Discover the Atacama & Salta

13 Days Discover the Atacama & Salta

Indulge your senses on a remarkable South American adventure. Feast your eyes on colorful art and architecture, as well as magnificent landscapes shaped by nature's hand. Savor delicious cuisines and taste wine in Cafayate, known for its sumptuous Malbecs. Listen to the lively music of life in Buenos Aires and the mystical stillness of the Atacama Desert where rainfall has never been recorded. Journey through the Enchanted Valley to Salta — a romantic city with rich colonial heritage. Along the way, relax in lodgings as beautiful as the scenery surrounding them.

Details Testimonials

Arrive: Buenos Aires, Argentina “Traveling with MT Sobek is like gaining a new set of close friends that have shared an incredible Depart: Santiago, Chile experience together.” Mark N. Duration: 13 Days

Group Size: 7-14 Guests “Exceptional trips! Go with MT Sobek!” Mitch S. Minimum Age: 17 Years Old

Activity Level:

. REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 MT Sobek has been offering unique Our action-packed adventure Explore unique colorful landscapes, adventures in South America for enables you to tick off top sights enjoy local live music, and sample over 40 years, working with premier and experiences in Argentina amazing wines - treat yourself! guiding teams and top hotels. and Chile — in under two weeks.

ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE This adventure perfectly blends Enjoy unique accommodations Buenos Aires is mid-70s and easy cultural touring with wine including colonial hotels, mid-80s, dropping to upper 60s tasting, food tours, and desert elegant resorts, and luxury at night. Salta ranges from 45F to exploration that includes floating lodges in captivating natural 80F. San Pedro will be 55F to 77F. in lagoons and stargazing. settings. Includes three nights at Tierra Atacama.

"TC" was born in Punta Arenas and grew up in Tierra del Fuego, where he developed his love for the outdoors. He studied psychology at La Plata University in Buenos Aires and has a degree in Patagonia Biodiversity from Magallanes University. With more than 10 years of experience, his explorer’s spirit has also taken him to nearly every continent. He is an excellent ambassador of his country and its culture. TC’s enthusiasm and sense of adventure are absolutely contagious, and we know you’ll be captivated by his engaging smile!

Sergio Bahamondez Itinerary DAY 1 ARRIVE IN BUENOS AIRES Arrive in Buenos Aires and check in to your hotel. Meet an expert naturalist guide at Plaza St. Martin for a guided tour on the Forgotten Language of Trees — including how they provided food, medicine and shelter to natives — and learn about the plaza's important history.

Meals: D

DAY 2 TOUR BUENOS AIRES’ PARKS, PLAZAS & PORTENOS Gain fascinating insights into Argentina on an exclusive tour of Buenos Aires led by a scholar from the university. Then, dive into the city's street food scene and discover three of Argentina's favorite delicacies with the help of a passionate gourmet guide. Sample empanadas, a typical pastry from Argentina; choripan, an irresistible chorizo sandwich; and Argentina's take on pizza. Finish with Argentina's own version of Italian gelato. In the afternoon, set off on your own to enjoy the rest of the day exploring the capital of Argentina.

Meals: B, L

DAY 3 JOURNEY TO SALTA & WINE HAVEN CAFAYATE Transfer to the airport and catch a flight to Salta City, then embark on a full-day expedition to Cafayate. At the Cafayate Ravine, see cliffs and crags that come in every color, including brick red, pale orange, slate blue, and rich purple — impressive geological formations created over the past 60 million years by wind erosion on the sandstone. Finally, reach Cafayate, a small village favored by wine lovers.

Meals: B, L

DAY 4 ENJOY THE WINES OF CAFAYATE Learn about the wines of Cafayate with a visit to the Museum of Vine and Wine, then explore some of the most prestigious wineries in the area: El Esteco (formerly Bodega La Rosa, one of the most iconic wineries in the area) and Piatelli, renowned for its Premium Reserve Malbec. Top off your day with wonderful wines and cheese while watching the spectacular sunset.

