Crossing the highest route of America
This crossing by mountain bikes takes nine days on the highest route of America, which goes by the ways of the Valles Calchaquíes and Puna Salteña, in the North-West area of Argentina. The route climbs up Cuesta del Obispo, to get to the town of Cachi. The course goes on by the legendary National Route no. 40; passing by villages like Payogasta and La Poma, from there one goes up more than two thousand metres high to get to the highest objective: Abra de Acay (16.059,71 feet above sea level), and then go down from San Antonio de los Cobres to the city of Salta through Quebrada del Toro.
This program can be extended for 5 days, visiting Tolar Grande, a town located in the heart of the Puna. This trail crosses and vast high plain with salt flats and deserts. This area holds sites of natural, cultural and archaeological interest.

Crossing the highest route of America
Place: North-West Area of Argentina (Salta – Argentina)
Duration: 9 days – 8 nights
Level of difficulty: Demanding to very demanding
Dates: (consult)
Price: (consult)
Length of the route: 246,68 mi.
Optional: the program can be extended for 5 days (from San Antonio de los Cobres to Tolar Grande). Traveling 116,20 mi.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Salta
Reception in Salta, a town that lies on Valle de Lerma (a valley at 3.894,36 ft. above sea level, this city is the capital of Salta province. 
Day 2: Quebrada del Escoipe – El Maray.Total length of the route: 19,88 mi.
Departure on a vehicle heading southwards on the national route no. 68, when arriving at the town Carril, taking the provincial route no. 33, up to the gorge of the river Escoipe (6.364,83 ft). At this point it starts the first stretch of the crossing up to El Maray (7.545,93 ft). Base of Cuesta del Obispo.
Day 3: El Maray – Cachi.  Total length of the route: 47,22 mi.
After breakfast, the group starts climbing Cuesta del Obispo (12,43 mi) up to the highest point of this day: Piedra del Molino (10.984,25 ft). From then on the way goes down to Cachi, along the way (34,80 mi) it travels by Tin Tin and the National Park Los Cardones.
Day 4: Cachi – La Pailas. Total length of the route: 9,32 mi.
In the morning the group visits Cachi ( 7.480,31 ft), town founded before the Spanish domination. It was built in the confluence of the rivers Cachi and Calchaquí. The colonial village has a central square, a church and an archaeological museum. In the afternoon, sticking to the plan of acclimatization, the group travels round Cachi Adentro and the site Las Pailas, in this place one can still see traces of the pre-Columbian civilization.
Day 5: Cachi – La Poma. Total length of the route: 38,53 mi.
Departure towards Payogasta, from there to the north by the national route no. 40 up to La Poma (9.891,73 ft). Despite the fact that this part of the way is tedious, then when arriving at the hamlet Pueblo Viejo, it gets much more interesting when one starts to go down to the bottom of the gorge with red walls that contrast with green farmings. Then the way continues along the river Calchaquí. Near La Poma, the group crosses Campo Negro, a site covered by black volcanic stones.
Day 6: La Poma – Negra Muerta. Total length of the route: 21,75 mi.
After breakfast the group departs towards the spot Negra Muerta (13.779,53 ft). Along the way it crosses the ranch Estancia Esquina Azul and the hamlet El Saladillo, in this place there’s a hostel-school by the roadside. From then on the landscape turns more rugged and desolate. During this phase one has to wade across several flows of water which go down the way.
Day 7: Negra Muerta – San Antonio de los Cobres. Total length of the route: 35,42 mi
This phase is the hardest of the crossing, the group goes up the last 7,46 mi. that lead up to the highest point of the trip, Abra de Acay (16.059,71 ft), this passage links Calchaquíes Valleys and the plains of the puna. This route was built in the 60’s, following old Inca trails. From there starts the winding descent to the town of San Antonio de los Cobres (12.283,46 ft). 
Day 8: San Antonio de los Cobres.
Rest at San Antonio de los Cobres, a small town high in the mountains which is called the capital of the Puna. This place is also famous for being the arrival site of the tourist attraction  Tren de las Nubes. Mining constitutes the main activity of the town, adding its own color and sound to the place.
Day 9: San Antonio de los Cobres – Campo Quijano. Total length of the route: 74,56 mi.
In the morning the group departs by the national route no. 51 to the town of Santa Rosa de Tastil, where one can see archaeological sites of particular beauty. Then the way goes on by Quebrada del Toro, with its walls covered by thistles, this site stands at the banks of the river with the same name. The trip ends in Campo Quijano (4.921,26 ft.above sea level), the first fertile town of Lerma Valley. Return to the city of Salta. End of the service.

The lodging and meals of the program “Crossing the highest route of our continent” is described below:
Hostels o Refuges: group bedrooms, toilets to be shared, showers.
Camping sites: rugged camping (there are no services). It includes: tents and camping equipment (passengers must bring their own air bed or insulated mat).
Meals: breakfast and/or afternoon snacks (coffee, tea, milk, bread and homemade jam), packed lunch (sandwiches, fruit, cereal bars, sweets) and dinner (main course and dessert).
Support vehicle (this may not be present at some parts of the ways).

Services included: these will be specified at the time of hiring the program according to the passenger’s needs and availability.

Services not included: personal equipment and expenses generated if the passenger eventually quits the program.

Additional Services: bike rental, accommodation in hotels or cottages, satellite telephoning.

Difficulty: this trip is rated as demanding because of its level of complexity. It includes seven days travelling about 31,07 mi per day at more than 13.123,36 ft. high. Ascents and descents by mountain roads, in some cases abrupt.
 
Compulsory Equipment: Mountain bike: (with at least 24 speed gears, in good mechanical conditions), helmet (obligatory use).

Suggested Clothing and Equipment: goggles; cycling jacket; sweatshirt; anorak; a pair of gloves; cycling leggings; synthetic socks; trainers or trekking boots; a spare set of clothes.

Others: sunscreen lotion, torch, sweets, chocolates, dried fruits, water bottle, twinkling rear light. Tires puncture repair kit, spare inner tube, spoke nipple, sleeping bag –5º C, air bed or insulated mat.  

Note: the bike must be taken appropriately dismantled and packed during the outward and return journeys.