Argentina and Chile Puna & Atacama Experience

Argentina and Chile Puna & Atacama Experience

Duration
14 days
Group Size
16 people
Price
From £4750
Region
Latin America
Image link

Overview

Discover the hidden beauty of the North West of Argentina and Chile. Located between Salta to the west and the borders of Chile and Bolivia this elevated plateau of wildly striking and desolate landscapes is filled with the sights of salt flats, flamingos, ancient Inca trails, desert labyrinths and herds of llamas and vicuñas. We travel through the magnificent Puna from Tolar Grande right down to the frontier-town of El Penon, stopping at the various sights. From salt lakes to extraordinary colours, flamingos, clay deserts, dunes, strangely eroded atolls and pumice fields you will feel like the only people in this Mars- like landscape.

Highlights

Included/Excluded

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
Domestic flights as shown in the itinerary
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed, B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Tour Ratings

Fitness: 3/5
Unexplored: 4/5
Culture: 4/5
History: 4/5
Wildlife: 3/5
Tour-pace: 4/5
Image link

Map and Tour Itinerary

The Atacama Experience Tour is a 14-day small group journey through the remote and dramatic landscapes of northwest Argentina and northern Chile. Starting in the colonial city of Salta, Argentina, the tour ventures into the Puna region, an elevated plateau characterised by salt flats, flamingos, ancient Inca trails, desert labyrinths, and herds of llamas and vicuñas. Travellers will explore the magnificent Puna from Tolar Grande to the frontier town of El Peñón, encountering salt lakes, clay deserts, dunes, and pumice fields that evoke a Mars-like landscape.

Crossing the border into Chile via the 4,200m Jama Pass, the journey continues to San Pedro de Atacama, a town renowned for its stunning desert scenery and clear night skies. Highlights include visits to the Salinas Grandes, a vast salt flat stretching over 30,000 acres, and the Geyser del Tatio, the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere. With a fitness level rating of 3/5, the tour offers a balance of adventure and comfort, providing an in-depth exploration of some of South America’s most spectacular and less-travelled regions.

Itinerary Highlights
Explore the Remote Puna de Atacama

Journey through Argentina’s high-altitude plateau to discover surreal salt flats, clay deserts, and vast pumice fields—an otherworldly landscape few travellers ever see.

Cross the Andes via Jama Pass

Experience an unforgettable drive over the 4,200m Jama Pass, offering dramatic mountain views and a true sense of isolation in the high Andes.

Witness the Geysers of El Tatio

Visit the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere at sunrise, where steam columns rise from the earth in the chilly morning air.

Discover the Salinas Grandes

Marvel at the vast expanse of brilliant white salt flats that stretch across the Argentine landscape, reflecting the sky in mesmerising patterns.

Stargazing in San Pedro de Atacama

Enjoy crystal-clear skies in one of the world’s top stargazing locations—perfect for spotting constellations and immersing in the vastness of the cosmos.

Dates and Prices

Tours & Dates
Destination Tour Code Start End Trip Status Pricing
Per person
Argentina and Chile – Puna & Atacama Experience

PAE/090925 Sep 09, 2025

Tuesday
Sep 22, 2025

Monday
Guaranteed £4,750.00

Single Room Supplement: £1,140.00
Book Now
Argentina and Chile – Puna & Atacama Experience

PAE/050526 May 05, 2026

Tuesday
May 18, 2026

Monday
Guaranteed £5,750.00

Single Room Supplement: £1,140.00
Book Now
Argentina and Chile – Puna & Atacama Experience

PAE/080926 Sep 08, 2026

Tuesday
Sep 21, 2026

Monday
Guaranteed £5,750.00

Single Room Supplement: £1,140.00
Book Now

Interested in knowing more?

Fill in the form below to receive a full tour brochure, including a day-by-day breakdown of the itinerary.

Feedback from our Travellers

Essential Info

Foreign Office Travel Warnings

Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.

We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Argentina and Chile that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Visa Information

At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit to Argentina or Chile. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.

British Nationals – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

US Nationals – travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html 

Australian Nationals – www.smartraveller.gov.au

Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.

Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.

As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.

Passports

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.

We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.

For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Vaccinations & Protection

As with travel to most parts of Latin America, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations. For a visit of less than one month you maybe advised to have immunisations against the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis. The use of a DEET-containing insect repellent may also be recommended.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you’ll need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.

Local Conditions

When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.

The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.

Other tours you may like