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Those on our group flights will arrive to Calama airport today, after connecting in Santiago de Chile. There will be a group transfer from the airport to our start hotel in the nearby town of San Pedro. For those people who have booked Land Only and made their own travel arrangements, you are welcome to meet the group transfer should you wish (and have informed us in advance). Otherwise the meeting point is at the start hotel in San Pedro anytime in the afternoon/evening.Accommodation: Hotel Altiplanico or similar
This morning we get on our bikes for the first time and go on an acclimatisation ride. We will depart the town of San Pedro and cycle to the Valley of the Moon. Here you will feel as if you have landed on another planet, as it is often compared to Mars due to its red coloured rock formations and dunes. Afterwards we will cycle to some salt caves, before heading back to San Pedro town.Accommodation: Hotel Altiplanico or similar
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 24
Altitude Gain: 393
Today is a very early start as we depart our hotel in San Pedro and set off towards the impressive Tatio Geysers, the third largest geyser fields in the world and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. They are located at 4000 meters above sea level. Departing early gives us an opportunity to watch the sunrise in one of the most important geothermic fields in the world. On arrival we will enjoy breakfast in this beautiful setting, providing us with the perfect way to warm up. On our way back to San Pedro we will see beautiful sites and stop off in the village of Machuca, an Atacameño village of 20 houses which are built from clay, straw and cactus wood. We will head back to town in time for lunch. In the afternoon we have a short ride to San Isidro’s Chapel, stopping along the way at famous landmarks like the Devil’s Throat. Accommodation: Hotel Altiplanico or similar
Distance in Km: 20
Distance in Miles: 12
Altitude Gain: 227
Today is a long travel day so we will get up early in order to say goodbye to Chile and cross via the Jama Pass (4275m) into Argentina (approx. 2.5 hours). We will be making some stops along the way at viewpoints to stretch our legs and take some photos during the journey, including a stop at some lagoons in Los Flamencos National Reserve. Once we clear immigration, we will continue our transfer to the town of Jama (approx. 2.5 hours). In Jama we will have lunch before we get on our bikes and cycle alongside the Jama Salt Flats. We then have another transfer (approx. 1.5 hours) to our destination for the night, Susques.Accommodation: Hotel Pastos Chicos or similar
Distance in Km: 35
Distance in Miles: 22
Altitude Gain: 45
Departing Susques, we transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the small community of Cerro Negro. Here we will unload the bikes and start cycling towards the Salinas Grandes Salt Pans. Here you will have the opportunity to experience riding on salt before making a stop for our picnic lunch. After lunch we have a short transfer to the viewpoint of Abra de Potrerillos (4170m). From here we will enjoy a fast-downhill ride with amazing views of the surrounding coloured hills and rock formations until we arrive at the famous Hill of Seven Colours. After taking some photos we have a short ride to our hotel located just outside the town of Purmamarca.Accommodation: Hotel Casa de Adobe or similar
Distance in Km: 73
Distance in Miles: 45
Altitude Gain: 181
We start the morning with a transfer (approx. 1 hour) to the small town of El Carmen. Today’s ride will feel completely different as we cycle on a paved road through a rainforest heading south towards Salta. This was the route that joined the two main and largest cities in the province, Salta and Jujuy. This is definitely one of the most spectacular cycling stages as you will encounter a serpentine road surrounded by lush rainforest on either side. We will stop for a picnic lunch near the town of La Caldera before boarding a transfer to our destination for the next 2 nights, the beautiful city of Salta.Accommodation: Hotel Design Suites or similar
Distance in Km: 45
Distance in Miles: 28
Altitude Gain: 555
Spend today at leisure and enjoy exploring beautiful Salta. We recommend you visit the high mountain archaeological museum (MAAM), located in the centre of town. Here you will find three mummies of children from the Inca civilization, who were sacrificed at the Llullaillaco Volcano. Only one of the mummies is on display at any one time, as they are changed every 6 months. Please ask your tour leader and they will help you to arrange it. We can also organise a bird watching trip to Finco Cielo Verde.Accommodation: Hotel Design Suites or similar
