Best of Northern Argentina & Chile

General Info

Discover the Northern provinces of Argentina & Chile. Visit cosmopolitan Buenos Aires before traveling north to explore the deep gorges, fertile valleys and Wild West frontier towns that make this region so unique. Salta is home to the best empanadas in the country- wonderful when washed down with a glass of Argentine red!! In Chile experience the driest desert in the world and Santiago de Chile, surrounded by the magestic Andes.

Itinerary

Day 1 Buenos Aires

Arrive Buenos Aires; you will be met by our English speaking local guide and transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 2 Buenos Aires

Depart this morning on a half day tour of Buenos Aires, known as the “Paris of the Americas” with its strong European influence. A city of grand architecture, beautiful parks, wide avenues and wonderful walks. The tour takes in the most important monuments and sights of the city, including Plaza 25 de Mayo, Government House (La Casa Rosa) and City Hall, the old neighbourhood of San Telmo, with its cobbled streets, the eclectic neighbourhood of La Boca and the portside district of Puerto Madero. The tour finishes in Recoleta, home to the famous Recoleta Cemetery where Eva Peron is buried. Return to your hotel. (B)

Day 3 Buenos Aires

Day at leisure to relax and explore. This evening you will be taken for Dinner & a Tango Show at the renowned Esquina Carlos Gardel; named after Argentina’s most celebrated tango icon. Enjoy superb cuisine in an exquisitely decorated art nouveau dining room as you watch today’s tango artists perform this sensual dance. (B/D)

Day 4 Buenos Aires/Salta

Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Salta. Transfer to your hotel on arrival. Lying in the picturesque Lerma Valley, Salta is Argentina’s best preserved colonial city. Your exploration of the city should include a visit to the San Francisco Church, the Cathedral and the interesting historical and anthropological museums. Don’t miss out on trying Salta’s famous empanadas, renowned for being the best in Argentina! (B)

Day 5 Salta/Cachi

Pick up your rental car this morning and depart for Cachi, heading southwards and traveling through the Escoipe River Gorge with spectacular, imposing mountain scenery. Stop for a photo at ‘Piedra del Molino’ the highest point of the trip at 3,600m and from there descend through old aboriginal settlements to arrive at Cachi and your accommodation. (B)

Day 6 Cachi/Cafayate

Enjoy the morning exploring the colourful town of Cachi this morning before continuing on to Cafayate, one of Argentina’s most important wine producing regions. Check into your pre-booked accommodation and spend the afternoon sampling some famous Argentine reds! Hiring a bicycle is a great way to explore the region’s wineries. (B)

Day 7 Cafayate

Day at leisure to relax and explore the region. We recommend a trip to Amaicha to visit the wonderful natural history museum. You may also like to visit the ruins of Quilmes en route- the most extensive pre-Columbian site in Argentina. (B)

Day 8 Cafayate/Purmamarca

Travel north this morning for the town of Purmamarca, traveling via Salta and San Salvador de Jujuy on this four and a half hour journey. Located at the base of the “Cerro de los Siete Colores” (Seven Coloured Hill), Purmamarca is an ideal place for hiking, horse-riding and learning more about the indigenous culture of northern Argentina. (B)

Day 9 Purmamarca

Day at leisure to relax and explore. You may like to continue driving north this morning for the incredible Quebrada de Humahuaca, a UNESCO Heritage listed site famed for its beautiful rock formations, historic chapels and ruins of Pucara de Tilcara. (B)

Day 10 Purmamarca/Salta

Return to Salta this morning and drop off your rental vehicle. Enjoy the afternoon continuing your exploration of Argentina’s most beautiful colonial city. (B)

Day 11 Salta

Day at leisure to relax and explore the city on your own. (B)

Day 12 Salta/San Pedro de Atacama

Transfer to the bus terminal this morning with tickets to San Pedro Atacama, Chile included. Make sure you have your passport ready for Customs & Immigration! Arrive San Pedro late this afternoon and transfer to your all inclusive hotel on arrival.
Hotel Casa Atacama is a sustainable project that is based not only on a deep respect for the natural surroundings and the desert environment of San Pedro Atacama, but also on a highly intelligent design. All your meals, drinks & daily excursions are included in the hotel rate! (B/D)

Day 13 San Pedro de Atacama

Full day enjoying the accommodation & services at Casa Atacama. You have the option of one full day tour, or two half day tours daily, exploring the unique region of San Pedro, the driest place on earth! (B/L/D)

Day 14 San Pedro de Atacama

Full day enjoying the accommodation & services at Casa Atacama. (B/L/D)

Day 15 San Pedro de Atacama/Santiago

Transfer to the airport in Calama for your flight to Santiago de Chile. Transfer to your hotel on arrival with the evening at leisure. (B/L)

Day 16 Santiago

Depart from your hotel this morning on a half day sightseeing tour of the city. We visit the O’ Higgins Park & Club Hipico before heading into the Civic Centre to admire the colonial architecture of La Moneda Presidential Palace, the Palace of the Courts of Justice, the Cathedral and Santiago’s Central Plaza. Our tour continues to Santiago’s bustling Central Market and Santa Lucia Hill, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and surrounding Andean peaks. Later we visit the districts of Bella Vista and Providencia, home to the city’s best bars, restaurants and cafes. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

At the appointed time you will be transferred to the airport for your onwards flight. (B)

Prices

Description	Price
Tourist Class	$3165
First Class	$3830
Deluxe	$5460

Price per person, twin share, low season

Daily departures- recommended for travel between March and November (dry season)
Please note that airfares are not included- please contact your Contours Travel representative for competitive wholesale South American airfares & airpasses

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