Highlights of Northern Argentina and Chile
Buenos Aires, Salta, Tilcara, Atacama & Santiago
based on 11 nights & selected experiences
Price Guide:
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Jan$9500
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Feb$9500
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Mar$9500
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Apr$9500
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May$8900
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Jun$8900
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Jul$9500
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Aug$9500
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Sep$9200
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Oct$8900
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Nov$9200
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Dec$9500
* Pricing is a guideline only and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
Price includes:
Internal flights
Accommodation
Private transfers
Selected experiences
Price based on 2 people sharing
At a Glance
Experience jaw-dropping scenery on the mountain road from Salta to the Atacama Desert, passing striking rock formations, salt pans and rugged desert scenery
Explore the historic streets of Salta and travel to nearby Andean villages, brimming with culture
Tuck into delicious local cuisine in Buenos Aires on a bespoke foodie tour, sampling some traditional favorites and unique creations by renowned local chefs
Go geyser hunting, star gazing and walking amongst Mars-like scenery in the Atacama Desert
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
The weather is good almost all year round in Salta and the north west of Argentina in general. It’s warm and dry in winter (June to September) though it gets cold at night. Summer (December to February) is hot and there’s no air conditioning in most rooms. Avoid the rainy season of February to March, when many of the roads to places you'll want to explore may be impassable due to flooding.
Day time temperatures in the Atacama are agreeable all year round. A characteristic of the desert climate is the marked fluctuation in temperature between day and night. In winter (June, July and August) the average temperature is 22ºC during the day and at night it goes down to around 4ºC; temperatures can occasionally go below freezing. In summer (December to February) the temperature varies between 28ºC during the day and 16ºC at night. During these months the temperature can reach 32ºC. January-March can sometimes receive a little rainfall and cloudy skies.
Buenos Aires and Santiago are year round destinations.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. To start planning your vacation
Itinerary
Experience the epic scenery of northwest Argentina and the Atacama Desert, where the Andes mountains meet dazzling salt pans, turquoise lagoons and fields of giant cacti. Cushion the surreal landscapes with stays in two of Latin America’s most vibrant cities.
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Fly to Buenos Aires
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Days 1-4: Buenos Aires
Begin in Buenos Aires, a Latin city with plenty of European flavor, indulging in fine wine, fiery tango and mouth-watering steak. Explore its thriving arts scene and get under the skin of its culinary delights with a range of bespoke private tours to truly maximize your time. We’ve included a private wine and cheese tour in the heart of the sophisticated Recoleta neighborhood, where a number of the city's best galleries, restaurants and boutiques can be found.
Accommodation: CasaSur Palermo (3 nights)
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Days 4-7: Salta
From here, it’s on to Salta, a colonial city in the north-west, which is surrounded by rugged and rocky scenery and nicknamed ‘Salta the beautiful’ with good reason. Enjoy a walking tour through this quaint city with an expert local guide and visit the MAAM museum to learn about the Argentine northwest’s unique and fascinating history. On one of your days here, escape the city and drive out along winding mountain roads past rows of giant cacti set against a backdrop of lunar red rock to the enchanting adobe town of Cachi or speed across the vast white plains of the Salinas Grandes salt flats, stopping for unforgettable photo opportunities.
Accommodation: Finca Valentina (3 nights)
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Days 7-8: Tilcara
Leave Salta and head north to Tilcara, picturesque town nestled in the mountains and steeped in Andean culture. From here you’ll explore the province of Jujuy, visiting the incredible Humahuaca Gorge, famous for its colorful mountains (and a photographer’s dream!), Humahuaca’s colorful market that sells traditional artisanal goods and the Pucara of Tilcara, a pre-Inca fortress.
Accommodation: Las Marias Hotel Boutique (1 night)
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Days 8-11: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Today is one filled with real adventure as you make the epic drive to the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. There are endless opportunities for adventure waiting for you here, and the scenery on route is striking, whetting your appetite for the drama of the highest and driest desert in the world. Pass through Purmamarca with its giant cacti and mars-like red rock mountains, heading towards the vast white salt pans of Salinas Grandes, where turquoise lagoons form a dazzling contrast with the surrounding landscape. Driving along a high and winding mountain pass you will encounter rugged mountains, arriving into Chile and the Atacama Desert. Stay here for three nights and go in search of geysers, soak in the stars at night and cycle, horse ride and hike to your heart's content.
Accommodation: Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa (3 nights)
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Days 11-12: Santiago
Finally, fly south to the Chilean capital of Santiago, a city with a thriving culinary scene and so the perfect place to spend the final night of this great adventure. If you have free time before your flight, we recommend following in the footsteps of literary great, Pablo Neruda and visiting his quirky house in the bohemian Bellavista district.
Accommodation: The Singular Santiago (1 night)
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Fly Home from Santiago
Location
Buenos Aires, Salta, Tilcara, Atacama & Santiago
- 24/7 concierge service
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Firsthand knowledge
- Renowned service
- Award-winning tour operator