Atacama Desert & Northern Argentina Self-drive Tour - 9 Days
DAY 1: CALAMA – SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (101 KM / 63 MI)
Once having arrived, you will need to pick up your rental vehicle at the airport or at the car rental office in Calama and then start your journey through the spectacular northern ends of Chile. Your destination will be San Pedro de Atacama; once center to the Paleolithic culture. Impressive rock fortresses on steep mountains encircle the green valley, making it truly a unique and stunning sight to visit. It contrasts with the eerily silent desert landscape home to vast plains and salt ponds with octagonal-shaped crystals reflecting the towering volcanoes. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.
DAY 2: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
You will have a full day at leisure to explore your surroundings. Located only about an hour away from San Pedro is the Los Flamencos National Reserve where some of the most remarkable arrays of wildlife exist. Home to the dark blue lagoons, flamingo flocks and many other bird species it is an ornithologist’s paradise. The Atacama Salt Flat is similarly a must see and highlight of the region. It is the largest salt flat in Chile with large volcanoes and salt crusts dominating its landscape. Also located in the Atacama Desert is the intriguing Moon Valley boasting various stone and sand formations which have been carved over centuries by wind and water. It has an impressive range of color and texture, looking somewhat similar to the surface of the moon. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 3: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – EL TATIO – PURITAMA (143 KM / 89 MI)
Before dawn break you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers; a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4,300 meters above sea level on the Altiplano. It is the highest geothermal field in the world and boasts spectacular scenery. At dawn you will be able to observe powerful spurts of steam that shoot out from various geyser blowholes and steaming ponds. Afterwards, on your way back to San Pedro continue on to the Puritama hot springs where you can enjoy some rest and relaxation as you soak in the natural thermals pools. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 4: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – SALTA (630 KM / 392 MI)
Today your journey starts as you travel from desert town of San Pedro de Atacama to the beautiful colonial city of Salta. Located in the Lerma Valley, at 1,152 meters (3780 feet) above sea level and with over 400 years of history it is a charming place filled with essence and color. Overnight in Salta.
DAY 5: SALTA – CAFAYATE (186 KM / 116 MI)
In the morning, we recommend visiting the city’s main highlights such as the Basílica Cathedral, the San Francisco Church, the local museum and one of the many fun handcraft markets. After your city tour continue on your adventure towards Cafayate, visiting several quaint towns along the way. As you approach your final destination you will encounter the Quebrada de las Conchas (Ravine of the Shells). This national nature reserve is rich in fossils (even dinosaur foot prints) and boasts magnificent geological rock formations of red and purple colors within sharp cliffs and gorges. Overnight in Cafayate. (B)
DAY 6: CAFAYATE – CACHI (162 KM / 100 MI)
After breakfast take a drive to visit the Quilmes Ruins; one of the most famous archaeological sites of the country. This once was the largest pre-Columbian settlement in the country, occupying about 30 hectares. After your explorations, continue on to Cachi, where along the way you may want to stop at the Pachamama Museum in Amaicha del Valle. This museum features a variety of exhibitions and is focused on all the aspects of the aboriginal culture. From there continue on your drive passing by enchanting mountain landscapes and picturesque villages that are famous for their homemade wine and jams. Before arriving to your final destination take the time to get to know some of the towns along the way such as Animana San Carlos, Angastaco, Molinos and Seclantas. Once having arrived to Cachi, you will have the day at leisure to tour the city and visit its museum, church and beautiful landscapes. Overnight in Cachi. (B)
DAY 7: CACHI – PURMAMARCA (337 KM / 209 MI)
Today your travels will take you north to city of Purmamarca located at feat of the Cerro de 7 Colores (The Hill of Seven Colors) forming one of the most recognized landscapes of Argentina. Along the drive you will pass the famous city of Salta situated in the Lerma Valley. Nicknamed Salta la Linda ("Salta the beautiful"), it has become a major tourist destination due to its old colonial architecture, tourism friendliness, amazing weather and the natural scenery of the surrounding valleys. Nearby also lays the Los Cardones National Park which features gigantic cacti, fossil remains of extinct animals and dinosaur tracks. Overnight in Purmamarca. (B)
DAY 8: PURMAMARCA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (411 KM /255 MI)
In the morning take the time to get to know Pumamarca and its surroundings a little more in depth. Afterwards you will need to make your way back to Chile, but not before making one last stop to explore Argentina´s large salt desert known as Salinas Grandes. From there continue on to your final destination. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 9: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – CALAMA (101 KM / 63 MI)
After breakfast proceed to the Calama Airport where you will drop off the rental car and catch your flight out. (B)
Once having arrived, you will need to pick up your rental vehicle at the airport or at the car rental office in Calama and then start your journey through the spectacular northern ends of Chile. Your destination will be San Pedro de Atacama; once center to the Paleolithic culture. Impressive rock fortresses on steep mountains encircle the green valley, making it truly a unique and stunning sight to visit. It contrasts with the eerily silent desert landscape home to vast plains and salt ponds with octagonal-shaped crystals reflecting the towering volcanoes. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.
