Hidden Treasures of South America - Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Bolivia |
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![]() Download Hidden Treasures of South America Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Buenos AiresUpon arrival in Buenos Aires, you are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city of Buenos Aires. In the evening, we have our introductory meeting and dinner. Day 2: Buenos Aires City SitesToday, we discover the highlights of Buenos Aires. Traveling by bus and walking through the unique "barrios", we will have a close look at daily life in Buenos Aires. Day 3: Ferry Crossing to Colonia, UruguayThis morning we enjoy a relaxing morning, sailing on a slow boat to the historical city of Colonia, the 17th century Portuguese contraband port and fortress. We cross the Rio de la Plata to arrive at this colonial gem. Our walking tour explores some of the buildings and laneways dating back to 1680, when it was founded. The area is known as the Barrio Historico. Day 4: Fly to La Rioja, Villa UnionTransfer to the domestic airport for our midday flight to La Rioja in the Velasco mountains. The region is famous for several reasons, including its wine. We enjoy the scenery as we make our way through the countryside, we watch for the wildlife that is commonly found in this area including guanacos, Andean condors (the second largest bird in the world) and foxes. Day 5: Talampaya National ParkAfter breakfast, we set off to explore Talampaya National Park with its dramatic geology. Enjoy your exploration of this deep red canyon with some of the most bizarre and exquisite rock formations on Earth. In the morning, we hike (approx. 3 hrs) in the canyon. After lunch, we explore the canyon while driving before making our way back to the hotel, where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Day 6: The Triassic Park of IschigualastoWe explore the deep-white, sandstone landscape of Ischigualasto Provincial Park by car. Enjoy the stunning landscape created by wind erosion. These formations are part of the only Triassic park in the Americas. Day 7: Miranda Gorge, Mythical Inca Ruins of ShincalToday we pass by the marvellous Miranda Gorge, followed by arrival at Chilecito in the Famatina valley in La Rioja province. The drive takes us past wide vineyards and through Londres (or London), the second oldest city in Argentina, founded in 1558 by the Spanish. We also visit the largest Inca ruins in Argentina, at El Shincal. Day 8: The Indian Ruins of QuilmesContinuing north, we visit the Quilmes Ruins. The Quilmes Indians were one of the cultures who fiercely resisted the Incas but eventually fell to the Spaniards. The ruins are possibly the most extensively preserved in Argentina and date back to around 1000 AD, when they housed approximately 5000 people. Day 9: Quebrada de Las Conchas, Wine Vineyards of CafayateWe begin our day with a walk from Quebrada de Las Conchas, through a dry riverbed of the Yesera River. See beautiful rock formations with fanciful names like "The Obelisk", "The Window" and "The Castle" with layers of green, grey and red that are highlighted beautifully by the sun. Strips of gypsum form white lines running through the red soil. We can enjoy this beautiful area during our picnic lunch. Day 10: Cafayate - Wine ExperienceAfter breakfast, enjoy a half day visit to Bodega El Porvenir de los Andes. It was founded in 1890 by a family of Italian immigrants who settled in the Cafayate valley. Later it was reborn as a premium winery upon being bought by the Romero-Marcuzzi family, who knew the region and were inspired to develop a successful vitivinicultural project. Day 11: Las Flechas Gorge, Town of CachiOur drive today takes us further into the Calchaquies valley and through the stunning Las Flechas Gorge. The gorge was formed by the folding of deep white sandstone to an almost 90 degree angle. The white spears contrast sharply with the green of the valley. Day 12: Town of CachiToday we have a leisurely day. We will take a drive this morning through Cachi Adentro, a rural area close to the Cachi Mountain (which stands at 20,000 ft/6,000 m high). We’ll make several stops to see how the locals work their land. We arrive back to Cachi for lunch and afterwards have some free time to enjoy the charming town. Day 13: Cachi, Los Cardones National Park, SaltaDepart from Cachi to the edge of Los Cardones National Park with breathtaking views of the Cuesta del Obispo (The Bishop's Slope). Day 14: To PurmamarcaContinuing north, we drive to Purmamarca today, a tiny colonial town in the foothills of the famous Seven Colours Mountain. After lunch we enjoy a relaxed hike (approx. 2 hrs) to view the surrounding landscape as we head to Los Colorados behind the Hills of Seven Colours. Day 15: The Indigenous Villages of the NorthDrive through the Humahuaca Gorge before stopping at the Indian villages of Maimara, Tilcara (with its ancient ruins), Humahuaca and Uquia. It's an easy day without too much driving but plenty of handicraft shopping, colonial churches and great Indian culture and scenery. Day 16: Traversing the AndesToday we head west, ascending with every switchback along the Lipan Gorge, until we reach the high Puna (or Andean Plain), with roaming wild herds of vicunas and guanacos crossing deep-white salt flats. Day 17: The Atacama Desert, Moon ValleyWe spend the morning at leisure in the legendary and original adobe town of San Pedro de Atacama, an oasis in the world's driest and perhaps most beautiful desert, with its impressive geological formations and stunning scenery. We visit San Pedro's great museum. Day 18: The Atacama Desert, Tatio GeysersVery early morning drive to visit the massive and impressive area of Tatio Geysers. There are hundreds of geysers in the area and most of them are active. The best time of the day to see the geysers erupting is in the early morning when the low temperature allows us to see the steam. It is truly a remarkable sight. Return to San Pedro with some time at leisure this afternoon. Day 19: Bolivia - Mud Pools and the Flamingos of Laguna ColoradaWe spend this wonderful day journeying into Bolivia. Once we are finished with immigration, we continue our journey to a small but interesting spectacle at Sol de Manana, with boiling pools of sulphur and mud. During our journey, we stop at the beautiful emerald green lake, Laguna Verde, Chalviri (termas de Polques) which changes color to brilliant green, due to the composition of the lake minerals and the angle of the sunlight hitting it. Day 20: Puritama Hot SpringsThis morning we drive to the delightful Puritama Hot Springs, a series of hot pools (temperature is approx 34 degrees C). A perfect place to feel completely cleansed and refreshed before heading back to San Pedro for lunch. Day 21: Drive to Calama, Fly to SantiagoEnjoy our last glimpse of the Atacama region during the drive to Calama and during the flight to Santiago, with stunning views of the Andes. Arrive in Santiago late afternoon. Day 22: Depart SantiagoToday we depart for our homeward flights or join our extension to Easter Island. Note: if you wish to sightsee in Santiago, we recommend you stay an additional night. |
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