Immersive Raid in Andean Lands
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Salta
2200 miles
13 days
Immersive Raid in Andean Lands
Salta
| 2200 miles
| 13
days
starting from
£5,358.00
Embark on a 13-day odyssey through Argentina, where Route 40 serves as your guide. This iconic road, stretching along the Andes from the north to the south of the country, offers a mix of paved roads and dirt trails, promising an immersion into a natural spectacle of diversity. Between the vast expanses of the high Andean plateaus and verdant oases, such as the renowned vineyards of Cafayate, this adventure is an invitation to cultural discovery, marked by enriching encounters with the inhabitants of charming villages along the way, witnesses to a living colonial and Inca heritage.
Prerequisites
| Permit required |
|
Inclusions
- Accommodation for 12 nights
- A Himalayan motorcycle (recent model with mechanical parts)
- Land transfers as planned in the programme in a private vehicle
- Guidance: a French-speaking motorcycle guide (on biking days)
- Fuel
- Support from a local team: mechanic and local guide as well as a support vehicle driver from 4 participantsUn véhicule d’assistance et de portage de matériel à partir des groupes de 4 personnes, sacoches cavalières pour les groupes inférieurs à 4 personnes
- A support and equipment transport vehicle for groups of 4 people, saddlebags for groups of fewer than 4 people
- Accommodation: Standard/comfort hotel, in Twin (two single beds) or Triple (three single beds) rooms. Individuals traveling alone, without a single room option, will share a Twin or Triple room with one or two other participants
- Meals: Full board (breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during biking days except lunch on day 8)
- Third-party motorcycle insurance
- Entry to regional parks and sites planned in the programme: the Termes at Volcan Tuzgle, the Quilmes ruins, the Pucara de Tilcara ruins, Laguna de Brealito, Mirador de Hornocal
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Day 1: Salta
Land in Argentina and discover Salta, a dazzling city nestled in a fertile valley in the shadow of the Andes. Admire its colonial architecture, among which the Cabildo and the Cathedral stand out, and don't miss the San Francisco church, known for its striking red facade. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: From Salta to Iruya (290 km)
Your motorised adventure starts on the picturesque Route 9 heading north, before diving into the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO spectacle of multicoloured mountains. Continue on a track leading to Iruya, a village surrounded by cliffs, perched at 2780 meters altitude.
Day 3: Iruya to Cusi Cusi (240 km)
Rise early to possibly watch the condors leave their nest. Your journey leads to Cusi Cusi, on the edge of Bolivia, where you'll discover the mystical “Valle de la Luna”. The night will be spent in the intimacy of a remote village, closely touching local life.
Day 4: Cusi Cusi to Humahuaca (240 km)
On the way to Humahuaca, you briefly rejoin Route 40 before returning to Route 9. Humahuaca welcomes you with its cobbled streets and colonial houses, in the enchanting setting of the Quebrada.
Day 5: Humahuaca to Purmamarca (120 km)
Head to the “Mirador del Hornocal” for a breathtaking view from 4350 meters altitude. The day continues with a visit to the Pucara de Tilcara, an ancestral Indian testimony.
Day 6: From Purmamarca to San Antonio De Los Cobres (260 km)
Dawn breaks and Route 52 awaits to lead you to the Salinas Grandes, after climbing the Cuesta de Lipan. This salt desert, a true natural wonder, promises a unique experience, where salt stretches as far as the eye can see. After lunch in Susques, continue on Route 40, climbing the Andean heights to San Antonio de los Cobres, close to the Tuzgle volcano, where hot springs offer a well-deserved moment of relaxation.
Day 7: From San Antonio De Los Cobres to Cachi (145 km)
This day marks your ascent to the highest point of this adventure on Route 40, the Abra del Acay pass at 4850 meters altitude, one of the highest in the Americas. The panoramic view is simply breathtaking, with a 360-degree decor of the Andes. The descent leads you to Cachi, a picturesque village where you arrive in the late afternoon for a well-deserved evening of rest.
Day 8: Cachi
Take the time to stroll through Cachi, a village that charms with its cobbled streets and colonial architecture. The Pio Pablo Diaz Museum invites you on a journey through time, with its pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial collections. For those looking to relax, the central square offers a haven of peace, ideal for enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of the village.
Day 9: From Cachi to Cafayate (200 km)
Your route leads through the Parque nacional de los Cardones, offering views of epic landscapes before reaching the Laguna de Brealito, a hidden gem. The road then takes you to Cafayate, famous for its vineyards and its importance on the Northern Argentine wine route. The city, rich in culture, art, and gastronomy, promises a memorable stop.
Day 10: From Cafayate to Andalgala (230 km)
After Cafayate, the road heads to the ancient ruins of Quilmes, testimonies of a forgotten civilization. You then cross the Capillitas mine, famous for its Rhodochrosite deposits. The winding road to Andalgala offers spectacular mountain panoramas, promising an unforgettable adventure.
Day 11: From Andalgala to Tafi del Valle (220 km)
The day starts with an impressive climb on the Chilca track, offering breathtaking views over the Catamarca desert. Crossing the Aconquija national park, you witness a rapid transformation of landscapes, from arid deserts to the green mountains of Tafi Del Valle, a dramatic change marking the diversity of this adventure.
Day 12: From Tafi del Valle to Salta (310 km)
For the last biking day, you head back towards Cafayate, crossing the Quebrada de Las Conchas, an impressive canyon listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shapes and colours of the rocks offer an unforgettable natural spectacle. Your return to Salta marks the end of this incredible two-wheel adventure.
Day 13: Salta Airport
Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy the last moments in Salta before the transfer to the airport.
Important Information
*Rider price: price for a single person, in a private single room or shared room
*Passenger price: price for a passenger in a double room or private single room
*Passenger price: price for a passenger in a double room or private single room
The price does not include:
- Mandatory insurance: an insurance covering on-site medical expenses
- Repatriation assistance, covering you in case of two-wheeler accidents (large displacement)
- Legal assistance
- International flights
- A deposit of €600 per rider
- Bank charges
- Tips (deeply ingrained in Argentine culture)
- Lunch on Day 8 and non-biking days
- Alcoholic beverages and tea, coffee, soft drinks, etc.
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
