Follow the Dakar Expedition

Today you will arrive in one of South America`s most exciting cities, Buenos Aires, a city of passion and finesse. Buenos Aires is often described as the Paris of the Americas, and with stunning architecture, large and attractive tree lined avenues, an array of museums and concert halls, some exquisite restaurants and cafes, and a never ending series of things to do -it is easy to see why. It’s an ideal starting point for your Follow the Dakar Expedition through Argentina and Chile.

For the coming two days you will stay at Hotel Madero. Hotel Madero lies on the east side of Puerto Madero, the hub of the most modern architectural styles in the city of Buenos Aires. The hotel is located near the main tourist attractions and offers all the amenities you could wish for.

Hotel:	Hotel Madero - www.hotelmadero.com
Meals:	Dinner at Hotel Madero
Transfer:	From airport (Ezeiza International Airport) to Hotel Madero with private service

                          

This will be your first actual Dakar day. In the afternoon you will go to the Obelisco, a major symbol of Buenos Aires, from where the Dakar participants will be presented. Constructed in May 1936 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city, the Obelisco is located in the center of the Plaza de la República (Republic Square), the spot where the Argentinean flag was flown for the first time in Buenos Aires.

In the morning and late afternoon you have time to explore the city or to relax. In the evening you will have a group dinner at Cabaña las Lilas. This restaurant is considered one of the best beef restaurants in town which is significant as Argentina prides itself on having the best tasting beef in the world.      

Hotel:	Hotel Madero - www.hotelmadero.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Madero and dinner at Cabaña las Lilas
Transfer:	From Hotel Madero to the Obelisco

This will be your second day of observing the Dakar from up close. The Dakar 4 Wheel Drive jeeps, trucks, motors and buggies will leave Buenos Aires for the first stage to Cordoba. Late morning you will go to a certain point in the city from where you will watch the Dakar caravan coming by. “The whole world” will be there to witness this prestigious off-road motor and car event departing from one of the most vibrant cities in South America.

Late afternoon you will catch a plane which will bring you to Salta in the North of Argentina, from where you will pick up your 4 Wheel Drive jeep at the airport and drive straight to Cafayate where you will stay overnight at Patios de Cafayate. When you enter the Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa you will experience the true elegance. Rich in culture, wine, and tradition, Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa holds spectacular views of the Calchaquí Valley vineyards. Take a stroll through their extensive gardens and admire traditional architecture and antique colonial patios.

Cafayate is a town located at the central zone of the Valles Calchaquíes in the province of Salta, Argentina. It sits 1,683 meters above sea level and has a population of 12,000 inhabitants. The town is an important tourist center for exploring the Calchaquíes valleys, and popular for of the quality and originality of the wines produced in the area.

After a long but incredible day full of highlights, an amazing group dinner will be served at Patios de Cafayate.  

Hotel:	Patios de Cafayate Hotel & Spa - www.patiosdecafayate.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Madero and dinner at Patios de Cafayate
Transfers:	From Hotel Madero to a point in the city from where to watch the Dakar caravan and from Hotel Madero to the airport (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery)
Recommended route:	Salta - Cerillos - La Merced - El Carril - Cnel Moldes - La Viña - Cafayate
Driving distance:	190km - 2.5 hours
Group or individual driving:	Group

No morning obligations are planned. In the afternoon you will visit “Bodega El Esteco” for some excellent wine tasting. The winery was founded in 1892 when the French brothers David and Salvador, planted the first vines. They were attracted by the benign climate, the beauty of the landscape and Cafayate Valley unique interior, good for quality grape production. The winery took his name from the legend of El Esteco City.

According to this tale, Esteco was an opulent city in the North of Argentina. Its buildings, covered with silver shone and its people dressed in gold. In 1692 an earthquake buried the city and hid its treasures. In the late 1970`s the company bought the El Esteco estate and recovered the hidden treasure. They discovered the riches that came from the soil. In honour to the legend, El Esteco produces the best grapes used for Michel Torino export wines.

The winery has been known throughout the years for its pioneer attitude. It was one of the first wineries to obtain an international award in 1929 in Seville, Spain. It was also a pioneer in wine tourism in Argentina, and of the first to start working under ecological practices back in the 90`s. Michel Torino offers an excellent wine guaranteed by its prestigious trajectory and lots of international awards that place Michel Torino as one of the top premium Argentine brands in the world.      

Hotel:	Patios de Cafayate - www.patiosdecafayate.com
Bodega:	Bodega El Esteco - www.elesteco.com.ar
Meals:	Breakfast at Patios de Cafayate

Today you will start with your 4 Wheel Drive adventure. You will drive from Cafayate to the city/province of Salta. The Salta province is home to a number of natural, social and historic attractions. During the day the landscape becomes more and more desert-like. Mountain roads with huge escalating sand dunes surround you on the way into the Puna region: the giant mountain plateau at 3.500 meters above sea level.

Along the way you cross small villages such as Cachi. Cachi is a beautiful town in the Chalchaquí valley of Salta on the east slope of Nevado Hill at 6,720m above sea level.
Cachi is situated at 2,280 m above sea level. Striking natural landscapes as well as vestiges of the XVIII century colonial aristocracy are prevalent here. In this legendary town, there is plenty of interesting and impressive architecture to admire. Other touristic sites include the "Valle Encantado" (Enchanted Valley) where erosion has formed suggestive shapes in the rocks of the mountain. The Los Cardones National Park presents a unique and beautiful desert landscape home to many animal and plant species.

After a long day of driving and witnessing incredible natural and cultural highlights, a group dinner will be served at Hotel Design Suites.

Hotel:	Hotel Design Suites - www.designsuites.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Patios de Cafayate and dinner at Hotel Design Suites
Recommended route:	Cafayate - Animaná - Molinos - Cachi - Payogasta - Escoipe - Salta
Driving distance:	219km - 9.10 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 9:00am
Finish time:	Before 7:00pm

Today you drive from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama and in doing so will cross the border into Chile at the Paso de Jama pass (altitude 4400 meters). You will travel through unique places like San Salvador de Jujuy. Here, you feel the proximity to Bolivia; you see it in people’s faces, the chaotic street scenes and the markets that spill out onto sidewalks and restaurants.

Another place you will encounter is Purmamarca, a small village located at 2192 meters above sea level. Purmamarca - meaning "Town of the Virgin Land" in Aymara language- is set at the foot of the "Cerro de los Siete Colores" (Seven Colors Hill). The village, with adobe buildings of mud tiles, was designed around the St. Rosa de Lima church which dates from 1648 and has been designated a National Monument due to its  particular architecture as well as the valuable paintings and images from Cuzco that are found inside.

You will stay overnight in Terrantai Lodge (San Pedro de Atacama - Chile). Terrantai offers you an authentic experience of the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile in all its cultural and natural splendour. The accommodations of Terrantai Lodge in San Pedro de Atacama were conceived to honor the spirit of the traditional customs of the Atacama Desert.

At the end of an exhilarating but tiring day, driving through the high peaks, beautiful villages, deserted places and deserts, it’s time for some relaxation. You will stay overnight at Terrantai Lodge where a group dinner will be served.

Hotel:	Terrentai Lodge - www.terrantai.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Design Suites and dinner at Terrentai Lodge
Recommended route:	Salta - Vaqueros - La Caldera - El Carmen - San Salvador de Jujuy - Volcán - Purmamarca (route 52) - Susques - Paso de Jama pass - San Pedro de Atacama (Route 27)
Driving distance:	500km - 8.3 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 8:00am
Finish time:	Before 6:00pm

On this day you will be venturing out for some sightseeing activities in and around San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama (San Pedro for short) is a small village located in one of the many oases which are founded in the altiplano of the second region of Chile. Along this geographic zone rise some of the highest volcanoes of the Los Andes cordillera. Formerly the center of the Atacama culture, today San Pedro's population is about 2,500.

Nowadays this small but cosmopolitan town holds much importance, as it is considered as the archaeological capital of Chile, and due to its extreme geographic position, which provides for a beautiful landscape and an eternal blue sky. San Pedro has become a focal point touristic activity and the excursions around the region.

Hotel:	Terrentai Lodge - www.terrentai.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Terrentai Lodge

This is the first day that you will be watching the Dakar caravan. You will drive from San Pedro de Atacama to a point to witness it. It will be a spectacular show seeing the Dakar caravan in full speed coming by attempting to conquer the landscape.

In the late afternoon/early evening you will return to San Pedro de Atacama for an evening without obligations. 

