Skip to main content
Salta, Puna & San Pedro de Atacama: Private Northwest Argentina & Chile Tour

Salta, Puna & San Pedro de Atacama: Private Northwest Argentina & Chile Tour

Chile
13 Days

Overview

This 13-day private Northwest Argentina and Atacama itinerary goes further into the Andean plateau than any other route in the catalog — past Cafayate and the Quebrada de Humahuaca into the deep Puna of Catamarca and Salta: the Campo de Piedra Pómez near Antofagasta de la Sierra (25 km of wind-sculpted white volcanic rock at 3,900 meters), the Salar de Antofalla surrounded by flamingos and the Laguna Colorada, the perfect volcanic pyramid of the Cono de Arita at the edge of the Salar de Arizaro, and the abandoned sulfur mining facilities of Mina La Casualidad at 4,600 meters. From Tolar Grande, the route crosses into Chile via Paso Sico into the Atacama — El Tatio geysers, Moon Valley, and the high-altitude lagoons of Miscanti and Miñiques — before returning to Argentina through Paso de Jama toward Purmamarca and the Quebrada de Humahuaca. Every 4x4 transfer, border crossing, and remote overnight is coordinated in advance, including the sections where paved roads end entirely.

  • Deep Puna Circuit — 4 Days Off the Standard Tourist Route: Days 5 through 8 cover Quilmes Ruins, Campo de Piedra Pómez, Antofagasta de la Sierra, Salar de Antofalla, Tolar Grande, and Mina La Casualidad — remote destinations that require high-clearance 4x4 vehicles and local guide knowledge to access safely.

  • Two Border Crossings, One Seamless Itinerary: The route enters Chile via Paso Sico from Tolar Grande (Day 9) and returns to Argentina via Paso de Jama toward Purmamarca (Day 11) — both crossings coordinated in advance with vehicle documentation, permits, and timing around border hours.

  • Calchaquí Valleys + Atacama + Puna: Three distinct high-altitude ecosystems in one circuit — the green wine valleys of Cafayate, the hyper-arid Atacama Desert, and the volcanic Puna plateau —with private guides, vehicles, and expert logistical preparation.

  • Fully Customizable: This private Salta and Atacama itinerary extends naturally into Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, or Mendoza for travelers building a broader private 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

  • Drive the Calchaquí Valleys through Los Cardones National Park, Cachi, and the Quebrada de las Flechas

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

  • Visit the Quilmes Ruins, the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina

  • Explore Campo de Piedra Pómez — 25 km of wind-sculpted volcanic rock at 3,900 meters

  • Drive the Salar de Antofalla and the red-hued Laguna Colorada, with vicuñas and flamingos

  • Reach the Cono de Arita — a perfect 200-meter volcanic pyramid at the Salar de Arizaro

  • Ascend to Mina La Casualidad at 4,600 meters by 4x4, an abandoned sulfur plant closed in 1979

  • Cross Paso Sico into Chile and visit Miscanti and Miñiques high-altitude lagoons

  • Watch El Tatio Geysers at sunrise and explore Moon Valley at sunset in the Atacama

  • Return via Paso de Jama to Salinas Grandes and the Quebrada de Humahuaca

Itinerary

Day 1

A private transfer from Salta Airport (SLA), followed by a guided city tour including the MAAM museum — home to three Inca mummies discovered in 1999 on Volcán Llullaillaco at 6,739 meters, among the best-preserved pre-Columbian remains ever found. Evening free in Salta.

Day 2

A morning drive through the Laureles and Escoipe Gorges, ascending the winding Cuesta del Obispo to 3,620 meters at Piedra del Molino. The Recta del Tin Tin crosses Los Cardones National Park, then continues to Cachi for lunch and the La Paya archaeological site.

Day 3

Continuing through the Calchaquí Valleys via Molinos and Angastaco to the striking rock formations of Quebrada de las Flechas, arriving in Cafayate — the heart of the Northwest wine region and home to Torrontés grown at 1,600+ meters.

Day 4

A day at Cafayate's finest producers: El Esteco, Piatelli, or El Porvenir, with private tours, vineyard walks, and curated tastings of high-altitude Torrontés and Malbec.

Day 5

South through a corner of Tucumán province to the Quilmes Ruins — the largest pre-Columbian settlement in Argentina at the foot of Alto del Rey Hill. Continuing through Santa María and the Inca-influenced village of Hualfín to El Peñón in Catamarca.

