Pre-Summit Adventure

Salta - Calchaquí Valley: Community-based Adventure

October 13-15, 2017

Origins Argentina Travels E.V.T - LEGAJO N°14858 - DISP 1080/2011

Origins Argentina is a travel and tourism agency based in the northwest of Argentina dedicated to provide unique experiences for travelers, designing tailor-

made trips all over the country. Our experience in the field and our decision to practice responsible tourism based on fair trade criteria have led us to strengthen

ties with different communities nationwide.

Salta - Calchaquí Valley

The northwest of Argentina is an incredible mixture of extraordinary landscapes, ancient customs, friendly people and delicious food. Salta stands out proudly as the heart of this region. For the rest of the Argentineans, it’s also known as “la Linda”, the beautiful, and there is no doubt that Mother Nature has been very generous to this province. We spend three days exploring an area near Cafayate, immersing ourselves in the landscape and community of El Divisadero.

Trip Highlights • Immerse in a local co-operative community, El Divisadero

• Hike along the Colorado River to hidden waterfalls and to Littles Foxes Hill

• Sleep in a village home and take a cooking class

• Learn about small scale viticulture and enjoy wine tasting

Community-based Tourism

Members of the Rural Community-based Tourism Cooperative of the Calchaquí Valley define it as a form of tourism where they, small-holders, are the protagonists of the activity. The traveler, who seeks to experience a genuine cultural exchange, becomes a partner, sharing the daily activities and community life of the family. This opportunity allows the traveler to appreciate the local customs, identity, gastronomy and landscape in the context of a friendly relationship of mutual respect and care. This is an experience for those who share and practice the principles of respectful and responsible tourism, such as sustainable development and fair trade.

Itinerary DAY 0 – October 12th – ARRIVE SALTA (hotel not included)

DAY 1 – OCT 13th – SALTA – QUEBRADA DE LAS CONCHAS – CAFAYATE – EL DIVISADERO (-/L/D) Our trip begins early in Salta, Argentina. We depart from the Lerma Valley and travel south through towns where agriculture, mostly tobacco crops, is the main economic activity. En route to the Calchaquí Valley to Cafayate, we drive through the incredible “Shells Gorge,” an unearthly landscape of red and green hued sandstone and wild rock formations. Millions of years ago, this area was covered by a huge inland sea and the remnants of seashell fossils are scattered in the rocks, hence the name, Shells Gorge. The sunny Calchaquí Valley, located at 1600 meters above sea level, produces wine with highly concentrated flavors, especially the Torrontes, a fruity white wine. On that region, 50 families from 12 different villages surrounding Cafayate decided to create a co-operative to offer different services and being part of the tourism activity. Most of them are farmers but there are also artisan families. We meet three of the co-op family members who takes us trekking along the Colorado River and leads us to five hidden waterfalls up in the hills. Dinner with our host family in El Divisadero community. Activity of the day: Hiking: 4 hours along the Cascades of the Colorado River Meals included: Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: 5 double/twin Rooms available on three different families (in the same community). In each house, there is one bathroom shared only between guests (Full board).

DAY 2 – OCT 14th – EL DIVISADERO – SAN CARLOS – CORRALITO – EL DIVISADERO (B/L/D)

After breakfast, we go to Corralito, another small village near Cafayate, stopping on the way in the historic village of San Carlos to visit the co-op crafts shop. Our hosts in Corralito join us on a hike to the foot of “EL Zorrito” Hills through an incredible maze drawn by the erosion of the water into the sand stone formations. Lunch and dinner are served in Corralito where a family teaches us how to prepare traditional empanadas. After dinner, we return to El Divisadero for our last night.

Activity of the day: Hiking: 4 hours round-trip to “EL Zorrito” Hills (Little Fox) Meals included: Breakfast, Box Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: 5 double/twin Rooms available on three different families (in the same community). In each house, there is one bathroom shared only between guests (Full board).

DAY 3 – OCT 15th – EL DIVISADERO – CAFAYATE – SALTA (B/L/-)

The El Divisadero community is currently producing an award-winning wine. This morning, we walk around the community and the vineyards of small producers belonging to the rural tourism cooperative, learning about the process and particularities of small scale viticulture in comparison to large wineries. We end with a wine tasting. After lunch, we return to Salta.

