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Cycle Link Support Trip - Argentina

Trip Description

Mention Salta to an Argentine, and the response is often the following: "Ah, Salta the Beautiful." That this northern province isn't better known to the rest of the world is an injustice. The road south from the province's eponymous capital to Cafayate, home to a cluster of vineyards, boasts breathtaking scenery, with cliffs of many hues shaped by water and wind. With the addition of tasty food and a rich musical tradition, the place should not be missed. Written by Daniel Altman, New York Times, July 2, 2006.

Northern Argentina Scenery
The northwestern provinces of Salta and Tucuman in Argentina feature traces of pre-Columbian cultures, mingled with ruins of indigenous villages, together with forts and buildings dating back to the time of the Conquest and Colonization. This region is very rich in archaeological remains. In Cafayate, where you will have two days to explore, Spanish traditions and customs are still kept in the art, architecture, as well as religious images. Time seems to have come to a halt in the high plateau regions, a land bound by mountain ranges, steep mountain paths and gorges. Villages have been built in hollows in the ground. Multi-colored and monochromatic hills, covered on the slopes with huge cactuses, surround the villages. This region allows you to enjoy landscapes full of contrast, from the high peaks to the plains, with the salt pans and the subtropical rain forests, where Latin American culture took root.

Highlights from Previous Expeditions
Two Wheel View operates in a select handful of the most wonderful regions in the world - Argentina has been one of our most popular destinations for numerous reasons including, great food, interesting culture, incredible biking, beautiful landscapes, and welcoming people. Two Wheel View programs focus on adventurous, active, environmental and educational opportunities. You will get to meet locals that will provide you interesting, accurate, and helpful knowledge about this region.

Trip Difficulty

• Average daily miles: 50 km (30 miles)
• Longest single day: 85 km mostly downhill
• Overall difficulty rating: beginner to intermediate

Group Size

• Group: minimum 8 adults, maximum 11 adults
• Language: English / Spanish

Who You Are

You like adventure and want to go to new places. You also want to do something good for young people that are less fortunate.

Two Wheel View's Cycle Link Support program is designed to give adults an opportunity to check out our exciting programs and at the same time help support the vision and mission of the organization.

Links to some people who have gone on Cycle Link Support Trips:

http://www.singletrackers.blogspot.com/
http://bikingit.blogspot.com/

Itinerary

Typical Itinerary

Day 1 (optional) Pre-Trip Orientation: spend the day participating in team-building activities, learning basic bicycle maintenance skills, and packing your gear and bike.

2 International departure to Salta, Argentina via Buenos Aires.

Notes: It is recommended that you work with Two Wheel View to make your travel arrangements. Please contact Rick to make travel plans, to use award travel, or discuss your travel itinerary. On past trips the group has flown on Aerolineas Argentinas from either New York JFK or from Miami to Buenas Aires and then connected with regional flights within Argentina.

1. Excess baggage fees for bicycles may apply.
2. You are responsible for all travel related expenses including snacks, meals, drinks, and personal expenses while traveling to Argentina.
3. Entry / departure taxes may be in addition to the price of your airline ticket.

3 Meet at a family owned hotel near the city center of Salta . After a long day of travel you can enjoy a shower, food, and refreshments.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Hotel Samana

4 Sight-seeing in Salta. Salta is the capital city of the province. It is situated in one of the most fertile and scenic areas of this region. The Colonial architecture of the city is some of the best in the country. Lunch is on your own.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Hotel Samana

5 Bike from Salta to Cabra Coral. The route out of Salta is on highway 68 through beautiful countryside and small traditional villages with colonial main squares. We will camp at a campground near large reservoir called Cabra Coral.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Evening meal
4. Campground fee

6 Bike from Cabra Coral to Alemania. The biking route on this day will be gradually climbing with rolling hills. Toward the end of the day the road will follow a beautiful river called the Rio del las Conchas. The scenery includes lots of red rocks, tall mountains and blue sky. Alemania is an artisan village in an abandoned railroad town along the river. We will back country camp near the river.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Evening meal

7 Bike from Alemania to Sta. Barbara. Wake up and watch the sun light up the mountain sides before reaching the river valley. Visit local artisans in Alemania and then start the gradual climb through the Quebrada (Valley) de Cafayate. Tonight we will back country camp along the river.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Evening meal

8 Bike Sta. Barbara to Cafayate. The town, located in the center of the Calchaquí Valleys, is surrounded by rivers, sand dunes and vineyards. We will arrive Cafayate by lunch time and have the rest of the day to check out the town.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Hotel
2. Breakfast

9 Day off in Cafayate: Check out Cafayate and local attractions: shopping, artisans, hiking, vineyards.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Hotel
2. Breakfast

10 Bike from Cafayate to Las Mojarras. It’s an easy ride from Cafayate to Las Mojarras with the exception of the unpaved road at the end of the day.. The paved road is very, very quiet and there are virtually no real hills worth mentioning. At Las Mojarras we will camp outside an old ranch house owned by a local firned of TWO WHEEL VIEW.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Dinner

11 Bike Las Mojarras to Amaicha: From Las Mojarras we will bike down to the river that cuts through the valley and continue back up to Amaicha. We will visit the Pachamama museum and other local attractions before biking up the valley to Estaban's family home and vinyard.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Lunch
3. Evening meal

12 Bike from Amaicha to Tafí de Valle. The first part of the day will be climbing to the summit at 3,040 m (10,000 feet). Because the pass is surrounded by mountains the pass looks deceivingly low. It’s not all up hill as there are a few spots where the road descends and then climbs again. We will stay at a local hostel or camp near Tafí del Valle. We may arrive in Tafí de Valle by mid-afternoon and have time to check out the craft shops and local attractions.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Evening meal
3. Campground fee / Hostel

13 Bike from Tafí del Valle to Yerba Buena. This is one of the most incredible downhill rides. We will descend from Tafí del Valle into the lush, low-lying areas near the City of San Miguel de Tucuman. The landscape will change from high alpine desert to lush green, forested areas. This will be our longest day of riding but well worth the effort.

We will pass by some sugar cane processing plants, lemon orchards and other farms. We will travel on a quite road that skirts the base of the mountain range we descended the day before. Tonight we will stay in Yerba Buena at a guest house owned by an adventure cyclist who biked the world for more than four years. It will be one of our last nights in Argentina so we will probably want to go out to eat and enjoy the Argentine cuisine.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Shared dormitory style rooms at a guest house. Private rooms may be available at your own expense.

14 Pack up our bikes and gear. Spend the day visiting Tucuman. In the evening we will be hosted by some locals for a traditional asado (BBQ) - with the possibility of local musicians, arts and crafts for sale, and tango lessons.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Evening Meal
3. Shared dormitory style rooms at a guest house. Private rooms may be available at your own expense.

15 Fly back to N. America.

Notes: Your program fee includes:

1. Breakfast
2. Ground transportation to Tucuman airport
3. Transfer to international airport in BA

Please note:

1. Excess baggage fees for bicycles may apply.
2. You are responsible for all travel related expenses including snacks, meals, drinks, and personal expenses while traveling back to N. America.
3. Departure taxes may be in addition to the price of your airline ticket.