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The Southern Inca Trail
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: October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: Yes
Minimum Per Person Price: 887 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 887 US Dollar (USD)
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A bike journey packed with highlights, through a region that can truly be called magical. You will climb above high mountain passes, reaching the very edge of the great Altiplano (the highest inhabited mountain plateau in the world, after the Tibetan highlands). The Calchaqui Valleys donŽt cease to surprise, with amazing desert landscapes, wonderful colonial towns, and a people marked by an ancient indigenous culture mixed with colonial Spanish heritage.
A fantastic way to delve deeply into a region that is fast becoming a world-class destination. Come experience the magical Northwest with us!
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 in Salta on Saturday.
If you choose to fly to Salta (which we recommend), 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. WeŽll be lodged at the 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 end. WeŽll reach 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 over the wonderful Camino de los Colorados (the Red Road), the name coming from the eroded slopes surrounding us, exposing all shades of red a fantastic sight. WeŽll also cycle through the Cardones National Park, named after the huge cactus that grows everywhere and that is protected here. WeŽll arrive in Cachi tonight, sleeping in a cozy hosteria.
TodayŽs activity:
50 km (31 miles) of dirt roads, with 230 ms (755 ft) of uphill riding, and 1,390 ms (4,560 ft) of downhill.
Day 3 (Monday): Colonial Cachi and the High Andes
WeŽll awake in the beautiful Cachi, a remote town on the very edge of the Altiplano, originally founded by the Chicoano native indians, and an important outpost during Spanish colonial times. Its beautiful 18th century church, white-walled buildings and old adobe homes make for a picturesque, traditional town. After exploring Cachi, weŽll begin our riding, climbing steadily towards the Nevado de Cachi, a massive snow-capped mountain reaching 6,200 ms (20,340 ft). At Las Arcas, weŽll find an incredible lookout point, after which weŽll descend back to town, cycling on to Route 40. WeŽll stop at La Paya, spending the night at the beautiful Hosteria La Paya, a wonderful restored colonial country home with comfortable rooms and plenty of local hospitality.
TodayŽs activity:
42 km (26 miles) of dirt roads, with 1,010 ms (3,133 ft) of uphill riding, and 910 ms (2,985 ft) of downhill.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Cachi to Molinos
After a hearty breakfast, weŽll head to one of the most surprising places of the journey, landing in the middle of red, dry mountains, surrounded by the incredible cardón cactus (a relative of the saguaro). At Laguna Brealito weŽll have our lunch. This scenic and rocky path will offer a challenging ride, with plenty of climbing and descending. In the afternoon, weŽll ride over another isolated backroad, used only by the few locals existing in the region. WeŽll arrive in Molinos, after 3 kms of loose sand, where we might have to do some walking. The enchanting landscapes weŽll cross are well worth the challenging ride. Tonight weŽll be lodged at the Hacienda de Molinos, a restored country manor set in a fantastic location.
TodayŽs activity:
47 km (29 miles) of dirt roads, with 970 ms (3,183 ft) of uphill riding, and 1448 ms (4,750 ft) of downhill.
Day 5 (Wednesday): The Calchaqui Valleys
The small town of Molinos dates from the 17th century, and after a bit of exploring, weŽll begin pedaling on the famous Route 40, which stretches the length of Argentina along the spine of the Andes, from the border with Bolivia down to Ushuaia, on the southern edge of the continent. WeŽll follow the Calchaquí River Valley, a fertile region settled since pre-historic times. WeŽll pass few small towns, and arrive in Angastaco, with lively regional arquitecture and plenty of traditional culture. The silence of the Valley and the scenery surrounding us will keep us awed throughout the journey. Tonight weŽll rest at the Hosteria de Angacasto.
TodayŽs activity:
42 km (26 miles) on dirt roads, with 420 ms (1,378 ft) of uphill riding, and 1,480 ms (4,855 ft) of downhill.
Day 6 (Thursday): Through the Quebrada de las Flechas into colonial Cafayate
Today weŽll enter the amazing Quebrada de las Flechas (The Canyon of Arrows), one of the most amazing sites in the Argentine Northwest. The eroded cliffs and slopes, with the high Andes off in the distance, create an almost surreal landscape, dazzling all that come through here. After 24 km of riding, weŽll stop for lunch, and load our bikes to drive into the town of San Carlos. From this town, weŽll again ride but over a paved road, eventually nearing the desert oasis of Cafayate, famous for itŽs high altitude vineyards. The town of Cafayate is another trip highlight youŽll be made to feel at home by its friendly inhabitants, who still live and breathe Northwest tradition and culture. WeŽll be lodged at the Hosteria Sol del Valle.
TodayŽs activity:
53 km (33 miles) of dirt and paved roads, with 550 ms (1,804 ft) of uphill riding, and 560 ms (1,837 ft) of downhill.
Day 7 (Friday): The Quebrada de las Conchas
WeŽll depart in our van from Cafayate and cycle through the Quebrada de las Conchas, another magical canyon offering enchanting landscapes of strange rock formations and eroded slopes exposing innumerable bands of colors. Similar to the US Western deserts, there are many rock formations to discover, and the colors will change as the sun archs over and behind the canyon. To add to this wonder, the ride is entirely paved, allowing for a day of tranquil riding. WeŽll return to Cafayate in the afternoon, a wonderful town for strolling and enjoying the evening.
TodayŽs activity:
50 km (31 miles) of cycling, with 310 ms (1,017 ft) of uphill riding, and 540 ms (1771 ft) of downhill.
Day 8 (Saturday): The Ruins of Quilmes
After a scenic, short drive weŽll arrive in the amazing Quilmes Ruins, set on the slopes of the namesake Sierras. This indigenous fortress is truly surprising the Quilmes Indians resisted the Inca and Spanish invaders here for many years. Only when their sources of food and water were cut off did they end their resistance. After exploring this amazing site, weŽll shuttle a bit further, to the top of the Cuesta del Infiernillo (the HellŽs Pass), at 3,200 ms, from where weŽll descend a wonderfu paved road. This is the mountain pass where the first Spanish conquistadores to arrive in Argentina came through. The views on the way down towards Tafi Valley are wonderful. After lunch in Tafi, weŽll load our bikes, and drive through the amazing sub-tropical rainforest set below the Altiplano another highlight of our trip!
Our tour ends in the city of Tucuman, the oldest city in Argentina, where independence was first declared. Those travelling back to Buenos Aires with us will rest up before beginning an overnight drive.
TodayŽs activity:
25 km (15.5 miles) of dirt and paved roads, mostly downhill.
Day 9 (Sunday): back in Buenos Aires
WeŽll arrive in Buenos Aires at approx. 4pm.
Difficulty Level: advanced
Days: 7 days of cycling
Distance per day: 50 km (31 miles) or more
Support vehicle: Available throughout the trip, excepting the stage on day of arrival to Molinos (where the vehicle cannot circulate) this stage can be skipped by those who are not interested.
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 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
- Entry fees to Quilmes Ruins
- 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
Difficulty Level: advanced (read description in itinerary page)
Duration: 9 days, 8 nights*
* 8 days, 7 nights for guests flying out of Salta or Jujuy at tour end
Dates 2008: October 17-26
Dates 2009: to be announced
Trip begins in: Salta, Argentina
Trip ends in: Tucuman, Argentina*
Flight-in city: Salta, Argentina
Flight-out city: Tucuman, Argentina*
*please read about transportation options in detailed itinerary
Price: us $887 (please inquire about single supplement)
- 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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