Overview & Highlights
Cross a high pass over the Chilean Andes from the Atacama desert to the golden russet canyon country and indigenous villages around Salta in northwest Argentina. Fly to the Iguazú Falls, before heading to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires.
- Half day walking tour of Santiago’s architecture
- Full day excursion to Maipo Valley visiting two vineyards
- Sunset trip to Moon Valley
- Tour to Toconao village, Minique and Miscanti lagoons, Atacama salt flat and Laguna Chaxa
- Full day visit to Tatio Geysers – highest geyser field in the world
- Discover Humahuaca Gorge, on to Tilcara and Humahuaca village
- Salta walking tour including cable car up San Bernardo Hill
- Full day excursion to Argentine side of Iguazú falls
- Half day to explore Brazilian side of Iguazú falls
- Tango show with dinner at El Querandi
The Andean crossing between the Atacama desert and Salta in the Argentine Andean foothills is the highest and most elemental pass, where sun-bleached arid rock gives way to ice-clad skeletal peaks. A friendly, laid-back but cultured colonial city. Salta, with its graceful baroque architecture and stunning, colourful cathedral, is a great contrast to the vast capital, Buenos Aires. Around it are communities and vestiges of the country’s indigenous population, whose crafts and agricultural practices survive to this day.
From there you’ll fly to the sub-tropical rainforest of Iguazú National Park and survey and explore the monumental Iguazú Falls; 276 separate cascades thundering over a granite precipice. At either end of the holiday there’s time in a historically significant, sophisticated city – Santiago and Buenos Aires.
Outline itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Santiago. Transfer to hotel. Walking tour of Santiago’s historic centre.
Day 2
Full day excursion to Maipo Valley visiting two vineyards.
Day 3
Fly to Calama, transfer to desert town San Pedro de Atacama. Sunset trip to Moon Valley.
Day 4
Visit village of Toconao, Minique and Miscanti lagoons, cross ‘salar’ salt flat to Laguna Chaxa.
Day 5
Full day visit to Tatio Geysers – highest geyser field in the world.
Day 6
Public bus to Purmamarca.
Day 7
At leisure.
Day 8
Discover Humahuaca Gorge, continue to Humahuaca village.
Day 9
Salta walking tour including cable car up San Bernardo Hill. Fly to Puerto Iguazú.
Day 10
Full day excursion to Argentine side of Iguazú falls.
Day 11
Half day to explore Brazilian side of Iguazú falls.
Day 12
Fly to Buenos Aires, transfer to hotel in Recoleta district.
Day 13
City tour including visit to Teatro Colon.
Day 14
At leisure, tango show with dinner at El Querandi.
Day 15
Transfer to airport for international flight home.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Most memorable experience(s): “The Salt Flats of Bolivia and the Altiplano area for stunning scenery. Machu Picchu for the history of the Inca civilisation - very interesting and educational”
WW, Gwynedd
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Ben Line - Travel Consultant
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Manager of the Tailor-made Department.
Things to do
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Accommodation
Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.
Chile / Atacama Desert
Altiplanico Atacama
Argentina / Salta and the northwest Andes
El Manantial del Silencio
Argentina / Salta and the northwest Andes
Hotel Solar de la Plaza
Argentina / Iguazu Falls – Argentinian side / Iguazu Falls
Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel
Chile / Santiago and the vineyards
