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knowledge latin america
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Mount Aconcagua, Argentina
and this is even higher, at 3,800 metres. before crossing the border by lake at Bariloche
good trek, but at the end of the day you can Travel 2 is one of the operators selling on a route once taken by the revolutionary
have a warm shower and a comfortable Bolivia as an extension to its Cusco, Sacred Che Guevara. It costs from £2,775 for 16 days.
bed.” Valley and Machu Picchu tour. Its three-day
Orient-Express opened Las Casitas del Lake Titicaca Experience costs from £139 ARGENTINA.
Colca, a luxury lodge in the Colca Canyon, including a boat ride and a visit to the The Andes form the western frontier of this
last year. It also operates hotels at Machu floating islands. huge country which, like Chile, stretches
Picchu, and in Cusco and Lima. from the tropics to the glaciers.
This is one of the deepest canyons in the CHILE. You can fly from Buenos Aires to cities
world, with towns dating from the Spanish The Andes run right down this oddly shaped including Salta, Mendoza and Bariloche, and
colonial era. South American Experience country from the dry deserts of the north to some tours cross into Chile.
offers a four-night trip from Arequipa, with the icy wastes of Patagonia in the far south, The Lake District, around Bariloche, is a
two nights at the lodge from £1,303. and the border with Argentina is high up in good choice for an activity holiday. Skiing,
the mountains. climbing and walking are all available
BOLIVIA. Almost everywhere in Chile has views of around Nahuel Haupi lake, in scenery more
Hotel standards are generally well below the mountains, including the capital, Santi- reminiscent of the Alps than South America.
what you’ll find in neighbouring Peru, but ago. The valleys around Santiago cultivate Farther north is Mendoza, in the centre of
the scenery is spectacular and it has more the wine that has become so familiar on Argentina’s main wine-growing region, at an
of a developing world feel that appeals to British dinner tables, but further south are altitude of around 1,000 metres. Rafting,
adventure travellers. active volcanoes and deep fjords. trekking, horse-riding and cycling are
The Latin American Travel Association Chile is mainly featured in multi-country popular around here, and it is a base for
guide notes: “The 70km route from La Paz itineraries, such as Sunvil’s Journey Through climbing Aconcagua, the highest peak in the
to Coroico is like sliding down a giant the Andes tour, which is new for 2009. This Andes at nearly 7,000 metres.
helter-skelter – without the safety barrier.” also takes in Peru and Bolivia and costs from Journey Latin America offers tailor-made
As in Peru, altitude sickness affects some £4,935 for 21 nights. holidays in Bariloche, which can include
visitors. La Paz, the capital, is at 3,500 metres The tour crosses from Bolivia to include kayaking, cycling and walking. A four-day
above sea level. Many visitors enter Bolivia the Atacama desert and Valley of the Moon, trek is also available from Salta.
by sailing across Lake Titicaca from Peru, before ending in Santiago. ■ Get high in the Ecuadorian Andes, p46
Bales offers a similar tour called Andean
Explorer, and Steve Bray adds: “The high
altiplano scenery is where you see beautiful
CONTACTS
lagoons dotted with pink flamingos, snow-
■
Journeylatinamerica.co.uk
capped mountains and volcanoes, usually ■
Travel2.com
against the backdrop of cloudless blue skies.”
■
Balesworldwide.com
Many operators combine Chile and
■
Exodus.co.uk
■
Explore.co.uk
Argentina on tours of Patagonia, including
■
Tucantravel.com
the glaciers and fjords. Explore! has a tour
■
Southamericanexperience.co.uk
iStockphoto called Voyage through the Patagonian ■
Latin-america-holidays.sunvil.co.uk
At 3,800m Lake Titicaca is one of the highest in the world Andes, cruising up the Pacific coast of Chile
44 01.05.2009
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