Day 1 Calama - San Pedro de Atacama
We welcome you at the Calama Airport and transfer you to San Pedro de Atacama. Will have the rest of the day to enjoy the town.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: none.

Day 2 San Pedro de Atacama - Valle de la Luna
Early in the morning after breakfast, we will visit an area near town known as “La Cordillera de la Sal (‘’Mountain range made of SALT’’) with its very own particular formations. From there we’ll have an unforgettable view of Los Andes and the valleys around the town. In the afternoon we’ll do a small trek to the Valle de la Luna; located at 17 km from San Pedro in the area of the Cordillera de la Sal, it has an especial appeal for its amazing resemblance to the lunar surface.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 3 Salar Grande y Trekking to the Valley of San Bartolo
This day we’ll visit the Atacama’s Great ‘’Salar’’ (Stone formations made of Salt). It’s known all around the world as 3rd one of its dimensions. In it we’ll also get to see the flamencos that live in the region. Later we’ll continue till Toconao, small towns known for its art craft. In the afternoon, we’ll start our trek thru the valley of Catarpé we’ll walk to the beginning of the river San Bartola; once there, 'petroglifos' (small incrustations of marine life in stone) can be found. Then we keep going until we reach the 2700 meters of high, where we’ll camp.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 4 Trekking San Bartolo - Rio Grande
Today, already acclimatized, we will begin to gain altitude, join a river-bed where we find weird stone formations and giants’ cactus that emerge from the arid desert.
We will continue up to the 3500 metres high, around the area of Rio Grande, a small village where we have our second Camp site.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 5 Trekking Rio Grande - Machuca
After breakfast, we leave behind Rio Grande Village and we will go through an area of narrow rivers that create fertile valleys where the inhabitants take theirs “llamas” to graze. We will continue gaining altitude up to Vilarejo de Machuca (4100 metres) where we camp. From here, we have an astonishing view of the Licancabur volcano.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 6 Machuca - Geyser Del Tatio
This day starts quite early in the morning. We will depart before dawn (4 AM) in order to go to the TATIO volcano, located 4500 meters over the level of the sea. First thing we’ll do once we arrive is to go to the geothermal field located in the mountain range of Los Andes. Early in the morning this place has an amazing steamy activity because of the high temperatures that are coming up from the craters. The boiling water, the huge columns on steam and the water that runs underneath the surface makes of this, and unforgettable experience.
We will have breakfast here, and then we’ll take a walk and those who want to might take a bath in the warm water near the geysers. (That’s why we recommend you to bring along besides warm clothing, a swimming suit, towel, sun block)
Hostería base double o single
Meals we provide: Breakfast

Day 7 San Pedro de Atacama
This is a day off so we’ll be able to choose between different options such as: the ascension of the Lascar Volcano or the Toco Mountain or just take a look around walking or by bicycle
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 8 San Pedro de Atacama - Tilcara
Early in the morning we say goodbye to San Pedro de Atacama and by bus we go back to Argentina crossing the mountain range of Los Andes. Thru el Paso de Jama we will be able to appreciate the “Salinas Grandes”; then descending over the path of the Lipan, we’ll make a stop at the town of Pumamarca and its famous Mount of the ‘Los Siete Colores’. Later we arrive to our lodge at the painteresque town of Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 9 Devil’s Throat - Tilcara
We’ll have the morning free to discover the town and its unique things such us: la plaza grande, la plaza chica, the town church - and the Pucará de Tilcara. In the afternoon we’ll do a small trek to the devil’s throat, walking along the old Kollas paths and watching the amazing view. After 3 or 4 hours we finally go back to Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 10 Tilcara - Iruya
During the morning, we will go towards the North in a local Bus to the small town of Iruya, a picturesque village just in the north of Salta.
We will have enough time to go around the town, discovering its beautiful cobbled streets and its typical Cappel. We will spend the night in this fascinating place.
Simple Lodging
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 11 Iruya - Chiyayoc
Early in the morning, we will begin the crossing from Iruya, at 2800metres high. We will go up north the river in a slow but incessant ascent, until we reach the Abra Del Colorado. From there, we will descent to the San Juan River where we have lunch. After the break, another ascent is expecting us and then the posterior descent to the Chiyayoc village, at 3100 m OSL.
Walking time: 8 to 9 hours.
Simple Lodging
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 12 Chiyayoc - Rodeo Colorado
Our trek continues thru this amazing landscape. We descend until we reach the valley of the river Trancas. Once there we start ascending again till we arrive to the edge. From there we’ll have a fabulous view of the town of Rodeo Colorado. Later we go back descending thru the Pera River. We finally arrive to Rodeo Colorado town. Estimated walking time: 8 to 9 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 13 Rodeo Colorado - Nazareno River
This day we descend our way thru a wide slope to the town of Molino, keeping always the amazing view of the valley of the river Nazareno in our back. From here we walk up to the place where we’ll put up our camp. Estimated walking time: 4 to 5 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 14 Nazareno River - Nazareno
Last stage of our on-foot crossing, during which we will go upriver up to reach Nazareno village. There, we can discover this typical town and enjoy our experiences. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Simple Lodging
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 15 Nazareno - La Quiaca - Tilcara
In the morning we go back to the northern region or Argentina of La Quiaca, next to the frontier with Bolivia. Form here we continue our way to Tilcara.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 16 Day Off At Tilcara
We dedicate this day to rest, re arrange our equipment and prepare yourself for the final part of this journey.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 17 Tilcara - Veranada de Yutos Pampa
Early morning, we take a local transfer to “Alfacito” (2900 m OSL). There, we will begin our on foot crossing, with a slow and incessant ascent - we have to be careful about acclimatising- up to reach Campo Laguna (4200 m OSL). This is the highest point of the crossing. After lunch, we will descent to Yutos Pampa at 3200 metres OSL.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 18 Veranada de Yutos Pampa - Molulo
We continuo our crossing, ascending till the top of the Mount Cumbre Grande. At the end of the valley, the crowded forest can be appreciated. In the afternoon we arrive to the community of Molulo at 2950 meters of high. Estimated walking time: 6 to 7hs.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 19 Molulo - Abra Del Potrero
We will have a peaceful morning, and plenty of time to meet the local inhabitants and going around the area. After lunch, we will continue with our crossing. Gradually, you would notice the increase of vegetation; we will arrive then, to a place known as Abra Potrero. Walking time: 4 to 5 hs.Semi full Camp.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 20 Abra Del Potrero - San Lucas
We continue our adventure from the Abra of the Potrero (lowest point between two mountains). The thick forest gives birth to plain landscape. From the red land come the first trees. After undertaking a section of forest in continuous ascension we get to see the caserío of San Lucas, located at 2500 meters of high. Later, we slowly start the descent back to the town. Walking time 7 to 8 hours.
Lodging at Semi full Camping.
Meals we provide: Breakfast, box lunch Dinner

