Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
Overview
The Atacama Desert Overland Tour lets you explore the spectacular Atacama Desert which is the driest non-polar desert in the world, lining the Pacific coast and the Andes Mountains. Used as an experimentation site for Mars-bound equipment, you’ll feel like you’re on another planet every day on the overland tour in Argentina and Chile.
This Atacama Desert driving tour takes you to valleys, gorges, and plateaus like you’ve never seen. Watch steam billow out of geothermal geysers, walk the shores of vast salt lakes and across salt flats, and see the evidence of millions of years of water and wind erosion in dramatic formations. End the days observing flocks of flamingos as the sun sets. With stays in unique desert towns, you’ll feel far away from your normal life on the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour!
Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile Overview
The Atacama Desert Overland Tour lets you explore the spectacular Atacama Desert which is the driest non-polar desert in the world, lining the Pacific coast and the Andes Mountains. Used as an experimentation site for Mars-bound equipment, you’ll feel like you’re on another planet every day on the overland tour in Argentina and Chile.
This Atacama Desert driving tour takes you to valleys, gorges, and plateaus like you’ve never seen. Watch steam billow out of geothermal geysers, walk the shores of vast salt lakes and across salt flats, and see the evidence of millions of years of water and wind erosion in dramatic formations. End the days observing flocks of flamingos as the sun sets. With stays in unique desert towns, you’ll feel far away from your normal life on the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour!
Drive far, far into the Atacama Desert of Argentina and Chile, discovering a landscape unique from anywhere else.
Watch pink flamingos pick their way through great salty lakes, taking to the sky in pastel flocks.
Visit dramatic gorges, wide plateaus, museums, and sputtering geothermal geysers.
Stay in far-flung cities and towns, discovering what life in this unique region is really like.
Trip map for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
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Itinerary for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
Arrival in Salta
Your Atacama Desert driving adventure begins in Salta, the capital city of the province of the same name. You’ll spend the afternoon on a walking tour of the colonial buildings, bustling streets, and pretty churches. You’ll make a stop at the High Mountain Archaeology Museum, seeing the “Children of Llullaillaco,” one of the most important archaeological findings of recent years.
Note: The Town Hall and the MAAM close on Mondays. San Miguel ‘s Market closes on
Sundays. The itinerary could be modified.
Calchaquies Valleys and Los Cardones National Park
Today on this overland tour in Argentina and Chile is all about the natural beauty just outside of Salta. Drive to explore the Calchaquies Valleys, Los Cardones National Park, the Del Obispo Slope, Tin Tin Straight, and the Cachi and De Las Flechas gorges. Make sure you’ve got your camera charged!
Note: Pablo Díaz Museum closes on Mondays.
You’ll spend the night in Cafayate.
Free time in Cafayate and Back to Salta
Sleep in a bit or spend a little longer enjoying breakfast today, as you’ll enjoy a relaxed morning before heading back to Salta in the afternoon.
Note: The Vine and Wine Museum closes on Mondays.
San Antonio de los Cobres and Purmamarca
Early this morning, hop in the van and begin a drive along the Del Toro Gorge in Jujuy province. Stop in San Antonio de los Cobres for a stretch, then continue along the puna (plateau) to Salinas Grandes Salt Flat, a scene out of a movie.
After marvelling at the salt flat, it’s on to Purmamarca for the evening. The De los Siete Colores Hill is nearby, and it’s a scenic spot to admire as the sun sets.
Humahuaca Gorge
Spend the morning exploring Jujuy province, an area defined by unusual rock formations. Get to know the Humahuaca Gorge, a Cultural and National Heritage Site.
Return to Purmamarca at the end of an adventurous day.
Note: There is an optional extension to visit Hornocal (De los Catorce Colores Hill) available, please enquire for more information.
Travel to San Pedro de Atacama
Early today, begin your drive to San Pedro de Atacama. Enjoy the scenery of the desert passing by as you approach your hotel for the night,
Atacama Salt Flats and Chaxa Lagoon
Spend this day of the Atacama Desert Overland Tour strolling the otherworldly Atacama Salt Flats, a wide partially-evaporated salt lake surrounded by red mountains. Watch out for flamingos here! Next up is Chaxa Lagoon, another favourite spot for local flamingos- fittingly, as it’s part of Los Flamencos National Reserve.
Watch the sunset at De la Luna Valley before turning in for the night.
El Tatio Geysers
Rise early and grab your coffee before heading out to the El Tatio Geysers, the highest geothermal field in the world. Watch the steam fumaroles produced by the scorching craters, a crazy sight!
Tonight it’s back to San Pedro de Atacama.
Travel to Salta
After breakfast, it’s back to Salta. Savour your last few hours cruising through the Atacama Desert.
Tour Concludes
On your final day of your overlanding in Chile and Argentina, you can spend your time as you please before it’s time to head to the airport. Adios!
Reviews
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Dates and prices for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
This guided overland tour in Argentina is run either as a private tour for your group only, or a shared tour for a mixed group and the price depends on the number of participants, the time of year, and whether you prefer a private or shared tour.
Prices below are per person.
Departures between April and June
Private Tour
- Guided groups of 2 in double rooms: from $3,920USD per person*
*-Please note that all the prices for this tour are on request and depend on many factors, such as whether you choose to join a shared group of want to travel with your group only, your group size and the time of the year.
What’s included for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
Meals
9 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transfers according to the itinerary are included. Transfers upon arrival and for departure are included. Luggage transfers are also included.
Also Included
- Guide services
- Museum and reserve tickets
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions
- Visas if required
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Optional activities or excursions
- Additional nights before or after the tour
Accommodation for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
This tour is based in hotels. Standard tour offers 3-star accommodation, but you can upgrade to 4 or 5-star hotels for an extra charge. Please reach out to us for more information on all your hotel options and an accurate quote.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you would prefer a single room where available or you are a solo traveller, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
Frequently asked questions for Atacama Desert Overland Tour: Argentina and Chile
How hard is the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour?
We rate this tour as a 2/5. This is an overland tour with only light daily walking required. However, you’ll be spending time at very high elevations (up to 4,400m!) which will make the walks feel harder than they are.
Do I need a visa to travel to Argentina or Chile?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour?
9 breakfasts are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Salta to start this tour?
You can fly into Martín Miguel De Güemes International Airport (SLA), where you will be picked up by your guide to begin your tour.
Is the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour in English?
Yes, your drivers will be English-speaking.
Where does the Overland Across the Atacama Desert tour end?
The tour ends in Salta, where you will be dropped off at the airport.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Argentina or Chile?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Argentina or Chile?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Argentina for this tour?
The best time to visit Argentina for this tour is between November and February when the weather is at its warmest.
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