Meals: B, L

DAY 5 EXPLORE HISTORICAL MOLINOS & CACHI Depart from Cafayate and traverse a canyon with unique rock formations on one of most interesting roads in the northwest. Enjoy lunch in the quaint village of Molinos, then travel two hours to the ancient town of Cachi. Its restored colonial church is a national historical monument, and its local archaeology museum is considered one of the best of its kind in Argentina. On the way, learn about weaving from the local artists who are famous for producing the beautiful red ponchos that are the emblem of Salta Province.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 EXPLORE OBISPO PASS, THE ENCHANTED VALLEY, & SALTA In the morning, explore the charms of Cachi. After lunch, drive into the mountains and watch for condors, eagles, and native camelid guanacos, which are common in the area. The road twists, turns, doubles back, ascends and descends through this mystical oil painting landscape, eventually leading to the Valle Encantado (Enchanted Valley) — a vast expanse of verdant green pastures. End the day in Salta for a well-earned rest and re-cap on this incredible adventure so far.

Meals: B, L

DAY 7 EXPERIENCE SALTA'S RICH COLONIAL HERITAGE Spend the day together enjoying the rich colonial heritage of Salta, one of the oldest cities to be established in Argentina by Spanish conquistadors. Visit the Central Square surrounded by the Cabildo (formerly the Town Hall), the Archbishop's Palace and Cathedral; San Francisco's Church, and San Bernardo Church and convent. Browse the work of native artisans at the craft market, set in an old mansion. After lunch, explore the city on your own, followed by dinner at a local folk restaurant with live music.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 DISCOVER QUEBRADA DE HUMAHUACA Visit the Humahuaca Canyon, an imposing Andean gorge of multi-layered, rust-colored mountains and ancient settlements. Stop at Purmamarca, an enchanted village that's known for its excellent local markets, ideal for picking up handicrafts. Head to the village of Tilcara and visit a restored pre-Columbian fort offering spectacular views of the valley. Visit the Museo Arqueologico, which houses a diverse collection of local native artifacts. Then, return to Purmamarca for lunch and an easy hike to Los Colorados, an impressive formation.

Activity: 1.5 hours/2 miles light hiking

Meals: B, L DAY 9 JOURNEY TO SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA, CHILE Cross over into Chile, then continue to your hotel in San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro reflects an Indigenous- Spanish cultural heritage and is surrounded by fortress ruins and other archaeological sites. After lunch, visit the Valle de la Luna, named after its moon-like landforms eroded by eons of floods and wind. From atop a giant sand dune, take in spectacular views of the valley, a distant ring of volcanoes, rippling Cordillera de la Sal, and surreal lunar landscapes.

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10 TATIO GEYSERS We leave the hotel before dawn to arrive at the famous geysers at daybreak: the steam and vapors are all the more impressive with the cold and the light of the early morning. At the geyser field (14,100'), we will also see geysers thermal pools, mud fountains, colorful rock formations, hot streams and flora and fauna. The return journey is quite stunning with an abundance of wildlife and beautifully contrasting landscapes. This afternoon is free to explore on your own.

Activity: 30-40 minutes hiking with negligible ascent and descent

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 FLOAT IN THE ATACAMA’S LAGOONS After breakfast, visit the otherworldly Atacama Salt Flats and snap pictures of the rare Andean flamingos who live there. Then, continue to La Laguna Cejar, a saltwater lagoon that is South America's answer to the Dead Sea, where you can take an unforgettable swim — and float — in the middle of the dessert. At night, the sky comes alive, allowing for spectacular stargazing in the Chilean outback.

Activity: 1 hour hiking with negligible ascent and descent/optional swimming

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 EXPERIENCE THE HIGH ANDEAN LAGOONS We'll drive two and a half hours south east from the hotel brings us to the high Andean lagoons of Miscanti and Miniques. The lagoons are surrounded by beautiful snowcapped mountains and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The lagoons provide a stunning contrast and the combined effect is an amazing explosion of colors from white, blue and silver through to red, pink and yellow. We'll be back at the hotel to enjoy our farewell dinner.

Activity: 30 minutes hiking with negligible ascent and descent

Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 FLY TO SANTIAGO Transfer to the airport for flight to Santiago and connect with your international flight home.

Meals: B

2019

$ 8,495 per person

Additional Cost $ 500 Internal Airfare $ 1,600 Single Supplement

PRICE INCLUDES PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Expert leadership from experienced adventure International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess guides baggage charges Accommodations as noted in the itinerary Dinner on Days 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Optional tips to your lead adventure guides Potable water and snacks throughout Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner Airport transfers if arriving outside of the group All tips and gratuities for support staff with the transfer exception of your lead adventure guide(s) Optional travel protection All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day group airport transfers