CALCHAQUI VALLEYS (2D/1NT)
Day 1: departure from Salta city towards south, through Route 68 along Lerma Valley whose points of interest are Chicoana, Quebrada del Escoipe, Cuesta del Obispo (road with abundant curves), Piedra del Molino (highest point of the route at 3384 m.s.), Los Cardones National Park and Tin-Tin straight. Arrival to Cachi: there you will have time for lunch (not included). The trip continues down Route 40 to admire mountainous landscapes with towns of great enchantment. Bordering the Calchaquí River, we can observe historical towns such as Seclantas, Molinos, Angastaco, San Carlos and Animana. By the end of the afternoon we arrive to Cafayate. Overnight. Day 2: after lunch we return to Salta through Quebrada de las Conchas (Shells’ ravine) visiting the peculiar rock formations caused by rain and wind, such as The Amphitheatre or The Devil´s Throat. We arrive to Salta after crossing the Lerma Valley.
We depart from Salta toward San Antonio de los Cobres, Salinas Grandes, and Purmamarca, following a route parallel to the “Train to the Clouds” railway line, through the Quebrada del Toro. We begin the ascent until reaching 4,080 m (13,386 ft) above sea level and arrive at San Antonio de los Cobres. Here we take a break with time for lunch; then we cross Route 40 until we reach the Salinas Grandes, right at the border between Salta and Jujuy. Next, we start the descent via the Cuesta de Lipán—where condors are often spotted—until reaching the town of Purmamarca and its famous Hill of Seven Colors.
One hour will take us approximately to arrive at the GLACIER VIEWPOINT, from there and towards the north we will be able to observe the unexplored South Cagliero Glacier (950 m.a.s.l.), which for years remained alive thanks to its orientation and the accumulation of snow from Neumayer, Cagliero and Loma del Diablo hills. To the south we find the vertical walls of Cerro Treinta Aniversario and its needles, highlighting the Devil's Tooth. From the viewpoint, a short walk takes us to the front of the Glacier where the guides will distribute and regulate the crampons with the boots of the hikers, to begin the third part of our program that is the walk and trekking by the glacier proper; and if the climate is mild, you will have lunch on the Glacier. The average stay over it will be approximately 2 hours, depending on the climatic conditions and the physical level of the group. The return will be made by the same way one way with arrival back to the Information Center approximately 3 hours later. The meeting time with the El Chaltén transfer will be at 5:30 PM.