DAY ONE

You will be greeted at Salta Airport and transferred to your accommodation, a centrally-located estate house converted into a boutique hotel that maintains its delicate colonial charm.

You’ll have the remainder of the day to explore Salta, celebrated as the most beautiful town in the northwest, due both to its setting in the green Lerma Valley and to its eye-catching contrast of old colonial buildings set against modern urban architecture. Visit the MAAM High Altitude Archaeological Museum, located in Salta’s grand main square, and displaying “los niños,” the mummies of Inca children discovered in 1999 along the 22,000 foot summit of Mount Llullaillaco.

Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.

Overnight Villa Vicuña

DAY TWO

You’ll be transferred early this morning to the location where you will meet the horses and finish any last minute packing before riding into the mountainous forest of Valle de Lerma along the Las Pircas stream.

The pace of the program is slow, with few trots and canters due to the terrain; This allows you to truly enjoy the scenery, speak with the guides, and take fabulous pictures as you travel along. The average ride length is three hours in the morning and three to four hours in the afternoon, with plenty of stops along the way.

Continuing your ride, you’ll leave behind the subtropical forest terrain for high mountain cacti surroundings. At sunset, arrive at your resting point for the evening, where you will be greeted with a hearty homemade meal. The area where you will be staying is largely uninhabited, and your accommodation, used solely by farmers in the area who tend to their cattle and goats, is a simple house with adobe walls, two bedrooms (no beds, prepare to use your sleeping bag), and a small bathroom without hot water.

Overnight at El Churqui mountain refuge

DAY THREE

As you ascend on horseback, the dense forest gradually gives way to grasslands. Once you reach approximately 9,000 feet you’ll have an opportunity to sight condors as you head toward the passage that leads to the deserted Calchaquí Valley. Here, the monumental Cardon cacti are found among multi-colored hills, red soil, and spectacular stars that coat the night sky upon sunset.

With only 150 inhabitants, your next stop is a small town famous for its goat cheese, and the destination for your second night on the trail, where you’ll begin your service work.

A range of activities designed to suit your skills and abilities are available to you—whether you’d like to teach English classes, health and nutrition, gymnastics, crafts, dancing, or geography. If you’d rather do something more physical, you may want to lend a hand with local construction projects. Before each trip is planned, the school's headmistress and the teachers are consulted to evaluate the town and school’s most immediate needs. Therefore, service projects are subject to change throughout the year. Volunteering within a small community while interacting with local people is essential in understanding a different culture.

Dinner this evening will be a traditional lamb barbecue. Tonight’s accommodations are bunk beds with access to a bathroom and hot water.

Overnight in the Amblayo Village in the Calchaqui Valley

DAY FOUR

Rise early this morning to continue your work at the school or on one of the activities you began yesterday. Lunch will be at the school with the teachers and students.

Later, visit the town center and its ancient chapel, after which you’ll ride through the Calchaqui Valley to your next stop at the Isonza Ranch. Isonza’s farm consists of a main house, small chapel, and a lodging school, which you will have an opportunity to visit.

Tonight's accommodation is a small house, rather rustic once again, with bunk beds and hot water available.

Overnight Isonza

DAY FIVE

Today will be a long day on the saddle, riding across the Calchaqui Valley. Prepare for breathtaking views as you reach the steep slopes of Chilo at 9,000 feet where the landscape is so steep that you must walk alongside the horses and descend on your own.

Surrounded by forest, continue along the narrow gorges of the Chilo River with walls as high as 120 feet. This afternoon, arrive at La Viña, where you’ll leave your horses before your transfer to Salta for your farewell dinner.

Overnight Villa Vicuña

DAY SIX

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning after which you'll be transferred 15 minutes to Salta Airport in time to meet your flight home or to continue on to your next Willing Foot destination.

DETAIL PAGE

*Price is subject to change due to date and time of year of booking as well as to currency fluctuation. The price is only an estimate at this time and an accurate costing will be provided when itineraries are chosen and submitted. Prices are based on double occupancy.

Inclusions:

• 2 nights hotel accommodation
• 3 nights accommodation in Mountain Refuges
• 4 complete horseback riding days
• English speaking guide throughout trip
• Baqueanos (to assist during the expedition)
• Basic Personal Accidents Insurance (additional insurance is strongly recommended)
• Satellite telephone
• Project donation
• Flight tickets Buenos Aires / Salta / Buenos Aires
• Days 2-6: Breakfast
• Days 2-5: Lunch
• Days 1-5: Dinner

Exclusions:

• International Airfare
• Visa (if required)
• Trip Cancellation Insurance
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Items of a Personal Nature
• Gratuities

Please Note:

• We recommend that our clients consult their General Practitioner or Travel Clinic for advice on necessary vaccinations or medicines depending on the region to which they are traveling.
• All guests are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance covering them for all personal effects, personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses, cancellation, and curtailment.
• Self-drive passengers renting a car are required to carry a valid international driver's license.