Northwest Argentina and Atacama Overland

Begin your tour in Salta, a major city in mountainous northwest Argentina. Upon your arrival, a driver will greet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Be sure to go out and see the sights of Salta, including its well-preserved colonial architecture and the cable car to San Bernardo Hill that offers great views.

After breakfast, you'll make the long journey from Salta to Tolar Grande on Route 51, with a few stops along the way. This road follows the engineering marvel of the “Train to the Clouds” through the mountains, with awesome views all around.

Finally, you reach the tiny town of Tolar Grande just in time to watch the sunset from 3500 metres high.

Today you’ll begin by exploring Ojos del Mar. Ojos del Mar is a stunning natural site said to resemble Mars. Home to 3.5 billion-year-old stromatolites, this remote lunar landscape has remained unchanged for as long as life has existed on Earth.

During this day trip, you'll also visit El Arenal, a viewpoint above seven volcanoes, and the Arizaro Salt Flat with its iconic volcano-shaped formation.

Passing wild llamas and vicunas on the way, you'll start today by driving to the famous Salinas Grandes salt flats, an amazing sight in the desert. Then it's onwards to a small Andean community, where you overnight in a local homestay.

Tonight, you’ll share dinner with the families and experience their traditional cuisine.

In the morning, you have the opportunity to take part in the village's daily activities, like wool weaving. After lunch, say farewell to the families and continue to Purmamarca, a small village at the base of the striking Seven Colour Hills. Get a glimpse into life at this high altitude of 4100 metres as you stay overnight.

From Purmamarca, your driver takes you through the colourful Humahuacas Gorge and then stops to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pucara de Tilcara, a pre-Inca fortification.

Then, it's onwards to Ocumazo, a tiny village tucked away in the Hidden Valley, to spend a night with a local family.

Today, you get a great cultural immersion in Ocumazo by taking part in this pastoral way of life, with activities like cheesemaking, cooking workshops, and guided walks. You’ll see how the locals have grown their own Andean crops and stayed self-sufficient.

After lunch, you continue to the pink-hued Hornocal Mountains and then back to Purmamarca for the night.

It's a beautiful journey by bus from Purmamarca to San Pedro de Atacama, crossing the border into Chile. This remote mountain town in the Atacama Desert boasts spectacular natural scenery, with red, yellow, orange, and purple hills, vast canyons, and jagged peaks.

Check into your hotel and relax for the night.

You have the morning free to explore the quaint town of San Pedro de Atacama. In the afternoon, a guide will take you to the incredible sites of Moon Valley and Death Valley. Enjoy the awe-inspiring huge canyons in the Atacama Desert with amazing rock formations and a wide-open horizon that goes on forever.

Enjoy a full-day excursion to see the wonders of the Lagunas Altiplanicas, a wildlife sanctuary known for its famous red rocks and vast blue lagoons. See wild flamingos at the Chaxa Lagoon and visit the charming village of Toconao, whose historical sites and architecture are national monuments.

Your guide will pick you up very early today to travel to one of the highest geothermal fields in the world, so dress warmly and bring layers. Geyser del Tatio has more than 70 natural geysers, the beauty of which is enhanced at sunrise. After sunrise, you'll have breakfast and continue back to San Pedro de Atacama for your last night.

Your incredible journey through the Northwest of Argentina and Chile comes to an end today. A driver will transfer you to Airport El Loa Calama in Calama for your departure flight from Chile.