Hotel:	Terrentai Lodge - www.terrantai.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Terrentai Lodge

Today you will drive from San Pedro de Atacama to Baquedano. Your campsite will be built somewhere near Baquedano. The group will come together at the border of Baquedano village, and from there you will drive together to a spot from which you will watch the Dakar as it approaches. Today you will be able to proclaim that you have officially crossed the continent, east to west, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

You will stay overnight at your own campsite, and this campsite will be ready upon arrival.
A welcome drink will be served. In the evening, a typical asado (barbeque) with campfire is part of the program. The upcoming two nights will be in line with the Dakar event, meaning a little less luxury but still an amazing experience to camp outdoors where you will be surrounded by the incredible Atacama landscape.        

Hotel:	No hotel, outdoor camping near to Baquedano
Meals:	Breakfast at Terrentai Lodge and asado (barbeque) with campfire at campsite
Recommended route:	San Pedro de Atacama - Calama (Route 23) - Mantos Blancos - Cerro Moreno - Antofagasta
Driving distance:	300km - 5 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual and group. The group will come together at the border of Baquedano village. From there on you will drive together to a spot from where you will watch the Dakar caravan.
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 9:00am
Finish time:	Before 6:00pm

On this day you can visit the Dakar bivouac in Antofagasta which includes: VIP parking, hostesses welcome, open bar in VIP area, visit of the main sites of the bivouac (organization area and competitors bivouac) and a competitors briefing (this Bivouac program is optional and subject to availability). This is the official rest day for the Dakar caravan and for your expedition as well.     

Besides the visit to the bivouac there will be no obligations planned on this day. 

Hotel:	No hotel, outdoor camping near Baquedano
Meals:	Breakfast at camp site and asado (barbeque) with campfire at campsite

The days ahead are considered beautiful rides with amazing scenery, but demanding.

Today you will drive from Baquedano to Vallenar, a long and demanding stretch where you will drive from North to South parallel to the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean. Vallenar is a city and commune in the Atacama Region, Chile. It is the capital of the Huasco Province and is located in the valley of the Huasco River. Vallenar has 47,000 inhabitants.

You will stay overnight at Hotel Boutique Puerto de Vega where a group dinner will be served.

Hotel:	Hotel Boutique Puerto de Vega - www.hotelpuertodevega.cl
Meals:	Breakfast at camp site and dinner at Hotel Boutique Puerto de Vega
Recommended route:	Antofagasta - Ensueño (coastal route) - Blanca Encalada - El Médano - Taltal - Breas - Las Bombas (5) - Chañaral - Puerto Flamenco - Caldera - Copiapó - Punta de Diaz - Vallenar
Driving distance:	Appr. 720km - 12 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	7:00am
Finish time:	Before 8:00pm

Today you will drive from Vallenar to Horcon.

You will stay overnight at the Elqui Domos. Elqui Domos is a very unique lodging facility, being one of the 7 astronomic hotels worldwide, and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. The rooms are 7 geodesic domes. On the first floor are a living room and the bathroom, and the second storey houses the main bed and a detachable roof over it. Each dome has an ample terrace. This will provide a truly unique experience where you will feel one with nature.

You will stay overnight at Elqui Domos where a group dinner will be served.

Hotel:	Elqui Domes - www.elquidomos.cl
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Boutique Puerto de Vega and dinner at the Elqui Domes
Recommended route:	Vallenar - Domeyko - La Serena - Vicuña - Rivadavia - Paihuano - Monte Grande - Pisco Elqui - Horcon
Driving distance:	304km - 5 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 9:00am
Finish time:	Before 6:00pm

Today you are heading further down South, as you drive from Horcon to Valparaíso.

Valparaiso or ‘Valpo’ is a well-worn, bustling port with houses built to gaping heights along the coast. Considered the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason. The bohemian in you will love it. Examples of Valparaiso’s former glory include Latin America’s oldest stock exchange, South America’s first volunteer fire department, Chile’s first public library, and the oldest Spanish language newspaper in continuous publication in the world. The opening of the Panama Canal and the following reduction in ship traffic dealt an impressive blow to Valparaiso, though the city has staged an impressive renaissance in recent years.

You will stay overnight in Gran Hotel Gervasoni where you will have a group dinner as well. 

