Five-day road trip from Humahuaca gorge to the Atacama Desert, across the High Andes Plateau.
Note: This trip can start in Salta airport (Argentina) or in Calama airport (Chile)
Approximate driving distance: 1.300 km.
5 day/6 nights | Argentina/Chile
At a glance
An emblematic gorge and an oasis in the world’s driest desert, connected through the Andean highlands (la Puna), is the aim of this guided road trip.
At one extreme, the “Quebrada de Humahuaca” (Argentina) was, since the first humans arrived in the region 10,000 years ago, the only mountain pass crossed the Andes northward.
In the Altiplano, the landscape is extraterrestrial, surrounded by bare mountains of ochre color, virtually uninhabited, although from time to time you can see some wild animals that endure the extreme conditions of this desert at more than 4000 meters above sea level.
At the other end, in the almost unimaginable landscape of the Atacama Desert, San Pedro villa is an oasis surrounded by lagoons, salt flats and volcanoes.
This whole area has witnessed dramatic events related to the primitive inhabitants, the Incas, the Spaniards and the wars of independence.
This trip can be done all year round, although it is advisable to avoid the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere (June-September) when the international passage sometimes could be closed.
Salta / Quebrada de Humahuaca / Purmamarca
A small winding path through the jungle leads to the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a deep and tight valley between mountains.
In Purmamarca, at the foot of the mythical Cerro de los 7 Colores, the silence, the solitude, the hills, the sky and the stone constructions will catch you immediately.
Accommodation, at a charming boutique hotel.
The distance to travel is approximately 200km.
Purmamarca
A local host shares her simple family routine with you. You will enjoy their hospitality and a delicious ancestral lunch (included in price).
Visit and marvel you contemplated a multicolored mountain at sunset lights. Overnight.
Driving distance: Approximately 170km.
Altiplano of The Andes - Atacama Desert - San Pedro de Atacama
From Purmamarca, the road will climb very winding towards the high Andes.
It crosses an immense salt flat whose view is lost in the mountains on the horizon.
The road continues climbing through incredible landscapes, passing by some lost village, lonely churches and hamlets that do not know what tourism is.
In the middle of an extraterrestrial landscape in the high plateau of the Andes, we reached 4,800 m above sea level.
After the border, in Chile, we will descend until we reach the oasis in the middle of the driest desert in the world surrounded by supernatural landscapes.
Accommodation in San Pedro de Atacama.
Driving distance: 400km.
San Pedro de Atacama - Tatio Geiser
A unique show will unfold in front of you: Dozens of columns of steam begin to rise from the bowels of the earth with the few first lights of dawn.
In the Tatio Geysers, the sunrise between mountains, surrounded by the columns of steam and the intense smell of sulfur, make the attraction totally and completely surreal.
In the afternoon after visiting supernatural landscapes, experience the sunset in the desert.
Distance distance: 400km.
San Pedro de Atacama - Calama
We will be driving across the desert to the airport at Calama city, leaving on flight to Santiago de Chile, connecting with your international flight.
Driving distance: 100km.
The price includes:
All transfers in private vehicle, with driver and bilingual guide during the entire trip, all their expenses such as accommodation, food, beverages, etc, gasoline, toll fees, up to 1.400 km and all car or van expenses.
All the detailed excursions with the entrance fees to “Tatio Geisers” and the excursions.
Water during the whole trip.
Maximum 5 people.
It is not included
Meals during the expedition, except where indicated
Accommodation
National Park entrance fee
Not detailed excursion
Other personal expenses.
