Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile

from £4765


'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

What makes this trip special?

Paris of the Americas

Paris of the Americas

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is a truly cosmopolitan city with influences from all over the world. Grand Avenues and 19th century architecture earn Buenos Aires the nickname of the 'Paris of the Americas', but its own identity is just as apparent in each barrio you visit. Buenos Aires' most famous export is the world renowned Tango, and visits to the traditional venues are still possible today.

Waterfalls in the jungle

Waterfalls in the jungle

Iguazú Falls

Dividing Argentina and Brazil this network of 275 individual drops is the largest waterfall system in the world. Walkways enable close up views, whilst trails within the park can also take you to more panoramic vistas. You can visit the falls from both Argentina and Brazil, as each offers a different perspective on the immense power of these falls.

Cobbled streets and rustic charm

Cobbled streets and rustic charm

Humahuaca Ravine

Through the ravine of Humahuaca you will come to the small town by the same name. Authentic adobe houses line the cobbled streets of what was once a tiny Andean village.

Andean Village

Andean Village

Cachi

Set between the Cachi and Calchaqui rivers this is a village of cobbled streets, mud brick houses and an ancient church. In this corner of Northwest Argentina, the Puna highland desert meets fertile valleys, and is a great base to explore the more off the beaten track parts of the region.

Red rocks and white wines

Red rocks and white wines

Cafayate

Cafayate is a small town in the Valles Calchaquíes and is Argentina's second most well known area for producing wine. Predominantly a white wine producing area, the torrontés grape remains its best known variety and there are a selection of vineyards in and around the town. The journey from Salta is worth the visit alone, as you pass the impressive red rock formations along the ruta 68.

Salt Flats and Lagoons

Salt Flats and Lagoons

Salar de Atacama and Altiplanic Lagoons

10km south of San Pedro de Atacama lies this 3000 km2 area of salt pans. The plains are formed by streams from the high Andes that are unable to escape and evaporate leaving just these mineral deposits. On the Salar you will find lagoons that are home to dozens of flamingos that are attracted to the colourful waters.

Vintage Chile

Vintage Chile

Colchagua Wine Valley

One of Chile's premier wine making areas, Colchagua is best known for its red grape varieties. There are both modern and more rustic wineries scattered around the valley, showcasing the different types of production in the area. Whilst you can visit the wineries all year round, March is the traditional harvest season and annual festival of the grape.

Poetic port-town

Poetic port-town

Valparaiso

Chile's unique second city of Valparaiso is now an UNESCO world heritage site made famous by its colourful hilltop neighbourhoods and rickety funicular railway elevators still in active use. The town's most famous resident and Nobel literature prize winner Pablo Neruda, was hugely influenced by the town. His former home 'La Sebastiana' has been preserved much as it was: a worthy pilgrimage for those new to his poetry and those who have made it part of their lives.

Itinerary map for Chile 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile' holiday

Day-by-day itinerary for 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

DAY 1

Buenos Aires and the Atlantic

You are met at the airport on the arrival of your overnight flight and driven to your chosen hotel. Dropping off your bags you are taken for a tour of this cosmopolitan city, by turns elegant and scruffy, ostentatious and humble, full of creative ideas and yearnings for the past. You visit its main landmarks, such as the Plaza de Mayo and the Obelisk, and stroll along broad metropolitan avenues. On narrower streets you explore colourful San Telmo and La Boca, and the stylish Palermo with its beautiful parks and gardens, then the Parisian ambience of Recoleta, and the newly smartened dockland of Puerto Madero. You return to your hotel late in the afternoon for a 3 night stay.

DAY 2
B

Visit an Estancia in the Pampas

You are collected from your hotel and travel by road to a traditional estancia in the Pampas, the cultural heartland of Argentina, for a day among the gauchos. For lunch you tuck into a traditional asado of meat expertly cooked on an open fire. There is an option for a short horse ride with a gaucho to accompany you.

