Skip to main content
Salta & Atacama Desert: Private Cross-Border Tour

Salta & Atacama Desert: Private Cross-Border Tour

Argentina
7 Days

Overview

This 7-day private Northern Argentina and Chile itinerary moves in a single direction — arriving in Salta and departing from Calama, Chile after crossing the Andes via Paso de Jama — which means the route never backtracks and each day opens a completely different landscape than the one before. Day 1 starts in Salta's colonial center; Day 2 moves to Cafayate's Torrontés vineyards; Day 3 covers the Quebrada de Humahuaca UNESCO site through Purmamarca, Tilcara, and Uquía; Day 4 crosses the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters before the Paso de Jama border crossing into San Pedro de Atacama; Days 5 and 6 explore El Tatio geysers, Moon Valley, Piedras Rojas, and the Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons; Day 7 transfers to Calama Airport. Every border permit, vehicle documentation, and timing around the 4,200-meter Paso de Jama crossing is coordinated in advance.

  • Linear Route — Arrive in Argentina, Depart from Chile: The itinerary runs Salta to Calama without doubling back — flight into Salta (SLA) via Buenos Aires, flight out of Calama (CJC) to Santiago (SCL). This affects international connections on both ends and requires coordinating the return flight from a different country than the arrival. We handle both legs as a single itinerary.

  • Paso de Jama Cross-Border Logistics: The overland crossing from Purmamarca through Susques and into San Pedro de Atacama reaches 4,200 meters at the pass itself and involves customs documentation for vehicle and passengers on both sides. Every detail is arranged in advance — including altitude acclimatization timing given the rapid ascent from Purmamarca at 2,300 meters.

  • Cafayate + Humahuaca + Atacama — Three Completely Different Landscapes in Six Active Days: The Calchaquí wine valley, the painted canyon walls of Jujuy, and the hyper-arid Chilean desert share the same Andean latitude but almost nothing else — this itinerary covers all three without the extended Puna circuits of the 10 or 13-day versions, making it the right choice for travelers who want the highlights without the 4x4 remote logistics.

  • Fully Customizable: This private Salta to Atacama itinerary extends naturally into Buenos Aires at the start, or Santiago and the rest of Chile at the finish for travelers building a broader Argentina and Chile circuit.

Trip Highlights

The signature moments that make this journey unforgettable.

  • Explore Salta's colonial center and the MAAM museum's Llullaillaco Inca mummies

  • Taste Torrontés and Malbec at Cafayate's boutique bodegas including El Esteco, Piattelli, and El Porvenir

  • Walk the Quebrada de Humahuaca UNESCO site — the Hill of Seven Colors at Purmamarca, the Pucará de Tilcara fortress, and Uquía's 17th-century Cusqueña church paintings

  • Cross the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters and the Cuesta de Lipán at 4,170 meters

  • Cross Paso de Jama at 4,200 meters from Argentina into Chile

  • Watch El Tatio Geysers at sunrise and explore Moon Valley at sunset in San Pedro de Atacama

  • Visit Piedras Rojas, Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons with flamingos, vicuñas, and foxes in the high Atacama

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from Salta Airport (SLA) to your hotel. A guided city tour including the MAAM museum — home to three Inca mummies discovered at 6,739 meters on Volcán Llullaillaco in 1999. In the evening, traditional cuisine and live folk music at a local peña.

Day 2

A drive south from Salta to Cafayate, the heart of the Northwest wine region and the only place in the world where Torrontés is grown at altitude to this effect. Private visits to El Esteco, Piattelli, and El Porvenir, with tours of the vineyards, tastings, and time to explore Cafayate's main square at your own pace.

Day 3

North into Jujuy Province through the Quebrada de HumahuacaPurmamarca's Hill of Seven Colors; the Pucará de Tilcara pre-Inca hilltop fortress; Maimará's Painter's Palette Hill; Uquía's 17th-century colonial church with Cusqueña paintings of armed archangels; and the Tropic of Capricorn crossing at Huacalera. Overnight in Purmamarca.

Day 4

A morning stop at the Salinas Grandes — 212 km² at 3,450 meters, with traditional artisanal salt harvesting still practiced. The Cuesta de Lipán ascends to 4,170 meters at Abra de Potrerillos before the drive west to Paso de Jama at 4,200 meters and the crossing into Chile, arriving in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 5

A pre-dawn departure for El Tatio Geysers — the world's highest major geyser field, with over 70 active vents at 4,320 meters above sea level. Breakfast at the geysers, then a stop in Machuca for traditional Andean dishes. In the afternoon, Moon Valley in the Los Flamencos Reserve at sunset, where salt formations and desert terrain glow gold and red.

