3-week roundtrip through the Andean triangle

21 days – from €7,180 per person

active – Andes Mountains – nature – driving

• Experience the driest desert in the world in northern Chile
• Discover some of Latin America's most extraordinary landscapes
• Drive past white salt flats, lagoons with flamingos and surreal landscapes
• Enjoy panoramic views of high Andean passes
• Taste the atmosphere of the Andes in traditional Indian villages

Day 3 | Santiago – Calama – San Pedro de Atacama

(approx. 90 km | 1.5-hour drive)
In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to Santiago Airport, where you’ll board your domestic flight to Calama. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and taken to the car hire company in Calama, where your rental car will be waiting for you. Once you have your rental car, you will drive through the driest desert in the world to the town of San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro is a picturesque village situated at 2,440 metres above sea level, nestled in the heart of a green oasis. This village is an ideal base from which to explore the unique surroundings. The Atacama Desert is situated in north-eastern Chile, on the border with Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. This desert covers an area of 105,000 km².
Accommodation: Hotel La Casa de Don Tomás | bed and breakfast

Day 7 | San Pedro de Atacama – Hito Cajón – Ojo de Perdiz

A Chilean driver will take you from your hotel in San Pedro to the border with Bolivia (Hito Cajón), where you’ll change vehicles and continue your journey with Bolivian staff: your adventurous trip begins! You’ll enter the protected area of the ‘Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve’, situated at the foot of the Licancabur volcano. Here you will visit La Laguna Verde (the Green Lagoon, one of the reserve’s gems); do take note of the colour changing from emerald green to a deeper green. You’ll then head north to the ‘Ladies of the Desert’, a masterpiece sculpted by the wind. The stone pillars, sculpted by the wind, display fantastic colours. You’ll also drive through the desert and the Salar de Chalviri, where the landscapes are breathtaking. If there is enough time, you can take a dip in the hot springs at Polques, where you can then enjoy a delicious lunch in the open air. You’ll continue on to the Sol de Mañana geysers, which is also the highest point of the trip. You’ll be at an altitude of 5,000 metres above sea level. The cold is intense, and here you can walk cautiously amongst the steaming and noisy geysers and boiling mud pots, where red and grey mud bubbles like water. You will then leave the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve and travel on to Laguna Colorada. This is the main breeding ground for flamingos. The red colour of the lagoon and the flamingos is caused by the effect of the sun and wind on the algae and plankton. After a stop, you’ll continue towards the Siloli Desert, where you’ll make a brief stop at the Stone Tree and arrive at Ojo de Perdiz at 4,632m as darkness falls, where you’ll spend the night.
Accommodation: Ecolodge Los Flamencos | full board

Day 8 | Ojo de Perdiz – Colchani

After breakfast, you’ll travel northwards, crossing a vast desert region with no roads or tracks. These stunning deserts display a whole spectrum of colours, which can be seen one after the other at every bend in the route. You’ll enter the area of the chain of lagoons comprising Cañapa, Hedionda, Chiarkota, Honda and Ramaditas, where you’ll see large numbers of the three species of flamingo and other bird species (such as Andean gulls and wild ducks). These birds live on the lagoons beside the volcanoes with their eternal snow-capped peaks. You will then drive into San Juan and make a short stop at the Gallaxia caves, where you will find a cactus reserve and fossilised stromatolites. You’ll visit ‘Incahuasi Island’, one of the main tourist attractions in the area. Here, you’ll follow the narrow path to the top of the island, from where you’ll have a stunning 360° view of the Salar de Uyuni. At the end of the day, you’ll head to Colchani, arriving at your hotel just as the sun sets. The hotel where you’ll be staying ranks among the top ten most unique hotels in the world and offers an unexpected level of comfort, with facilities built entirely from salt and boasting stunning views of the lake. After checking in, you’ll have time to relax or explore this extraordinary hotel before heading to the restaurant for dinner.
Overnight stay: Hotel Palacio de Sal | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Tupiza – Villazón – Purmamarca

You’ll set off early today, heading for the Villazón border crossing. The journey to the border takes about 5 hours. Once you arrive, you’ll cross the border on foot and change vehicles. From here, an Argentine driver will take you to your hotel in Purmamarca. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: Hotel La Comarca | bed and breakfast

Day 11 | Purmamarca

Today, your journey continues by rental car. This will be delivered to your hotel in the morning. Purmamarca lies at an altitude of 2,200 metres at the foot of the ‘Cerro de Siete Colores’, the impressive mountain that truly has seven colours. The colours in the rocks are caused by the oxidation of various minerals in the soil: manganese produces a purple colour, copper produces green, clay produces a yellow colour, and depending on the iron content, there are various shades of red. Today, you can also choose to visit Humahuaca National Park (70 km in a straight line heading north).
Overnight stay: Hotel La Comarca | bed and breakfast

