Overland Travel to the Earth Beginnings ATWS 2017 - - Pre-Summit Adventure trip 3 days (3 days/2 nights), October 13-15, 2017 , Argentina. (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide) Guide) DeAtura (Ph: Sebastian del Val,

www.dealtura.com.ar / Sea Eyes / Sea Eyes Ojos de Mar 2 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Pocitos Salt Flat (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide)

About us

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Renato & Martin Contino Owners A Family Company

De Altura Travel & Adventure, an agency that emerges from the efforts of a family, each and every one of them contributed to achieve this. Renato and Martin Contino, are the visible face of this family business. We have been working in tourism for years, so we decided to start our trip, our project, our own agency, getting there took a lot of effort and time.

So many years traveling, knowing, acquiring experience, learning from the people who visit us, helped us to understand that beyond the knowledge, the tourist seeks for pleasant moment, and take back to home the best memories.

We have in our hands the responsibility to make the best of their trips, they will feel that they have friends here, and we, we will always be thankful of heart for choosing De Altura to do it.

We are all owners of this beautiful land and that is why we want to share and care for it. Respecting the people, culture, nature, and making this activity: sustainable, for future travelers.

De Altura is committed to organizing and share an unforgettable trip, making them feel part of the place, and why not!, to return again to Northwest Argentina! :)

www.dealtura.com.ar 4 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Tolar Grande Overland Travel to the Earth Beginning Tolar Grande is a small town nestled in the Puna of Salta at 3400 meters high (11482 feet). To reach this village from the city of Salta, we travel 357 km through the wild landscape of Quebrada del Toro and by highland towns such Santa Rosa de Tastil with its pre-Incan ruins and San Antonio de los Cobres. Based in Tolar Grande, we explore places of great cultural and geological interest such as the Arita Cone, Sea Eyes, salty lakes with a variety of birds like pink flamingos, parinas, ducks and gallaretas. We cannot forget to mention Argentina’s largest salt flat, , and the world-famous volcano, where three Inca children were found mummified in 1999 by The National Geographic archaeology team.

Trip Highlights: Traveling through the high puna of Exploring Argentina’s largest salt flat Visiting highland communities and pre-Incan ruins Photographing the otherworldly landscape Light hiking and birdwatching Stargazing high in the desert with little to no light pollution Itinerary map

www.dealtura.com.ar Los Colorados, arriving to Tolar Grande (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide) 5 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Tolar Grande day by day Itinerary (3 days / 2 nights)

October 12th - DAY 0 – Arrive Salta, Argentina. Hotel not included.

October 13th - DAY 1 - Salta to Tolar Grande

Our trip begins today in Salta, Argentina. Our guide will pick you up at 07:30 a.m. at your hotel. We depart Salta and travel through the Quebrada del Toro (The Bull Ravine), a gorge of constantly changing dramatic mountain scenery and multicolored rocks. We take a break at the little town of Santa Rosa de Tastil and visit its pre-Inca ruins. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the best preserved, original ruin in Argentina. It has not been restored. Arriving at midday to San Antonio de los Cobres, a dusty mining town with typical highland adobe houses, we stop for lunch. Our final leg of the trip crosses the Abra de Alto Chorrillo, a mountain pass at 4560 meters/14,690 feet, the highest spend a couple of hours walking and taking photos at the altitude we reach on this journey. If the viewpoints located in front of the seven volcanoes of the spectacular scenery isn’t taking your breath Cordillera de Los range: Llullaillaco, , , away, this altitude certainly will! From Guanaqueros, Pulares, Salim and Arizaro. the pass, we descend 1000m/3280 feet through vast highlands framed by giant salt We return to the village for lunch and use the warmth of lakes and volcanoes to reach, without a daytime for bathing. After lunch, we head to the Salar de doubt, the most remarkable part of this day, Arizaro, considered the largest salt flat in Argentina and the the colorful Devil Desert. Here, the play third largest in the Americas (5500 km2). We spend about between the mountain shapes, sunlight, and an hour driving by the salt flats, with photography stops, to shadow projection is captivating to witness! arrive near Arita Cone, a striking volcanic formation in the After a short hike, we continue our journey salt flat interior. We take time to explore the surroundings. Next, we visit a nearby mining camp, where we learn about to Tolar Grande, a small former mining town the life of these Andean workers. As the sun sets, with the at the edge of the Puna. Dinner is waiting light and shadows dancing over the mountains, we return for us in a local family’s dining room. Driving to Tolar Grande in time for dinner. time: ~10 hours, including breaks. October 15th - DAY 3 – Tolar Grande to Salta October 14th - DAY 2 – Exploring the Puna After breakfast, we depart for Salta along the same route, taking more stops for photography and to visit the Andean We start the day having breakfast with a villages of Pocitos and Olacapato. Olacapato is one of the family and meet inhabitants of the village. highest villages in Argentina at 4090m/ 13,419’. We have Afterwards, a local guide meet us to go lunch at midday and plan to arrive back in Salta around to Ojos de Mar (Sea Eyes), which are blue 6:00pm. Driving time: ~10 hours, including breaks. holes in the middle of a white salt lake, and El Arenal (Sand Dunes) where we End of our services.

