The Atacama Desert & Northern Argentina
The Norh of Chile and Argentina
9 Days / 8 Nights
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A selfdrive tour that combines the North of Chile with the North of Argentina. The different landscapes of both countries that are divided by the chain of the Andes are significant. You will be impressed by the driest desert of the world that is having the Andes and snow-capped volcanoes in the background. In addition, it is the pre-Incan history that makes the region not only interesting in terms of landscape. Museums, old villages and churches tell the story of a time long ago.
Day 1 Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (102 km / 63 mi)
Upon arrival to Calama you will pick up your car to start your journey through the spectacular northern ends of Chile and Argentina. Your first destination will be San Pedro de Atacama. A quaint town which was the centre of a Palaeolithic culture that built impressive rock fortresses on the steep mountains encircling the green valley. It contrasts with the eerily silent landscape of the nearby Moon Valley with its tiny but beautiful salt ponds and the backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. It is a unique experience to view the vast plain of salt crusts with its octagonal-shaped crystals and to admire the lagoons reflecting the towering volcanoes of the huge Atacama Salt Lake; a former inland sea formed millions of years ago and the surrounding landscape. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.
Day 3 El Tatio and Puritama (4.321 m/ 14.177 ft above sea level) (94 km / 58 mi)
After an early start (about 04.00 a.m.) you will be able to visit the El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring Andean peaks at an altitude of 4,321 m/14,177 ft above sea level. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam shoot out of various blowholes. After your visit to the geysers, you will drive back to San Pedro; on your way you can visit the Hot Springs of Puritama to relax and warm up in the beautiful thermal baths. (As a suggestion we recommend to take a regular tour to visit el Tatio due to the dangerous road and the early departure that is required to visit them) Overnight in San Pedro. (Breakfast)
Day 4 San Pedro de Atacama - Salta (630 km / 392 mi)
Today you will cross the Chile and Argentina borders through Jama International pass. From there you will head south to the beautiful city of Salta, a colonial city that has kept is essence despite the fact of its 400 years of history. After a long day you spend the night in Salta. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Salta - Cafayate (186 km / 116 mi)
This day you will be travelling to the city of Cafayate, but first we recommend visiting the main highlights of Salta like the Cathedral BasÃlica, the San Francisco Church, the former Hernández House, now turned into the Museum of the City and the handcrafts market, the first one in the country. Leaving Salta, we can visit the towns of the Valley of Lerma until arriving at Quebrada de las Conchas (the Gorge of the Shells). This magnificent stone wall seems to jealously guard the vineyards of the Valley of Cafayate. The place has a special microclimate for the wine production; given the great thermal amplitude it is not necessary the use of chemical products and a truly organic production is obtained. After arrival in Calafate, you can check in at your hotel and in the afternoon you could visit
the ruins of the ancient human settlement of the Quilmes located 40 kms / 25 mi from Cafayate, the most famous archaeological site in the country. Quilmes is an ancient pre-Incan city which was inhabited between centuries IX and XVII. The site, built on a natural amphitheatre, offers an exceptional view of the valley, on the way you could also visit the Amaicha del Valle Museum. Overnight in Cafayate (Breakfast).
Day 6 Cafayate - Cachi (162 km / 100 mi)
You will leave Cafayate along Route 40 to the N following River Calchaqui to the charming
town of Cachi crossing mountain landscapes with important archaeological sites and visiting on the way picturesque villages that made their lives from agriculture where you will be able to purchase home made wines or jams among other products. Animana, San Carlos, Angastaco,
Molinos and Seclantas are some of the attractive tows. Cachi is considered a gem due to its environment and architecture. You can visit San Jose Church and the Archaeological
Museum. Overnight in Cachi. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Cachi - Purmamarca (337 km / 209 mi)
Today you will leave Cachi,crossing the Lerma Valley and National Park Los Cardones,
on your way to Salta, visiting Cerrillos, Pulares, Escoipe Gorge, Cuesta del Obispo at 3348m above sea level and Recta de Tin Tin. From Salta you have to take route RN 9 to the
north, after 31 kms / 19 mi you will reach the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, leaving this city and after 61 kms / 38 mi the RN 9 meets with RN 52, you have to take RN 52 and only 4 kms
/ 2,5 mi you will reach the town of Purmamarca. The crafts market in the main square is also
a must see. After the checking at your hotel you can visit the amazingly coloured creeks of
Tilcara 26 km / 26 mi and Huamachuca 68 km / 42mi. Over-night in Purmamarca. (Breakfast)
Day 8 Purmamarca - San Pedro de Atacama (450 km / 279 mi)
This morning you will have more time to appreciate the broad variety of colours this town offers and pay a visit to the truly astonishing Cerro de 7 Colores (the 7 Colours Hill). Afterwards you can start picking your way back to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.(Breakfast)
Day 9 San Pedro de Atacama - Calama (102 km / 63 mi)
This morning after breakfast you can drive back to Calama and drop off the vehicle.(Breakfast)
| Season (mm/dd/yyyy) | Categories | Double | Sgl Supl | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/01/2009 - 12/31/2009 | USD 1159 |
| Season (mm/dd/yyyy) | Categories | Class |
Double | Sgl Traveller | Sgl Supl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2010 - 03/30/2010 | First |
N |
USD 1129 | USD 1699 | ||
| 01/01/2010 - 03/30/2010 | First |
M |
USD 1139 | USD 2049 | ||
| 01/01/2010 - 03/30/2010 | Deluxe |
G |
USD 1429 | USD 2459 |
Tour bookable with different hotel and car categories.
Tour includes: 8 nights including breakfast, 9 days' car rental incl. unlimited free mileage, local tax, full CDW coverage, drop off charge, a roadmap and descriptions.
Not included: In Chile car rental companies charge additional airport service fee at the time of vehicle pickup at the airport. This service charge is not included in the rates above, it has to be paid upon returning the car.