Day 6

A 6-hour 4x4 excursion to Campo de Piedra Pómez, 25 kilometers of white volcanic pumice sculpted by Andean winds at 3,900 meters — one of the most otherworldly landscapes in South America. The nearby Laguna Grande holds thousands of flamingos in the high-altitude shallows.

Day 7

A full day of steppe and salt: Antofagasta de la Sierra, then the vast Salar de Antofalla and the red-hued Laguna Colorada with vicuñas and flamingos at the base of the Carachi Pampa volcano, and finally the Salar de Arizaro — the third-largest salt flat in South America — where the Cono de Arita rises as a perfect 200-meter volcanic pyramid. Overnight in Tolar Grande.

Day 8

A 4x4 ascent across the Salar de Arizaro to Mina La Casualidad at 4,600 meters — abandoned sulfur mining facilities closed in 1979, with views of ancient lava flows and surrounding volcanoes. On the return, the Cave of the Bear rock formation is explored with headlamps.

Day 9

North from Tolar Grande through the Desierto del Laberinto and Salar de Pocitos to the Paso Sico border crossing into Chile. A stop at the high-altitude Miscanti and Miñiques lagoons — formed millions of years ago at the base of their namesake volcanoes — and the Atacameño village of Socaire before arriving in San Pedro de Atacama.

Day 10

A pre-dawn departure for El Tatio Geysers — one of the world's most important geothermal fields, with over 70 active vents releasing steam and boiling water at sunrise. Breakfast at the geysers, then a stop in Machuca (a small Atacameño village known for llama dishes) on the return. In the afternoon, Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) in the Los Flamencos Reserve, where salt formations and desert terrain glow gold and red at sunset.

Day 11

The border re-entry via Paso de Jama leads to Susques in Jujuy's Puna region, then south to the Salinas Grandes at 3,450 meters — a 212 km² salt flat where traditional harvesting is still practiced. The descent of the Lipán Slope from 4,170 meters arrives at Purmamarca and the Hill of Seven Colors.

Day 12

North through the Quebrada de Humahuaca UNESCO site — the Pucará de Tilcara pre-Inca fortress, the Painter's Palette Hill at Maimará, Uquía's 17th-century church with Cusqueña paintings of armed archangels, and the Tropic of Capricorn crossing at Huacalera before arriving in Humahuaca. Return to Salta for the overnight.

Day 13

A private transfer to Salta Airport (SLA) for your domestic flight to Buenos Aires 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 domestic 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 Salta (SLA) back to Buenos Aires (EZE/AEP) 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!

Google

Average rating

4.9 ★

Where to stay

Villa Vicuña Hotel Boutique

Villa Vicuña Hotel Boutique

Salta & The Nothwest , Salta

House of Jasmines

House of Jasmines

Salta & The Nothwest , Salta

Legado Mítico Hotel Salta

Legado Mítico Hotel Salta

Salta & The Nothwest , Salta

Hacienda de Molinos

Hacienda de Molinos

Salta & The Nothwest , Salta

Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort

Viñas de Cafayate Wine Resort

Salta & The Nothwest , Cafayate

Killa Cafayate

Killa Cafayate

Salta & The Nothwest , Cafayate

How to Customize This Itinerary

This itinerary is a foundation, not a fixed template — we shape it around what draws you to this part of South America in the first place.

  • Add extra nights in Cafayate for additional bodega visits and canyon exploration.

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

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

  • Stay longer in San Pedro de Atacama for star tours, Valle de la Muerte, and additional desert excursions.

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

Other Tours You May Be Interested In

Buenos Aires, Salta, Iguazu, Mendoza & Patagonia: Argentina & Patagonia Highlights
Days 25

Buenos Aires, Salta, Iguazu, Mendoza & Patagonia: Argentina & Patagonia Highlights

Bespoke Pricing

View Journey ->
Salta & Atacama Desert: Private Cross-Border Tour
Days 7

Salta & Atacama Desert: Private Cross-Border Tour

Bespoke Pricing

View Journey ->
Salta & Cafayate: Northwest Argentina 6-Day Private Tour
Days 6

Salta & Cafayate: Northwest Argentina 6-Day Private Tour

Bespoke Pricing

View Journey ->
Salta, Cafayate & Quebrada de Humahuaca: Northwest Argentina Private Tour
Days 10

Salta, Cafayate & Quebrada de Humahuaca: Northwest Argentina Private Tour

Bespoke Pricing

View Journey ->
Salta, Salinas Grandes & Atacama: Private Luxury Puna Tour
Days 11

Salta, Salinas Grandes & Atacama: Private Luxury Puna Tour

Bespoke Pricing

View Journey ->

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.

Contact Us WhatsApp

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.