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From the Altiplano to the Jungle
offered by supplier M18532 (view this supplier profile)
Key Information:
Tour Duration: 9
day(s)
Group Size: 6
- 15
people
Destination(s):
Argentina
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Season: November
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 900 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 900 US Dollar (USD)
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This wonderful introduction to the Andean Altiplano, or Puna, as the vast region below the High Andes in Argentina is known, centers around the Quebrada de Humahuaca (Humahuaca Canyon), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most amazing places of the Altiplano. The southern reaches of the Inca Trail once ran through here, later becoming part of the Spanish Royal Road that stretched from Peru down to Buenos Aires in colonial times. YouŽll intimately explore towns like Purmamarca and Iruya, with its traditional narrow, cobble-stoned streets and adobe homes, still inhabited by the descendants of the once-mighty Inca.
Below the Puna lie the Yungas, a long, thin belt of sub-tropical jungle coming north from Bolivia, fed by the waters of the High Andes. Lush, green rainforests with incredible varieties of plants and amazing birdlife. The contrast from the arid desert landscapes above add much impact to this beautiful scenery.
The region also provides an incredible setting for mountain biking, a marvelous way to deeply experience this amazing destination. Another opportunity to live our amazing country with great mountain biking, only as Dirty Bikes knows how to do!
Day to Day
Guests starting with us in Buenos Aires will depart in our van on Friday afternoon en route to Salta (flight to, and accommodations in Buenos Aires are not included in tour price). The shuttle from Buenos Aires to Salta takes 20 hours, arriving on Saturday.
If you choose to fly to Salta, we will meet you there on Saturday.
Day 1 (Saturday): Welcome to Salta
The group will rendezvous in Salta this evening, transferring to the town of Chicoana, where weŽll spend the night at Estancia Peńaflor.
Day 2 (Sunday): Down the BishopŽs Slope and into the Andean Plateau
After our detailed welcome and safety talk, weŽll start our tour with one of the tripŽs highlights! Leaving on our comfortable van, weŽll cross the town of El Carril, and begin climbing the Quebrada de Escoipe, following a canyon sculpted by a river flowing down from the mountains. This beautiful place is surrounded by verdant vegetation and huge mountain chains. We keep climbing the famous Cuesta del Obispo (the BishopŽs Slope), an amazing climb that seems to never finish. WeŽll reach the Piedra del Molino (The Millstone), which lies at 3,348 ms above seal level (10,980 ft). After being amazed by the views atop, weŽll get on our bikes and descend on a wonderful dirt road, with the last 37 kms of newly-paved road. Night at Estancia Peńaflor.
TodayŽs activity:
57 km (35 miles) of dirt and paved roads, with 180 ms (590 ft) of uphill riding, and 2,230 ms (7,316 ft) of downhill.
Day 3 (Monday): Through a rainforest to the Quebrada de Humahuaca
Getting on our minibus early with the bikes loaded, weŽll drive to bordering Jujuy Province on Old Road 9. WeŽll bike through the exhuberant sub-tropical rainforest, a truly amazing setting, and a great contrast to the scenery to come. The narrow, winding road will take us through thick foliage, a true rainforest, where we can spot amazing native birds. WeŽll stop for lunch at the small town of La Ciénega, where weŽll load to the bikes and shuttle to Purmamarca. This enchanting town marks the entrance to the Quebrada de Humahuaca. The town itself is charming, and youŽll feel almost like youŽre taking a step back in time. The locals are descendants of the Incas, whose great empire reached Northwest Argentina. Tonight weŽll sleep at the cozy Hosteria del Amauta.
TodayŽs activity:
43 km (26 miles) of cycling, with 390 ms (1,280 ft) of uphill riding, and 610 ms (2,001 ft) of downhill.
Day 4 (Tuesday): The Salt Flats and the high Andean Puna
After a hearty breakfast, weŽll drive up towards another trip highlight: the vast, completely white and extremely dry Salinas Grandes (Great Salt Flats), in Jujuy Province. The drive goes over the Cuesta del Lipán, bordering cliffs through a deep canyon, and reaching 4200 ms (13,779 ft), from where weŽll have an amazing view of the nearby Quebrada de Humahuaca. WeŽll see guanacos and vicuńas, the wild relatives of the llama. Once over the Lipan Slope, weŽll reach the huge salt flats, and after learning from locals about the salt extraction process, weŽll have lunch together. A great downhill ride awaits us, cycling down the Cuesta de Lipán back into Purmamarca. We recommend exploring the picturesque town and visiting the market in the central plaza. Be sure to visit the viewpoint of the truly amazing Hill of Seven Colors, a nearby slope of exposed rock in all imaginable shades of reds and ocres. WeŽll return to Hosteria del Amauta for a night of deserved rest.
TodayŽs activity:
40 km (24.9 miles) of cycling, with 310 ms (1,017 ft) of uphill riding, and 2,000 ms (6,562 ft) of downhill.
