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Velasco to the Andes

Northern Argentina Adventure Tour - Tour Extension

7 Days / 6 Nights per person*

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*Example by 4 travelers in 4★ accommodation, low season. Flights priced separately. Get a quote for 1 to 99+ below

Velasco to the Andes

Summary

7 Days / 6 Nights

The Velasco to the Andes Tour is a complete Northern Argentina Tour. You will visit the Province of La Rioja in seven days, traveling to the mountains of Velasco, continuing past the Bermejo Valley where you will visit Talampaya and Ischigualasto park. Then travel to see the beautifully colored canyons around the Villa Union and capture some spectacular photos. Climb the Andes to Laguna Brava a high Andean region surrounded by several volcanoes. Next, visit the heights of the imposing Famatina to see its picturesque Cuesta de Miranda to the Antinaco Valley. Finish your tour in the low hills of Los Colorados. Note: This is a tour extension, combine this tour with one of our full package tours.

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This tour includes:

6-Nights accommodations
All transfers, tours, and excursions
La Costa Riojana (Sierra of Velasco)
Antinaco-Los Colorados (Chilecito)
Cuesta de Miranda (Sierra Famatina)
Laguna Brava in the Andes
Red mountains in Banda Florida
Talampaya National Park
Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Moon Valley)

Highlights

Costa Riojana
Ischigualasto
Talampaya
Laguna Brava Vicuñas Reserve
La Banda Florida
Cuesta de Miranda
Chilecito
UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in La Rioja

Transfer to your Hotel in La Rioja and enjoy a warm welcome reception. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 2Excursion to Costa Riojana

Today, you will set off for your excursion to Costa Riojana. Visit the residential area of La Rioja Capital, La Quebrada and Los Sauces Dam and Villa Sanagasta. When you reach Huaco slope, have your camera ready for panoramic views. Here you will see a chain of picturesque towns on the Costa del Velasco. Make time at the end of your day to visit the local winemakers and wineries, where you can enjoy a glass of homemade wine. Return to the hotel in La Rioja alternately by Arauco Flat or Huaco. If you wish to extend the tour, you can visit the castle of Santa Vera Cruz and the City of Aimogasta.

Rock structure stands in front of nighttime desert sky

Day 3Excursion to Ischigualasto

Your next excursion is to Ischigualasto. Leave La Rioja and transfer to Ischigualasto Provincial Park in San Juan province, also known as the Moon Valley. Capture some spectacular photos in this desert like landscape and admire the unique rock formations. Here you will go on a 3-hour circuit where you will stop at five different geo sculpted sites. Along the journey, look for some of the popular incredible rock formations like the submarine, the mushroom and the red canyons. Then, cross the Talampaya National Park in La Rioja towards Villa Union. Both parks were declared World Heritage by their ancient landscape and geological value. In the afternoon we arrive at Villa Union.

Day 4Excursion to Talampaya

Another day, another excursion. Today, prepare for Talampaya! Departing from Villa Union, you will venture to Talampaya National Park, also a World Heritage UNESCO Site. Talampaya National Park is the only landscape on Earth that has exposed sedimentary layers from the entire Triassic Period, as you pass by the Talampaya River, you’ll be traveling by destinations where dinosaurs lived millions of years ago. The 2.5-hour Talampaya Canyon circuit starts by entering the dry riverbed of Tala, between straight and imposing cliffs. Throughout the circuit, keep an eye out for the Grand Canyon, petroglyphs, evidence of former inhabitants, flourishing vegetation. Some popular sightings are the Wizard King, the Gothic cathedral, the Tower and the Monk forms. In the afternoon, you will return to Villa Union, where we will visit La Banda Florida, the curious maze of red canyons.

Day 5Excursion to Laguna Brava Vicuñas Reserve

Laguna Brava Vicuñas Reserve is on the itinerary today. This circuit is filled with scenic beauty and incredible landscapes. In one day you will ascend the Andes through two very different Valleys, Quebrada de la Troya and the multicolor Quebrada del Penon. Once through the valleys, you will reach a vast highland at more than 4,200 meters (13,100 ft), where Laguna Brava lies. Laguna Brava is a beautiful lake located in the high Andes, surrounded by several volcanoes. The “Vicuñas Reserve” has been declared a reserve to protect the flora and fauna.

Today you will also visit Vinchina, Diaguitas Stars, Quebrada de la Troya, Jagüé, the last town and many historical shelters. Climb the multicolor mountain of Quebrada del Peñon and enjoy panoramic views until reaching the Reserve Laguna Brava. Tour around the bay and look for the Pink Flamingos. There are often sightings of vicunas and guanacos. In the afternoon, return to the hotel in Villa Union.

Stone hut on rocky South America landscape

Day 6Excursion to Cuesta de Miranda and Chilecito

Today you will visit Cuesta de Miranda and Chilecito. You will depart from the Villa Union, crossing the mountains of Famatina past the colorful Cuesta de Miranda. Today’s visits will include the historic Mine La Mexicana monument, station 1, the mining museum, Samay Huasi Museum of Joaquin V. Gonzalez, Santa Florentina Winery, and Rio del Oro. Take a break from the historical sites and partake in a wine tasting of the famous Torrontés white wine, exclusive to this region. Once afternoon strikes, make your way back to the city of La Rioja by Los Colorados.

Day 7Departure

This afternoon, depart for home or to your next South American destination. This tour of can be easily customized to include any additional destinations you would like to visit.

Summary

Note: This is a tour extension, combine this tour with one of our full package tours.

Tour Highlights

Costa Riojana
Ischigualasto
Talampaya
Laguna Brava Vicuñas Reserve
La Banda Florida
Cuesta de Miranda
Chilecito
UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Included

6-Nights accommodations
All transfers, tours, and excursions
La Costa Riojana (Sierra of Velasco)
Antinaco-Los Colorados (Chilecito)
Cuesta de Miranda (Sierra Famatina)
Laguna Brava in the Andes
Red mountains in Banda Florida
Talampaya National Park
Ischigualasto Provincial Park (Moon Valley)

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