We enclose all day to explore the beautiful gorge with its adobe villages, silent valleys and hidden corners that locals will unveil for us.

The picturesque “Cuesta de Lipán” leads to the Puna highlands with the endless horizon of “Salinas Grandes” salt lake and explore the white vastness that creates an almost unreal atmosphere.
We visit the archaeological site of Abdón Castro Tolay, testifying the human presence in this area for more than 10000 years and stay with a family in the small community of San Francisco de Alfarcito, located at 3450 m above sea level.

We spend the morning with the local people and explore the wetlands of Guayatayoc lagoon, home for groups of shy Vicuñas and flocks of pink flamingos.
Passing by old silver and gold mines we arrive late in the evening in Cusi Cusi at 3790 m above sea level and stay with a local family.

The region around Cusi Cusi, which may be translated as “joyful”, invites for short excursions and hiking tours into the heart of the “Valley of the Moon” and other breathtaking geological formations.

Leaving Cusi Cusi behind we continue ascending along small mountain villages, lost chapels and marvelous landscape with an air of the nearby Bolivian altiplano and where the road occasionally becomes one with the river beds and arrive late in the evening in Tilcara.

We explore the impressive fortress of “Pucara de Tilcara” accompanied by gracious Llamas. For thousands of years ancient Andean cultures have been using the llamas for wool and meat production as well as a mean of transportation.
Only with the introduction of donkeys, mules and horses by the Spaniards, the importance of the llamas as a beast of burden has diminished. The rest of day is at leisure to unwind in the peaceful environment.

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