Following breakfast, we transfer (approx. 1 hour), to the abandoned Alemania village and train station. After exploring this fascinating village, we will get on our bikes and start cycling along the Conchas River. We will pass many interesting rock formations which have over the years received names like the Amphitheatre and the Devil’s Throat. Today is our longest ride but we end in the tranquil town of Cafayate, which is renowned for its wine production. Accommodation: Grace Cafayate or similar
Distance in Km: 85
Distance in Miles: 53
Altitude Gain: 877
This morning we cycle towards the Sacred City of Quilmes. These are Calchaquí native ruins, from a tribe who once lived amongst the Calchaquí mountain range. It is considered as the largest pre-Colombian settlement in Argentina. We will have a guided tour of the ruins before having lunch and then transfer (approx. 1 hour) back to Cafayate. On route we will stop at Las Arcas de Tolombon Winery for some wine tasting.Accommodation: Grace Cafayate or similar
Distance in Km: 56
Distance in Miles: 35
Altitude Gain: 352
After breakfast we set off on our bikes towards the Calchaqui Valley passing through the old town of San Carlos. This is one of the oldest towns in Argentina. After lunch we will take a transfer (approx. 1.5 hours) to Molinos but will be stopping off at the best locations to get great photos. Everywhere you look you will see horizontal rock formations which look like they have been fired at Earth from space. We will pass a few sleepy small towns and hamlets along the way. Accommodation: Hotel Hacienda de Molinos or similar
Distance in Km: 48
Distance in Miles: 30
Altitude Gain: 247
After breakfast we will start cycling straight from our hotel and head on the old National Route 40 to Seclantas. This is a very scenic route as we will be cycling along the Calchaquí River. When we arrive to El Colte, we will stop and appreciate some of the art displayed by the side of the path produced by loom weavers. Afterwards we will carry on cycling until we arrive at our hotel for the night.Accommodation: El Cortijo Hotel or similar
Distance in Km: 52
Distance in Miles: 32
Altitude Gain: 467
For our final day of cycling we will have a short transfer (approx. 30 minutes) to our starting point in Los Cardones National Park. The name comes from the hundreds of cardon grande cactus which are everywhere throughout the park. From here we will have our final biking stage, downhill along the mesmerising Bishop’s Slope. The last leg of our journey is completed with a transfer back to Salta.Accommodation: Hotel Design Suites or similar
Distance in Km: 68
Distance in Miles: 42
Altitude Gain: 546
On our final morning, we transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Buenos Aires. We will arrive in time for the evening flight to London. Land only portion of the trip ends at Salta airport.
12 nights hotels all en suite10 days cycling with full vehicle support 67%
tarmac, 33% unpaved tracksRoutes mainly follow quiet roadsGroup normally 6 to
16 plus local staff. Min age 16 yrs
All breakfasts and 9 lunches included.Hotel breakfasts are normally
buffet-style, and lunches will either be at convenient restaurant stops
during our rides or packed lunches. There is a variety of good quality food
on offer in the hotels and local restaurants for the evening meals that are
not included in the price of the trip. Chile and Argentina traditionally have
a lot of meat dishes in their cuisine however vegetarians can be catered for
throughout the trip. Please ensure that you advise us of any dietary
requirements before you travel so that we can make the necessary arrangements
on your behalf.
12 nights hotels all en suite10 days cycling with full vehicle support 67%
tarmac, 33% unpaved tracksRoutes mainly follow quiet roadsGroup normally 6 to
16 plus local staff. Min age 16 yrs
This trip is classified Road. Activity Level: 4
(Moderate/Challenging). Please see the introductory pages of the cycling
holidays brochure for more important information on classification and
grading. Average daily distance: 51km (32 miles)Number of days cycling:
10Vehicle Support: 100%The set itinerary is not technical, however please
note that the majority of this tour is spent at high altitude and some days
the group is cycling above 3000m where the air is noticeably thinner. Because
of this we recommend that you have a good level of fitness for this tour.
Some cycling experience and a good level of fitness are recommended.
Total distance covered: approx. 516kmTerrain and route: Approx. 67% tarmac,
33% unpaved roads. Some large elevation gains; mixed cycling terrain;
variable weather conditions and some remote locations.Most of the roads are
in good condition, although there can occasionally be potholes and poorer
conditions in some short sections. You should be prepared for some cycling on
unpaved gravel/dirt roads.The roads are generally free of heavy traffic until
we reach towns where we are more likely to encounter other vehicles.
HotelsWe spend 12 nights in a range of hotels along the route. All rooms are en
suite and breakfasts are included each day. Accommodation has been chosen
to suit our group size and requirements. They are all cyclist friendly and
strategically located for the best cycling routes possible.We can arrange
single rooms throughout the trip for a supplement (subject to availability).
Please ask your sales consultant for details.
Our guides are local Argentinean cycle tour leaders who are experienced at
working with cycling groups. They have good English skills and are very
knowledgeable about the region.
All breakfasts and 9 lunches included.Hotel breakfasts are normally
buffet-style, and lunches will either be at convenient restaurant stops
during our rides or packed lunches. There is a variety of good quality food
on offer in the hotels and local restaurants for the evening meals that are
not included in the price of the trip. Chile and Argentina traditionally have
a lot of meat dishes in their cuisine however vegetarians can be catered for
throughout the trip. Please ensure that you advise us of any dietary
requirements before you travel so that we can make the necessary arrangements
on your behalf.
We will have a support vehicle assisting our rides each day so you don't need
to carry anything on your person whilst riding and you'll have easy access to
the vehicle at drinks stops. If you want to opt out of any rides or sections
then of course you can board the bus! The itinerary is designed so that
most days involve a combination of cycling and road transfers - this is so
that we can cover the required distances and ensures that we are cycling the
most appealing sections which are also applicable to the moderate/challenging
grading of the trip.
14 days, normally depart London Fri, return FriItinerary StartThe group
flight from London is an overnight flight departing the day before Day 1 of
the itinerary.Flights from LondonWe normally use the scheduled services of
Lan and/or Iberia (depending on availability). As flight timings and
schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales
staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may
change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks
before departure.Please note that the tour leader will not join Flight
Inclusive clients when they fly to Buenos Aires at the end of the tour.12
days, normally start San Pedro de Atacama Sat, end Buenos Aires ThuLand Only
travellers should meet the group at the start hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.
Your 'Final Joining Instructions' will confirm the hotel details but you can
contact us beforehand to confirm and make your travel arrangements.Getting
from Calama airport to the start hotel is a journey of around 1.5 hours.
There are taxis or colectivos (shared vans) available at
the arrivals terminal to take you.Alternatively, you can meet the group
flight transfer at Calama airport and join at no extra expense. Ask Exodus
for the flight number and transfer time. It is a small airport and the leader
will make themselves visible by holding an Exodus branded arrivals card.At
the end of the trip, those booking Land Only will finish in Salta and can
join the group transfer to the airport if they like.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.If you require airport transfers, you may (by
prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are
arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please
check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take
this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at
your own expense.
Departures are organised between April and October, to avoid the rainy
season. During these months the temperatures in San Pedro de Atacama reach a
maximum high of 24ºC, and a maximum low of about 1ºC. In Salta it is very
similar with a maximum high of 26ºC, and a maximum low of about 3ºC.
Cycling helmet (compulsory on this trip)Water bottle(s)Cycling
shortsWaterproof jacketHigh factor sun creamSun hatSunglassesPhotocopy of
Passport (page showing name and number)Just in case you experience any
issues with your main luggage, we strongly recommend packing a set of your
cycling clothes in your carry-on bags.
Your own saddleYour own pedalsCycling glovesWalking shoesWaterproof trousers
(for optional volcano trek)
Local Bike Details: Giant Fathom 2 and Specialized Rockhopper
Average meal prices in Argentina equate to about US$10-20 and in Chile
slightly more in general US$20-25. The price of a beer in both countries is
approx. US$3-4.
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus. Although
tipping is entirely discretionary, it is customary in this part of the world
and as such we recommend an allowance of US$5 per day for your cycling leader
plus US$2-3 each for the driver and assistant leader. The team may ask for a
kitty at the start of the trip in order to cover tipping for hotel porters
etc.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation Airport transfers for Land Only
bookings
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