DAY 2: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA
You will have a full day at leisure to explore your surroundings. Located only about an hour away from San Pedro is the Los Flamencos National Reserve where some of the most remarkable arrays of wildlife exist. Home to the dark blue lagoons, flamingo flocks and many other bird species it is an ornithologist’s paradise. The Atacama Salt Flat is similarly a must see and highlight of the region. It is the largest salt flat in Chile with large volcanoes and salt crusts dominating its landscape. Also located in the Atacama Desert is the intriguing Moon Valley boasting various stone and sand formations which have been carved over centuries by wind and water. It has an impressive range of color and texture, looking somewhat similar to the surface of the moon. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 3: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – EL TATIO – PURITAMA (143 KM / 89 MI)
Before dawn break you will depart from San Pedro and head north to the famous El Tatio Geysers; a geothermal field flanked by soaring peaks. El Tatio is situated at 4,300 meters above sea level on the Altiplano. It is the highest geothermal field in the world and boasts spectacular scenery. At dawn you will be able to observe powerful spurts of steam that shoot out from various geyser blowholes and steaming ponds. Afterwards, on your way back to San Pedro continue on to the Puritama hot springs where you can enjoy some rest and relaxation as you soak in the natural thermals pools. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 4: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – SALTA (630 KM / 392 MI)
Today your journey starts as you travel from desert town of San Pedro de Atacama to the beautiful colonial city of Salta. Located in the Lerma Valley, at 1,152 meters (3780 feet) above sea level and with over 400 years of history it is a charming place filled with essence and color. Overnight in Salta.
DAY 5: SALTA – CAFAYATE (186 KM / 116 MI)
In the morning, we recommend visiting the city’s main highlights such as the Basílica Cathedral, the San Francisco Church, the local museum and one of the many fun handcraft markets. After your city tour continue on your adventure towards Cafayate, visiting several quaint towns along the way. As you approach your final destination you will encounter the Quebrada de las Conchas (Ravine of the Shells). This national nature reserve is rich in fossils (even dinosaur foot prints) and boasts magnificent geological rock formations of red and purple colors within sharp cliffs and gorges. Overnight in Cafayate. (B)
DAY 6: CAFAYATE – CACHI (162 KM / 100 MI)
After breakfast take a drive to visit the Quilmes Ruins; one of the most famous archaeological sites of the country. This once was the largest pre-Columbian settlement in the country, occupying about 30 hectares. After your explorations, continue on to Cachi, where along the way you may want to stop at the Pachamama Museum in Amaicha del Valle. This museum features a variety of exhibitions and is focused on all the aspects of the aboriginal culture. From there continue on your drive passing by enchanting mountain landscapes and picturesque villages that are famous for their homemade wine and jams. Before arriving to your final destination take the time to get to know some of the towns along the way such as Animana San Carlos, Angastaco, Molinos and Seclantas. Once having arrived to Cachi, you will have the day at leisure to tour the city and visit its museum, church and beautiful landscapes. Overnight in Cachi. (B)
DAY 7: CACHI – PURMAMARCA (337 KM / 209 MI)
Today your travels will take you north to city of Purmamarca located at feat of the Cerro de 7 Colores (The Hill of Seven Colors) forming one of the most recognized landscapes of Argentina. Along the drive you will pass the famous city of Salta situated in the Lerma Valley. Nicknamed Salta la Linda ("Salta the beautiful"), it has become a major tourist destination due to its old colonial architecture, tourism friendliness, amazing weather and the natural scenery of the surrounding valleys. Nearby also lays the Los Cardones National Park which features gigantic cacti, fossil remains of extinct animals and dinosaur tracks. Overnight in Purmamarca. (B)
DAY 8: PURMAMARCA - SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (411 KM /255 MI)
In the morning take the time to get to know Pumamarca and its surroundings a little more in depth. Afterwards you will need to make your way back to Chile, but not before making one last stop to explore Argentina´s large salt desert known as Salinas Grandes. From there continue on to your final destination. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama. (B)
DAY 9: SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA – CALAMA (101 KM / 63 MI)
After breakfast proceed to the Calama Airport where you will drop off the rental car and catch your flight out. (B)
Rates per person in US$, valid till April 30, 2021:
car type |
1 person |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
sgl supp. |
Hertz G - Toyota Rav 4 or Nissan X-Trail or similar |
$1978 |
$1453 |
$1278 |
$1190 |
$624 |
Hertz J - Toyota Hi Lux or Mitsubishi L200 or similar |
$1482 |
$1103 |
$979 |
$915 |
$490 |
Rates per person in US$, valid May 1 - Dec. 31, 2021:
car type |
1 person |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
sgl supp. |
Hertz G - Toyota Rav 4 or Nissan X-Trail or similar |
$2058 |
$1512 |
$1328 |
$1237 |
$650 |
Hertz J - Toyota Hi Lux or Mitsubishi L200 or similar |
$1510 |
$1148 |
$1018 |
$953 |
$509 |
Based on Half Twin. The single supplement also applies for 1 person.
Hotels we use in this program: Casa Don Tomas (Standard Room), Hotel Virrey (Standard Room), Hotel Los Sauces (Standard Room), Hotel El Cortijo (Superior Room), Hotel La Comarca (Standard Room) Program includes: - 8 nights including breakfast - 9 days car rental (Mitta category J1) including unlimited free mileage, local tax, full CDW coverage with deductible (for details see rental contract) - International permission to cross into Argentina - Roadmap and descriptions Not included: Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee when vehicle will be picked up from airport. This service charge is not included in the published rates. This extra fee has to be paid upon returning the car. |
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