Day 21 San Lucas - Calilegua - Salta
Last stage of the crossing between San Lucas and San Francisco. The path continues by the southern bank of San Lucas River, the vegetation is dense and the valley is deep. After crossing Valle Grande Valley, we will ascent to Peña Alta, which is the end of our long walk. There, a local transfer is waiting for us, to lead us through the small town of San Francisco and the whole Calilegua National Park arriving to Liberator San Martín Village. From there, we will move to Salta city. Walking time: 5 to 6 hours.
Lodging at Hosteria double or single.
Meals we provide: Breakfast.

Day 22 Salta - Airport
After breakfast we are transferred to the airport where our tours ends
Meals we provide: Breakfast

Included:

• Incoming services
• Bilingual guide (Spanish - English) during all the activities.
• 9 nights in Hostería it bases double or single with breakfast
• 9 nights in Semi - Full Camp (included: tents and dinner tent or saloon. Not included: sleeping bag or insulating mattress)
• 3 nights in simple lodging (room without private bathroom)
• Transfer Calama Airport - San Pedro / Salta - Salta Airport
• All transportation as shown in the itinerary combining private and regular buses.
• Mules for the transportation of the tents, general equipment y food for all the crossing. We will carry the passengers’ luggage up to a maximum of 8 kg, for the days 11 to 15 and the days 17 y 21
• 21 breakfast, 12 box lunch y 12 dinners as shown below.

The CROSSING ATACAMA & THE ARGENTINIAN NORTH tour is offered with the following type of accommodations

NIGHTS	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21
Lodging at Hosteria double
Semi Full Camp
Simple Lodging

The semi full camping is a pre mounted camping that is set up once the passengers arrive. It has igloo type tents that we used in double base. It also has a dinner tent or dinner saloon with tables, chairs and a complete set of dishes.

Meals
The following meals are provided in this program.

DAYS	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Breakfast
Box Lunch
Dinner

Not included:

• Medical and life insurance.
• Tips.
• Drinks and beverages (all foods are without alcoholic or non alcoholic drinks).
• Flights or airport taxes.
• Optional excursions.
• Services not shown or detailed in the program.

Notes
Argentina Discovery holds the right of changing the itinerary or cancel any of the activities when any natural cause (or any other cause of any type) justifies it in order to look after the group safety
The tour can start in Salta (Argentina) and from there take the bus to San Pedro de Atacama. If this is the case, you will probable need an extra night in Salta.

¿Is this tour for me?
We qualify this tour as "Intense". This means that you need to be fit to enjoy it. No previous technical knowledge is required. The group will walk an average of 6 to 7 hours a day, may be 9 in some specific days, at a moderate pace and with all the necessary stops for water, snacks or rest. The trek includes up hills and down hills, some of them quite steady.

List of suggested personal equipment:

• Backpack, 50 lts or so
• Sleeping bag down or synthetic for -10ºC
• Sleeping mattress
• Trekking shoes or boots
• Thermal underwear
• Trekking pants
• Fleece
• Breathable parka and over pants
• Gaiters
• Gloves
• Thermal socks
• The necessary spare cloth
• Wool hat
• Sun hat
• Sun glasses
• Sun screen (UV is very strong during the southern spring, from September thru December)
• Personal items
• Lamp
• Trekking poles (recommended, if you are use to them)
• Personal medication
• Personal documents to cross the border between Argentina and Chile.