Whether leaving from the San Pedro de Atacama oasis in Chile, or from the colonial city of Salta in Argentina, the travesía to Cachi follows a route that crosses the impressive Andes mountain range, over the course of which we will explore in depth the ancient culture and surprising geography of the Calchaquí valleys.
On the Argentine side, the travesía will be based mainly in Cachi, the area where the first inhabitants in this vast region came to live thousands of years ago.
Hotel de Larache, 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level From Chile Nights 1, 2 and 3 From Argentina Nights 6, 7 and 8
El Laco, 4,200 meters (13,780 feet) above sea level From Chile Night 4 From Argentina Night 5
Tambo “La Quesera”, 3,500 meters (11,485 feet) above sea level From Chile Night 5 From Argentina Night 4
Finca Rancagua, 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level From Chile Nights 6, 7 and 8 From Argentina Nights 1, 2 and 3
At the beginning of the travesía from Chile (or at the end if starting in Argentina) you will spend a few nights at our Hotel de Larache in the San Pedro de Atacama oasis.
For the rest of the travesía and Cachi tours, you will stay at campsites, specially adapted by explora. The campsites have double rooms and separate bathrooms, with hot and cold water. Each room has camping campbeds with comfortable mattresses, as well as sleeping bags and bed linen appropriate for the climate in the altiplano.
In addition to the sleeping quarters, each campsite has a kitchen and dining area.
The campsite construction varies, as each is built to be appropriate to its setting. Some were constructed out of insulated 40 foot steel shipping containers. Others have been reconstructed from old stone and wood buildings which are hundreds of years old.
Among the explora staff who accompany the travelers on the travesía there is a chef and kitchen assistants. Their goal, as the personnel responsible for preparing all the meals that we offer, is to surprise travelers with every one of their creations, always seeking to bring out the original flavors in the food and avoid alterations and excess.
All of our meals are delicious, healthy and well balanced, perfect for facing the altitude and cold temperatures of the altiplano and the physical exertion of the journey.
The menu for the travesía was designed with the highest standards of quality and includes elaborate recipes with specially selected ingredients. Many of the ingredients we use are local, and the menu also includes some dishes which are typical to the areas explored in the travesía.