Activity of the day: Wine tasting Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Rating: (2) Easy active (i.e., Beginner level, physical activity; ~2-4 hours activity/day)

Group Size: 4 - 10 Trip Price: US$320 payable by Wire transfer or Credit Card, deposit in our bank account, or cash

at arrival (previously reserved by credit card)

Included: • 2 Nights of accommodation (Family house - twin room);

shared bath between guests only; shower available, towels provided

• 3 days of ground transportation with English speaking guide

• 2 trekking services: Colorado River & Little Fox Foothills

• Wine tasting

• 2 breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners

• Contribution to Community-based tourism projects

• Insurance

• Taxes • Transport: Shared services (small groups)

Not Included:

• Internal flights

• Tips

• Any other service or activity not mentioned in the program

• Personal medical/travel/evacuation insurance

Weather After the cold and dry season of winter, spring time temperatures climb reaching 25.8°C (78.4°F) generally in the afternoon with overnight lows of 10.9°C (51.6°F). October is the end of the dry season with a historical average of 1” of rainfall.

Packing List

Luggage:

Medium to large duffle or rolling soft-sided luggage

Packing cubes/stuff sacks

Day pack - big enough to carry a water bottle and any personal items you may need during the day

Clothing:

Casual clothing/shoes for travel and city wear (lightweight, easily washable)

Light rain/windproof jacket

Jacket – fleece or softshell

T-shirts, quick drying

Long sleeve shirt, quick drying

Hiking pants and shorts

Underwear/sports bra (quick drying)

Sleepwear

Swimwear

Footwear:

Hiking shoes

Hiking socks, synthetic or wool

Sandals/flip flops

Assorted Personal Items:

Water bottle or hydration bladder

Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF

Sun hat

Sunglasses

Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrush, travel towel, etc.)

Hand sanitizer/handi-wipes

Personal first aid kit, medications

Camera/memory cards/battery

Small personal drybag - to protect your camera and electronics

Optional: o Earplugs and eye shade o Binoculars o Plug Adapter o Cash to buy crafts or souvenirs o Flashlight/headlamp

Getting to and from Salta Important Note: Please take note of which airport in Buenos Aires you are arriving and departing when you book your airline tickets. International flights from North America and Europe land in Buenos Aires at EZE (Ministro Pistarini International Airport; Ezeiza International Airport). Your flight to Salta, however, may (but not always) depart from AEP (Jorge Newbery Airfield), Buenos Aires. The distance between the two airports is ~44km and an hour without traffic. However, traffic can be very heavy in Buenos Aries and we recommend you allow several hours between flights to clear immigration, customs, obtain luggage, and transfer to AEP to be sure you can make your connection.

General Terms & Conditions of Sales BOOKING Features and services are subject to availability until the booking its confirm by the client through a 20% down payment the full amount set out in the proposal received and all the relevant documentation has been signed and completed in full by the client. Any amendments to, or cancellation of the booking shall be subject to these terms and conditions. The tour price must be paid by not later than 30 days prior to the departure date for the tour, failing which the Company reserves the right to deem the booking as having been cancelled, and to levy the cancellation penalties set out in these terms and conditions TOUR PRICE The quotation issued by our company for tailor-made itineraries have a validity of 14 days. The price indicated in the quotation can be modified even after the down payment in the following situations: - Lack of availability in the requested services; In this case the agency will provide an alternative that is similar in terms of services and / or price to the original proposal. - Sharp run-up in prices due to: Significant exchange rate change, hyperinflation, sharp increase in fuels (Exchange rate reference www.bna.com.ar/bp/bp_cotizaciones.asp)

MODIFICATIONS If the itinerary must be change for weather conditions or emergencies, the tour company Origins EVT will work to find the best alternative for customers. However, the tour company will not take responsibility for those changes or extra costs incurred.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS Cancellation of a scheduled tour booking must be made in writing. In all cases the agency may retain a percentage of the total service as a cancellation fee per the following table (except cruises):

• More than 60 days before departure date: 5% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

• 60 to 31 days: 15% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

• 30 to 21 days: 35% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

• 20 to 14 days: 50% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

• 13 to 7 days: 75% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

• Less than 7 days before departure date: 100% of the tour price is held as cancellation fee.

ORIGINS EVT /Legajo n° 14858 / disposición 1080/2011 /CUIT: 30-71462188-9 Pasaje Zorrilla 171 - local 1 / CP 4400 Salta - Argentina