Day 6

The indigenous village of Toconao with its white adobe architecture and historic church; flamingos at Laguna Chaxa; a trek to the Miscanti and Miñiques high-altitude lagoons with vicuñas, foxes, and flamingos at the base of their namesake volcanoes; and the iron-oxidized red formations of Piedras Rojas and the Aguas Calientes salt flats.

Day 7

A private transfer to Calama Airport (CJC) for your domestic flight to Santiago de Chile (SCL) and onward international connections.

Southwind Experience

Talk with a local travel specialist

Plan your perfect Argentina & Chile adventure with personalized guidance

(+54)-9-2966539220

or fill out our quick form below

  • Transportation throughout the trip

  • Accommodation

  • Expert local guides

  • Full support from your Travel Agent before, during, and after the trip

  • International or domestic flights

  • Personal expenses and optional activities

To start this journey, travelers will need to fly into Salta International Airport (SLA), located just outside Salta City. This airport receives flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery – (AEP) and international connections via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

  • Arrival Flight: Traveler flies from origin city to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque (AEP), then connects with a domestic flight to Salta (SLA).

  • Departure Flight: At the end of the itinerary, travelers will take a domestic flight from Aeropuerto Internacional El Loa in Calama (CJC) to Santiago de Chile Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) for onward international connections.

What our travelers say

S

Simon Phillips

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Southwind from the planning stages to delivery of the trip in Patagonia were faultless and I really love the little reminders sent for each separate stage and really appreciated the added bits around passport checking and border crossing paperwork. The whole team was super friendly, and for our trip with Fernando he was great company and knew where to stop for refreshments and a view! We would strongly recommend southwind, they go the extra mile on service and have a permanent smile. Thank you guys you were faultless.

S

Sameer Phanse

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had a great experience with Southwind. They organized a tour for us to visit Monte Leon from El Calafate. Fernando & Laura organized the logistics and were very helpful. Martin accompanied us on the tour and doubled up as driver and tour guide, which was beyond our expectations. We saw a lot of wildlife en route, as well as in the park with Martin’s help. I highly recommend Southwind for your Patagonia experience.

F

Franco Peverelli

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The agency proved to be extremely professional. During the long transfer, in an impeccably clean and perfectly maintained vehicle, Mr. Fernando was very attentive to ensure that everything went smoothly. I highly recommend this agency for organizing your trips to South America. Only 5 stars because I can't give more!

J

Joanna Green

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Maria and her team looked after us so well. I would recommend them in a flash. It was 20 years since I had been to El Calafate so I didn't know what to expect. It had changed so much! Maria was helpful, honest, well priced and a pleasure to work with. You could not ask for more. We had the best time thanks to Maria and her organisation. Fernando was our driver to a tour and a delight. Punctual, knowledgeable and all round wonderful. Gracias!!

R

Rosa Puech

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A fabulous company to travel with: the sequencing of the trip, the guides proposed, the suggestions for the area. We highly recommend this travel agency for Patagonia. Fernando is top+top.

M

Martin Bride

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★

Gerardo drove us on a bespoke 8- day trip from Salta up into the wilderness where the 🦩 come to get pink. We had a great time in this spectacular region.

E

Esteban Riminucci

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Exelente asesoramiento de Maria Laura , muy buen servicio y cordialidad de los coordinadores , muy recomendables !!

P

Paulo Fanti

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Muy buena la atención tanto por WhatsApp como en las excursiones. Puntuales en las búsquedas en el hotel... De las excursiones que llevo hechas (todas excelentes) la atención, la coordinación y el conocimiento de los guías es muy bueno. Un excelente servicio, lo recomiendo!

A

Ana Zugarramurdi

Google review

Google
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing company and experience. We did the Todo Glaciares boat tour in the Premium Lounge and it was beyond expectations! Great staff, great cruise and food! Highly recommended!

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to Northern Argentina and Chile in the first place.

  • Add Buenos Aires at the start for tango, world-class restaurants, and the city's historic neighborhoods.

  • Add extra nights in Cafayate for additional bodega visits including Bodega Colomé's extreme-altitude Malbec and James Turrell museum.

  • Add Santiago at the end for Chile's capital before your international connection.

  • Extend to Iguazú Falls or Mendoza for a broader private Argentina circuit.

Every adjustment is shaped around what the trip means to you, then re-engineered with the same private logistics as the original route.

Let's plan your adventure!

Customize your adventure!

Share your trip plans, and we'll tailor it to your needs and budget. Our local experts are ready to craft the perfect journey for you.

Contact Us
Trusted Agency
Local Experts
5-Star Reviews

Discover Your Next Adventure!

Ready to Start Planning Your Trip?

Tell us about your dream journey and our local travel specialists will craft a tailor-made itinerary just for you. No commitment, no fees — just expert advice.

Let’s Design Your Journey

No planning fees. No commitment.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.