Northern Landscapes: Argentina, Chile & Uyuni

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to discover Buenos Aires on a half-day city tour. The journey begins at Plaza de Mayo, the historical and political center, where you will see the Government House and gain insight into the city’s past.

You will then continue to San Telmo, known for its cobblestone streets and traditional atmosphere, before heading to La Boca, where colorful houses and street life reflect the city’s artistic spirit. The walk along Caminito offers a lively introduction to tango culture.

The tour concludes in Recoleta, an elegant neighborhood defined by grand architecture and wide avenues, offering a different perspective on the city’s character. After the visit, you will return to your hotel.

An Evening of Tango
In the evening, you will be picked up again to experience one of Argentina’s most distinctive traditions. Tango is deeply connected to the country’s history, shaped by immigration, music, and emotion.

During the show, you will enjoy a live performance that combines music, dance, and storytelling in an intimate setting. The experience is complemented by dinner, featuring Argentine and international cuisine, along with local wines.

After the performance, you will return to your hotel, closing a day that brings together the city’s history and its cultural identity.

Today, you will leave Buenos Aires and head north to the city of Salta. A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight, marking the beginning of a new stage in your journey through Argentina.

Welcome to Salta
Upon arrival, you will be driven to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to explore the city at your own pace. Known for its relaxed rhythm and colonial character, Salta offers a different atmosphere, where daily life slows down, especially during the traditional afternoon siesta.

Walking through its streets, you will notice a blend of history, local culture, and surrounding landscapes that hint at what lies beyond the city. Salta serves as the perfect base to begin exploring the northern region, including the Humahuaca Gorge and the colorful mountains of nearby Jujuy.

Your journey begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Salta, heading into the landscapes of the Calchaquí Valleys. Leaving behind the green scenery of the Lerma Valley, you will pass through the gorges of Laureles and Escoipe, where the terrain gradually shifts in color and texture.

The route continues along the Cuesta del Obispo, a winding mountain road that climbs to high altitudes and offers expansive views over the region. As you reach the higher valleys, the scenery becomes more arid, dotted with towering cacti inside Los Cardones National Park.

Arriving in Cachi, you will find a small village where colonial architecture and local traditions come together. From there, the journey continues deeper into the valleys, passing through Molinos and Angastaco before reaching the dramatic Quebrada de las Flechas, known for its sharp, vertical rock formations that create a striking natural landscape.

By the end of the day, you will arrive in Cafayate, where you will spend the night surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

Cafayate and Its Wines
Cafayate is one of the most renowned wine regions in northern Argentina, especially known for its Torrontés varietal. During your stay, you will visit local wineries and learn about the production of wines shaped by the region’s altitude and climate.

There will also be time to enjoy the town at your own pace, whether walking through its central square or taking in the relaxed atmosphere that defines this part of the valley.

Today, you will leave Cafayate and begin the journey back to Salta, traveling through the striking landscapes of the Quebrada de las Conchas. This natural reserve is known for its red rock formations, shaped over time by wind and erosion into unusual and recognizable forms.

As you follow the route, you will stop at different viewpoints to explore these formations up close, including shapes known locally as the Frog, the Obelisk, and the Castles. The scenery changes with every turn, revealing new textures and colors along the way.

Among the highlights of the day are the Amphitheater, a natural rock formation with remarkable acoustics, and the Devil’s Throat, a narrow and dramatic canyon that offers a unique perspective from within its walls.

By the end of the excursion, you will return to Salta, where you will have the evening free to relax and enjoy the local atmosphere.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace in Purmamarca, a small village set at the base of the Hill of Seven Colors. Known for its calm atmosphere and walkable streets, it is an ideal place to slow down and take in the surroundings.

You may choose to explore the town, visit local artisan markets, or simply spend time observing the changing light over the mountains throughout the day.

For those who prefer a bit of activity, an optional walk along the Los Colorados trail begins just outside the village. This easy route takes you closer to the landscape, revealing red-toned hills, rock formations shaped by wind, and wide open views that feel both remote and immersive.

Whether you explore or unwind, the setting invites you to experience the quieter side of northern Argentina.

Early in the morning, you will head to the bus station to begin your journey to San Pedro de Atacama. This route crosses the Andes through the Paso de Jama, one of the highest international passes in the region.

As you travel across the altiplano, the scenery opens into vast, remote landscapes, where mountains, salt flats, and open skies define the horizon. The changing altitude and terrain make this a transition not only between countries, but also between very different natural environments.

Arrival in San Pedro de Atacama
By the end of the journey, you will arrive in San Pedro de Atacama, a small desert town known for its adobe houses and quiet streets. A transfer will take you to your hotel, where you can settle in and prepare to explore one of Chile’s most distinctive regions.

Surrounded by desert landscapes, volcanoes, and high-altitude lagoons, San Pedro serves as the base for the next stage of your adventure.

Today, you will head out from your hotel to explore the Valle de la Luna, one of the most distinctive landscapes in the Atacama Desert. As you travel deeper into this arid environment, the terrain reveals formations shaped by salt, clay, and wind over thousands of years.

Along the way, you will pass by the Three Marias, a group of natural rock formations that stand out against the desert backdrop. The route continues through narrow paths and salt caves, where crystalline textures and unusual shapes reflect the extreme conditions of the region.

Sunset in the Valley
As the day comes to an end, the landscape begins to shift in color. The light softens and the desert takes on new tones, creating a changing panorama across the valley and surrounding mountains, including the Licancabur Volcano in the distance.

