SALTA: OVERLANDING AND HIKING IN THE HIGH PUNA 3 days – October 13 – 15, 2017 The Puna is expressed in three words: earth, salt and sky. It is a high plateau, located at more than 3,500 meters above sea level (11,483’), where there are eternal snow-covered peaks, black volcanoes, vast salt flats, lagoons full of flamingo and vicunas that blend into the deserted landscape. We offer a mystical journey to the heart of the Puna of Salta, where we visit charming towns, are in touch with Andean communities, eat at the dining rooms of local families, see authentic craftspeople and stroll around different protected natural areas. People here have preserved ancestral customs such as the Pachamama, the misachicos, the apacheta, and the “coqueo” habit, among others. This tourist corridor is characterized by its large number of artisans, weavers, small producers of cheese and sweets, as well as by the breeding of goats, llamas and sheep in the mountains of the area. Trip Highlights: • World heritage: “Tastil” the best preserved archaeological site in northern Argentina • See the route of the most famous railway, “The Train to the Clouds” • The largest Salt Flat in Argentina: “Arizaro” • The oldest living beings on the planet: The “STROMATOLITES” in the Eyes of Sea of Tolar Grande • The Highest archaeological site in the world: The “Llullaillaco Volcano” 6,739 m.a.s.l. • The aboriginal population more numbers from all over the Puna: the “Kollas“ • The most colorful deserts as “the desert of the Devil” • A natural almost perfect pyramid: “The Cone of Arita” The towns: SAN ANTONIO DE LOS COBRES (3775 m.a.s.l.) San Antonio de los Cobres is a town with a mining origin. Currently, it is the most developed town in the tourist corridor as it offers all the services of a city. TOLAR GRANDE (3520 m.a.s.l.): It is immersed in the Puna desert, surrounded by the most significant volcanoes of the province such as the Llullaillaco, the Socompa, the Arizaro, the Aracar and the Guanaquero. ITINERARY October 12 – Day 0: Arrive in Salta, Argentina anytime today. (Hotel not included) October 13 - Day 1: Our trip beings today in Salta, Argentina with a pick up at 7:30am from the hotel in Salta (1187 m.a.s.l.). En route to the high puna in our 4x4 vehicle, our first visit is to “Tastil” archeological site (3100 m.a.s.l.), the best preserved in Argentina. Next, we stop at San Antonio de los Cobres (3775 m.a.s.l.), the former mining town. After lunch, we set off to cross the “Abra de Alto Chorrillos,” a high pass at 4,560 masl/14,960’. We visit the small town of Olacapato, one of the highest in Argentina and the desolate Salar de Pocitos. We take some time to walk and photograph in the “Desierto del Diablo,” a spectacular and infinite reddish plain surrounded by the hills that make up this unique landscape. We arrive at Tolar Grande (3520 m.a.s.l.) in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation. Driving: up to 10 hours October 14 - Day 2: Tolar Grande: After breakfast, we visit the “Ojos de Mar” tiny lagoon where we find the oldest living beings on the planet: The “STROMATOLITES” and then go to “El Arenal” for a little trekking to El Arenal (40 minutes) to appreciate the mountain range volcanoes. Optional: sand boarding with the local people. In the afternoon, we go by 4x4 through the Salar de Arizaro considered the largest salt flat in Argentina, until we get to the Cono de Arita. We hike in middle the Arizaro to the Cono and back (1.5 hours). We return to Tolar Grande in the afternoon. Dinner and accommodation. Optional hiking during the night to see the starry sky. October 15 - Day 3: Tolar Grande – Return to San Antonio de los Cobres for lunch and then to Salta. We arrive at ~05:00 pm. Driving: up to 10 hours Level of difficulty: (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. 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 Group size: 2-4 Price per person: US$420 for non-hosted delegates and traveling companions Payment method: Cash in US$ or Argentine Pesos or Credit card (Visa) Included Not Included: • Private transportation in 4x4 vehicle • International & Domestic Flights • Accommodation in Tolar Grande at Hostería • Alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages Casa Andina (twin share rooms with en suite • Travel/Medical/Evacuation Insurance bathrooms) • Personal expenses, tips to guides and drivers • All meals beginning with lunch on Day 1 • Hotel nights in Salta pre and post trip through lunch on Day 3 • Bilingual Tour Leader assistance (English / Spanish) • Local guides as needed • Tour/activities Tourismo Responsible is authorized and working in this incredible region since 2010. We operate all the year round. Weather: Weather in October: Clear sunny skies are usually present. However, this is the Andes so please be prepared for rain and wind. During the day, average temperatures are 11°C and 25°C (52°F – 77°F). At night temperatures vary between 0° and 7°C (32°F – 45°F). There might be frost in the nights/early morning. Packing List: Luggage: Assorted Personal Items: Medium to large duffle or soft-sided rolling Water bottles (2 1-Liter or 2L hydration duffle bladder) Packing cubes/stuff sacks Headlamp with batteries (& extra Day pack (15-20 liters) batteries) Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF Clothing: Sunglasses with UV filter Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, wear (lightweight, easily washable) toothbrush, shampoo/conditioner, quick Water/windproof jacket, lightweight drying travel towel, etc) Wind resistant pants Toilet Kit: Toilet paper, Ziplock bags (at Fleece/softshell jacket least one for clean TP, one for dirty TP), Down (or synthetic insulation) jacket wet wipes, hand sanitizer (You must pack T-shirts, synthetic or wool out all toilet paper out of the wilderness.) Long sleeve shirt, synthetic or wool Personal first aid kit, medications, blister Hiking pants kit Synthetic or merino base layers Bandana Underwear/sports bra (quick drying) Camera/memory cards/battery/charger Sleepwear Optional: o Sun hat Earplugs and eye shade o Binoculars Wool or fleece hat o mp3 music player, e-book reader Neck warmer or buff Liner gloves, synthetic or wool Warm fleece gloves/mittens Footwear: Hiking shoes Hiking socks, synthetic or wool 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. .