Climbing, Nevado Chani (5930m) Cerro Tuzgle (5486m), & Nevado Cachi (6380m)

After breakfast we head to the town of Purmamarca (2330m). In the afternoon we will make a small trek to visit the mountains of 7 colors. Meet guides from Bolivia this day.Trek to the look out of Cardón.
3 - 4 hour drive, 1 - 2 hour trek, distance 2km elevation gain +110m (2420m)/-110 (2310m) (B) Hotel 3*

Another day for acclimatizing and today we can reach over the 4000m mark. We drive for about an hour to reach a place called Monolito Custa de Lipan. At this place we start our hike up the mountain. Same way back down.
1 hour drive each way, 4 - 5 hour trek, distance 9km, elevation gain + 300m (4495m)/-300 (4195m) (B, Box Lunch) Hotel 3*

Drive out to the base camp. We can stop at Salinas Grandes along the way and visit the Salar (salt flat). From Salinas Grandes we take a small road up to the base camp. At base camp there is a small private hut. In the afternoon we can make a small acclimatizing trek in the area depending on how we are feeling.
4 - 5 hour drive, small trek (BLD) Camping/Refugee

After breakfast we trek up to the high camp. High camp are some old stone houses. We can sleep and cook inside.
3 - 4 hour trek, distance 3km, elevation gain +655m (4930m) (BLD) Camping

Early start in the morning for the summit. Once on the summit we head back down the same way. We meet the mules to carry equipment back down to base camp. From here we drive to San Antonio de Los Cobres where we spend the night in this small town.
8 - 10 hour trek, distance 12km, elevation gain +900m (5930m)/-1555m (4275m), 2 hour drive (BL) Hotel 2*

Drive out to base of Cerro Tuzgle. We will be able to drive part of the way up the road up to an old mine. Depending on how we are feeling we can start our accent from higher up. Full day trek to the summit. Same way back down
1 hour drive each way, 6 - 8 hour trek, distance 15km, elevation gain +900m (5486m)/-900m (4570m) (BL) Hotel 2*

Drive to Cachi. The drive is very pictures with lots of different colored mountains, set in a desert. Cachi is a popular tourist town for the Argentines during the summer months where the cooler mountain air can be felt.
4 - 5 hour drive (B) hotel 3*

Drive to the end of the road from where we start our trek up to camp 1. Porters carry equipment up to camp 1.
45 minute drive, 7 - 8 hour trek, distance 8km, elevation gain +1000m (4200m) (BLD) Camping

We keep heading up the valley to camp 2. We keep following the valley through the rocks and old moraine. It’s a long day, we make camp below a steep scree slop. Porters carry equipment up to camp 2.
7 - 8 hour trek, distance 9km, elevation gain +1150m (5350m) (BLD) Camping

Early start for the summit. There is no more trail and the first part we follow a long ridge to reach 6000m. Once on top of the ridge it becomes a flat and broad. We have a bit of up and down before we reach the final ridge to the summit. Same way back down.
8 - 14 hour climb, distance 12km, elevation gain +1030m (6380m)/-1030m (5350m) (BLD) Camping

Spare day for bad weather, rest or trek out in two days.
(BLD) Camping

Early star for the long trek back down the valley to Cachi. We basically follow the same valley all the way down to the end of the road. Transfer to Cachi, drop off at hotel.
9 - 12 hour trek, distance 17km, elevation gain -2150m (3200m)
45 minute drive (BL) hotel 3*

After breakfast we drive back to Salta. We can make a couple of stops along the way. One of the places we drive through is the Parque Nacional Los Cardones. A park with many views of the mountains and large cacti.
3 - 4 hour drive (B) hotel 3*

Drop off at airport
(B)
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