ANDEAN TRIANGLE HIKING ADVENTURE

Land cost per person: $2,595 (2008 price)
16 days (No camping)

August 29 to September 13, 2009

All inclusive cost, with airfare:
Los Angeles: $4,200 Miami: $4,100 (2008 prices)
* International & South America flights

The exact distances of the hikes that will be offered on this will be determined later this year. Daily hiking distances in the itinerary will be flexible and we will have vehicle support most of the time. It will usually be possible to hike shorter or longer distances than specified, or to opt out of a hike.

RETURN TO TRIP SUMMARY Land cost (2008 price) $2,595 Single Supplement, if requested* $270 *Single rooms are limited and not available on 3 nights. Please call for details. TRIP FEE INCLUDES: • Airport check-in and baggage assistance in Chile, Bolivia and Perú. • All airport transfers and ground transportation as scheduled on itinerary. • All ground transportation in comfortable private buses. • All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated (please request in advance). • All sightseeing tours and park entrance fees to destinations on the itinerary. • All accommodations in Chile, Bolivia & Peru are in fine hotels. Based on double occupancy, rooms are shared by two people. 2 nights are in rustic accommodations and we may share more than 2 per room. • If you are traveling alone and prefer single accommodations you must pay the single supplement. If you are willing to share accommodations, we will try our best to find a roommate and if that is not possible you will pay only 75% of the single supplement cost. • The services of professional tour guides. • Our local leaders and guides are knowledgeable about the language, customs, culture and history of their country. They are detail oriented and take great pleasure in sharing their insight and expertise. They help make sure everything runs as safely and smoothly as possible. NOT INCLUDED: • International airport departure tax in Lima (approx. $30.50 U.S), transfers for independent arrival or departure, travel insurance (highly recommended) for which an application will be included with your confirmation, passport fees, excess baggage fees, Chilean reciprocity fee*, Bolivian visa**, optional tips to trip leader, guides and local staff. All items of personal nature such as: personal gear, laundry, telephone calls, beverages, bottled water, etc. * U.S. citizens are charged a one-time “Reciprocity fee” of $131 (Canadians pay $132) upon landing at the Santiago international airport. This is charged in reciprocity for the fee the USA charges Chileans; it is good for the life of the passport and there is no need to pay again for subsequent trips to Chile. **U.S citizens need a visa to enter Bolivia. The cost is $100 and you need to apply through the Bolivian consulate. There are no fees or visas required to enter Perú. Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules. 1323 12th Street, Suite F Santa Monica, CA  90401 Toll Free (800) 289-9470 Phone (310) 395-5265  FAX (310) 395-7343 Request Information © 2000-2008 Andes Adventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CST #2030675-40 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Plan your 2008 Travel Adventure today!

Day 1 – Saturday, August 29 - Departure USA/Santiago

Day 2 – Sunday, August 30– Santiago

Arrival in Santiago and morning is at leisure.

After lunch we will have a city tour of Santiago. We run up and down Cerro San Cristóbal. You can also take the “Teleferico” – cable car to the summit. At the peak, there is a church and a 22 meter statue of the Virgin Mary. The summit is a superb location from which to view the city and during a clear day it's also possible to see the Andean peaks on the east. The hill is part of Parque Metropolitano, Santiago's largest public park.

Overnight: Hotel in Santiago
Meals: L, D.
Today’s hike: Optional hike in Cerro San Cristobal.

Day 3 – Monday, August 31– San Pedro de Atacama

This morning we fly to Calama. Upon arrival we continue on a 1 hour bus drive to San Pedro de Atacama (8,000'/2,450 m). The Atacama Desert is situated between the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean and stretches 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) from Peru's southern border into northern Chile. This region is extremely hyper-arid. It is an inhospitable, seemingly lifeless, sun drenched spot that is probably the driest place on Earth. Temperatures in the Atacama vary daily from 95°F down to 32°F. The Atacama is 10 to 15 million years old and 50 times more arid than California's Death Valley. There are places where rain has never been recorded.