After the excursion, you will be dropped off in the town center, from where you can return to your hotel at your own pace.

Very early in the morning, you will leave San Pedro de Atacama and head into the high Andes to visit the Tatio Geysers. This geothermal field, one of the highest in the world, is best experienced at dawn, when the contrast between the cold air and the rising steam creates a striking atmosphere.

As you walk through the site, you will see geysers and steaming vents emerging from the ground, surrounded by a stark, high-altitude landscape. There will be time to explore the area, take in the scenery, and enjoy breakfast in this unique setting. For those interested, it is also possible to relax in the nearby thermal waters.

On the Way Back
The return journey includes a stop in the small village of Machuca, a remote settlement with traditional adobe houses and a quiet way of life shaped by the surrounding environment. This visit offers a glimpse into the local culture of the altiplano, before continuing back to San Pedro.

You will arrive around midday, with the rest of the day free to relax or continue exploring the area.

Today, you will begin a three-day journey into Bolivia, heading toward the Uyuni Salt Flats. Early in the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to start a long overland journey across the Andes, crossing the border between Chile and Bolivia.

Once in Bolivia, you will continue the expedition in a 4WD vehicle, traveling through remote high-altitude landscapes where the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic and expansive.

Day 1: Lagoons, Deserts, and Geothermal Fields
The first day takes you into the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve, a protected area known for its striking contrasts. You will visit Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca, set at the base of the Licancabur Volcano, before continuing into the Siloli Desert.

Along the way, you will encounter unique rock formations shaped by wind and time, including the well-known Árbol de Piedra. The route also passes geothermal areas such as Sol de Mañana, where steam and volcanic activity create an otherworldly setting, as well as natural thermal pools found at high altitude.

The day ends at Laguna Colorada, a high-altitude lagoon known for its distinctive red tones and as a habitat for flamingos and other native species.

Throughout the journey, the landscape is defined by wide open spaces, changing colors, and a sense of remoteness that makes this part of South America unlike any other.

Today, you will continue your journey through the Bolivian altiplano on an 8-hour 4WD expedition. The route takes you once again through the Siloli Desert, where wind-shaped rock formations define the landscape, before reaching a series of high-altitude lagoons.

At Laguna Honda and Laguna Cañapa, you will encounter reflective waters surrounded by volcanic peaks. These lagoons are often home to flamingos, adding movement and color to the otherwise vast and quiet environment. The scenery here is marked by wide horizons, mineral tones, and the presence of nearby volcanoes rising above the plains.

Toward the Salt Flats
The journey continues to the Chiguana Salt Flat, a lesser-known expanse crossed by an active railway line, offering a glimpse into the region’s isolation and history. From there, you will pass through San Juan, a small and remote village where daily life remains closely tied to the surrounding landscape.

By the end of the day, you will arrive at your accommodation: a Salt Hotel built largely from blocks of salt. Here, you will have time to rest and take in the unique setting before continuing your exploration the following day.

Today, you will experience one of the most remarkable landscapes in South America: the Uyuni Salt Flats. Departing early in the morning, you will set out across this vast white expanse, where the horizon seems to disappear and the scale of the surroundings becomes difficult to grasp.

Depending on the season, the scenery changes dramatically. During the rainy months, a thin layer of water transforms the surface into a mirror, reflecting the sky above. In the dry season, the salt forms geometric patterns that stretch endlessly across the terrain.

As you continue, you will visit Incahuasi Island, a rocky outcrop rising from the salt flats, known for its giant cacti and elevated views over the surrounding landscape. There will also be time to explore different areas of the salar, including natural formations and small local settlements on its edges.

From Uyuni to Villa Mar
The journey continues toward Colchani, a small village where local handicrafts are made using salt and traditional techniques. You will also stop at the nearby train cemetery, where abandoned locomotives create a unique and atmospheric setting.

By the afternoon, you will reach the town of Uyuni, where you will have some free time before continuing your journey. Later in the day, you will cross back toward Chile and travel on to Villa Mar, a quiet village where you will spend the night, marking the final stage of your exploration of the altiplano.

Today, you will leave Villa Mar and travel back across the high-altitude landscapes toward San Pedro de Atacama. The journey retraces part of your route through the altiplano, offering one last look at the wide open scenery that defines this remote region.

You will arrive around midday and be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax or enjoy the town at your own pace.

San Pedro’s quiet streets, local markets, and small restaurants create an inviting atmosphere to unwind after the days spent exploring more remote areas. Whether you choose to walk along Caracoles Street or simply take in the surroundings, it is a good moment to slow down before continuing your journey.

Today, you will be transferred to Calama airport for your flight to Santiago de Chile. This marks a shift from the remote landscapes of the desert to one of South America’s most dynamic urban centers.

Welcome to Santiago
Upon arrival, you will be driven to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Set between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santiago combines modern city life with easy access to nature. From different points in the city, you can take in views of the surrounding mountains, while nearby valleys such as the Maipo region are known for their long-standing wine traditions.

Walking through Santiago, you will find a mix of historic areas, contemporary neighborhoods, and everyday city life, offering a varied introduction to Chile’s capital.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred from your hotel to the airport for your onward flight. As your journey comes to an end, you will leave with a collection of experiences shaped by diverse landscapes, cultures, and moments across the continent.

From the deserts of the Atacama to the high-altitude salt flats and the cities along the way, this itinerary brings together a range of environments that define South America.

Whether this is the end of your trip or the beginning of a new one, there is always more to explore across the region.