Latin America
10 Day Argentina and Chile - From: $9,015
Trip Summary
Encompassing a wide range of geography, habitats and history, this 10 day adventure reveals Argentina's superlative city life and rich history before taking you into Chile's Atacama Desert -- known at its center as the driest place on earth.
Begin by exploring the diverse neighborhoods, colonial architecture, outdoor markets and gardens of Buenos Aires on a guided tour. Immerse your senses in the passion and drama of a tango performance, and sample the extraordinary wines of the Cafayate Valley. Experience Argentine history at picturesque San Antonio de Areco, a town where gaucho traditions dating from the 18th century are still in practice, and the beautifully preserved colonial town of Salta, founded in 1582.
After crossing the Andes Mountains, you'll arrive in the Atacama Desert: an otherworldly place where salt basins, sand, volcanoes and geyser fields co-exist with oasis villages. Here you'll enjoy cultural visits and excursions to the salt pans, flamingo reserve and the geysers.
Highlights
- Walk vibrant Buenos Aires where
European style blends with Latin
rhythm: historic neighborhoods, great
cafes, open air markets, and gardens
- Experience gaucho life with crafts
demonstrations, horsemanship shows and cattle round-ups
- Go "sand-boarding" on desert dunes and walk in a huge field of geysers
- See flocks of pink flamingos and vicunas in the salt basins of the Atacama Desert
Trip Details
Per Person Double Occupancy Price:
| January - December, 2011 | $9,015 |
Note that prices may be higher during peak Holiday travel time from mid-December through mid-Januar |
Based on two guests traveling.
Departure Dates:
- Daily
Itinerary
Day 1
Buenos Aires
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel. Located in the heart of Recoleta, an exclusive neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Loi Suites Recoleta is just steps away from historic parks, restaurants and entertainment areas. Loi Suites Recoleta offers 112 suites and studios that combine style, comfort and technology, some of them featuring impressive views of the famous Recoleta Cemetery.
Once you are settled in, your private guide will meet you for a city tour. Following the history of Buenos Aires City and its striking different neighborhoods, the city tour highlights include the Main Square, Plaza de Mayo with its neo-classical Cathedral, colonial town-hall and the Presidential Palace, the Casa Rosada. Then discover to the old neighborhood of San Telmo with its narrow, cobbled-stone streets; La Boca with its multicolor tin houses and soccer stadium, the elegant Barrio Norte neighborhood, and Palermo with its wonderful parks and gardens, monuments and magnificent mansions. Note: City tour is private and flexible
Lodging: Loi Suites Recoleta
Day 2
Buenos Aires
Discover Buenos Aires on bicycle. From Parque Thays, pedal along one of the most beautiful avenues in the city, discovering incredible monuments and interesting architectural styles. End the tour at the Palermo neighborhood with its green parks, the Rose Garden, the lake and the embassy district with its wonderful mansions. Note: The bicycle tour can be adapted to explore a different area of the city.
This evening enjoy a night of Tango. You will be met at hotel reception at a time to be advised and transferred to a cabaret designed by Philippe Starck, created to bring back the nostalgia of times passed, located inside Faena Hotel. This show is full of fantasy and sensuality with an attitude of its own. Dinner explores the subtlety of perfumes and textures, accompanied by fine Argentinean wines. The experience can be described as passion, madness and glamour in a story that ends by transforming itself into a legend.
Lodging: Loi Suites Recoleta
Day 3
Buenos Aires
This morning after breakfast set out to the traditional gaucho town of San Antonio de Areco, approximately 123 kilometers (76 miles) from Buenos Aires, Here you will learn more about the Gaucho's history and traditions. Visit a silversmith workshop, whose work to this day is sought after by kings and collectors worldwide. Go behind the scenesof the workshop and learn how the craft is passed from father to sons. Continue to a private estancia, where you will have the opportunity to savor a typical Argentine barbecue of fine beef and wines, relax in the soothing views of the endless plains. A wonderful way to see and enjoy the countryside immersed in an ambience of nature, history, and tradition, activities include horse back riding and horse driven chariots.
Lodging: Loi Suites Recoleta
Day 4
Salta
This morning at a time to be advised you will be met at hotel reception for a transfer to the Buenos Aires airport in time for a commercial flight to Salta.
Lying on the Lerma Valley, Salta is the capital city of the province. It is situated in one of the most fertile and nicest sites ever created by nature in this region. It is located at 1,187 meters (3,894 feet) above sea level, at the bottom of Mounts 20 de Febrero and San Bernardo. The Hispanic architecture of the city stands out from the other cities in the country. The colonial spirit is present in its houses, streets, hundred-year-old monuments and narrow sidewalks surrounded by the mountains nearby.
After settling in to your hotel depart on an introductory tour of Salta to explore the city historical district, visiting the Cathedral, the church and convents of San Francisco and San Bernardo and the Cabildo, all located 2 blocks around the 9 de Julio main square.
Lodging: Estancia El Bordo
Day 5
Cafayate
Spend the day exploring the Cafayate valley, an area well known for its extraordinary wines. The road from Salta takes you through the scenic Quebrada de las Conchas, with incredible stone formations. Don't forget to try the opportunity ice-cream and local Torrents.
Lodging: Estancia El Bordo
Day 6
Purmamarca
Spend the full day exploring the area from the Lerma Valley through the vast Puna Plateau to the Humahuaca Gorge. Drive the "Way to the Clouds", crossing the famous railway track of the "Train to the Clouds" through the Quebrada del Toro (Bull's Ravine) up to San Antonio de los Cobres. Stop on the way for a short trek at Tastil indigenous ruins with fabled views. Listen to the salt crack under your feet and discover how the most isolated communities survive unaware of the world's speed. Continue driving downhill to arrive to the picturesque Purmamarca just as the sun sets over the colorful mountains.
Located in the province of Jujuy, in the picturesque village of Purmamarca, the Hotel El Manantial del Silencio was built with regional materials to achieve a seamless integration with the environment that surrounds it.
Lodging: Hotel Manantial del Silencio
Day 7
San Pedro de Atacama
As Incan culture did years ago, cross over the Andes Mountains from Argentina into Chile. En route stop for a light lunch and then traverse through salt flats to finally arrive to Awasi. San Pedro de Atacama is an entrance gate to one of the largest and most arid deserts on the planet: the Atacama Desert. Considered the archeological capital of Chile, its mountains, deserts, salt deposits, towns, lagoons, volcanoes, geysers and, especially, its people and its unusual visitors have made it a favorite destination in the last few years. San Pedro de Atacama: a mystic and ancient spot that has managed a perfect mingle between the primitive peoples and visitors from the most remote places on Earth
Lodging: Awasi Hotel
Day 8
San Pedro de Atacama
After breakfast depart for the village of Toconao, "Hidden Valley" in Kunza. Visit visit the church, square, bell tower, and local handicrafts. Continue to the Soncor sector of the National Flamingo Reserve. At the Chaxas lagoon, walk a 400 meter (437 yard) circuit to observe the flora and bird life of the area.
Lodging: Awasi Hotel
Day 9
San Pedro de Atacama
Depart the hotel before dawn to arrive at the geysers by day break. The steam and vapors are all more the impressive with the cold and the light of the early morning. At the geyser field see the geyser 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 contrasting landscapes.
Lodging: Awasi Hotel
Day 10
International Flights Home
At a time to be advised you will be met and transferred to the Calama airport for a scheduled commercial flight to Santiago. On arrival in Santiago connect with international flights home.