This natural environment on Earth poses some of the same challenges for human explorers as would a seemingly lifeless planet. NASA scientists and engineers selected this landscape to test the technology that will be used in places like the Moon or Mars - the Atacama is "the closest place to Mars."

Hike in the Valley of the Moon

Overnight: La Casa de Don Tomas
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: 5 miles (8 km).
Flight time: 2½ hours
Today’s drive: 1½ hour.

Day 4 – Tuesday, September 1– San Pedro de Atacama

Today we hike the best trails around San Pedro, including the Kari Canyon and the Valley of Death.

Overnight: La Casa de Don Tomas
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: 7.5 miles or longer option (12 km).
Today’s drive: Very short distances around San Pedro.

Day 5 – Wednesday, September 2– Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve - Laguna Colorada

A one hour drive takes us to "Hito Cajon" at the Bolivian border. The Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve is in the southwestern section of Bolivia, bordering Chile and Argentina. This Puna region ranges in altitude from 11,482 feet (3,500 meters) and extends above 16,400 feet (5,000 meters).

We drive past Laguna Blanca and to Laguna Verde at the base of Licancabur volcano (19,455'/5,930 m)

Continue across the Bolivian altiplano to the hot springs in Laguna Salada and to the active geyser, “Sol de la Mañana”. From there to Laguna Colorada, a lake with a pinkish hue. This naturally occurring color results from algae and minerals in the lake, which is the main source of food for the thousands of pink flamingos. Three of the world’s six flamingo species – Chilean, James’ and Andean breed in this area.

The reserve has mammal species such as vicuñas, pumas, Andean foxes, vizcachas (Andean rabbit similar to marmot) and other. Andean geese, falcons, ducks and large, flightless birds called lesser rheas are some of the 80 species of birds living in Eduardo Avaroa Reserve

Today we do not have a scheduled hike due to the sudden climb to high elevation. We will however have opportunities for acclimatization hikes along the drive.

We continue our drive to our hotel in Ojo de Perdiz.

Overnight: Hotel del Desierto.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: No hike scheduled. Acclimatization hikes to break the drive..
Today’s drive: About 5½ hours.

Day 6 – Thursday, September 3 – San Pedro de Quemez

We continue north on the altiplano "high plain" where we will see llamas, wild herds of vicuñas, Andean geese and other wildlife.

Overnight: Hotel de Piedra.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: No hike scheduled. Acclimatization hikes to break the drive.
Today’s drive: About 5 hours.

Day 7 – Friday, September 4- Salt flats of Uyuni – Incahuasi Island – Oruro

This morning we enter the impressive Salar de Uyuni, the salar is 4,700-square-miles of salt flats - the largest in the world. Some 40,000 years ago the area was part of Lake Minchin a gigantic prehistoric lake. When the lake dried it left behind two major salt deserts, the largest one - the Salar de Uyuni. The salt is completely white and the depth is about 20 feet. We drive to the start of the hike, which will be on the salt flats and we finish on Incahuasi Island (12,010’/3,660 m) - a rocky outcrop in the middle of the vast white expanse of salt. Here you will see giant cacti covering the island creating one of the most surreal landscapes on earth. It is estimated that these cacti grows only about 1cm per year. Some of the cacti reach up to 36 feet (11 meter) and are 1,200 years old.

We continue our drive to Oruro.

Overnight: Plaza Flores Hotel - Oruro
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: 5 miles (8 km).
Today’s drive: About 136 miles (220 km).

Day 8 – Saturday, September 5 – Oruro - La Paz

This morning we drive to La Paz (12,000’/3,660 m), we will have views of the impressive summit of Illimani (21,260'), the highest mountain in the Cordillera Real range on the southeastern side of the city.

La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia. We will have a tour of the city’s colonial and historical sections.

Overnight: Hotel Plaza in La Paz
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: Approximately 1 ½ hour hike.
Today’s drive: 145 miles/234 km – about 3 hours.

