25 Jan 2027
Twin share
£5,509pp
Single from £6,564
Escorted tour
Argentina, Bolivia & Chile: Salta, Uyuni & Atacama – 13 Days
Salta's wine country, the Salar de Uyuni by 4WD with a night in a salt hotel, and the Atacama Desert, in a small group.
13 days
From £5,429
Tour overview
This 13-day small-group journey crosses the high Andes of three countries, from the colonial cities of northern Argentina over the Bolivian salt flats to the Atacama Desert in Chile. A tour leader travels with the group throughout, and you travel by two internal flights, private vehicles and 4WDs across southern Bolivia. You stay 12 nights in a mix of characterful hotels, including a hotel built of salt near Uyuni and a simple lodge at remote Laguna Hedionda with limited hot water and electricity. Twelve breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners are included, and the minimum age is 16.
After a night in Buenos Aires, you fly to Salta, a lively colonial city, for a city tour and a dinner of folk music and food at a traditional peña. A long day's drive through red-rock gorges brings you to the wine region of Cafayate, with lunch at a vineyard and a tasting of the local Torrontés. In Purmamarca, beneath the Hill of Seven Colours, you walk the Paseo de los Colorados and visit the white Salinas Grandes salt flats, then explore the UNESCO-listed Humahuaca Gorge and the village of Tilcara. Salta's main square is lined with colonial arcades.
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Crossing into Bolivia, you change into 4WD vehicles and head to Tupiza, then visit the train cemetery at Uyuni and the Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat in the world, by night for stargazing and by day for the cactus-covered Isla Incahuasi. Next come the coloured lagoons of the high Altiplano, red, green and white, with flamingos feeding in the shallows, before you cross into Chile.
In San Pedro de Atacama you have a free morning, sunset aperitifs in the Moon Valley and an early visit to the El Tatio geysers, steaming at dawn among the volcanoes, before a flight from Calama to Santiago for a final evening.
The physical rating is medium. The route is at high altitude, up to about 4,800 metres, with long drives on rough roads. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to see the Andes' most extraordinary landscapes in comfort, with a group and a leader. Your leader handles all border crossings.
Trip highlights
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A peña dinner in Salta (Day 2)
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A vineyard lunch in Cafayate (Day 3)
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Purmamarca and the Salinas Grandes (Day 4)
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A night in a salt hotel by the Salar de Uyuni (Day 7)
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The coloured lagoons of the Altiplano (Day 9)
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Moon Valley and the El Tatio geysers (Days 10–11)
Your route
15 stops from Buenos Aires to Santiago
- Buenos Aires Day 1
- Salta Days 2–3
- Cafayate Day 3
- Purmamarca Days 4–5
- Tilcara Day 5
- La Quiaca Day 6
- Tupiza Day 6
- Uyuni (Luna Salada) Day 7
- Incahuasi Island Day 8
- Laguna Hedionda Day 8
- Laguna Colorada Day 9
- San Pedro de Atacama Days 9–11
- El Tatio Geysers Day 11
- Calama Day 12
- Santiago Days 12–13
Why choose this tour
Three countries of the high Andes in under two weeks, with 4WD crossings and flights arranged. A night in a salt hotel and stargazing on the world's largest salt flat.
Best suited to
- Adventurous travellers
- Photographers drawn to extraordinary landscapes
- Wine lovers who also want adventure
- Return visitors to South America
Day-by-day itinerary
13 days from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile
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Day 1 · Buenos Aires Arrive in Buenos Aires
Meet your tour leader and group in Argentina's capital.
- Hotel
- KER Recoleta Hotel or similar
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Day 2 · Salta Fly to Salta
Fly to Salta for a city tour and a dinner at a traditional peña.
- Hotel
- Hotel Brizo Salta or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 3 · Cafayate Cafayate wine country
A full-day trip through red-rock gorges to Cafayate for a vineyard lunch and wine tasting.
