Atacama Desert & Northern Argentina

Day 1: Arrive in Calama - San Pedro de Atacama (102 km / 63 mi)
Upon arrival to Calama you will pick up your car to start your journey through the spectacular northern ends of Chile and Argentina. Your first destination will be San Pedro de Atacama. A quaint town which was the centre of a Palaeolithic culture that built impressive rock fortresses on the steep mountains encircling the green valley. It contrasts with the eerily silent landscape of the nearby Moon Valley with its tiny but beautiful salt ponds and the backdrop of snow-capped volcanoes. It is a unique experience to view the vast plain of salt crusts with its octagonal-shaped crystals and to admire the lagoons reflecting the towering volcanoes of the huge Atacama Salt Lake; a former inland sea formed millions of years ago and the surrounding landscape. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 2: San Pedro - Museum - Salt Flats - Moon valley (100 km / 62 mi)
Breakfast at the hotel. San Pedro de Atacama once was the centre of the Atacama civilization; the museum Padre le Paige in the centre of town has a collection of over 380,000 exhibits, including mummies discovered in the area. We recommend visiting the Salar de Atacama, the largest of the Chilean salt lakes in the morning or early afternoon (100 km/62 mi from San Pedro, then drive to the Moon Valley. The scenery of the Moon Valley at sunset is impressive and should not be missed. Overnight in San Pedro.

Day 3: El Tatio and Puritama (4.321 m/14.177 ft above sea level) (94 km / 58 mi)
Breakfast at the hotel. After an early start (about 04.00 a.m.) you will be able to visit the El Tatio Geysers, a geothermal field flanked by soaring Andean peaks at an altitude of 4,321 m/14,177 ft above sea level. At dawn, powerful spurts of steam shoot out of various blowholes. After your visit to the geysers, you will drive back to San Pedro; on your way you can visit the Hot Springs of Puritama to relax and warm up in the beautiful thermal baths. (As a suggestion we recommend to take a regular tour to visit el Tatio due to the dangerous road and the early departure that is required to visit them) Overnight in San Pedro.

Day 4: San Pedro de Atacama / Salta (630 km / 392 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. Today you will cross the Chile and Argentina borders through Jama International pass. From there you will head south to the beautiful city of Salta, a colonial city that has kept is essence despite the fact of its 400 years of history. After a long day you spend the night in Salta.

Day 5: Salta - Cafayate (186 km / 116 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. This day you will be travelling to the city of Cafayate, but first we recommend visiting the main highlights of Salta like the Cathedral Basílica, the San Francisco Church, the former Hernández House, now turned into the Museum of the City and the handcrafts market, the first one in the country. Leaving Salta, we can visit the towns of the Valley of Lerma until arriving at Quebrada de las Conchas (the Gorge of the Shells). This magnificent stone wall seems to jealously guard the vineyards of the Valley of Cafayate. The place has a special microclimate for the wine production; given the great thermal amplitude it is not necessary the use of chemical products and a truly organic production is obtained. After arrival in Calafate, you can check in at your hotel and in the afternoon you could visit the ruins of the ancient human settlement of the Quilmes located 40 kms / 25 mi from Cafayate, the most famous archaeological site in the country. Quilmes is an ancient pre-Incan city which was inhabited between centuries IX and XVII. The site, built on a natural amphitheatre, offers an exceptional view of the valley, on the way you could also visit the Amaicha del Valle Museum. Overnight in Cafayate

Day 6: Cafayate - Cachi (162 km / 100 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. You will leave Cafayate along Route 40 to the N following River Calchaqui to the charming town of Cachi crossing mountain landscapes with important archaeological sites and visiting on the way picturesque villages that made their lives from agriculture where you will be able to purchase home made wines or jams among other products. Animana, San Carlos, Angastaco, Molinos and Seclantas are some of the attractive tows. Cachi is considered a gem due to its environment and architecture. You can visit San Jose Church and the Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Cachi.

Day 7: Cachi - Purmamarca (337 km / 209 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. Today you will leave Cachi, crossing the Lerma Valley and National Park Los Cardones, on your way to Salta, visiting Cerrillos, Pulares, Escoipe Gorge, Cuesta del Obispo at 3348m above sea level and Recta de Tin Tin. From Salta you have to take route RN 9 to the north, after 31 kms / 19 mi you will reach the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, leaving this city and after 61 kms / 38 mi the RN 9 meets with RN 52, you have to take RN 52 and only 4 kms / 2,5 mi you will reach the town of Purmamarca. The crafts market in the main square is also a must see. After the checking at your hotel you can visit the amazingly coloured creeks of Tilcara 26 km / 26 mi and Huamachuca (68 km / 42mi Overnight in Purmamarca.

Day 8: Purmamarca - San Pedro de Atacama(450 km / 279 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning you will have more time to appreciate the broad variety of colours this town offers and pay a visit to the truly astonishing Cerro de 7 Colores (the 7 Colours Hill). Afterwards you can start picking your way back to San Pedro de Atacama. Overnight in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 9: San Pedro de Atacama - Fly out from Calama (102 km / 63 mi)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning after breakfast you can drive back to Calama and drop off the vehicle.