Day 12 | Purmamarca – Salta

(approx. 198 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll continue your journey to Salta. Once you’ve passed San Salvador de Jujuy, it’s best to keep to the right towards Salta on the old Ruta 9 via El Carmen, La Caldera and Vaqueros. This route takes you through a beautiful subtropical rainforest. The road is well-surfaced, but it is very narrow with many bends, so take your time. However, the route is breathtakingly beautiful and along the way you’re sure to come across spots where you can stop to enjoy the stunning natural surroundings at your leisure. You’ll eventually stay in a rustic ‘finca’ just outside Salta, situated on the green foothills of the north-western Andes. The owners, Valentina and Fabrizio, came to Argentina from Italy in 2006 to make their dream a reality here. It’s no surprise they chose this beautiful location in north-western Argentina. Here you can go for walks, enjoy superb horse riding and, in complete tranquillity, savour a traditional ‘parilla’ (grilled meat) with a good glass of wine. The beautiful garden features an unheated swimming pool. From here, enjoy the majestic views of the mountains. In Quechua, the language of the Incas, ‘Salta’ means ‘very beautiful’, and the province certainly lives up to its name. The region boasts stunning canyon landscapes with multicoloured mountains, as well as high plateaus (punas) with cacti metres high.
Accommodation: Finca Valentina | bed and breakfast

Day 13 | Salta – Cafayate

(approx. 184 km | 3-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive through the mountains, via the stunning Quebrada de las Conchas, to Cafayate. The arid landscape and the abundance of sunshine here make this area ideal for wine-growing.
Accommodation: Patios de Cafayate | bed and breakfast

Day 14 | Cafayate

Today you have a day off in Cafayate. Cafayate is a small, charming town surrounded by beautiful mountains, vineyards and bodegas. There’s a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You can visit the central square, Plaza San Martin. Here you’ll find charming shops, outdoor cafés and restaurants. Everything is within walking distance, including a number of bodegas where you can enjoy a free guided trip and wine tasting.
Accommodation: Patios de Cafayate | bed and breakfast

Day 15 | Cafayate – Cachí

(approx. 158 km | 4-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive through the mountains on to Cachí. The town’s beautiful colonial charm, good roads and stately buildings tell the story of a relatively prosperous past in trade and administration. You’ll also find traces of this history in the Arquelógico Pío Pablo Díaz Museum. In addition to this museum, there are several other interesting sights in this little town.
Overnight stay: Hotel El Cortijo | bed and breakfast

Day 16 | Cachí – Salta

(approx. 161 km | 3.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll continue your journey, heading back to Salta. Salta is a beautiful colonial town with a charming central square, the Plaza de Armas, which is also home to a number of good restaurants. You can visit Salta’s main attractions, such as the cathedral, the Church of San Francisco and Mount San Bernardo, from where you’ll have a magnificent view of the city.
Overnight stay: Finca Valentina | bed and breakfast

Day 17 | Salta – Buenos Aires

Today you’ll drive to Salta Airport, where you’ll return your rental car. Here you’ll board your domestic flight to Santiago. On arrival at the airport, you’ll be welcomed by one of our local staff and taken to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Palo Santo | bed and breakfast

Day 18 | Buenos Aires

Today, you’ll be taken on a special trip of some of the highlights of Argentina’s fascinating capital. You’ll set off by bike with your guide heading north for a ride through the opulent Recoleta district, with its magnificent mansions, and the lively Palermo district, dotted with numerous green parks. You’ll also cycle past Recoleta Cemetery, Pilar Cathedral, the Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, the Polo Fields, the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, Palermo Parks, the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Library, the Argentine Rural Society and the Barrio Norte residential area, home to several embassies. Afterwards, you’ll be escorted back to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure.
Overnight stay: Hotel Palo Santo | bed and breakfast

Day 19 | Buenos Aires

A free day in Buenos Aires. You have the option to book an evening of tango show and dinner. Whilst enjoying a delicious dinner, you’ll be treated to performances by the finest tango dancers. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Palo Santo | bed and breakfast

Day 20 | Santiago – Amsterdam

Your unique journey through Chile, Bolivia and Argentina comes to an end today. In the morning, you’ll still have time to get to know the city a little better. You’ll then be collected from your hotel and taken to Buenos Aires airport, where you’ll board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam.

Day 21 | Amsterdam

You arrive in Amsterdam today.