Road to the Clouds

Tour the Puna Highlands, Great Salt Beds and explore Pre-Colombian ruins
9 days / 8 nights
From $1,435 per person, double occupancy for 2006

Day 1: Buenos Aires
Airport reception and transfer to Hotel Claridge (or similar). Day at your leisure. The 'Four Balconies of Buenos Aires' city tour is suggested as an afternoon outing (additional cost).

Day 2: Buenos Aires - Salta
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy this wonderful colonial city and gateway to the High Andean Puna. Accommodation at a El Lagar. (B)

Days 3: Salta - Calchaqui Valley - Quilmes
Travel up the "Cuesta del Obispo", famous for its winding and scenic road in "Los Cardones National Park". Visit the ancient village of Cachi and follow the road through the "Valles Calchaquies". Quilmes is the site of the spectacular fortifications and town built by the indians of the same name. Overnight at the Hotel Parador Ruinas de Quilmes. (B)

Day 4: Quilmes - Salta
Morning exploration of the ruins on foot followed by a visit to a winery for a taste of a delicious and unique Cafayate wine. Return to Salta through the scenic "Quebrada del Rio las Conchas" with is impressive geological formations. Accommodations at a El Lagar in Salta. (B)

Day 5: Salta
Day at leisure. Ideal for a private tour of the beautiful city of Salta or a very easy and panoramic bike tour of Salta. You may opt to spend the day at the magnificent Estancia El Manantial. El Lagar. (B)

Day 6: Road to the Clouds - Humahuaca
Depart in the MOVITRACK. This is the route followed by the "Train to the Clouds", one of the highest in the world. This route is one of the most spectacular entrances to the Puna Highlands. Visit the viaduct "La Polvorilla" (69 m high and 269 m long), an engineering marvel. Observe the rudimentary exploitation of the salt in the Great Salt Beds. Overnight accommodations in Tilcara. (B)

Day 7: Humahuaca - Salta - Buenos Aires
Full day visit to the colorful Humahuaca Canyon combining a visit to some remains of indigenous cultures (like the Pucara de Tilcara, a stone fortification on a mountain top). The multi-hued canyon walls serve as a backdrop for the lively manifestation of indigenous culture including the music, the street fairs and native markets and the gastronomy of the local people. Fly back to Buenos Aires. Accommodations at a Hotel Claridge. (B)

Day 8: Buenos Aires
Day at leisure or to request a tour in this beautiful colonial and modern city. A farewell dinner and tango show can be arranged or add an extension to Iguazu Falls. Hotel Claridge. (B)

Day 9: Int'l Departure
Check-out of hotel and transfer to airport for return flight to the US. (B)