DAY 3
BD

Evening at the Tango

Today is free to explore the city for yourself. You might choose some of its museums and galleries, a walk in the Costanera Sur by the River Plate, or to stroll the streets, stopping at cafes, boutiques, antique shops and markets as the mood takes you. Later you are collected from your hotel for a tango evening at a famous theatre. Dinner is followed by an unforgettable tango show, with first rate musicians, dancers and singers.

DAY 4
B

Fly to the Iguazú Falls

A morning free in the city before you fly north to Iguazú. Your guide introduces you to the small town in the jungle on the Argentine side of the falls, before arriving at your hotel for 3 nights.

DAY 5
B

Argentine side fo the falls

Today you visit the Argentine side of the falls. You are transfered to the entrance of the park where you board the small Rainforest Ecological Train which winds through the National Park dropping visitors off at the various walkways. Visit both the lower circuit catwalk, a 1.5km loop offering views of smaller but still impressive falls such as Ramirez and Bosetti and the upper circuit catwalk, a short trail in the forest above the first few waterfalls. You are then be taken to visit the spectacular Devil's Throat from a different angle along a flat walkway suspended over the Upper Iguazu river. The lookout point at the end of the catwalk offers stunning views over this side of the falls. You are transferred back to your hotel later today.

DAY 6
B

Brazilian side of the falls

You are collected from your hotel to see the Brazilian side of the falls. Passport stamped, you arrive at a modern visitor centre with interactive exhibits and facts about the falls, and head to the start of a pathway dotted with superb panoramic viewpoints culminating in a catwalk to the base of the Devil’s Throat’s sheer mass of thundering water. You have plenty of time to explore, take photos and enjoy the views before returning to Argentina. Let us know if you would like to include a boat trip to feel the power of the falls from water level.

DAY 7
B

To Northwest Argentina

You are driven to the airport for a morning flight to Salta in Argentina’s dry northwest. A guide is waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel and then sightseeing around the city. Salta was founded by the Spanish in 1582 and its colonial-era buildings are relatively well preserved. You visit its historic centre, the Cathedral, churches and convent.

DAY 8
B

Visit to the Quebrada de Humahuaca

Touring north from Salta you visit Purmamarca below a hill of ‘Seven Colours’ in rock layers of earthy ochres, maroons, greys, rust reds and bruised purples. Travelling on, you visit the pre-Inca Pukará fortress, then cross the Tropic of Capricorn to reach Huacalera and La Pollera del Coya, a second hill of coloured rock. At Uquía a picturesque church has 17th century Cuzco School paintings with ‘arquebusier’ angels holding muskets not swords. You pause at the church at Humahuaca on the way to the cathedral of San Salvador de Jujuy before looping back to Salta on a road through subtropical woods.

DAY 9
B

Through the Calchaqui Valley to Cachi

Today you are driven southwest from Salta on mostly unpaved winding roads, at first along the green Calchaqui valley then between dry hillsides of huge candelabra cactus to the remote village of Cachi. Your afternoon is free to explore this photogenic hamlet of adobe houses and quiet lanes. There is a small museum in the main square.

DAY 10
B

To Cafayate

After a quiet morning, you are driven down a very scenic section of Argentina’s famous Ruta 40 (here a rough mountain road), passing country villages then down through breathtakingly dramatic arid mountain scenery to the wine-growing city of Cafayate to stay 1 night. You’ll be able to revive yourself with a glass of the white Torrontés for which this area is renowned.

DAY 11
B

Cafayate wineries and return to Salta

In the morning visit one or two of Cafayate’s wineries. You loop back to Salta along the Lerma Valley with its historic towns to reach the Quebrada de las Conchas or Gorge of Shells with rocks exotically carved by wind and water into ‘the Amphitheatre’, ‘the Devil’s Throat’, ‘the Toad’ and ‘the Castles’. Overnight in Salta.

DAY 12
B

To San Pedro de Atacama

Today is your longest travel day, as you cross by express bus into Chile, around 10-11 hours with stops. It’s a spectacular route from the green valleys of Salta, across the high altiplano, past gleaming salt flats, and down into Chile to San Pedro de Atacama where you are met at the little bus station and taken to your hotel.

