Altiplano & Gaucho Wanderer

La Paz - Buenos Aires

21 days through Bolivia, Argentina, Chile

FROM: $2585 USD

Transport:

Overland Expedition Vehicle, Jeep

Crew:

Two Dragoman Crew Members, Local Guides where necessary

Accom:

Basic Hotel 5 nights
Comfortable Hotel 4 nights
Wild Camp 2 nights
Multishare Hostel 2 nights
Camping 7 nights

Meals:

Breakfasts x 20, Lunches x 11, Dinners x 9

Physical:

Lifestyle:

Code:

ZZB

Deposit:

$260 USD per person

Foreign Travel Advice

TRIP OVERVIEW

From Bolivia's high Altiplano to the heart of Argentina's grasslands, this trip takes you through some of South America's most beautiful landscapes. Most stunning of all is the dramatic expanse of the salt plains of Salar de Uyuni and we will cross the Altiplano along remote, seldom travelled routes, criss-crossing wild plateaux studded with volcanoes and lakes full of flamingos; it is truly spectacular. Bolivia was the economic engine of the Spanish empire and nowhere more so than the historic city of Potosi with its giant silver and tin mines and the political centre of La Paz. We descend from the Andes into Chile's Atacama Desert, to visit the atmospheric town of San Pedro before crossing the Andes again and heading into the beautiful arid regions of Argentina and the wonderful colonial city of Salta. Argentina's route 40 is truly spectacular cutting through remote red mountains beset with vine covered valleys. No trip to Argentina is complete without getting under the skin of Gaucho life and we have a unique Estancia stay for two days of horse riding on an idyllic country ranch. To cap it all off we have time to explore the cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires.

HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the witches market & the dizzy heights of the world's highest capital city, La Paz

Day trip on the surreal Salar de Uyuni Salt Flats

Visit the Uyuni train graveyard

2 day crossing of the desolate and surreal Altiplano

Star gaze in the Moon Valley at San Pedro de Atacama

Take the cable car for a spectacular view of Salta

Spectacular drive down Route 40 to see Quebrada de las Conchas

2 nights to visit vineyards in Cafayate

Walk around the ruins of Quilmes

3 night stay in a traditional isolated Argentian estancia with the Gauchos

WHAT TO EXPECT

Off the beaten track adventure, through remote wilderness; a mix of high altitude Andean crossings, with Argentinean local life. Plenty of urban exploration (Salta, Buenos Aires, Mendoza) and time to explore magnificent scenery. Horse riding and easy walks, not physically challenging.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Take jeeps out onto the dazzling Uyuni Salt Flats

Take the epic journey across the Altiplano - an incredible high-altitude adventure through a surreal desert landscape taking in bizarre rock formations and stunning lakes

Explore the dramatic landscape of the Moon Valley

Visit the impressive rock formations of 'El Amphiteatro' and 'La Garganta del Diablo' en route through the primeval landscape of the Quebrada de las Conchas

Visit the Quilmes ruins

ITINERARY

EXPAND ALL CLOSE ALL

Day 1 - La Paz (2nd June 2021)

Border information: if you are joining in La Paz, you will most likely enter Bolivia at La Paz El Alto International Airport (IATA code: LPB).

Welcome to La Paz, Bolivia's seat of government and the highest administrative capital in the world! There will be an important group meeting at 6:00pm at the joining hotel - please look out at the hotel reception for a note from your leader with more details about this important meeting.

Please note that many of the options listed below will only be possible for those with extra time in La Paz before the start of your trip with us - please contact the Sales team if you would like to book pre-tour accommodation with us to have extra time exploring La Paz.

A note on altitude: If you are joining in La Paz, we strongly recommend arriving at least 24 hours before the trip begins to allow additional time to acclimatise.

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Day 2 - La Paz (3rd June 2021)

Today we have a free day to enjoy La Paz.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Take a trip out to the mountain resort of Chacaltaya and the other-worldly landscape of the Moon Valley near La Paz

Full day tour: 130 BOB

Downhill "gravity assisted" mountain biking from La Paz to Coroico

Full day tour (not incl 50 BOB road fee): 125 USD

Guided tour to explore Tiahuanacu Inca Ruins

Full day tour: 220 BOB

Take a guided tour of the main sights and viewpoints around La Paz

City tour: 150 BOB

Enjoy some zip lining in Coroico

Price: 220 BOB

Day 3 - Potosi (4th June 2021)

Today we will leave La Paz behind and head to the colonial mining town of Potosí, the highest town in the world, and once famous for the area's abundance of silver!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 9

Day 4 - Uyuni (5th June 2021)

After some free time in Potosi, we will continue our journey to Uyuni, the gateway to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats.

In Uyuni we will stay in a friendly hotel, famous for serving the highest pizzas in the world!

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Visit the the Casa de la Moneda museum in Potosí to learn all about its colonial past and the silver that once flowed from the area

Tour incl camera fee: 60 BOB

Head down into the tunnels of the Potosi silver mine

Tour: 120 BOB

Day 5 - Uyuni (6th June 2021)

Today we will venture out onto the salt flats of the Salar de Uyuni, spending a full day exploring this phenomenal location by jeep and on foot. En route we will explore the nearby train graveyard and the cactus-filled 'Fish Island', and take all the time we need to get plenty of perspective-bending photographs!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Take jeeps out onto the dazzling Uyuni Salt Flats

Included

Day 6 - Altiplano (7th June 2021)

Today we will head off across the wilds of the Altiplano, a surreal and desolate desert landscape that stretches all the way into Chile. We will make plenty of stop for photographs on the way and at the end of the day we aim to cross the border into Chile, making camp soon afterwards.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Take the epic journey across the Altiplano - an incredible high-altitude adventure through a surreal desert landscape taking in bizarre rock formations and stunning lakes

Included

Day 7 - San Pedro de Atacama (8th June 2021)

Border information: Exit Bolivia and enter Chile at Ollague

After breakfast we will break camp, and drive through the stunning Reserva Nacional Alto Loa on the Chilean part of the Altiplano, stopping off en route for photographs. Afterwards descending down to San Pedro de Atacama.

Please note: The weather in this region can be unpredictable and has been known to close the road to the border. On these occasions we will take an alternate route across the Altiplano, crossing into either Chile or Argentina at a different border point. Your Tour Leaders will keep you informed of any changes that may be necessary.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Day 8 - San Pedro de Atacama (9th June 2021)

Today we will have a free day to explore the incredible highlights of the Atacama desert surrounding San Pedro. In the evening we will take an included trip out to the extraordinary Moon Valley, where we will hopefully see an incredible sunset. At night we will also have the chance to go stargazing, in one of the world's premier regions for astronomy (please note that this is only possible when there is not a full moon).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Multishare Hostel

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Explore the dramatic landscape of the Moon Valley

Included

Optional Activities

Discover some of the interesting ancient ruins near San Pedro and the artifacts found in the area on an archaeological tour

Tour: 25,000 CLP

Hire a bike to explore the incredible deserts surrounding San Pedro de Atacama at your own pace

Half day: 5,000 CLP

Discover the incredible deserts of San Pedro on horseback

Riding: 13,500 CLP

Take a tour of the stunning Lagunas Altiplánicas backdropped by the incredible deserts and volcanic scenery of the region

Entrance: 35,000 CLP

Observe the night skies at a Chilean observatory

Tour: 25,000 CLP

Day 9 - Purmamarca (10th June 2021)

Border information: Exit Chile at Paso Jama, enter Argentina at Paso Jama.

Today we will have a long drive day to cross the mighty Andes, cross the border into Argentina, and reach the beautiful village of Purmamarca next to the aptly-named 'Hill of Seven Colours'

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 10

Day 10 - Salta (11th June 2021)

Today we will drive to the beautiful colonial city of Salta, where we will have time to freely explore on arrival.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 4

Day 11 - Salta (12th June 2021)

Today we will have a free day to explore the town of Salta, visit its many museums, or explore the beautiful surrounding hills on foot or by mountain bike. We will also have the chance to take the cable car to the viewpoint on San Bernardo Hill overlooking the town, taking in some of the incredible mountian scenery nearby.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Basic Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Explore the beautiful mountains and forests near Salta on a mountain biking trip

The Bull circuit: 1,300 ARS

Rainforest Circuit: 900 ARS

Downhill Cuesta del Obispo: 2,000 ARS

Bike Rental (full day): 600 ARS

Take the cable car up to the top of San Bernardo Hill and take in the breathtaking views out over the city of Salta below

Return cable car: 200 ARS

Go trekking in and around Salta

Rainforest Trek: 1,100 ARS

Urban Trek: 700 ARS

Day 12 - En route (13th June 2021)

Today we will have a short morning drive to a campsite in Cabra Corral, a small village south of Salta where we have the opportunity to go rafting or zip-lining!

Tonight we will continue our drive a short distance to wild camp in the stunning mountains nearby, or camp at the rafting base in Cabra Corral if preferred.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 3

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Fly through the stunning valleys above the Juramento river on an exciting 4-cable zip-lining course

Zip line: 750 ARS

Get the adrenaline pumping with some white water rafting in Salta

Rafting: 950 ARS

Rafting & BBQ: 1,150 ARS

Day 13 - Cafayate (14th June 2021)

Today we will drive through the spectacular rock formations of the Quebrada de las Conchas, and reach the serene town of Cafayate.

