While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us, (remember we are in south america). Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit traveling, with Tierras Vivas can be unpredictable. The dossier is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.

Please contact us for more information if needed.

info@tierrasvivas.com

Arrive in Buenos Aires at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Known as the ‘Paris of the Americas,’ Buenos Aires is a vibrant city full of life. Visit the districts of La Boca, Recoleta, and San Telmo or catch a tango show at one of the many famous tanguerías. Wander the pedestrian walkways and see some dancing in the streets. Whatever you do, Buenos Aires is sure to leave lasting memories.

Traveling in a local bus further north to Tilcara, amassing town where we can appreciate the anscient culture and pre inca´s ruins, also where the locals are still finding momies in the old houses. From there we can visit a very small town called Iruya, a magical place where their people are still living like 100 years ago.  

A bus ride will take us to the aregtinean border with Bolivia, called La Quiaca, from there in a local bus, we travel to Yavi, a very small town where the time seems to be stopped along the years. From there we can visit a small canion with more than 3.000 petrogliphs and painted caves.    

Climb almost 2000 metres into the Bolivian altiplano, and embark on a 4-day desert crossing into this aewsome scenery. A surreal landscape awaits between the Salar de Uyuni and the Bolivian Desert. Travel by 4WD through piercing blue skies and blinding white salt flats.
On day 13, once we get at the little town of Uyuni, we will have enough time to take a bath catch up a local night bus and travel north to the city of La Paz, considered the highest capital city in the world.

Explore the city’s many fine museums or wander the streets, filled with colourful markets and indigenous costumes. Optional activities include a tour to the Valley of the Moon, Chacaltaya—the highest Ski Centre in the world at 5400m above sea level, Tiwanaku ruins and a tour to Lake Titicaca, one of the highest sailing lakes in the world, also to visit Coroico, a small jungle twon, getting there through one of the most dangerous bike ride of the world.

Departure time, chau mis locos!!! but…. it is also a good time for extend your holidays(check out our tailor made section).

Please contact our sales department for more information or check out our Taylor Made section.

sales@tierrasvivas.com

2) Visas: You may be required to obtain a travel visa, also all countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Accommodation:  Simple hotels, hostels with multishare accommodation, desert lodge.

Buenos Aires

Hotel Splendid

Rivadavia 950

Tel. +54 11 4345 2800

Buenos Aires

Argentina

Joining Instructions: 

This trip begins in Buenos Aires, at the hotel listed above. Officially the airport is called Ministro Pistarini International Airport, but it is commonly referred to as Ezeiza. It is situated 35 km from the city, about 40 minutes in a taxi. A taxi to the centre cost approximately $20 USD and can be arranged from the official counter inside the arrival area.

If you are arriving from abroad and have booked an arrival transfer, a Tierras Vivas representative will meet you at the airport. If no one is there, take a public taxi to the hotel and we will reimburse you. If you have not paid for an arrival transfer, the best way to get into town is by public taxi. If your taxi driver does not speak English and you do not speak Spanish, simply show driver the hotel address to simplify communications.

Arrival Complications: 

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you can not commence your trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader/local operator or to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier. If you are unable to get in touch with your leader/local operator, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our local operatos/representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point Hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Local Emergency Contact

+ 54 9 11 54 77 68 46

Should you need to contact Tierras Vivas during a situation of extremely serious need, someone from our Operations staff will answer a mobile line at any time. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so we may return your call and assist you as soon as posible

Phone: +51 84 235211

Mobile: +51 84 984 702020

Checklist of what to take:

      * Passport (with photocopies)

      * Travel insurance (with photocopies)

      * Airline tickets (with photocopies)

      * USD cash

      * Credit and debit cards

      * Vouchers and dossier

      * Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

      * Camera and film

      * CD/MP3 player

      * Reading/writing material

      * Binoculars

      * Cover for backpacks

      * Fair sized daypack

      * Wool hat, mitts or gloves (preferably water proof)

      * Sleeping bag (this can also be hired locally for approximately

        $3USD/day-these are high quality and warm)

      * Strong plastic bags to help keep gear dry

      * Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)

      * Fleece top

      * Windproof/waterproof jacket

      * 5 shirts/t-shirts

      * Sun hat

      * 1 pair of shorts

      * 2 pairs of long trousers

      * 2 pair hiking pants/track pants

      * Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes

      * Sport sandals

      * Sun block

      * Sunglasses

      * Toiletries (biodegradable)

      * Watch or alarm clock

      * Water bottle

      * Pocket knife

      * Small flashlight

      * First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids,     

         anti-histamine, tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-

         hydration powder, and extra prescription drugs you may be 

         taking).

Meal Budget: 

Daily allowance USD25 for meals not included. For additional expenses, please contact our sales department for more information.

sales@tierrasvivas.com

Emergency Fund: 

Please, make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) need a change to our planned tour. This is a rare occurrence! But you never know…

Departure Tax: 

USD18 Argentina

USD18 Bolivia

Optional activities:

Tango Show $45-$60

Coastal train $10

Teatro Colón $5

City tour $12-15

Salta:

Bike City Tour: $15

Mountain bike full day: $30

Trekking full day: $40

Horse riding: $35

Rafting full day: $40

4x4 day tour: $40

Pena Folklorica: $20

Fourtrax: $25

San Bernardo Hill: $3

Tour to the Clouds $60

Tilcara

Pucara de Tilcara $10

Horse back riding $40

Trekking $40

Iruya $50

Mueums $10

Yavi

Petrogliphs

Horse back riding

Tupiza

Horse back riding $30

Trekking $35

Mountain bike full day: $30

La Paz

Chacaltaya tour $12

City tour $15

Mountain biking $45-$60

Museum of Precious Pre-Colombian Metals entrance $2 for ticket to four museums

Casa de Don Perdo Domingo Murillo entrance included in ticket above

Coca museum $1

All prices are in USD.

A Couple of Rules: 

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts you  at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for Tierras Vivas travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The explotation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader/local operators has the right to expel any member of the group/tour if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance: 

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a trip with us, you will not be permitted to join the tour until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader or local operator, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation(a minimum insurance of USD75.000). We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Responsible Travel: 

Tierras Vivas has been responsible to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Keeping in Touch: 

If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Ciber cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact.

AVAILABILITY & PRICES

This trip is available all year round.

Cost per pax USD 1690

+

Local Payment USD 350 

Local payment

Most of our adventure trips involve a local payment.