On the Dakar Rally Tracks
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Road Trip ArgentinA2017 ON THE DAKAR RALLY TRACKS www.MONO500.com [email protected] - +33 9 77 21 52 68 (cost of European call) ARGENTINA ITINERARY ON ROYAL ENFIELD 13 days/13 nights – 12 Riding Days - 2200km – Departing from Salta / Arriving in Salta – Best season : all-year except Dec to Feb /// THE MINDSET Passionate adventurers and traditional old-school expeditions lovers, we enjoy hitting the road to unearth atypical motorcycle itineraries and share with our riders, spots and places that have enchanted us. We provide you with our organisational and logistics expertise in motorcycle travels. Our main goal is to make you discover outstanding road-trips with unrivaled itinaries. The motorcycle expeditions that we offer are the results of a thorough work. We have personally picked out all the regions and scrupulously selected every steps of your journey. /// THE ROAD TRIP We offer you to ride the classic Royal Enfield EFI 500 to go on a unique riding experience, following the tracks of this exclusive and mythical rally race, at the very heart of the Andes Mountains where immensity is the keyword. We warm up with an impressive Quebrada de las Conchas, and the journey is already bringing us on the famous Road 40. We ride toward Cafayate before striding across the stunning Qualchaqui valley. The dazzling colorful mountains range of the Quebrada de Humahuaca will leave you in awe. After riding the winding road up to the Abra del Acay, a pass culminating at 4900m high, we will reach San Antonio de los Cobres, a mining town where inhabitants have preserved their ancestral traditions. After the crossing of the amazing Salinas Grandes salty desert, we make a stop- over in the picturesque Iruya village lost in a massive canyon. Then we climb up toward the Altiplano and the Andean highest plateau to reach the Bolivian border before riding down to Salta. D.1 * ARRIVAL AT SALTA D.4 * ANDALGA – CAFAYATE [200 km with 140 km off-road] Upon your arrival in Salta, we welcome you at the airport On this day we will head North towards Cafayate and to according to your flight schedule and we'll take care of your the town of Chaquiago, known for its fruit spreads. transfer to the hotel. However, we need to stay light in order to master the Your guide will make a short brieffing about your journey and breathtaking steep track awaiting us. will introduce you to the Royal Enfield 500. You will enjoy a On the way, we will visit the Mines Capillitas and discover relaxing evening in Salta, and will delight yourselves with local the Inca’s Rose, a sublime red stone, treasure of the specialities. region. Wewill hit the road again, and ride through the We accommodate you with a spacious colonial-style bedroom, worldknown vineyards of the country. in a quiet and central place downtown. In Cafayate, you will be rewarded with a stunning ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ estancia, a lovely view on the vineyards, and a swimming pool. D.2 * SALTA– TAFI DEL VALLE [310 km with 30 km off-road] ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ No doubt this amazing road will whet your appetite! After a D.5 * RELAX and CHILL OUT IN CAFAYATE detour through La Garganta del diablo and the amphitheater, the mirador of Tres Cruces and its view of la Quebrada will Built against buttresses of the Andes mountain range, leave you speechless : simply magical! Cafayate is known as “a paradise where the sun and good At Cafayate, we will reach the famous Road 40, and make a wine prevail”. This charming village with its colonial stop at Amaicha del Valle before ascending the «Abra del allure, situated at the heart of 12000 hectares of Infiernillo» culminating at 3000m above sea level. By sunset, vineyards, is ideal for those interested in discovering the we will end the day in Taffi del Valle, in an authentic estancia, best grape varieties in the region. a charming place to rest. We can organise you a bodega visit or a horse riding excursion at your convenience. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ D.3 * TAFI DEL VALLE - ANDALGALA [210 km with 130 km offroad] We will leave this cute little village to ride through the forest of the «Campo de los Alisos» National Park. This exquisite road, perfectly asphalted we'll leave you daydreaming. The windy «Quebrada de las Sosas» will challenge us as we ride through a dense forest, and come up the highest plateau of the Tucuman region. After one hour through agricultural zones, we will connect with an off-road track to begin our sporty ascension of «los Alios». Comfortable hotel and spacious room will wait for you. D.6 * CAFAYATE – CACHI [ 160 km with 140 km off-road ] We will wake up with dusty gravel and sandy tracks as we ride the national road 40 (la Ruta 40), landscapes of an absolute tranquillity and pure beauty. After 50km, on which we come across a few isolated villages, the path narrows before our arrival at Las Flechas, with its impressive rocky layers and sharp vertical peaks! The road weaves through the villages of Angastaco and Molinos. The night will be spent in a boutique-hotel, at the heart of the adorable town of Cachi. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ D.7 * CACHI – S. ANTONIO DE LOS COBRES [ 150km off-road ] Your mission, should you decide to accept it: Abra del Acay ! The highest road in North/South America, culminating at 4900m, will surely defy us and the iron beast. Large tracks lead you to the peak, only to discover an astonishing panorama. On the way down, the road narrows and requires our full attention as we arrive at San Antonio de los Cobres. A warm welcome of the landlord and a homemade dinner will preceed a peacul night. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ D.8 * SAN ANTONIO – PURMAMARCA [ 310 km with 140 km off-road ] Early in the morning we will take the former Road 40, running along the Chilean border. We start with a challenging track made of sand, screes and riverbeds. Once we reach higher grounds the road gets even better, where vicunas strut around the bushes. In the afternoon, we discover a natural beauty, the impressive salt desert of the Salinas Grandes. We will hurtle down the Cuesta de Lipan with its perfect 35 kms of curves, before arriving in the pretty Tilcara town. Once again, a charming and comfortable hotel will be our base camp for the night. D.9 * RELAX and CHILL OUT at PURMAMARCA Located in between the Andean moutains range at 2460m high, Purmamarca disserves to take time to discover its limewashed stone houses and its atmosphere full of Andean traditions. Take a walk around the local craftsmen and enjoy the peaceful lifestyle. In the afternoon, you can switch the Royal Enfield with a horse for a ride in the middle of the countryside. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ D.10 * PURMAMARCA – IRUYA [150 km with 55 off-road ] On this day, we will take a plunge in the indegena culture of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, we will ride towards Tilcara where we will find the Pucara fortress, a pre-inca village built 1000 years ago. We will ride up north for a weel deserved break at Humahuaca, before branching off the track leading to Iruya. To reach this place we will have to lead our brave Royal Enfield up to a 4000m pass. A long slope will bring us down to the stunning canyon, which shelters the beautiful Iruya town. Rooms with spectacular plunging view on the canyon will nourish your dreams. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ J.11 * IRUYA – LA QUIACA [195 km with 110 km off-road ] We will ride back via a different track to exit the canyon. Once we will reach the asphalted road, we will head to «Abra Pampa», a small town named the «Argentinian Siberia». Up there on the Apltiplano highlands, we will encounter herds of vicunas, llamas and guanacos. A long off-road ride on a technical but gorgeous track brings us to Yavi, a village where time has stopped. Finally, we will carry on the asphalt to arrive at La Quiaca, the last Argentinean town at the Bolivian border. Night in a nice hostel, warm welcome of the landlords and local cuisine we'll be greatly appreciated. D.12 * LA QUIACA – TILCARA [280 km with 130 km off-road ] This stage invits us to ride the edge of the north-west Argentinean territory through beautiful hard-sandy tracks and reach Angosto's canyon. We will cross over the northern pampa to discover the legendary «Laguna de Pozuelos» where 40 birds species come to breed, including the famous flamingos. The National road 9 will lead us down to the Quebrada de Huamahuaca and the town of Tilcara. Night in a beautiful hotel, spacious room with terrace and view on the Quebrada. ▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫ D.13 * TILCARA – SALTA [190 km of asphalt road ] For this final stage, as We make our way down to Salta riding through the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a mountains range classified by the UNESCO World Heritage will embellish the road. This range offers a great variety of minerals and colors, a great show to admire. To cap it all, La Cornisa, a beautiful asphalted road on the hillside, with tight corners and beautiful curves will bring us home in Salta. Arriving in Salta in the mid-afternoon, you will have time to wander stroll around the 9 de Julio square. You will leave the next day, according to your flight schedule. ////// ˮMade likea gun, YOUR MOTORCYCLE goeslikea bullet! ˮ MORE THAN A BRITISH LEGEND The legendary Royal Enfield needs no introduction, synonymous of a thundering roar, a British engineering manufacture and elegance.