DAY 13
B

Quitor Archaeolgical Tour and visits to the Moon and Death Valley

A more restful day, exploring the area close to San Pedro with a visit to Pukará de Quitor, a 17th century stone fortress that was a defence against the arriving conquistadors. You visit well-preserved structures at Tulor which were perhaps the area’s first human settlements. You return to the village and visit the church. In the afternoon you drive out to the dramatic Moon Valley and Death Valley and end on a high lookout for a glorious sunset.

DAY 14
BL

The Atacama Salt flat and Altiplanic Lagoons

This morning you visit a lagoon on the Atacama salt flats where you should see flocks of flamingo. You drive up to 4300m to the fantastic scenery of the Meñiques and Miscanti altiplanic lagoons. You pause for lunch at a tiny desert settlement and continuing to Toconao where a bell tower of cactus wood built in 1750 adorns the little village square.

DAY 15
B

Tatio Geysers and Machuca Village with evening star gazing

An early start as dawn approaches, driving up to the Tatio Geysers, steaming and spurting in the cold air and early morning light. On the way back you stop briefly in the wetlands of Putana and the village of Machuca reaching San Pedro around lunch time. Your afternoon is ‘at leisure’ after your early start. After dinner you are taken for star gazing under some of the clearest skies in the world at an observatory with the largest public telescope park in South America. Simply awesome.

DAY 16
B

Return to Santiago

This morning you are driven down to Calama for your flight south to Santiago where your guide and driver take you to your central hotel, with a brief introduction to the city and the area around your hotel for restaurants and places you might visit.

DAY 17
B

Santiago Museums and Galleries

Art and poetry in Santiago, visiting with your guide the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, National Museum of Fine Arts, and into Bellavista to ‘La Chascona’ the Santiago home of Pablo Neruda-his ‘love letter to the sea’.

DAY 18
B

Visit to a winery in the Central Valley and transfer to Valparaiso

By road across the Central Valley you pass numerous vineyards and stop to visit a notable winery. Later in the afternoon you reach the colourful port of Valparaíso, hugely significant culturally and geographically to Chile, and hugely significant to you as the culmination of your journey across the continent.

DAY 19
B

Valparaiso City

This morning you are taken on a walking tour of the city, so that after lunch you are free to relax or explore by yourself: a fine choice would be Neruda’s ‘La Sebastiana’ house.

DAY 20
B

Return to Santiago

You are free in Valparaíso until the time when you are collected for the drive to the airport outside Santiago for your flight back to the UK or on to your next destination.

Guide prices for 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

options based on all year low season mid season high season peak season other season
Mid-range hotels, mostly shared tours 2 people sharing £4,765
mid-range hotels, shared excursions 2 people sharing £4,765
upper range hotels, shared excursions 2 people sharing £5,475
Upper range hotels, mostly shared tours 2 people sharing £5,475
Top range hotels, mostly private tours 2 people sharing £9,080
top hotels, private excusions 2 people sharing £9,080
Prices are per person and include:
  • all land transport within Argentina and Chile
  • all accommodation
  • meals as indicated: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
  • all excursions as described
  • domestic flights
  • all transport within Argentina and Chile
  • all accommodation
  • meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
  • all excursions as indicated
Prices do not include:
  • international flights
  • travel insurance
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • airport and departure taxes
  • international flights
  • travel insurance
  • airport and departure taxes
  • items of a personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, etc
  • any optional excursions you may buy locally

Customer reviews for 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

Recent reviews are shown here from holidays based on this initial design. In each case the itinerary may have been modified (a little or a lot) to suit the individual traveller.

