The Essential of the Altiplanic Deserts in 15 days, in international group
In international group with English speaking tour leader, Argentina – Bolivia – Chile, fixed departures
Here you can find the fixed departure dates/ Best Sellers Tour dates Argentina
Here you visit the North / The Altiplano in 3 country’s
Buenos Aires-Salta- Cafayate- Purmamarca- Atacama- Malku Cueva- Colchani
You can choose this tour in 2 options
1/Tourist Superior
2/First Superior
What’s Included:
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- Needed transfers
- Accommodation: 14 nights
Buenos Aires (2) – Salta (3) – Cafayate (1) – Purmamaca (2) – Atacama (3) -Malku (1) -Colchani (2)
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- Tours:
Buenos Aires: City tour – Dinner tango show
Salta: Walking tour, MAAM included – De Las Flechas, De Cafayate, Del Toro Gorges
Jujuy: Humahuaca Gorge
Atacama: Altiplanic Lagoons – Atacama Salt Flat – El Tatio Geysers – De La Luna Valley
Uyuni: Colores Lagoons – De La Mañana Geysers – Uyuni Salt Flat
- Meals: 14 breakfasts – 4 lunches – 4 dinners
- Entree fees to the Parks, Reserves and museums
Day 1 – Buenos Aires
Arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we make a panoramic tour of the city. We start in Plaza de Mayo, scenery of the most important events of the country from 1810, to then continue to the neighborhood of La Boca and finish in Palermo and Recoleta. At night, we attend a dinner show to appreciate the magnetism of tango.
Note: Early Check in guaranteed only for our fixed departures.
Day 2 Buenos Aires / Salta. B
Transfer to the airport to board the scheduled flight to Salta. Arrival, reception and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, the city awaits us. We will explore it by foot, walking along its cobbled streets, churches, colonial buildings and visiting the High Mountain Archaeology Museum (MAAM).
Max. Altitude: 1.152 MASL (3.779 ft.)
Day 3 Salta / Cafayate. B
Departure from Salta to Calchaquí Valleys, passing by the Obispo Slope, Recta del Tin Tin, Los Cardones National Park, Cachi and De Las Flechas Gorge, to finally arrive at Cafayate.
Travel time: 12 hours
Max. Altitude: 3.400 MASL (10.984 ft.)
Day 4 Cafayate / Salta. B
In the morning, we visit the town and after lunch (not included), we head back to Salta visiting the Cafayate Gorge.
Travel time: 7 hours
Max. Altitude: 1.660 MASL (6.167 ft.)
Day 5 Salta / Purmamarca. B
Early departure travelling through Del Toro Gorge. Later, we get to know the small town of San Antonio de los Cobres. After lunch (not included), we continue across the Puna up to Salinas Grandes Salt Flat, in the Province of Jujuy, and then we start descending through De Lipán Slope, a winding mountain road, to Purmamarca.
Travel time: 10 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.170 MASL (13.681 ft.)
Day 6 Purmamarca / Atacama. B
In the morning, departure towards San Pedro de Atacama, passing by Paso de Jama border crossing. Arrival at this oasis in the middle of the dessert.
Travel time: 7 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.400 MASL (14.436 ft.)
Day 7 Atacama. B
Departure to the Altiplanic Lagoons, one of the seven sectors that embrace Los Flamencos National Reserve, along with Chaxa Lagoon in Atacama Salt Flat. During the tour, we visit the Miscanti, and Miñiques Lagoons and the town of Toconao.
Travel time: 7-8 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.220 MASL (13.845 ft.)
Day 8 Atacama. B
Early departure to El Tatio Geysers, the highest geothermal field in the world where we observe the steam and fumaroles produced by the high temperatures of its craters. During the afternoon we enjoy the sunset in De La Luna Valley.
Travel time: 9 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.320 MASL (14.173 ft.)
Day 9 Atacama / Malku. B/L/D
Departure to Hito Cajón, the border with Bolivia. On the way to Malku Cueva, we visit landscapes such as Verde Lagoon, Dali Valley with the thermal springs of Chaviri, De la Mañana Geysers and Colorado Lagoon, where we appreciate James flamingos.
Travel time: 8 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.400 MASL (14.435 ft.)
Day 10 Malku / Colchani. B/L/D
In the afternoon, we visit a valley of stones and then continue to Uyuni passing by the towns of Culpina and San Cristóbal. During the trip and before we continue to Colchani, we visit the Cemetery of Trains to finally arrive at Colchani where we stay at a salt hotel.
Travel time: 8 hours
Max. Altitude 3.843 MASL (12.608 ft.)
Day 11 Colchani B/L/D
Today we dedicate the day to explore Uyuni Salt Flat, the largest in the world. During the tour, we will visit a salt processing plant, the Incahuasi Island where we can observe the giant Cactus, and the mummies of the Pucara de Ayque. Lunch will be served at the Great Salt Flat.
Travel time: 7 hours
Max. Altitude: 3.600 MASL (11.811 ft.)
Day 12 Colchani / Purmamarca. B L
Very early in the morning, departure towards Tupiza to arrive at La Quiaca and once we do the migrations procedures, we continue through the Humahuaca Gorge, a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity. On the way, we will make a detour to admire the Hornocal, also known as Cerro de los Catorce Colores (Fourteen Colours Hill). A long day but with landscapes that gratify.
Travel time: 12 hours
Max. Altitude: 4.220 MASL (13.845 ft.)
Day 13 Purmamarca / Salta. B
We explore the Humahuaca Gorge, Humanity’s Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Travel time: 9/10 hours
Max. Altitude: 3.000 MASL (9.843 ft.)
Day 14 Salta / Buenos Aires. B
Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Buenos Aires. Meet and greet in the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Day 15 Buenos Aires. B
Morning at leisure. At due time, transfer to the airport.
notes:
Day 2: The Town Hall and the MAAM close on Mondays. San Miguel Market closes on Sundays.
Day 4: The Vine and Wine Museum closes on Mondays.
Day 6: Please, ask about the frequency of the bus Purmamarca – S.P. de Atacama.
Day 9: The access to Colores Lagoon and De la Mañana Geysers in Bolivia can be affected due to weather conditions.
Day 11: During the rainy season (from December to March) the salt flat is flooded and for that reason, we do not visit the Incahuasi Island neither the Pucara de Ayque.
To keep in mind:
- This program is available as a fixed departure.
- During the rainy season (from December to March), the itinerary could be modified.
- Due to the altitude, atmospheric pressure and reduction of oxygen of the Puna, we recommend that people with respiratory, cardiac or pressure diseases, take special care.