This small unassuming town is the centre of one of Argentina's principal wine producing regions, famous for the quality of its Torrentes and Tannat wines! Over the next two days we will have the opportunity to go to a few of the vineyards nearby to see how the wine is made, and of course to try them!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the impressive rock formations of 'El Amphiteatro' and 'La Garganta del Diablo' en route through the primeval landscape of the Quebrada de las Conchas

Included

Day 14 - Cafayate (15th June 2021)

Free day to explore Cafayate. This small unassuming town is the centre of one of Argentina's principal wine producing regions, famous for the quality of its Torrentes and Tannat wines! We will have the opportunity to go to a few of the vineyards nearby to see how the wine is made, and of course to try them!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Discover the bodegas and stock up on wine in Cafayate

Wine tasting: 150 ARS

Day 15 - Recreo (16th June 2021)

Today we will drive south over some more spectacular mountains and arrive in the lush flat pampas that Argentina is famous for. We will visit the ancient ruins of the indigenous city of Quilmes en route.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Wild Camp

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 8

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Visit the Quilmes ruins

Included

Day 16 - Estancia (17th June 2021)

Today we drive to a unique Anglo-Argentine Estancia, where we will stay for 3 nights.

During our time at the Estancia, we will head out horseback riding, taste the excellent wines produced by their vineyards, be entertained by a local musician, learn some of the skills of the gauchos, and enjoy a traditional asado (Argentine BBQ). This isa magical experience in a beautiful and atmospheric location, and many people's highlight of the trip!

Please note that some of these activities are subject to weather conditions. Please also note that there is a strict weight limit of 15 stone (210lbs) or 95kg to partake in the horse riding - if you should weigh more than this, then unfortunately you will not be able to participate in the horseback riding.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 5

Daily Activities

Included Activities

Spend 3 unique days at an Anglo-Argentinian estancia to experience the Gaucho way of life

Included

Day 17 - Estancia (18th June 2021)

Full day at the Estancia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 18 - Estancia (19th June 2021)

Full day at the Estancia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Day 19 - Buenos Aires (20th June 2021)

Today we will have a full day drive to the wonderful city of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Today's approximate drive time (hrs): 12

Day 20 - Buenos Aires (21st June 2021)

Today is a free day to explore the incredible city of Buenos Aires, soak up the atmosphere of its streets, and discover its amazing culture, art, and music.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel

Daily Activities

Optional Activities

Learn all about the cuisine of Argentina on a food tour of Buenos Aires visiting several incredible local top-class eateries that you won't find in the guidebooks!

Tour: 85 USD

Enjoy a free city tour of Buenos Aires

Tour: Free

Visit the strangely beautiful cemetery of Recoleta the final resting place of many ex-presidents and Argentine icons most famously including the tomb of Eva Peron

Entrance: Free

See a different side to Buenos Aires on a tour of its incredible street art with some of the local artists

Tour: 20 USD

Try your hand at the art of tango dancing with a private lesson in Buenos Aires

Lesson: 25 USD

Head out to a tango show in Buenos Aires' oldest cafe the Gran Cafe Tortoni - seeing a slice of iconic Argentine culture in an ideal and intimate setting

Show: 650 ARS

Try some of Argentina's most delicious wines on a top-level wine tasting afternoon in Buenos Aires

Price: 52 USD

Day 21 - Buenos Aires - End Date (22nd June 2021)

Border information: if you are finishing in Buenos Aires, you will most likely exit Argentina at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza Airport (IATA code: BUE/EZE).

Today is the end day for passengers finishing their trip in Buenos Aires. Please note there is no accommodation included on the trip tonight - please contact your sales agent if you would like to arrange some extra nights of accommodation here after your trip.

Meals: Breakfast

DATES, PRICES & TRIP NOTES

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Total Price (USD)

02 Jun 21 La Paz

22 Jun 21 Buenos Aires

$2,585 USD

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23 Jun 21 La Paz

13 Jul 21 Buenos Aires

$2,585 USD

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01 Jul 21 Buenos Aires

21 Jul 21 La Paz

$2,600 USD

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11 Dec 21 Buenos Aires

31 Dec 21 La Paz

$2,670 USD

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18 Jan 22 La Paz

07 Feb 22 Buenos Aires

$2,615 USD

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22 Jun 22 La Paz

12 Jul 22 Buenos Aires

$2,655 USD

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14 Jul 22 Buenos Aires

03 Aug 22 La Paz

$2,670 USD

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10 Dec 22 Buenos Aires

30 Dec 22 La Paz

$2,715 USD

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10 Jan 23 La Paz

30 Jan 23 Buenos Aires

$2,700 USD

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Contact Us

Altiplano & Gaucho Wanderer

La Paz - Buenos Aires

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