- Hotel
- Hotel Brizo Salta or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 4 · Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes Purmamarca and Salinas Grandes
Walk the Paseo de los Colorados and visit the Salinas Grandes salt flats.
- Hotel
- Colores de Purmamarca or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 5 · Tilcara, Humahuaca Gorge Humahuaca Gorge
A full-day trip to Tilcara and the UNESCO-listed Humahuaca Gorge.
- Hotel
- Colores de Purmamarca or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · La Quiaca, Tupiza Into Bolivia
Cross into Bolivia and change into 4WD vehicles for the drive to Tupiza.
- Hotel
- Hotel Mitru or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Uyuni, Train Cemetery, Salar de Uyuni To Uyuni
Visit the train cemetery and stargaze on the salt flats, staying in a salt hotel.
- Hotel
- Luna Salada salt hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi, Laguna Hedionda Salar de Uyuni
Cross the salt flat to the cactus-covered Isla Incahuasi and on to remote Laguna Hedionda.
- Hotel
- Hotel Los Flamencos or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Altiplano lagoons, San Pedro de Atacama Coloured lagoons to Chile
Visit the coloured lagoons, then cross into Chile to San Pedro de Atacama.
- Hotel
- Hotel Don Raúl or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 10 · San Pedro de Atacama, Moon Valley San Pedro and Moon Valley
A free morning, then sunset aperitifs in the Moon Valley.
- Hotel
- Hotel Don Raúl or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 11 · El Tatio El Tatio geysers
An early visit to the steaming El Tatio geysers, then a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel Don Raúl or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Calama, Santiago Fly to Santiago
Fly from Calama to Santiago for a final evening.
- Hotel
- Capital Bellet Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 13 · Santiago Trip ends in Santiago
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Buenos Aires (1 night) KER Recoleta Hotel or similar
- Salta (2 nights) Hotel Brizo Salta or similar
- Purmamarca (2 nights) Colores de Purmamarca or similar
- Tupiza (1 night) Hotel Mitru or similar
- Uyuni (1 night) Luna Salada salt hotel or similar
- Laguna Hedionda (1 night) Hotel Los Flamencos or similar
- San Pedro de Atacama (3 nights) Hotel Don Raúl or similar
- Santiago (1 night) Capital Bellet Hotel or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 12 nights, including a salt hotel and a remote lodge
- Meals 12 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners, including a peña dinner and a vineyard lunch
- Internal flights from Buenos Aires to Salta and Calama to Santiago
- 4WD travel across southern Bolivia and the Salar de Uyuni
- Salta city tour, Cafayate winery visit, Purmamarca, Salinas Grandes and the Humahuaca Gorge
- Uyuni train cemetery, Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi and the Altiplano lagoons
- Moon Valley sunset and the El Tatio geysers
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You are sensitive to altitude — the route reaches about 4,800 metres
- You want comfort every night — one lodge has limited hot water and power
- You dislike long drives — some days involve six hours or more
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £5,429 per person, twin share, tour only. 6 upcoming departures.
15 Mar 2027
Twin share
£5,429pp
Single from £6,484
10 May 2027
Twin share
£5,429pp
Single from £6,484
27 Sep 2027
Twin share
£5,429pp
Single from £6,484
18 Oct 2027
Twin share
£5,429pp
Single from £6,484
01 Nov 2027
Twin share
£5,429pp
Single from £6,484
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Will the altitude affect me?
The route reaches about 4,800 metres in Bolivia. Many travellers feel mild symptoms. Take it easy, drink water and seek medical advice before travel.
What is the salt hotel like?
A hotel built largely from blocks of salt on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, with comfortable rooms.
What is the lodge at Laguna Hedionda like?
Simple, with limited hot water and electricity, in a remote location among the Altiplano lagoons.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors do not need visas for Argentina, Bolivia or Chile for tourist stays. Check the latest FCDO advice.
Are internal flights included?
Yes, from Buenos Aires to Salta and from Calama to Santiago.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 16.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary