THE SIX THOUSANDS

 

EXPEDITION TO THE THE SIX THOUSANDS, FASCINATING LAKES AND VOLCANOES OF La Rioja and Catamarca HIGHLANDS (5 Days – 4 Nights)

In the Andes of the Province of Catamarca and La Rioja, it is the highest concentration of volcanoes with peaks over 6,000 meters high, which is why they are called “The Six Thousands”. They share the stage with beautiful lagoons of different colors, Being Laguna Verde the bigger of them with an intense emerald color at the foot of the majestic Mount Pissis, one of the highest volcanoes on the planet with 6,882 m.a.s.l..

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Total distance 1,300 km.

Day 1 – La Rioja, Transfer IN.

Reception at the airport or bus terminal and transfer to La Rioja Hotel.

________________________________________

Day 2 – La Rioja – Aimogasta – Tinogasta – Fiambala – Cortaderas.

Excursion Costa Rioja: travelling from La Rioja towards west across the Quebrada de Los Sauces, touring picturesque villages at the foot of the Velasco mountains, including Sanagasta, Agua Blanca, Chuquis, Anillaco and Aimogasta, visiting the main attractions of each place. We continue to Catamarca Province, crossing “The Adobe Route” from Tinogasta to Fiambala, visiting ancient historical monuments, ancient oratories and chapels with altars molded in clay, then heading to the Andes, through the “Quebrada de las Angosturas”, Chaschuil Valley, “Pastos Largos” and La Coipa. In the afternoon, we arrive at the lonely Cortaderas to spend the night at the hotel of the same name.

________________________________________

Day 3 – Cortaderas – Journey to the Six Thousands – Cortaderas.

After breakfast at the hotel we begin an spectacular expedition in 4×4 to the Six Thousands, Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) and Mount Pissis in the Andean highlands between volcanic peaks called “The Six Thousands” to be over 6.000 m.a.s.l. visiting the Refuge La Coipa, “Aparejos Lagoon”, the “Crossing of Tears”, the highest point of the road at 4.710 m.a.s.l. Then we come down to the edge of the Blue Lagoon, to finally climb and reach the imposing Pissis balcony, with a stunning panorama with the green lagoon, the green lagoon salt flat, the black lagoon, the majestic Mount Pissis of 6.882 meters with its glaciers and the “Quebrada del Valle Ancho”. Picnic at noon and returning in the afternoon to the hotel in Cortaderas.

________________________________________

Day 4 – Cortaderas – Fiambala Hot Springs – La Rioja.

Leaving the hotel in the morning to visit the Fiambala Hot Springs, you have the chance of taking thermal baths in stone pools of different temperatures, staggered in the mountains and encased between large rocks with a panoramic view of the valley. Free time for lunch. Then returning to the Province of La Rioja, we visit “Aimogasta” and its 400 years old olive tree, arriving in the afternoon to the city of La Rioja.

________________________________________

Day 5 – La Rioja, Transfer Out.

At the appropriate time, transfers from hotel to airport in La Rioja.

 

Extreme weather conditions: In the Andes mountains more specifically in the area of the Volcanoes it is cold even in summer, the temperature ranges from -5 (minus 5 degrees Celsius) and +5 to +8 degrees at noon, with winds of 30-60 and 80 km / hour, it can feels like -15 to -20 degrees (Celsius). The passenger must provide the necessary clothing to add in layers as we climb up with the vehicles, also we recommend a first thermal skin, boots, gloves, neck and head covers.

This tour is not suitable for people under 12 years old or elderly with delicate health conditions. Not recommended for hypertensive or hypotensive passengers. We highly recommend to call your doctor and check if you are good to go over 4.500 m.a.s.l.

The day we climb up to the crater is a long day and we reach high up the 5.530 m.a.s.l., no previous experience is necessary, just a healthy fitness and height support.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THE NATURE LEADS: The final itinerary to make is the sole decision of the company because it is sometimes necessary to make last minute changes according to the climatic conditions in the region, storms, landslides on the slopes and swollen rivers that change the state of the roads and tracks to drive, which also sometimes force to alternate the order of the excursions and accommodation.

The success of the Adventure will depend on the general condition of the people and the climatic conditions in the Andes Cordillera. The full itinerary is guaranteed while stable weather conditions in the high Cordillera remain. Sometimes white wind storms can be unleashed complicating the normal development of the expedition, snow can be accumulated and block access to certain sites forcing us to replace with some other sites in compensation.