Best of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile

13 days
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Small Group Tour
Seeking out-of-this-world landscapes? Look no further than this stunning corner of the Andean Altiplano. From Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni to Chile's Atacama Desert and the red-rock canyons of Northern Argentina, expect unreal scenery at every turn. Watch the sunset and sunrise simultaneously on the magical salt flats, experience dramatic red gorges in the driest...
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$8,573
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Journey through the epic Andean Altiplano from Buenos Aires, through Bolivia, to Santiago
    • Stay in a salt hotel while exploring Bolivia's mind-bending Salar de Uyuni
    • Try regional wines in Cafayate, Argentina, and sip sunset aperitifs at Moon Valley in the Atacama Desert

What's this trip about?

    Seeking out-of-this-world landscapes? Look no further than this stunning corner of the Andean Altiplano. From Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni to Chile's Atacama Desert and the red-rock canyons of Northern Argentina, expect unreal scenery at every turn. Watch the sunset and sunrise simultaneously on the magical salt flats, experience dramatic red gorges in the driest place on earth and explore the coloured lagoons where pink flamingos roam. Salar de Uyuni - Explore Bolivia's dream-like salt flats by 4WD - an extraordinary place to catch both the sunset and the sunrise. Cafayate Vineyards - Taste Argentina's famous wines and enjoy a traditional lunch in this stunning wine region. Atacama Desert - Visit Moon Valley for sunset aperitifs and visit the explosive El Tatio geysers.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBuenos Aires
End CitySantiago

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • North America
  • United States
  • South America
  • Argentina
  • Chile

Attractions

  • Atacama Desert
  • Buenos Aires
  • Colorado
  • Santiago
  • Uyuni

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Buenos Aires

Our trip begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital, located on the southern shores of the Rio de la Plata. Since its founding by Pedro de Mendoza in 1536, the city has thrived on trade and its vibrant streets are brimming with an eclectic mix of European architectur...

Day 2 Fly to Salta and tour the city; dinner at a traditional 'pena' (folk music hall)

This morning, we'll fly to Salta, one of the liveliest cities in the north of Argentina; a blend of colonial architecture, fascinating museums and buzzing nightlife. This was as far south as the Inca civilisation came, and the city is more akin to Peru or Bolivia in i...

Day 3 Full-day trip to the Cafayate vineyards to taste the region's famous wine

We have a long day of driving ahead of us today as we head to the wine region of Cafayate - the magnificent scenery en route makes the lengthy journey worth it. The landscapes around Northern Argentina are vast and breathtaking, with rust-red geological formations car...

Day 4 Walk at the Paseo de los Colorados in Purmamarca, visit the Salinas Grandes salt flats

We'll continue north this morning with a three-hour drive to Purmamarca. This magical little cactus-strewn village sits in a striking location underneath a multi-hued mountain called the Seven-Coloured Hill. On arrival, we'll head out on foot for a circular walk on th...

Day 5 Full-day trip to Tilcara and the Humahuaca Gorge

Today we'll set out to explore the UNESCO Heritage area of the Humahuaca Gorge, a highlight of any trip to the northwest of Argentina. The journey is awash with colour and scenic roadside lookouts; one appropriately named mountain is The 'Painters Palette'. While we ...

Day 6 Cross the border into Bolivia; change into 4WD vehicles and drive to Tupiza

We'll retrace some of our steps from yesterday on our three-hour drive up to the Argentina-Bolivia border at La Quiaca. Here, we'll say goodbye to our Argentinian driver and switch to 4WD vehicles, necessary for our journey across the Salar de Uyuni. We'll continue...

Day 7 Visit the Train Cemetery en route to Uyuni, watch the stars on a nighttime trip to the salt flats

We'll make our way to Uyuni today, a small, almost non-descript town that survives on salt and lithium production, and tourism. On the town's deserted outskirts, we'll pass through the train graveyard; a collection of early 20th-century train carriages rusted by the s...

Day 8 Discover the salt flats and the cacti-covered Incahuasi Island

Exploring Bolivia's immense, other-worldly salt flats is an unforgettable and surreal experience. Heading into this natural wonder, the sky seems to almost disappear into the land through the reflections of the blinding-white plains. Flamingos inhabit the shoreline of...