Day 9 – Sunday, September 6 – Tiahuanaco - Island of the Sun - Lake Titicaca

This morning we visit Tiwanacu (also known as Tiahuanaco), one of the oldest cultures in South America. It is believed to be the origin of the Pre-Inca Civilization. It was one of the most advanced cultures at that time. The main structures are the Kalasasaya temple with construction details similar to Machu Picchu's Gate of the Sun, the Akapana pyramid; and the semi-underground temple.

We travel in the highlands and continue along the eastern shore of the lake to the strait of Tiquina, which we cross by ferry and continue along the road overlooking the lake and arrive in Copacabana (12,634').

We take a private boat to the island section of Yumani and hike to our accommodations at La Estancia.

Overnight: Ecolodge La Estancia on the Island of the Sun in Lake Titicaca.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: About 4 hours or shorter options.
Today’s drive: 98 miles/158 km (La Paz - Copacabana) + 1.5 hours to Tiahuanaco

Day 10 – Monday, September 7 – Island of the Sun – Lake Titicaca

This morning we hike around the island. We follow the trail along the shore, passing by villages, agricultural fields, beaches until we reach Challapampa and from there we continue up to the Chinkana ruins where we turn south and continue on the mountain trail leading us around the island.

Overnight: Hotel Rosario del Lago.
Today’s hike: Optional distances will be offered from 2 to 6 hours or more.
Today’s drive: None.
Today’s boat ride: 1 hour.

Day 11 – Tuesday, September 8 – Island of the Sun - Puno

We drive to Kasani and across the border to Yunguyo - Perú. Continue overland to Puno (12,560').

This afternoon we will visit the "floating islands" of the Uros people who build the famous "totora" reed boats. The Uros and other lakeside dwellers depend extensively on the totora reed. It is used to make fishing boats and homes as well as the famous floating islands of reed.

Overnight: Hotel Sonesta Posada del Inca – Puno on the shore of the lake.

Today’s hike: A short hike around the lake.
Today’s drive: 2.5 hours.
Today’s boat ride: 2.5 boat tour to the Uros islands (Peru).

Day 12 – Wednesday, September 9 – Puno – Chivay - Colca Canyon

This morning we drive to Chivay. The road reaches the mirador at 4,920 meters above sea level (16,142 feet).

Upon arrival in Chivay and after checking into the hotel, we will hike to the Calera Hot Springs.

Overnight: Casa Andina Colca in Chivay

Today’s hike: 5 miles (8 km).
Today’s drive: 310 Km, approximately 6 hours.

Day 13 – Thursday, September 10 - Colca Canyon

Drive from Chivay to Colca Canyon.

"Hike in the Colca Canyon."

Overnight: Hotel Kuntur Wassi
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: Optional distances from 7.5 miles (12 km).
Today’s drive: 2 hours.

Day 14 – Friday, September 11 - Cross of the Condor/Arequipa

This morning we visit the "Cross of the Condor" where you can view the majestic flight of the condors.

We continue our drive to Arequipa, also known as the White City. This is because of its magnificent Spanish architecture, made with a white volcanic stone "sillar". The city is at the foot of “El Misti” (19,100’) the majestic snowcapped volcano, Chachani volcano (19,931’) and Pichu Pichu volcano (18,372’).

The downtown area of the city features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios and plazas.

Overnight: Casa Andina Arequipa

Today’s hike: None scheduled.
Today’s drive from Chivay to Arequipa: 160 Km, approximately 4 hours.

Day 15 – Saturday, September 12 - Arequipa

Visit Arequipa on your own. Description of options will be updated soon.

Flight to Lima and connect with your flight home.

Day use or Overnight: Casa Andina Arequipa
Meals: B, L, D.
Today’s hike: None scheduled.

Day 16 – Sunday, September 13 - Lima/Flight home

Those connecting through Miami depart this morning. Flight to Lima and connect with your flight home.