Andean Discovery - 18 days

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Carbon neutral

18 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

2 peopleMinimum to book

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Santiago, Cape verde

Ends

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Highlights

Santiago - Take in the highlights of Chile's capital on a half day cultural city tour

Atacama Desert – Explore the world's driest desert and the lunarlike landscape of the Valley of the Moon

Take in the spectacular scenery of Laguna Verde on the slopes of the volcano Llicancabur, the Valley of Dali, Chalviri hot springs, continue the journey to the Geysers of the Sun Morning to admire the spectacular colors of hot mud, then to Laguna Colorada

Salar de Uyuni – Explore Bolivia's spectacular dazzling white salt flats and see the giant cactus of Fish Island

Colchani - Spend at the unique Hotel Palacio de Sal, the first hotel in the world built entirely of salt

Humahuaca - Stroll around this picturesque little town which gives its name to the beautiful gorge

Pucara - Visit the ancient fortress located on a hill top, which is Argentina's most important archaeological site

Purmamarca - Wander around this charming Andean village, visit the craft market and see the famous Hill of the Seven Colours

Salta - Spend a night in this sophisticated city, renowned for its colonial architecture and breathtaking landscapes

Iguazu Falls - Take in incredible views of the spectacular Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine side

Buenos Aires – Take a guided tour of Argentina's captivating capital, dubbed the Paris of South America

Humahuaca - Stroll around this picturesque little town which gives its name to the beautiful gorge

Pucara - Visit the ancient fortress located on a hill top, which is Argentina's most important archaeological site

Purmamarca - Wander around this charming Andean village, visit the craft market and see the famous Hill of the Seven Colours

Salta - Spend a night in this sophisticated city, renowned for its colonial architecture and breathtaking landscapes

Iguazu Falls - Take in incredible views of the spectacular Iguazu Falls from both the Brazilian and Argentine side

Buenos Aires – Take a guided tour of Argentina's captivating capital, dubbed the Paris of South America

Itinerary

If you dream of traversing the Andean backbone of South America, "Andean Discovery - 18 Days" may be your ideal adventure. Spanning Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina, this private explorer tour is thoughtfully designed for experienced travelers and seniors seeking an easy yet comprehensive journey. From the surreal landscapes of San Pedro De Atacama and the Valley of the Moon to the ethereal Uyuni salt flats and the thunderous Iguazu Falls, each stop reveals a new facet of the Andes. The tour concludes in Buenos Aires, allowing for a perfect blend of nature and culture. The tour’s unique selling point is its sweeping itinerary, which connects lesser-seen wonders with iconic highlights, all expertly managed for comfort and depth.

day 1 - Santiago

Welcome to Chile. Upon arrival at Santiago International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of your evening at leisure.

OverNight:Santiago

days 2-3 - City Sightseeing

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day city tour of Chile's capital. Starting at San Cristobal Hill, you'll visit the Plaza de Armas, Cathedral and the Government Palace. Then head east to experience some of Santiago's older neighbourhoods, such as Plaza Concha y Toro, which is known for its cobblestone streets and historic mansions. The tour ends at a handicraft store where you can admire lapis lazuli jewellery, a stone that is only found in Chile and Afghanistan.

Day 3 is free for you to explore this cosmopolitan city for yourself, whether you want to discover its fascinating museums, unwind in one of the hillside parks or check out what Santiago's buzzing nightlife has to offer.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Santiago

day 4 - San Pedro de Atacama

Santiago - Atacama. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Atacama. Upon arrival at Calama airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:San Pedro de Atacama

days 5-6 - Moon & Death Valleys

This afternoon you'll depart on a half-day excursion to the beautiful Moon Valley. Sculpted over thousands and thousands of years by erosion, this otherworldly landscape features incredible rock formations and sand dunes. Visit the salt caverns and climb the mayor sand dune for breathtaking views, before returning to San Pedro de Atacama in the evening.

Day 6 is free to spend at your leisure.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:San Pedro de Atacama

day 7 - Laguna Colorada

Atacama - Villa Mar (Bolivia). Today you will journey via the Hito Cajón Bolivian border to Villa Mar, passing the Valley of Dali and Chalviri hot springs enroute. Other stops include the Geysers of the Sun Morning, where you can admire the spectacular colours of the hot mud, and Laguna Colorada, home to the famous James Flamingos.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Villa Mar

days 8-9 - Uyuni Salt Flats

Villa Mar - Uyuni. We arrive in Colchani where you will be staying for the next 2 days at the Hotel Palacio de Sal, one of the world's most unusual hotels and the first hotel in the world built entirely of salt. After dinner, enjoy an evening walk near the hotel. The sky at this latitude is considered one of the clearest in the world.

