Argentina Northwest & Atacama is an 13 days 4×4 tour exploring the north of Argentina and Chile. Start your tour in the city of Salta, gateway of this amazing region, then go to explore the amazing Calchaqui Valleys including Cuesta del Obispo, los Cardones National Park, Cachi, Molinos and Cafayate. Continue your trip going to visit Quilmes Ruins, Santa Maria, Hualfin, El Peñon and Tolar Grande. Cross the border to Chile to explore San Pedro de Atacama, the Geysers and the Moon Valley and come back to Argentina to discover the Salt Flats and the the amazing Seven Colours Hil in Purmamarca. Finally enjoy the colorful Humahuaca Gorge and its magical mountain towns, multicolored hills and much more. Let’s discover this Argentina Northwest & Atacama itinerary!
All travel ideas are fully customizable, so we make travel proposals adapted to your interests, activities you enjoy, travel dates and destinations you want to visit.
Enjoy the historic city of Salta
Relax at Cafayate wineries and taste best wines
Visit the vast lands of the Altiplano (Puna) with salt flats, lakes and volcanos
Explore the Moon Valley and Geysers del Tatio in Atacama
Tour Purmamarca and the colorful Humahuaca Gorge
On your first day in the Argentina Northwest & Atacama itinerary, you’ll arrive in Salta “La Linda,” where your local guide will greet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy a guided tour of this historic city, including the fascinating Museo de Arqueología de Alta Montaña, home to the famous Llullaillaco Children, three Inca mummies discovered atop the Llullaillaco volcano in 1999. Later, you may explore independently, visiting the Cabildo, other museums, or admiring the panoramic views from San Bernardo Hill. In the evening, savor local cuisine at a traditional peña, where folkloric music and dance fill the night, and after a glass of wine, you might find yourself joining the fun!
Today your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure continues with a two-day exploration of the stunning Calchaquí Valleys. After breakfast, travel southwest with your local guide through the picturesque gorges of Laureles and Escoipe, climbing the winding Cuesta del Obispo to 3,620 meters at Piedra del Molino for breathtaking views. Continue to Los Cardones National Park, a desert of towering cacti crossed by the perfectly straight Recta del Tin Tin, built by ancient peoples with remarkable precision. After exploring and taking photos, head to Cachi, a charming town that blends Spanish and native traditions. Enjoy free time for lunch before visiting La Paya, an archaeological site that preserves fascinating remnants of the Inca civilization.
On the third day of your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure, you’ll continue exploring the Calchaquí Valleys, visiting the charming mountain villages of Molinos and Angastaco before reaching the impressive Las Flechas Gorge, known for its striking rock formations. After exploring its unique landscapes, you’ll arrive in Cafayate, where you’ll spend the night. This picturesque town is the heart of the Northwest wine region, famous for its signature Torrontés wine. End the day relaxing in the main square with a sunset drink or indulging in a delicious Malbec ice cream from a traditional gelato shop, an ideal way to enjoy the flavors and laid-back atmosphere of Cafayate.
Cafayate is one of the most renowned destinations in Argentina’s Northwest wine region, celebrated for its signature Torrontés wine. On the fourth day of your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure, you’ll explore the area’s finest wineries and vineyards. Enjoy a relaxing day visiting top producers such as El Esteco, Piatelli, and El Porvenir, where you can taste exceptional local wines and learn about the winemaking process that makes Cafayate’s wines so distinctive.
Today you’ll leave Cafayate, in Salta province, and travel to El Peñón, in Catamarca. Along the way, cross a small part of Tucumán to visit the Ruins of Quilmes, the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina, located at the foot of Alto del Rey Hill. Continue to Santa María, a charming city with traces of both pre-Columbian and Hispanic cultures, known for its archaeological heritage, museums, and monuments. The region was once home to the Santa María culture and later influenced by the Incas. Your journey continues through Hualfín, a picturesque village on the Inca Route, where you’ll admire the adobe Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Arrive in El Peñón to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventure.
Continue your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure with a 6-hour 4×4 excursion to the stunning Campo de Piedra Pómez, in Antofagasta de la Sierra. Spanning 25 kilometers, this surreal “sea” of white volcanic rock with pink ridges was sculpted by powerful Andean winds into fascinating natural formations. A remarkable witness to the region’s volcanic past, this landscape feels like another world. You’ll also visit the nearby Laguna Grande, home to thousands of flamingos that gather amid the high-altitude beauty. After exploring and taking in the breathtaking scenery, return to El Peñón to rest and enjoy the peaceful desert surroundings.
Today you’ll travel from El Peñón to Tolar Grande, stopping at several breathtaking sites along the way. The first stop is Antofagasta de la Sierra, a remote town in the Puna catamarqueña and gateway to vast salt flats, volcanoes, and lagoons. Continue toward Antofalla, a hidden oasis surrounded by the magnificent Salar de Antofalla and the red-hued Laguna Colorada at the base of the Carachi Pampa volcano, often home to grazing vicuñas and flamingos. The journey ends at the Salar de Arizaro, the third-largest salt flat in South America, where the striking 200-meter-high Cone of Arita rises like a perfect natural pyramid. Arrive in Tolar Grande to rest and prepare for the next adventure.
On the eighth day of your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure, enjoy a 4×4 excursion from Tolar Grande to Mina La Casualidad. After breakfast, you’ll cross the vast Salar de Arizaro and ascend a scenic route with views of ancient lava flows and surrounding volcanoes—remnants of the Andes’ powerful volcanic past. As you approach La Casualidad, the colorful sulfur slopes of Cerro La Estrella appear on the horizon. Explore the abandoned mining facilities of this former sulfur plant, closed in 1979, and hear fascinating stories and legends from your guide over a light lunch. On the return journey, stop at the Cave of the Bear, a striking rock formation you’ll explore with headlamps before heading back to Tolar Grande.
Today you’ll continue your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure, traveling from Tolar Grande to San Pedro de Atacama and crossing the Argentina–Chile border. After breakfast, journey through the striking Desierto del Laberinto and the vast Salar de Pocitos before reaching Paso Sico. Once in Chile, visit the stunning Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons, located at the foot of their namesake volcanoes in the Andes. These high-altitude lagoons, formed millions of years ago, are home to the tagua cornuda, a rare Andean bird. Continue to the village of Socaire, known for its ancient pre-Hispanic terraced crops, before arriving in San Pedro de Atacama, where you can unwind and enjoy a well-deserved rest after a day of breathtaking landscapes.
Your day begins early to witness the sunrise at the Tatio Geysers, one of the world’s most important geothermal fields. Over 70 geysers release jets of steam and boiling water, creating a stunning contrast against the deep blue morning sky. Breakfast will be served amid this unique landscape. On the return, admire valleys, native flora, and wildlife such as vicuñas and vizcachas. You’ll stop in Machuca, a small Atacameño village of adobe houses, where locals offer handicrafts and typical dishes like llama meat and sopaipillas. After lunch, visit Moon Valley, in the Los Flamencos Reserve, with its surreal rock formations and desert colors that glow gold and red at sunset, an unforgettable finale to day 10 of your journey.
Today you’ll cross the border back into Argentina through the Paso de Jama. The first stop is Susques, a small town in Jujuy’s Puna region. The journey continues to the Salinas Grandes, an impressive 212 km² salt flat at 3,450 meters above sea level, the second largest in South America. Its dazzling white surface contrasts beautifully with the deep blue sky, and local communities still practice traditional salt harvesting. You’ll then descend the winding Lipán Slope, reaching 4,170 meters at Abra de Potrerillos, before arriving in Purmamarca. Spend the evening admiring the stunning Hill of Seven Colors, strolling through the main square, and exploring the lively handicraft market. Overnight stay in this charming Andean village.
Continue your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure heading north through the stunning mountain valleys of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, surrounded by colorful hills. Along the way, admire the Cerro de los Siete Colores in Purmamarca, the ancient Pucará de Tilcara fortress, and the striking Paleta del Pintor Hill in Maimará. In Uquía, visit its charming church and 17th-century paintings by indigenous artists. Passing through Huacalera, you’ll cross the Tropic of Capricorn and see the vibrant La Pollera de la Coya Hill. Finally, arrive in picturesque Humahuaca, with its narrow streets, artisan markets, and traditional cuisine. In the evening, return to Salta for an overnight stay, concluding another memorable day of exploration.
Say farewell to your Argentina Northwest & Atacama adventure as you continue to your next destination. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Salta and transfer you to the airport for your departing flight.
Transportation throughout the trip
Accommodation
Expert local guides
Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip
International or domestic flights
Personal expenses and optional activities
To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into Salta International Airport (SLA), located just outside Salta City. This airport receives domestic flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).
Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to Salta (SLA).
Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Salta (SLA) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) for onward international connections.
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Contact a destination specialist, who will take the time to fully understand your preferences and ideas and turn them into the perfect itinerary for you according to your budget. The itinerary can be modified as many times as you want until you are completely happy with the result.
Add extra nights in Cafayate to visit more vineyards and enjoy wine tastings.
Combine with Buenos Aires to experience the vibrant capital city.
Extend your trip to Iguazú Falls or Mendoza’s wine region.
Include relaxation time at luxury spa hotels or wellness retreats.
