Towns, Seas and Mountain Ranges in March 2018

Ever since they year 2000, La Lunita has been offering travelers a wide array of unique trips that will remain forever in their memories. Unusual, exotic, unimaginable destinations not included in the traditional tourist offer are essential for travelers to enjoy at least once in their lifetime.

The company is already starting to give shape to a new proposal called Trasandina 2018. From March 24 through 31, it proposes an endless tour around towns, seas and mountain ranges. This new international circuit will join Argentina and Chile through the international passes known as Aguas Negras (Black Waters) in San Juan and San Francisco (Saint Francis) in Catamarca, combining the best mountain range scenes with delightful beaches and wild natural reserves.

Tourists who feel like enjoying this singular experience will find here some of the features of this trip. People have already joined the adventure that will set out from the City of San Juan and go across paradisiacal spots such as Cuesta del Viento, Rodeo, Paso de Agua Negra, Valle del Elqui, Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt, Llanos de Challe and Pan de Azúcar National Parks on the Pacific coast, San Francisco Pass, Fiambalá and the Adobe Road and end up at La Rioja, after leaving behind hundreds of kilometers through which travellers will add up anecdotes, villages that have been lost in the map and incredible people. All this will appear through an itinerary of beaches and mountains proposed by La Lunita.

No wonder La Lunita’s slogan is “Unique trips, authentic experiences”. Travelers just need to hire one of these outings in order to confirm this or just read the itineraries to realize the slogan is true.

Here is the agenda of the so-called Trasandina 2018 trip, which lasts from March 24 thru 31 joining incredible destinations both in Argentina and Chile. Travelers should bear in mind that this outing is subject to weather conditions.

Day 1: 03/24/2018
Reception in the morning in the City of San Juan. Shuttle to the District of Rodeo along mythical Route 40 up to the slope known as Cuesta del Colorado. Then the circuit descends to the valley called Valle de Iglesias, where the District of Rodeo is located. We will check in and have lunch in the town. Then the tour goes on towards Cuesta del Viento. Optional river rafting float trip at the Jáchal River Canyon. Adventurers will recover their strength on the river banks and we will all go back to Rodeo, where we will spend the night at El Viejo Carretón Cabins or similar.
https://www.facebook.com/EL-VIEJO-CARRETON-178303338971311/

Day 2: 03/25/2018
We will be leaving very early towards Las Flores, where we will make all the necessary Customs proceedings and then get deep in the Agua Negra Mountain Range, considered one of the most imposing high passes in Argentina along with San Francisco Pass. The variety of colors, glaciers and peaks, the panoramic sights and the height will take our breath away. Once in Chile, we will pass through Vicuña and spend the night at Elqui Valley, more precisely at Hostal Kiko.
http://www.hostalkiko.cl/

Day 3: 03/26/2018
Free morning to tour around the picturesque Town of Pisco Elqui or enjoy some adventure travel activity available in the area until lunch time (not included). In the afternoon, we will go on a tour to the venues where wine and pisco are produced. After dinner (not included), we will have the chance to observe the stars in the middle of the Andes Mountain Range, guided by specialists. We will spend the night at Elqui Valley.
http://www.hostalkiko.cl/

Day 4: 03/27/2018
Breakfast. We will head north up to Totoralillos and then onto Choros. At this point, we will get on a watercraft towards Pingüino de Humboldt National Reserve, Punta Choros and the islands known as Isla Damas and Isla Choros. Lunch on the road. Shuttles to the Town of Caleta Chañaral del Aceituno, which we will be reaching in the afternoon. Check in, time to relax and enjoy the beach. We will spend the night at Chañaral del Aceituno. Tentative lodging: Cabañas Ruca Marina.
http://www.rucascaletachanaraldeaceituno.cl

Day 5: 03/28/2018
All-day tour starting at Caleta Chañaralal, Llanos de Challe National Park lined by the coast desert, ecological tourist trails and beautiful wild beaches. In the afternoon, we will be getting to the City of Copiapó, where we will spend the night at La Casona Hotel.
http://www.lacasonahotel.cl

Day 6: 03/29/2018
Breakfast at Copiapó. All-day tour at Pan de Azúcar National Park. 400 km approximately. We will spend the night at Copiapó. Tentative lodging: La Casona.
http://www.lacasonahotel.cl

Day 7: 03/30/2018
Early breakfast or breakfast box on the road. Departure towards Argentina through the imposing San Francisco Pass. We will descend towards Argentina along the magical Seismiles Road, which will display Andean giants such as 6,792-meter-high Pissis, the highest inactive volcano in the world. Together with 6,864-meter-high Mount Ojos del Salado, they are in dispute over being considered the second highest peak in America. Besides, Mounts San Francisco, Tres Cruces, Los Patos, Incahuasi and others will also come into sight. We will spend the night at Fiambalá, at Hostería FIambalá or similar.
http://www.hosteriamunicipalf.com

Day 8: 03/31/2018
Breakfast at the inn. Departure towards La Rioja with short stops on the Adobe Road to see its restored historic chapels. We will continue traveling up to Provincial Route 9, passing through Aimogasta, and then along National Route 380, which will lead us to the City of La Rioja to take the 7-pm bus. That is the end of the tour. There is an optional extra night to visit Talampaya the next day and take the evening flight back to the starting point.