Average

Seasonal information for 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

Along this route in January

Day Location Max °C Monthly rainfall
1 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
2 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
3 Buenos Aires 29°C rainfall 100mm
4 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
5 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
6 Iguazu Falls 32°C rainfall 171mm
7 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
8 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
9 Cafayate 27°C rainfall 48mm
10 Salta 28°C rainfall 173mm
11 San Pedro de Atacama 24°C rainfall 22mm
12 San Pedro de Atacama 24°C rainfall 22mm
13 San Pedro de Atacama 24°C rainfall 22mm
14 San Pedro de Atacama 24°C rainfall 22mm
15 Santiago 30°C rainfall 1mm
16 Santiago 30°C rainfall 1mm
17 Santiago 30°C rainfall 1mm
18 Valparaíso 23°C rainfall 3mm
19 Santiago 30°C rainfall 1mm

Typical weather for January

rainchart

Max °C figures are the average daily maximum temperatures for the month. Rainfall is the average precipitation for the month.

Hotels for 'Coast to Coast across Argentina and Chile'

Days 1 - 3

Pulitzer

Buenos Aires

The Pulitzer is a modern hotel located in the centre of Buenos Aires. Rooms are equipped with safe, minibar, airconditioning and free high speed wifi whlist there is a downstairs bar that serves lights meals and drinks throughout the day. Up on the 7th floor there is a swimming pool and even a gym where it is possible to book in for a massage.

 

 

Pulitzer
Hotel exterior
Days 5 - 6

Yvy Hotel

Iguazu

Yvy Hotel
Deluxe double room
Days 7 - 8

Del Antiguo Convento

Salta

Centrally located in the historic part of the city the Hotel del Antiguo Convento has Standard, Superior and Executive rooms all with en-suite facilities, a/c, heating, TV and Telephone. Additional features of the hotel are the Confitería (Snack bar), a small outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi.

Del Antiguo Convento
Outdoor Patio
Day 9

Hosteria Cachi

Cachi

Hosteria Cachi
Hotel exterior
Day 10

Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort

Cafayate
rating

Average rating 5.0 (1 ratings)

This wine resort is located around 2km from the centre of Cafayate, within a vineyard and at the foot of the San Isidro hill. There are 22 rooms and all have a private bathroom with tub, heating and air conditioning as well as a mini bar and TV. There is a wine cellar on site that hosts tastings, and a swimming pool with lovely views over the vineyards and towards Cafayate.

Vinas de Cafayate Wine Resort
Standard room
Day 11

Del Antiguo Convento

Salta

Centrally located in the historic part of the city the Hotel del Antiguo Convento has Standard, Superior and Executive rooms all with en-suite facilities, a/c, heating, TV and Telephone. Additional features of the hotel are the Confitería (Snack bar), a small outdoor pool, a gym and free Wi-Fi.

Del Antiguo Convento
Outdoor Patio
Days 12 - 15

Kimal

San Pedro de Atacama

A small hotel in a contemporary adobe style with lots of character close to the centre of the bustling village of San Pedro de Atacama. Part of the site is an intricate labyrinth of rooms while across the lane there is more space and a pleasant garden area. Rooms are all en-suite with heating, minibar and wifi. There is a restaurant and bar and a small pool, and a rather nice small spa with hydromassage.

Kimal
Days 16 - 17

NovaPark

Santiago

Attractively priced, no frills, Novapark Hotel is a functional modern hotel located in downtown Santiago near Santa Lucia hill and Santa Lucia metro station.  All of the 156 standard rooms (twin or double) are have air conditioning and heating, wifi, a hair dryer, safe and TV. There is a cafeteria, restaurant and bar.

NovaPark
Hotel Exterior
Days 18 - 19

Fauna

Cerro Alegre

Hotel Fauna is perched on the edge of the western section of Cerro Alegre served by the Reina Victoria funicular and only 5 minutes away from the city centre. The hotel is decorated in a quirky, funky style in keeping with the street art and bohemian feel to Valparaíso. The hotel has impressive views over town, Valparaíso’s iconic hills and the bay. All rooms are nice and well equipped but the views in the Superior and Suite room categories make them worth the upgrade. The best views are from the top floor restaurant, bar and terrace.

 

Fauna
Superior Room