Chile: Atacama Desert
Trip Highlights
Tours of Uyuni Bolivia from Chile
Paso de Sico crossing to Chile
Nick From Poncho Tours On The Way To San Pedro de Atacama
Description
A dramatic journey across the Andes to the driest desert in the world, the Atacama in northern Chile: volcanoes, flamingo, and stargazing.
Click here to view map route.
Tour info
We can start or finish the trip in Salta or San Pedro: or do a round trip from either location.
Open in Google MapsWhy take this tour?
If starting from Salta, we head north along the old mountain road to San Salvador de Jujuy, and up into the stunning multi-coloured Quebrada de Humahuaca. Highlights here include a pre-Inca fort at Tilcara, numerous old colonial churches, and a Spanish fort now converted into a museum dedicated to the War of Independence. And of course, there’s the famous Seven Coloured Hill in Purmamarca which we’ll see in its best (morning) light, climbing up to a superb viewpoint which takes us away from the crowds.
From Purmamarca, the road winds up to a peak of 4,200m: a spectacular ascent of the outer Eastern range of the Andes, before descending to the Salinas Grandes salt flats. After a stop for the obligatory reality-defying photos, we press on to the high altitude town of Susques (3,615m), home to the second oldest church in Argentina, a simple adobe structure dating from 1598.
The following day, we head west through the panoramic landscape of the Olaroz and Cauchari salt flats to the Paso de Jama on the Chilean frontier. After crossing the border, we reach the Salar de Tala with its blue-black lagoon, and the giant volcanic ignimbrite blocks in the Reserva Natural de los Flamencos, known as the Moai of Tara because of their similarity to the famous standing stones of Easter Island. Finally, a breath-taking descent into San Pedro de Atacama, jealously guarded by the majestic volcano of Licancabur.
Heading back to Salta again after your Atacama desert tours, we take the slow road south past Lascar volcano and explore the high-altitude Altiplano lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques, enjoying some fantastic views of the Salar de Atacama as we climb the Andes mountain range.
This lesser trod route via the Paso de Sico also takes in the stunning Salar of Talar and Laguna Tuyajto. Back on the Argentine side, we will spend the night in the Puna town of San Antonio de los Cobres (3,770m) and visit the famous viaduct of La Polvorilla, where the Train to the Clouds finishes its journey.
On the final day, we'll return to Salta through the colourful and panoramic landscape of the Quebrada del Toro, taking in the pre-Inca ruins of Tastil along the way. If you’ve still got the energy, we can also hike a little-explored section of Argentina's Inca trail.
Our seven day itinerary allows for two full days enjoying the best of San Pedro de Atacama tours, but you can add on as many days there as you like and we'll be ready to bring you back to Salta or organise your onward journey.
Read our guide to San Pedro de Atacama here.
Included
Local Tour Guide
Own Private Vehicle
Excluded
Food
Water
Accommodation
Things to know
Your Budget
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lo...
Argentina has a parallel economy in which the official rate of the dollar is roughly half its real value. What that means is you need to leave your bank cards for emergencies and bring US$ or euros in cash which we can change into pesos for your everyday expenses. You’ll find Salta city is a lot cheaper than Buenos Aires, and your holiday in Argentina is even better value once we take you on the road on one of our trips. Read our guide to the "Blue Dollar" here.
Accommodation & Food
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$10 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in ...
Double rooms at the privately owned B&Bs and small hotels we work with start from US$50 per night. You can eat well in some of the simple rustic places we use where you will be rubbing shoulders with the locals for less than US$10 per person. And splashing out on a three-course meal with wine in a smart restaurant is unlikely to set you back more than US$50 for a couple.
Pricing
Headline price based on four people travelling together over three days ONE WAY to or from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2023.
One person -...
Headline price based on four people travelling together over three days ONE WAY to or from Salta to San Pedro de Atacama in one of our 4x4s with an English-speaking driver/guide.
Below are our DAILY rates PER PERSON excluding food and accommodation: valid to end 2023.
One person - US$350
Two people - US$200
Three people- US$150
Four people (one vehicle) - US$125
Four people (two vehicles) - US$200
Group Size
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
We operate with comfortable 4x4s which can accommodate up to four people, but if you’re travelling with a larger group, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
Check Availability
More Experiences
Salares of Uyuni, Bolivia
The Bolivia salt flats are one of the true wonders of the natural world, the biggest in the world, and visible from space.
Click here to view map route.