www.dealtura.com.ar 6 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Tolar Grande Activities: Hiking: Day 2 - 2 hours, 2 km, at 3500 meters/11,500 ft. Photography: spots during the trip: 10 minutes each one, above 3048m/10,000’ Birdwatching: 10/20 minutes above 3048m/10,000’

Itinerary difficulty: This trip is rated class 2, easy active, due to high altitude (i.e., Beginner level, physical activity; ~2-4 hours activity/day, >10.000 ft.) Participants must be in good health condition in terms of: blood pressure, very good breathing capacity, and previous experience at high altitude. The highest altitude reached on the trip is 4560 meters/14,690 feet. We sleep for two nights at 3400 meters/11,482 feet. This trip is not suitable for smokers. (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAltura Guide) DeAltura Guide) (Ph: Sebastian del Val, Los Colorados

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Tolar Grande

Trip Highlights Photography (Ph.: Sebastian del Val, De Altura Guide.) Close to San Antonio de los Cobres San Antonio Close to Sea Eyes Dry river close to Tolar Grande town Tolar close to Dry river Arita Cone at sunset www.dealtura.com.ar 8 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017

Tolar Grande

Trip Highlights Photography (Ph.: Sebastian del Val, DeAltura Guide.) Pocitos Salt Flat Pocitos Sea Eyes Vicuñas and Flamingos near Tolar Grande Vicuñas and Flamingos near Tolar Near Olacapato town Olacapato Near www.dealtura.com.ar 9 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017

Tolar Grande

Trip Highlights Photography (Ph.: Sebastian del Val, DeAltura Guide.) Devil Desert Devil Arizaro Salt Flat Arizaro Lama in San Antonio de los Cobres Lama in San Antonio Tolar Grande at sunset Tolar www.dealtura.com.ar 10 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017

Tolar Grande Accommodation: We spend two night in Tolar Grande at AFAPUNA (French-Argentine Puna Friendship Association) Refuge. The accommodation is basic but clean with two large dormitory style rooms (men/women separate), shared bathrooms (men/ women separate), both with hot shower. Bedding and towels are provided. Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner) or hair dryers are not provided so please bring your own. There is no internet access/WiFi at the refuge.

Group size: 4 Price per person with special discount: u$s 320.- US Dollars. Payment method: Cash at time of the trip. (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide) Guide) DeAtura (Ph: Sebastian del Val, Near Tolar Grande Tolar Near

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We call it Puna... The Andes... Clear skies, without any light pollution, one of the best places in the world to hunt stars, ask for wishes and fall in love with this unusual nature. (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide) Guide) DeAtura (Ph: Sebastian del Val, Salar Arizaro night and day night and day Salar Arizaro

www.dealtura.com.ar 12 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Tolar Grande The Tour Includes: Private transportation in 4x4 vehicle Accommodation in Tolar Grande refuge (dormitory style, shared bathrooms) All meals beginning with lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 3 Bilingual Tour Leader assistance (English / Spanish) Local guides as needed

The Tour Does Not Include: International & Domestic Flights Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages Travel/Medical/Evacuation Insurance Personal expenses, tips to guides and drivers Hotel nights in Salta pre and post trip

Vicunias in the way to Tolar Grande town (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAtura Guide)

www.dealtura.com.ar 13 PSA PROGRAM FOR ATTA SUMMIT ARGENTINA 2017 Tolar Grande High Altitude Alert: This trip ascends to high altitude, traveling above 3,048m/10,000’ for the duration of the trip. The highest altitude reached is 4560 meters/14,690 feet and sleeping occurs at 3400 meters/11,482 feet. It is imperative you understand the symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and the more severe forms of altitude illness, HAPE (High-altitude pulmonary edema) and HACE (High-altitude cerebral edema) so that you can self-monitor your reaction to high altitude. Take the necessary precautions to prevent or alleviate symptoms of high altitude such as staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, and eating well. Be sure to share any symptoms with your guide.

The Golden Rules

1. If you feel unwell, you have altitude sickness until proven otherwise.

2. Do not ascend further if you have symptoms of altitude sickness.

3. If you are getting worse then descend immediately.

For more information: Altitude Illness at CDC (Center for Disease Control); Altitude sickness at altitude.org

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Weather: Footwear: Weather in October: Clear sunny skies Hiking shoes are usually present. However, this is Hiking socks, synthetic or wool the Andes so please be prepared for rain and wind. During the day, average Assorted Personal Items: temperatures are 11°C and 25°C (52°F Water bottles (2 1-Liter or 2L hydration blad- – 77°F). At night temperatures vary between 0° and 7°C (32°F – 45°F). der) There might be frost in the nights/early Headlamp with batteries (& extra batteries) morning. Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF Sunglasses with UV filter Packing List: Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, tooth- Luggage: brush, shampoo/conditioner, quick drying Medium to large duffle or soft-sided rolling duffle travel towel, etc) Packing cubes/stuff sacks Toilet Kit: Toilet paper, Ziplock bags (at least Day pack (15-20 liters) one for clean TP, one for dirty TP), wet wipes, Clothing: hand sanitizer (You must pack out all toilet paper out of the wilderness.) Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city wear (lightweight, easily washable) Personal first aid kit, medications, blister kit Water/windproof jacket, lightweight Bandana Wind resistant pants Camera/memory cards/battery/charger Fleece/softshell jacket Optional: Down (or synthetic insulation) jacket Earplugs and eye shade T-shirts, synthetic or wool Binoculars Long sleeve shirt, synthetic or wool Hiking pants mp3 music player, e-book reader Synthetic or merino base layers Underwear/sports bra (quick drying) Sleepwear Sun hat Wool or fleece hat Neck warmer or buff Liner gloves, synthetic or wool Warm fleece gloves/mittens

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Tolar Grande

Getting to and from Salta Important Note: Please take note of which airport in Buenos Aires you are arriving and departing when you book your airline tickets. International flights from North America and Europe land in Buenos Aires at EZE (Ministro Pistarini International Airport; Ezeiza International Airport). Your flight to Salta, however, may (but not always) depart from AEP (Jorge Newbery Airfield), Buenos Aires. The distance between the two airports is ~44km and an hour without traffic. However, traffic can be very heavy in Buenos Aries and we recommend you allow several hours between flights to clear immigration, customs, obtain luggage, and transfer to AEP to be sure you can make your connection.

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Tolar Grande De Altura Guide for this trip

De Altura has created a fine selection of collaborators throughout Salta that are not only highly qualified in their own particular fields, but also have played a major role in designing the best possible itineraries for the vast selection of tours that De Altura provides. Whether it’s a in-depth tour of the Andes or an introductory tour to one of the major cities of Northwest Argentina, Salta. We´ll guarantee for your trip a member of our selected group of guides with vast experience in Andean journeys.

SEBASTIAN DEL VAL aid training: Wilderness First Responder with Search and Rescue module. He has participate in the course: 38 YEARS OLD Nature-Based Tourism As an Economic Development

Sebastian has at least 9 years experience in the Tool by Sthephen McCool and Keith Bosak, College of Argentine and Bolivian highlands travel circuit, also Forestry and Conservation, Montana, USA, dictated in the northern . Began his mountaineer career in the Catholic University of Salta, in April 2010. as a member of the local alpine club 16 years ago Photography enthusiast since approximately 5 years climbing mountains in Argentina, Chile and Bolivia as you can see the photos displayed in this program. where he learned how to manage difficulties due His native language is Spanish, second language to high altitud ambients, developing characteristics English and third language Italian. that make him suitable for this kind of trips with adventurers, as well as a former geology student, he can translate in words, during the excursion, the landscapes extravagance in terms of rocks shapes and colors.

Since 2010 he has complete the highest level in first

www.dealtura.com.ar Tolar Grande A destiny to be discover, deep in the Andes, at the heart of the mountains.

A road in the Andes (Ph: Sebastian del Val, DeAltura Guide)