Atacama, Salt Flats & Gauchos Northbound - 21 Days
Member Savings
Sign in to see which companies give additional
savings to Travelstride Members (it’s free)
Overview
Highlights
- Santiago - Chile's cosmopolitan capital. Free time to explore the city on your own
- Mendoza - Argentina's wine capital at the foot of the Andes mountains. Opt to visit some of the many vineyards in the region or go white water rafting in the Mendoza River
- Estancia stay - spend three nights at a unique cattle ranch in Argentina, learn all about being a gaucho and go horseriding
- Cafayate - visit the impressive rock formations of 'El Amphiteatro' and 'La Garganta del Diablo'
- Salta - independently explore this charming town in the foothills of the Andes. Opt to take a cable car to San Bernardo Hill or mountain bike the mountains and forests
- Atacama Desert – cross the Andes to explore the world's driest desert, marvel at the famous El Tatio Geysers and the lunar-like landscape of the Valley of the Moon
- Salar de Uyuni – cross Bolivia's spectacular dazzling white salt flats on a jeep adventure
- Altiplano - take an unforgettable journey across the wilds of the Altiplano, a spectacular desolate desert landscape dotted vividly coloured lakes
- La Paz – explore the sights of Bolivia's highest city at your own pace and opt to see the fascinating Witches' Market or take a mountain bike trip down the World's Most Dangerous road
What's this trip about?
Compare to similar trips
Details
Destinations
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- 20 breakfasts, 8 lunches & 7 dinners.
- 7 nights multishare hostels, 7 nights camping (including 2 nights wild camping) and 6 nights simple hotels
- Services of two crew and local guides along the way
- Day trip on the surreal Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats including the Uyuni train graveyard
- Visit the incredible Moon Valley and the El tatio geysers in the mountains above the Atacama desert
- Visit the impressive rock formations of 'El Amphiteatro' and 'La Garganta del Diablo'.
- Visit the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes en route.
- Spend 3 nights at a traditional estancia (ranch) with gauchos
- Transportation in an overland expedition vehicle and 4x4
View Similar Trips
Itinerary
Welcome to Chile! Make your own way to our centrally located joining hostel. Tonight at 6pm we have an important group meeting where you will get the chance to meet others in your group and the crew. Day 2 is free to explore this fascinating city and partake in the optional activities available.
Santiago - Mendoza (Argentina). Heading into Argentina on day 3 we pass Aconcagua (highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere) and across the Cristo Redentor pass up in the high Andes as we head to Mendoza, Argentina's wine capital. Day 4 is free for us to explore the region at leisure. Our accommodation in Mendoza is a centrally located hostel.
Mendoza - Cordoba. This morning we have an early start and after breakfast continue our drive to the lively university city of Cordoba, located at the heart of the Argentinian sierras. This evening is free to explore and soak up Cordoba's vibrant atmosphere or enjoy its excellent nightlife.
Cordoba - Estancia. We drive to a unique Anglo-Argentine Estancia, or cattle ranch on day 6, where we stay for the next three nights at a camp near the main house. This Estancia is a working ranch farming prized Argentinian Aberdeen Angus cattle and has been in the sa...
Estancia - Tafi del Valle. Today we will drive north across the lush flat pampas and start climbing into the drier mountains and onto Tafi del Valle, nestled in the valleys of the Sierra del Aconquija. We'll set up camp in a basic campsite for the night.
Tafi del Valle - Cafayate. Today we will have an included visit to the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes en route, then arrive in the serene town of Cafayate. This small unassuming town is the centre of one of Argentina's principal wine producing regions...
Cafayate - Salta. Departing Cafayate we drive through the incredible rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas en route to Salta on day 12. Day 13 is at leisure to explore Salta. Salta has a number of interesting museums and stunning surrounding hills which are g...
Salta - San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). It is a long drive day across the mighty Andes as we depart Argentina at the Paso Jamo border and cross into Chile on day 14 towards our destination for the evening - San Pedro de Atacama.
San Pedro de Atacama - Altiplano. In the morning we depart our hostel and continue our journey to the desert oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama. We make our first stop for plenty of photographs and enjoy lunch at the famous El Tatio Geysers, which are the world’s high...
Altiplano - Uyuni. Today we drive south to Uyuni, the gateway to the incredible salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni. We spend the night in a friendly hotel, famous for serving the highest pizzas in the world!
Today we spend a full day exploring the incredible landscape of the Salar de Uyuni by jeep and on foot. Stretching for 12,000 square kilometres, the blinding white crystals of the salt flats reflect the sky perfectly, making the horizon disappear. We visit the nearby ...
Uyuni - La Paz. Today we will leave Cochabamba and drive north to La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world. Day 20 is at leisure in La Paz. Why not explore the famous witches market, take an optional excursion to visit ...
Our incredible journey comes to an end in La Paz this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Santiago we can arrange post tour accommodation upon request.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with On The Go Tours.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
On The Go Tours Reviews & Ratings
Other On The Go Tours Reviews
Over all fantastic
Over all fantastic Excellent service, great prices, sup...
Magical Morocco
The Magical Morocco tour is definitely one to remember (for all the right reasons), it's amazing how much can be packed into 13 days with some savvy planning. Our gu...
Jade has been such a help and is always…
Jade has been such a help and is always friendly - even when I had to change things several times. Thanks for your patience and your kindness, Jade. You are a st...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- Items of a personal nature, additional meals and drinks
- International flights and visas
- Tipping – an entirely personal gesture
- Sleeping bag and roll mat - please bring your own for camping
- Local payment - $830pp, paid in USD
Accommodation
Minimum age 12, no maximum. Anyone 70 and over to complete our Tour Suitability Form
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations