.  We then continue north briefly before turning east on route 13. This last leg is mainly on gravel road, and it offers very nice views of the valleys and surrounding valleys.

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. Overnight at the Hosteria de Iruya in a standard room with view. (B)

DAY 5- TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS (TREK TO CASA CONDOR)
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 which are separate from your private guest room. (B, BL, D)
Slope: 500 m. Approx. hike:  6 hours Maximum altitude during the trek:  3150 m./10, 335’

DAY 6- TREKKING THE SILENT VALLEYS
Full day hiking the Silent Valleys reaching areas of stunning beauty, beautiful canyons and deep abyss.  Return to the Refugio Casa Condor for overnight. (B, BL, D)

DAY 7- 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.  Return to the Hosterial de Iruya for an overnight stay. (B, BL)

DAY 8- IRUYA - HORNOCAL Mountain & look out point-Humahuaca Canyon-
Depart Iruya in the morning. We will drive to Humahuaca, which is well worth the visit; a picturesque village of narrow, shaded streets and small houses. We would recommend the local church and the Town Hall, famous for its clock tower where a mechanised San Francisco Solano offers a daily blessing at noon. A visit to the Museo Arqueologico is another must when in the region.

We will visit Serrania de Hornocal, a geological formation that stands out for its different shades of colors, also known as the Cerro de los 14 Colores (14 Colors Mountains) . It is a range of mountains located 25 km (16miles) from Humahuaca, Jujuy. Mountains reach an altitude of 4,761 metres (15,620 ft) above sea level. There is a viewpoint located at 4,351 meters from where visitors can enjoy the landscape and the beautiful visits of the mountains.

The visit continues south to Purmarmarca, driving by the Quebrada de Humahuaca,  an intoxicating blend of the peaceful villages, old chapels, local markets, small museums Purmamarca. Overnight in this charming town at La Comarca/Standard room. (B, Snacks)

DAY 9- PURMAMARCA – SALT BEDS – SALTA
Morning departure leaving behind Purmamarca,  where we start our exploration to Cuesta de Lipan (Lipan Slope), the highest point in our itinerary: 4170 m/13,680’. We may stop at one of the panoramic points of view to enjoy the mountains.

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.

Visit SALINAS GRANDES (Great Salt Flats) to observe the rudimentary exploitation of the salt. The origin of the Salinas Grandes de Jujuy dates from an extensive period located temporarily between 5 and 10 million years BC. p. In such an extended period the basin of this area was covered with waters with a large amount of salts from volcanic activity. The gradual evaporation of such continental salty waters gave rise to this salt flat that has a crust whose average thickness is 30 cm. The area is about 200km2 .

We make our way to San Antonio de Los Cobres (12,500ft or 4,080m above sea level), a windswept town in the middle of the Andean Puna.

We continue our exploration by driving along Toro Canyon, which runs parallel to the tracks of the Train to the Clouds. Time permitting we will stop at Tastil ruins, the largest pre-Inca Columbian ruins in the Northwest.

Late afternoon arrival in Salta, and check-in to the Villa Vicuña for one night. (B, BL)

DAY 10-  SALTA  – BUENOS AIRES. 
Day at leisure to explore this lovely city on own until the time for the transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Buenos Aires. (or other destination). End of our services. Depending on your schedule we can arrange a direct transfer to the International Airport, or add additional nights to enjoy Buenos Aires, or other destinations in Argentina and/or Latin America. This itinerary matches up well with a visit to Iguazu Falls, the Atacama Desert area of Chile or Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia. Additional arrangements can be quoted/advised on request.  (B)

*** Hotel rooms on Day 10 will be available until noon***

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, BL-Box Lunch, D=Dinner