On day 9, we visit the bizarre rock formations of the Stones Valley and take in the incredible landscapes of the vast dazzling Uyuni Salt Flats, visiting the famous giant cactus of Incahuasi Island (commonly known as Fish Island). Next, learn about the process of salt extraction at a salt processing plant before enjoying lunch in the middle of the Salt Flats.

Meals:2 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Uyuni / Salar De Uyuni Region

day 10 - Tupiza

Uyuni Salt Flats - Tupiza. Today travel to the tranquil Bolivian town of Tupiza, stopping en route to visit the mining centre of Atocha. On arrival enjoy a short walk through the city.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Tupiza

day 11 - Humahuaca & Pucara

Tupiza - Humahuaca - Purmamarca (Argentina). Today you will cross the border into Argentina, travelling to the colourful northwest region and the picturesque town of Humahuaca. Enjoy some free time to explore before continuing to Tilcara. Here you will visit the most important archaeological site in Argentina. Known as Pucara, this hilltop fortress boasts exceptional views over the valley below. Enjoy a short visit to the town of Tilcara and its fascinating Archaeological Museum, before the short drive to Purmamarca.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Purmamarca

day 12 - Salta

Purmamarca - Salta. Enjoy free time this morning to explore Purmamarca Village, where highlights include the famous Hill of Seven Colours, the church and the craft market. Discover its narrow streets and meet the locals, before travelling to the city of Salta, which is renowned for its handsome colonial architecture and rugged mountainous backdrop.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Salta

days 13-14 - Iguazu Falls (Argentina)

Salta - Iguazu. Transfer to Salta Airport for your flight to Iguazu, arriving into Puerto Iguazu Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

On day 14 enjoy a full-day excursion into the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls. Your visit can be done via 3 circuits, best-known as the Lower Path, Higher Path and the Devil’s Throat Path. The Lower Path offers great views of the majority of the rapids and falls, however there are a high number of steps along the way (approximate duration: 2 hours). The Higher Path then crosses the top of the canyon and allows you to look down over the edge of the falls (approximate duration: 1 hour). To access the Devil’s Throat Path, you must take the Ecological Jungle Train then follow the trail to the large lookout balconies at the edge of the falls (approximate duration: 2 hours).

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Iguazu Falls (Argentina)

day 15 - Iguazu Falls (Brazil)

Iguazu - Buenos Aires. Today enjoy a half-day excursion to the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls. Separated from the Argentinean National Park by the Iguazu River, the Brazilian Falls were declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and form part of one of the largest natural protected areas in South America. Stroll along the 1,200-metre catwalk and enjoy stunning views of the 275 falls.

Transfer to Puerto Iguazu Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in the capital.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Buenos Aires

day 16 - Buenos Aires City Tour

Today enjoy a guided tour of the main highlights of Buenos Aires, including the Metropolitan Cathedral, Government House and Plaza de Mayo. Watch the locals tango on the streets of the San Telmo neighbourhood and stop at the colourful suburb of La Boca, home to several important artists. You will also visit Palermo, to marvel at its elegant buildings and parks before ending your tour in the exclusive neighbourhood of Recoleta, where you can visit the famous cemetery alongside many fine restaurants and cafes.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Buenos Aires

days 17-18 - Buenos Aires

Spend day 17 exploring Buenos Aires at your leisure. Perhaps wander the lively outdoor markets or shop in some of the city's cutting-edge boutiques. Enjoy gourmet cuisine and sample some of the country's renowned wine. No trip to the Argentinian capital would be complete without watching a tango performance, or you could even put on your dancing shoes and learn to tango yourself.

On day 18 it's time to bid farewell to Buenos Aires. Unless you have considered extending your stay you will be transferred from your hotel to the international airport.

Meals:2 Breakfast

OverNight:Buenos Aires

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What's Included

Accommodation

17 nights SUPERIOR accommodation. Upgrading to DELUXE accommodation is available upon request. Accommodation rating – See Trip Notes for details

Meals

17 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner

Transport

Airport arrival and departure transferAll relevant transfers and transportation

Others

Santiago and Buenos Aires city tours on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)Moon and Death Valleys excursion on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)Tour of the Rocks Valley, Incahuasi Island and Uyuni Salt Flat on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)Humahuaca Gorge Excursion on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)Tour of the Dalí Valley, Chalviri hot springs, Sol de Mañana Geysers and Laguna Colorada, Villamar on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)Brazilian Falls and Argentine Iguazu Falls Tour on a shared basis (private touring available for a supplement)English speaking local guides for all scheduled sightseeing

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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