Day 9 Visit the coloured lagoons; cross the border into Chile and continue to San Pedro de Atacama

Today is another long day of driving, with around six hours in the vehicle to the border at Hito Cajon, and another hour to San Pedro. However, we can continue to enjoy the unforgettable landscapes. We'll make a stop at the 'Sol de Manana' geysers, where the hot st...

Day 10 Free morning in San Pedro; sunset aperitifs at the Moon Valley

The oasis town of San Pedro de Atacama is set high among the spectacular volcanoes of Los Andes Cordillera and is the lively gateway to the dramatic landscapes of the Atacama Desert. After so many days on the move, this morning we have free time to enjoy the town. The...

Day 11 Morning visit to the Tatio Geysers; afternoon free in San Pedro

We'll have an early morning start to drive to the El Tatio Hot Springs, a geothermal field of spouting geysers and steaming fumaroles surrounded by a vista of volcanic mountains. Watching these active geysers erupting in the light of the rising sun is an impressive si...

Day 12 Fly to Santiago

We'll drive to Calama Airport this morning, to catch our flight into Santiago, Chile's majestic capital in the shadow of the Andes. This afternoon, we'll have an orientation tour of the capital by bus. We'll explore the old part of the city, seeing La Moneda (the G...

Day 13 Trip ends in Santiago

Our trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Santiago. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Santiago at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $6,970
Price per day$536
Last Updated: 5/24/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
08 Sep 2024
20 Sep 2024
$7,010
$1,060
13 Oct 2024
25 Oct 2024
$6,970
$1,070
10 Nov 2024
22 Nov 2024
$7,170
$1,060
26 Jan 2025
07 Feb 2025
$7,810
$1,140
23 Mar 2025
04 Apr 2025
$8,070
$1,140
25 May 2025
06 Jun 2025
$8,070
$1,140
28 Sep 2025
10 Oct 2025
$8,070
$1,140
02 Nov 2025
14 Nov 2025
$8,070
$1,140

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

4WD, Flight, Minibus,

Transportation & flights

4WD, Flight, Minibus
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Argentina: Visas are not required for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens. Please note Australian passport holders will need make a payment called the 'reciprocity fee' in advance of travel to enter Argentina. This currently costs US$ 100. This payment needs to be made online at http://www.migraciones.gov.ar/accesible/templates/reciprocidad/reciprocidad.htm The receipt generated at the time of online payment must be printed and given to local immigration authorities together with your passport. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. USA: If your flights pass through the USA, even if only in transit, you will require either a visa or an ESTA (an e-visa). Please read on for more information. Citizens of the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and passport holders from several EU countries can apply for an ESTA under certain conditions. This applies if you enter the country by sea or by air, and this must be done online via https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov, no later than 72 hours prior to travel. Travellers who have not registered before their trip are likely be refused boarding. You must have a biometric passport to apply for an ESTA. UK passports which are biometric feature a small gold symbol (camera) at the bottom of the front cover. If you have visited Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen since 2011 or are dual nationals of these countries, you cannot travel with an ESTA and instead you will need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to provide a valid visa before boarding flights to the US, or entering via another method, you may not be permitted to travel. You should also be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Cuba since the 12th of January 2021, you will not be eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. Your ESTA application will ask for Point of Contact information. Please note that if you're only transiting through the USA then this is not required. If you're visiting or staying in the USA on an Explore trip, then our USA contact information will be listed on your final documentation which you will receive approximately 3-4 weeks before departure. Entry requirements for the USA can change regularly, therefore, please ensure you have the most up to date information before you travel by checking the US embassy website. Visa applications - http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/apply.html Canada: An electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is required by British citizens transiting via Canada. For more information see the official Canadian government website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Please consult your travel clinic for the latest advice on Malaria, Dengue Fever and Zika Virus. Please take preventative measures to avoid mosquito bites - these include mosquito repellent as well as long trousers and long sleeve shirts to cover up when necessary. Please note many countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean require a yellow fever vaccination certificates if travelling from infected areas. A detailed list of these countries can be found on the NaTHNaC website - http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Also on the NaTHNaC site there is a list of Countries (and specific areas within a country) which are at risk of infection and a vaccination is therefore recommended. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 11
  • Dinner : 4
  • Lunch : 5
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
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