Signature Atacama Desert, Uyuni Salt Flats & Salta

On arrival into Salta you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

The small oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama lies on an arid high plateau in the Andes Mountains in the heart of some of northern Chile’s most spectacular scenery. Overlooking the Licancabur Volcano, its dramatic surrounding landscape ranges from desert, salt flats, steaming geysers and hot springs to fascinating rock formations. The church, dating back to 1774 and featuring adobe, cactus wood and leather-bound beams and the Archaeological Museum are both worth a visit.
This evening, you will be picked up from your hotel for an extraordinary experience: Astronomy in the Desert. Recognized as one of the best places globally to observe stars, planets, and constellations, the Atacama Desert offers a night sky devoid of light pollution, complemented by high-quality telescopes that integrate local culture and indigenous perspectives.

This stargazing adventure unfolds in a small private observatory, where we explore the magnificent night sky of the Atacama Desert. The experience includes observing stars, planets, and constellations with the naked eye and through professional telescopes, including a substantial 16-inch telescope. Throughout this celestial journey, we delve into the significance of the region for both modern astronomy and ancient Central Andean cultures. Witness the beauty of the Milky Way, identify the stars forming constellations, and observe the mesmerizing rotation of the sky. The experience extends to technical observations of various nebulae and star clusters through the telescope.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to embark on a tour of San Pedro de Atacama, hailed as the archaeological capital of Chile. This small oasis town holds a significant cultural presence in Atacama, situated near the mouth of the primary river that nourishes the salt flat. Nestled on an arid high plateau in the Andes Mountains, San Pedro de Atacama is surrounded by some of northern Chile’s most breathtaking scenery. Our exploration begins at Pukará de Quitor, a historical site where the Atacama people organized themselves to resist the European invasion. Despite facing defeats, their resilience endured for over 20 years. Following this, we'll delve into Tulor Village, a discovery made in 1958 by the Jesuit priest Gustavo Le Paige. This village serves as a captivating representation of the traditional Atacameños culture and way of life.

This afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel to journey across the Cordillera de la Sal (Salt Mountain Range) en route to the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon), a prominent attraction in this region. Situated 19 km from San Pedro de Atacama, the valley's terrain mirrors the surface of the moon, featuring small yet sharply crested hills sculpted by the wind. This tour is exclusively available in the afternoon, allowing the setting sun to enhance the valley's breathtaking colors. Once the tour concludes, you will be transported back to your hotel.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama

This afternoon, you will be picked up from your hotel to explore the Salar de Atacama, one of the world's largest salt lakes and home to the most important lithium reserves globally. At Chaxa Lagoon, delight in watching various bird species, including the three types of flamingos found in Chile - Andean, Chilean, and James'. The vibrant pink hues of their feathers contrast beautifully with the deep blue Atacama sky, the towering Andean volcanoes, and the red hues of the sunset bidding us farewell before returning to San Pedro de Atacama.

On the way to the Salt Lake, we make a stop in the town of Toconao. The houses in this charming village are constructed from bricks of white volcanic stone, and its warm-hearted residents are renowned for their exceptional wool knitting skills. Once the tour concludes, you will be taken back to your hotel.

Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama

This morning, you'll be transported from San Pedro de Atacama to Hito Cajon, the mountain pass situated on the border between Chile and Bolivia. Upon arrival, you'll be dropped off at the Chilean side of the border, where you will proceed through customs and immigration.

You'll be picked up at the Bolivian border of Hito Cajon and transferred to Villamar. Along the way, we'll visit the Green Lagoon nestled in the foothills of Licancabur Mountain, which is part of the highest desert in the Pampas de Dali. Our journey continues to the Chalviri Lagoon and the rejuvenating hot springs of Polques, followed by a visit to the impressive Geysers of Sol de Mañana. We'll then proceed to the Red Lagoon, renowned for hosting over 30,000 Andean flamingos during nesting season (approximately 3 hours of travel), before finally arriving at your hotel in Villamar.

This morning, we set out after breakfast, venturing through the Valle de las Rocas, a mesmerizing landscape shaped by the relentless forces of wind erosion. Passing through charming villages like Alota, Culpina K, and San Cristobal, each exuding its own distinct character and cultural heritage. As we continue, the story of San Cristobal unfolds, a community relocated due to the rich mineral deposits nearby. Here, the sight of the colonial church, painstakingly moved stone by stone, stands as a testament to resilience and preservation.

Our journey then leads us to discover natural marvels like the Catal and Vinto Lagoons, offering serene oases amidst rugged terrain, and the impressive rock formation known as Italia. Finally, we'll reach Colchani Village, nestled along the shores of the Uyuni Salt Flats, where our adventure concludes amidst the tranquil beauty of this unique landscape.

Overnight in Colchani

After breakfast, we'll set out from Colchani to witness local artisans' traditional salt extraction methods. Then, we'll explore a different section of the Uyuni salt flats, including a visit to Incahuasi Island, home to towering cacti up to 10 meters high! Lunch amidst the salt flats promises a unique experience.

In the afternoon, our journey takes us north to the base of the majestic Tunupa volcano. We'll visit Coquesa to see the pre-Columbian "mummies" and ensure ample time for exploring the salt flats, with our guides helping capture those iconic photos.

As the day draws to a close, we'll marvel at the sunset over Uyuni, an unforgettable moment enhanced by the interplay of colors between the sun and the salt flats—an ideal time for capturing postcard-perfect photos. As the tour concludes, you'll be transferred back to your hotel to unwind and enjoy a well-deserved night of rest.

Overnight in Colchani

This morning, you'll depart from Colchani towards Villazon. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to visit The Valley of the Machos, surrounded by beautiful hills of variable natural shapes with a spectacular appearance. Upon your arrival in Villazon, we'll guide you through the Bolivian border, ensuring a smooth transition for your entry into Argentina via La Quiaca.

After crossing the border into Argentina you will meet your local driver/guide and your journey continues from La Quiaca to the small town of Huacalera, nestled in Jujuy province. Here, you'll find a monolith dedicated to the Tropic of Capricorn, marking its passage through this point.

Check into your hotel for a well-deserved rest after a day filled with exploration and discovery.

Overnight in Huacalera

This morning you will be met at your hotel and enjoy a day of touring the north of Argentina.

You will explore the Quebrada of Humahuaca, a long valley that extends to the border with Bolivia, located in the Jujuy Province the northwest and the most Andean territory of Argentina. It is a relatively "young" valley, formed in the past few millions of years when enormous cuts of the tectonic plates pushed by the elevation of the Andes worked on older sedimentary deposit creating the actual aspect of the Quebrada, where layers of different geological periods are set upside down or simply vertical. It is famous for its coloured mountains, its geological formations and its historical villages. During your tour you will experience the authentic atmosphere of this Andean corner of Argentina: the colourful handcraft market of Purmamarca, the Pukara of Tilcara, The Seven Colours Mountain, among other surprising places representing the culture and the Pre-Hispanic history of the region.

At the end of the tour you will be dropped at you hotel in Salta.

Overnight in Salta

Morning at leisure.

This afternoon, enjoy a walk through the city of Salta, exploring the historical and architectural heritage on our half day city tour. Explore the main highlights of the city, including the fascinating MAAM museum (entrance fee included). Other points of interest include, the main square, the cathedral and historic cabildo, as well as the San Francisco Church and San Bernardo convent. Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel.

Overnight in Salta

You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time for a private transfer to the airport for your outward flight from Salta.