Hotel:	Gran Hotel Gervasoni - www.hotelgervasoni.com
Meals:	Breakfast at the Elqui Domes and dinner at Gran Hotel Gervasoni
Recommended route:	Horcon - La Serena - Coquimbo (5) - Los Villos - La Calera - Quillota - Valparaíso
Driving distance:	500 km - 8.3 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 9:00am
Finish time:	Before 6:00pm

Today you will cross the border of Chile into Argentina. You will cross the Andes drive directly to the border. The pass is spectacular and each stage of the landscape is unique. Today’s journey takes you from the Chilean Andes into a Argentinean Martian-like landscape until you reach the more fertile areas of the valley where Tunuyán is situated.

In 1861 an earthquake levelled the city of Mendoza. The city was rebuilt with wide avenues (for the rubble to fall into) and spacious plazas (to use as evacuation points). The result is one of Argentina`s most seductive cities - a joy to walk around and stunningly picturesque. Added to this fact is that it is situated in the middle of many of the country`s best vineyards (the region produces 70% of the country`s wine).

You will stay overnight in Bodega Salentein where you will enjoy a group dinner.  

Hotel:	Bodega Salentein - www.bodegasalentein.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Gervasoni and dinner at Bodega Salentein
Recommended route:	Valparaíso - S. Fco. De. - Quilotta - La Calera – Llaillay - Los Andes (Route 60) - Uspallata (Route 7) (Argentina) - Mendoza - Tunuyán (Mendoza region)
Driving distance:	350km - 6 hours
Group or individual driving:	Individual
Start time:	Between 7:00 - 9:00am
Finish time:	Before 6:00pm

This morning you will encounter the Dakar caravan again. From Tunuyán, you will drive to a beautiful spot from where you can view the caravan. It will be a spectacular show to see the caravan at full speed attempting to conquer the land.

In the afternoon a Bodega Salentein wine tour is part of the program.

The Salentein estate and vineyard are rich in history and character. Land now planted with grapes once bore witness to great deeds and heroism. This good will was the work of indigenous people and the Jesuit missionaries who came to the region. One of the Salentein vineyards has historical roots that reach back to the 17th century. In the past, the property was part of an estancia called de Arriba, which belonged to the order of Jesuits. In the heart of the Finca, some 1,500 meters above sea level, lay the ruins of casa grande, an old farmhouse. Surrounded by a mature grove, the old house was built by the Jesuits, who had already begun developing viticulture practices at that time. Today, more than two centuries later, Bodegas Salentein grows the grapes for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in Finca San Pablo. There is a delicate balance of old and new - of blending the tradition of long celebrated European wine making methods with the bold ingenuity of the New World that defines the Salentein style.    

Hotel:	Bodega Salentein - www.bodegasalentein.com
Bodega:	Bodega Salentein
Meals:	Breakfast at Bodega Salentein

No morning obligations scheduled, time for some relaxation. Sometime in the afternoon you will drive together to the airport to first drop off your 4WDs and after that catch your flight back to Buenos Aires.   

Hotel:	Madero - www.hotelmadero.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Bodega Salentein
Transfer:	From the airport (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery) to Hotel Madero

You will be back in Buenos Aires when the Dakar participants return there. You will have now been part of the greatest event of 2010 organized in Buenos Aires.

In the evening a Finish party will be organized (optional). This Finish party is a great moment of celebration for all Dakar participants, as family, friends, fans and sponsors reunite. Of course food, drinks, live music and surprise performances are part of the program.   

Hotel:	Hotel Madero - www.hotelmadero.com
Meals:	Breakfast in Hotel Madero and dinner during the Finish party (optional)

You will witness the podium finish of the Dakar in Buenos Aires.
In the evening a Slot party will be organized. It will be the perfect event to finish our amazing Follow the Dakar adventure of the past 17 days. There will be homage to the Dutch Dakar participants on the central stage, a dignified end to the 14 days brutal top sport. Along with this comes some culinary highlights, a champagne reception, and a wide range of drinks and entertainment. Large video screens will be projecting images of the Dakar 2010.

Hotel:	Hotel Madero - www.hotelmadero.com
Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Madero and dinner at Slot party
Transfer:	From Hotel Madero to podium finish and from Hotel Madero to Slot party

Transfer from Hotel Madero to Ezeiza Airport. Return flight back to your country of origin. End of services

Meals:	Breakfast at Hotel Madero
Transfer:	From Hotel Madero to airport (Ezeiza)