Day 5 (Wednesday): Into the Quebrada de Humahuaca
This morning weŽll begin driving from Purmamarca through the wonderful Quebrada de Humahuaca, passing through the towns of Tilcara, Tumbaya and Humahuaca. WeŽll have plenty of time to take in the amazing scenery that will surround us. At Humahuaca, will detour to Iruya, driving through a dirt road taking us up to 3,900 ms of elevation, and passing through small towns like Iturbe and Chaupe Rodeo. Once reaching the highest point, at the famous Abra del Condor (the CondorŽs Pass), weŽll get on our bikes and begin another great downhill ride, following a zig-zagging, narrow dirt road, crossing small farms and settlements, with ancient terraces built into the slopes. The natural scenery does not cease to amaze here arid landscapes, huge mountains cut by deep canyons, and all imaginable colors exposed in the eroded slopes. The town of Iruya awaits us, another pre-Columbian town of narrow paved streets and adobe homes. The beautiful church in the central plaza is not to be missed here. Tonight weŽll be lodged at the Federico III, a local inn.
TodayŽs activity:
31.5 km (19.5 miles) of cycling on dirt roads, with 420 ms (1,378 ft) of uphill riding, and 1,480 ms (4,855 ft) of downhill.
Day 6 (Thursday): Hiking in the Altiplano
Today weŽll walk from Iruya to the the tiny settlement of San Isidro, located 8 km (5 miles) north of Iruya. WeŽll ascend slowly but steadily, crossing a river several times, through canyons enveloped by the always-amazing mountains of this region. WeŽll hopefully get a glimpse of the Andean Condor flying high above. Once in San Isidro, weŽll stroll this ancient town, and have a chance to shop for wonderful regional handicrafts at the small market. In the afternoon weŽll return to Iruya.
TodayŽs activity:
16 km (10 miles) of walking on trails, uphill on the way to, and downhill on the way back.
Day 7 (Friday): Back into the Quebrada and the Pucará ruins
WeŽll drive out of Iruya on a different road, and once again reach the high pass where weŽll get on our mountain bikes, riding towards the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Another awesome zig-zagging ride from 3,900 to 3,000 ms. WeŽll eventually re-route, heading to Humahuaca, where weŽll load the bikes, and after relaxing for a bit in this town, weŽll drive to nearby Tilcara. Here youŽll have a chance to explore the amazing Pucará, a pre-Columbian stone fortress, which was re-discovered in 1908, and after careful reconstruction, today it stands as it is imagined it did originally. An amazing testament to the technology of the Incan people. WeŽll sleep in Tilcara, in the comfortable Malka cabins.
TodayŽs activity:
52 km (32.5 miles) of dirt roads, with 360 ms (1,181 ft) of uphill riding, and 1,350 ms (4,429 ft) of downhill.
Day 8 (Saturday): back through the jungles, adiós in Salta
WeŽll drive to Yala at the southern edge of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, leaving the Puna and re-entering the Yungas (subtropical rainforest). WeŽll soon reach Los Nogales, where weŽll set up our bikes and start a challenging ride up the Lagunas de Yala park, surrounded by a lush, green forest, starkly different from the days past. WeŽll eventually arrive at a wonderful complex of thermal baths, where weŽll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the weekŽs accomplishments. The riding ends at the incredible Termas de Reyes Hotel and Spa, a fantastic place from which to base further travel for those staying a few days more.
There is a short drive back to Salta Capital (we can also stop in Jujuy en route, from where you can fly home). Those travelling back to Buenos Aires with us will stay overnight in Salta.
TodayŽs activity:
28 km (17.5 miles) of dirt roads, with 950 ms (3,117 ft) of uphill riding, and 610 ms (2,010 ft) of downhill.
Day 9 (Sunday): back in Buenos Aires
WeŽll arrive in Buenos Aires in the evening, after driving over paved roads the entire day.
Difficulty Level: advanced
Days: 6 days of cycling, 1 day hiking
Distance per day: 50 km (31 miles) or more
Support vehicle: available throughout the tour except on the day of the hike
An advanced bike tour allows our guests to cycle at their own pace, but there will be an established minimum of 50 km per day to be covered (31 miles). You will need to be in good physical shape and have had previous experience in a challenging bike trip. You should also possess basic technical mountain bike skills, as we will cycle over dirt roads and single track trails. There will be stages with altitudes of between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level (6,560-9,840 ft), as well as elevation gains of between 500 to 1,000 ms per day (1,640-3,280 ft).
WhatŽs Included
- 13- to 18-person van equipped with tv and video.
- Support vehicle equipped with two-way communication radio (everyday, with on-board service, including granola bars, fruits when possible, and other snacks and drinks)
- Mountain bike transportation during the extent of the tour
- Spare bike available (in case your breaks down)
- Bilingual Tour Leaders, equipped with two-way radios, and local guides
- All breakfasts and lunches (dinners and meals while on transit not included)
- All accommodations included, using hotels, hosterias (inns), and cabins
- Daily Trip Information Notes, with maps, routes and detail on the region
- Pre-trip information package with details on how to prepare, what to bring, and more detailed information
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights*
* 8 days, 7 nights for guests flying out of Salta or Jujuy at tour end
Dates 2008: November 7-16
Dates 2009: to be announced
Trip begins in: Salta, Argentina
Trip ends in: Salta, Argentina*
Flight-in city: Salta, Argentina
Flight-out city: Salta or Jujuy, Argentina*
*please read about transportation options in detailed itinerary
Price: us $900 (please inquire about single supplement cost)
- Please ask us about prices for private groups.
- Spaces are reserved in order of arrival. To reserve your place, please complete the contact form; if you'd like to speak with us, please send the contact form, and we will gladly telephone you.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Argentina
Bicycle Touring
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, ext: 18532
