Altiplanic Deserts of Argentina, Chile & Bolivia 15 Days
15 Days: Buenos Aires, Salta, Cafayate, Purmamarca, Atacama, MalkuCueva & Colchani
Tour overview:
Start your tour in Buenos Aires, one of South America’s most alluring cities and the capital of Argentina. Take a tango lesson and appreciate Argentina’s cobbled streets, historic buildings and stunning gorges and national parks. Visit Argentina’s world-famous Atacama Desert and its salt flats (Salinas Grandes) before departing for Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world. From lagoons to geysers, you will be enchanted by incredible nature throughout your 15-day tour.
Day 1 - Arrive Buenos Aires
Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we make a panoramic tour of the city, visiting the most relevant places. In the evening, we attend a dinner show to appreciate the magnetism of tango.(D)
Day 2 - Buenos Aires / Salta
Arrival and reception at Salta’s airport. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, the city awaits us in order to explore it by foot, walking along its streets, churches, colonial buildings and visiting the MAAM.(B)
Maximum altitude: 1.152 MASL (3.779 ft.)
Day 3 - Salta / Cafayat
Departure to start our trip through the Calchaquíes Valleys, passing by the Obispo Slope, Del Tin Tin Straight, Los Cardones National Park, Cachi and De Las Flechas Gorge. Arrival at Cafayate.(B)
Travel time: 12 hours
Maximum altitude: 3.348 MASL (10.984 ft.)
Day 4 - Cafayate / Salta
In the morning, we visited the town, museum and winery to undertake the return to Salta touring the Quebrada de Cafayate and its formations. Arrival and Accommodation.(B)
Travel time: 7 hours
Maximum altitude: 1.683 MASL (5.522 ft.)
Day 5 - Salta / Purmamarca
Early departure travelling through Del Toro Gorge in order to get to know the small town of San Antonio de los Cobres. After lunch (not included), we continue across the Puna up to Salinas Grandes Salt Flat and then we start descending through De Lipán Slope to Purmamarca.(B)
Travel time: 10 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.170 MASL (13.681 ft.)
Day 6 - Purmamarca / Atacama
In the morning, depart towards San Pedro de Atacama, passing by Paso de Jama border crossing. Arrive at this oasis in the middle of the desert.(B)
Travel time: 7 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.400 MASL (14.436 ft.)
Day 7 - Atacama
Departure to the Altiplanic Lagoons, which represent one of the seven sectors that embrace Los Flamencos National Reserve along with Chaxa Lagoon in the Atacama Salt Flat. During the tour, we visit the Miscanti, Miñiques and Toconao Lagoons. (B)
Travel time: 7/8 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.220 MASL (13.845 ft.)
Day 8 - Atacama .
Early departure to El Tatio Geysers, the highest geothermal field in the world where we observe the steam and fumaroles produced by the high temperatures of its craters. During the afternoon, we enjoy the sunset in De La Luna Valley.(B)
Travel time: 9 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.320 MASL (14.173 ft.)
Day 9 - Atacama / Villamar
Departure to the border with Bolivia, Hito Cajón, from there we continue to the Verde lagoon, Dalí Valley, hot springs of Chaviri, Geysers of the Morning and the Laguna Colorada where we will appreciate the flamingos of James, unique in the world. Arrival in Villamar.(BLD)
Travel time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.990 MASL (16.371 ft.)
Day 10 - Malku / Colchani
In the morning visit to the Cave Paintings and Fort Necropolis of Tomas Lakjas, Valley of the Rocks and then continue to Uyuni passing by the towns of Culpina and San Cristóbal. During the trip and before going to Colchani, we visit the Cemetery of Trains to finally arrive at Colchani, where we stay at a salt hotel.(BLD)
Travel time: 8 hours
Maximum altitude: 3.550 MASL (11.647 ft.)
Day 11 - Colchani
Today we explore Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world. During the tour, we will visit a salt processing plant, the Incahuasi Island where we can observe the giant Cactus, and the Pucara de Ayque. After enjoying lunch, which will be served on the Salt Flat, we have fun with a photo session and then we enjoy the sunset.(BLD)
Maximum altitude: 3.600 MASL (11.811 ft.)
Day 12 - Colchani / Purmamarca
Very early in the morning, departure towards Atocha’s mining centre and Tupiza, in order to arrive then at La Quiaca, from where once we do the migrations procedures, we continue through the Humahuaca Gorge, a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity.(BL)
Travel time: 12 hours
Maximum altitude: 4.220 MASL (13.845 ft.)
Day 13 - Purmamarca/ Salta
We explore the Humahuaca Gorge, Humanity’s Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.(B)
Travel time: 3 hours
Maximum altitude: 3.000 MASL (9.843 ft.)
Day 14 - Salta / Buenos Aires
In the morning, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.(B)
Day 15 - Buenos Aires
Day at leisure. At due time, transfer to the airport.(B)