Altiplano, Anden & Wüsten

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1:
La Paz. La Paz, the highest capital city in the world, has been built 400metres below the 4-kilometre-high Altiplano, at the bottom of a canyon to escape the cold. As the city has grown, it has expanded up the sides of the canyon and is now home to some fine, colonial architecture, as well as winding, cobble-stoned streets filled and markets of all types. The most interesting of these is the witches market, where you can purchase many different potions and spells! Nearby are some interesting, optional excursions: the highest ski resort in the world, Mount Chacaltaya, and the “Valley of the Moon” with its fascinating rock formations. There is also the option of visiting the Pre-Inca ruins of Tihuanaco or the famous bike ride down the world’s most dangerous road! Descend from 4700m to 1100m on mountain bikes in less than 5 hours.

Please note:- on some tours it may be neccesary to depart La Paz for Rurrenabaque mid-morning on Day 1 of the tour. This depends on flight availability. If you wish to participate in optional downhill mountain biking, we strongly advise that you arrive into La Paz at least one day prior to your trip departure date. Minor modifications to this itinerary may be necessary depending on the flight schedule to and from La Paz - Rurrenabaque.

Days 2-4:
Rurrenabaque - La Paz. We catch an early morning flight and cross the impressive Andes range near La Paz, descending from the giddying heights of the Altiplano to the lush jungle town of Rurrenabaque for the start of our 3-day Pampas trip. Approaching Rurrenabaque we can see flat land stretching as far as the eye can see and jungle, which stretches 3000km all the way to the mouth of the Amazon! Here we board motorised canoes and we head upriver to our lodge, which set on stilts by the riverbank, for the start of our adventure. Between thick forests of trees are large areas of Pampas grasslands, birds swoop low over the river and turtles hop into the water as you approach. You might even spot a troop of curious Capuchin monkeys clambering down from the trees to get a better look. Jump into the river to and take a swim to keep cool – perhaps even swim alongside pink dolphins if you’re lucky! Watch the sun go down from a viewing deck accompanied by a cold beer before we head back to the cool climates of La Paz at 3700m.

Please note that flights to and from Rurrenabaque can sometimes be delayed due to local weather conditions. It may occasionally be necessary to make this journey by road instead of plane.

Days 5-6:
Potosi. Heading south across the Altiplano, we arrive in the colonial city of Potosi. Potosi began its journey to fame almost 500 years ago when silver was discovered in Cerro Rico, a hill just outside the town. In the late 1700s, Potosi was the richest city in Latin America. The situation declined when the silver demand diminished but these days you can still choose to take a guided tour of Potosi’s silver mines (optional) as mining still continues today in primitive conditions, or wander around the colonial streets but whatever you choose to do, bring plenty of warm clothes. Potosi’s altitude of 4070m makes it not only the highest city in the world but also one of the coldest as well!

Days 7-8:
Uyuni and the Salt Flats. Our journey continues southwest towards Uyuni, the jumping off point for our expedition out on to the great, blinding-white Salt Flats. This natural phenomenon is a massive, salt lake, which forms a strange lunar landscape that shimmers in the sunshine and stretches for hundreds of kilometres dotted with cacti and a few islands, which are home to strange colonies of rodents! Don’t forget your sunglasses!

Please note that occasionally at the height of the rainy season (February, March) it may not be possible to drive across the salt flats due to flooding. Instead we will drive up to the edge of these. This is for safety reasons.

Days 9-10:
Uyuni – Tupiza. Our next stop is Tupiza. The drive here is stunning, taking us through canyons and mountains covered with cacti. This is the land that Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid once roamed. Once at Tupiza we have the chance to do one of the many optional activities here including horseback riding, hiking, or a jeep safari.

Days 11-13:
Humuhuaca – Salta. After entering Argentina we descend from the Altiplano, and travel through the stunning Humahuaca Canyon with its many colourful rock formations, giant cacti and the small colonial towns of Humahuaca, Tilcara and Purmamarca, the latter that is famous for its seven-coloured mountain.

The land becomes more fertile as we journey towards the picturesque colonial city of Salta, a tourist and handicraft centre. There are many fine colonial buildings and a cathedral with the highest church tower in South America! Other attractions include a cable car ride, excellent shopping and ‘Empanadas’, small meat pasties for which Salta is famous.

Days 14-15:
Cafayate Gorge – Cafayate – Valles Calchaquies. The road south from Salta leads us through the spectacular Cafayate Gorge, home of a variety of fascinating and colourful rock formations and the entrance to the Andean town of Cafayate. Surrounded by vineyards, you’ll be spoilt for choice for wine-tasting and winery tours, with several wineries within 10 minutes walk of the main plaza. Furthermore, the town’s other specialities are ice cream, flavoured with the local wine and “vino patero”, wine produced by stamping on the grapes! This is also a great town to try out delicious northern Argentinean corn-based food such as humitas, tamales and locro.

South of Cafayate we visit the Quilmes ruins, built by the Quilmes Indians on a mountainous site, which offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. There is also an optional and highly recommended visit to the regional museum.

Heading south out of this area known as the Valles Calchaquies, we camp for one night at a bush camp under the stars, en-route to the south.

Days 16-17:
Valle de La Luna (Moon Valley National Park) and Talampaya National Park. Heading south we drive towards La Rioja and the stunning National Park of Talampaya, situated nearby. Within the deep, red cliffs of the wild-west style canyon you can find all manner of rock formations as well as pre-Colombian petroglyphs. We also take a trip to the magnificent Valley of the Moon National Park, which is a paleontologist’s paradise with a multitude of bizarre and beautiful rock formations and 200-million year old fossil remains. This entire area is famous for its wine and olive production.

Days 18-19:
Mendoza. Our next stop is Mendoza, quite possibly the prettiest big city in Argentina with its tree-lined streets and shady plazas with the backdrop of the snow capped Andes. Mendoza is situated on the 33rd parallel and wine lovers will tell you that the world’s finest wines come from the 33rd parallel. Vineyards and wineries surround the city, each offering wine tasting tours so you may want to go and decide for yourself. In addition to the wineries, you might also want to visit the “bodega” of Chandon and indulge in a little sparkling wine tasting as well. Mendoza also has many fine restaurants and cafes, and for those who are a little more inclined towards action and adventure there are optional opportunities for white water rafting, trekking and hiking and a whole host of other outdoor activities.

Days 20:
Mendoza to Santiago. Today we say goodbye to Argentina and cross the great mountain range of the Andes to Chile. We climb to the Chilean frontier high in the Andes, along the way stopping in the shadow of Mount Aconagua, which at 6,959m above sea level is the highest mountain in the Americas. Further on, we stop en route at Puente del Inca, a striking, natural rock bridge which runs across Las Cuevas river. Here, mineral deposits have created multicoloured rocks, from rust red to golden ochre and burgundy – a fantastic photo opportunity – and after crossing into Chile we descend around 3000m to just above sea level.

Our tour ends in Chile’s pleasant capital, Santiago, which still retains some of its old charm with a magnificent, tree-lined plaza, dominated by the main cathedral. You might want to catch the changing of the guard at Plaza Constitucion, or take an optional cable car ride up San Cristobal hill for magnificent views of the city and the backdrop of the snow-capped Andes in the distance, or do some shopping for souvenirs!

Day 21:
Santiago. Tour ends and the memories begin.